Romantic events to enjoy Valentine's Day in Cape Town

Seduce your sweetheart and choose from a host of great things to do this “day of love”

Love is in the air, cupid is cocking his bow and the shop shelves are overflowing with chocolate, teddies and beautiful bunches of red roses; in short, it’s Valentine’s Day in Cape Town!

Truth be told, it’s one of those days you either love or loathe, but as the second most popular card-giving holiday in the world (Christmas is the first), there are few that manage to avoid the occasion all together.

So, if you find yourself in a (new or old) relationship without a clue of how to impress and woo your ... (insert pet name here), don’t panic, we’ve sourced the most romantic places to go and things to do to celebrate Valentine’s Day in Cape Town in 2013. 

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Glen Carlou Winery

This Valentine’s Day, indulge in a relaxed romantic dinner with your special someone at picturesque Paarl wine farm Glen Carlou. The winery’s on-site restaurant, which flaunts breathtaking views of the valley below, is offering a decadent three-course set menu specifically for couples looking to celebrate 14 February; the offering includes mouth-watering options like Raw Cured Salmon, Oven-Roasted Beef Fillet, fresh Line Fish and a Frozen Trio for dessert. A pianist will set the tone with sweet live music, and diners can choose to take their meal either inside the warm and welcoming visitor’s centre and eatery or outside on the marble terrace.

Tickets: The three-course dinner costs R300p/p; this price includes the meal, live entertainment and a small gift. Drinks, including the farm’s award-winning range of reds and whites, are for guests’ own account. 

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Mezepoli Restaurant
Not your typical V-Day celebration, the 14-February offering put together by Mezepoli, a swanky Camps Bay-based meze and wine bar, is predominantly aimed at singles. This Valentine’s Day, the seaside Mediterranean eatery invites all those sans sweethearts to recruit a few friends and share in a delicious tapas-style dinner that features a range of fresh Greek meze options (think Souvlaki Chicken, Calamari, Keftethes, Tirosalata and more); as part of the evening’s set menu, visitors will enjoy a Kir Royale cocktail on arrival and a Karpouzi frozen shooter on departure. The standard à la carte menu and a half-price sushi special will also be on offer for couples looking for a more traditional V-Day experience.

Tickets: The set menu for singles costs R180p/p; this price includes the assortment of meze, the cocktail on arrival and the shooter on leaving. This option is only available to groups of four or more.

Valentine’s Day at the Radisson Blu Hotel
Wine and dine your valentine next to the ebb and flow of the ocean at the Radisson Blu’s Tobago’s Restaurant. Seat yourself on the expansive outdoor terrace or pick an intimate table for two inside and savour the setting sun with a complimentary cocktail upon arrival. Settle in and select from a six-course spread of scrumptious offerings and sinful deserts. Live entertainment will provide a romantic backbeat to the night, and ladies receive a red rose upon departure.

Tickets: The six-course meal costs R425p/p, including a complimentary cocktail, live entertainment and a rose for each lady. Drinks are for patrons’ own account.

Valentine’s Day Specials at WOW!
Pamper your partner this Valentine’s Day with a relaxing spa treatment from South Africa’s first all-natural house of beauty. For the entire month of February, Ways of Wellness (WOW!) organic spa is offering specials on relax package vouchers and on a couple’s treatment. Vouchers can be used anytime during the month and bookings are not necessary; whereas, the couple’s session needs to be booked in advance (special is also available for the entire month of February).

Discounted Relax Vouchers:

Couple treatment includes fish therapy, massage and a complimentary glass of bubbly and is priced at R660 per couple. To book, contact Dominique on dinah@waysofwellness.co.za or +27 (0)21 424 5503. 

Valentine’s Day Dinner at the Table Bay Hotel
Send your sweetheart swooning and spend Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at the first-class Atlantic Grill restaurant at the seaside five-star accommodation the Table Bay Hotel. Chef Dallas Orr has conjured up an elegant four-course set menu for the occasion; though, aside from the orgasmic gastronomic experience, guests can look forward to a glass of Graham Beck Brut on arrival, local musical entertainment and a complimentary gift. The ambient eatery also offers an accompanying wine pairing menu for those who love their reds and whites as passionately as they love their partner.  

Tickets: The four-course set menu costs R450p/p and, for the wine connoisseurs, a wine pairing option is available for the price of R750p/p.

Valentine’s Day at Richard’s Supper Stage and Bistro
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at the storytelling eatery along the Atlantic coast in Sea Point. Richard’s Supper Stage & Bistro dishes up a delicious three-course set lunch and dinner menu to commemorate the day of love as well as a dinner-and-a-show option. Love birds looking to simply make a meal of it can dine downstairs in the bistro, and those who opt to indulge in the performance can prepare to be delighted with a four-course dinner buffet and a special Valentine’s Day edition of the “Kaapse Stories from the Mother City” at the upstairs supper stage.

Tickets: The three-course set menu costs R150p/p for lunch or dinner and guests receive a complimentary glass of bubbly. The four-course buffet menu and the show costs R400p/p, and the price includes a glass of bubbly and a rose for the ladies.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Breeze Restaurant
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Langebaan at South Africa’s first boutique kitesurfing hotel and one of the West Coast’s most romantic rendezvous, Windtown Lagoon Resort. Just a mere 120-kilometre (1.5-hour drive) from the Mother City, the charming accommodation’s in-house eatery, Breeze Restaurant, is offering lovebirds a choice of either a two-course or three-course dinner on V-Day.

Tickets: The two-course dinner option costs R150p/p and the three-course dinner selection cost, R190p/p. Included in the price is a complimentary glass of bubbly and a delicious snack to take home.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at The Vineyard Hotel and Spa
One of the Southern Suburb’s best hotels, the 200-year-old Vineyard Hotel and Spa is dishing up two romantic dinner specials this Valentine’s Day. Each of these specials offers a different experience and menu. The Liesbeek River option invites lovers to tuck into a seafood feast on the beautiful banks of one of Cape Town’s oldest water features, and is priced at R445p/p. Alternatively, couples who’d like to dine inside the award-winning hotel restaurant The Square – its glass ceiling and soft lighting make for the perfect Valentine’s Day atmosphere - can do so for R315p/p.

Tickets: Tickets for the Liesbeek River Dinner are priced at R445p/p and dinner at The Square costs R315p/p. Space for both these specials is limited, so be sure to book soon. To make a reservation, call +27 (0) 21 657 4500 or email eat@vineyard.co.za. Dinner starts promptly at 7pm.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Inn on the Square
Spend Valentine’s Day in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre at the Inn On The Square hotel’s in-house Dish restaurant. Located on the edge of the charming, cobblestoned Greenmarket Square, diners can treat themselves to a rich helping of South African flavour even before tucking into the fare. Dinner is a three-course meal priced at R200p/p or R395 per couple and includes a complimentary drink on arrival. Diners can choose from one of three dishes for each course.

Tickets: Dinner costs R200p/p or R395 per couple. Booking is essential; to do so call: +27 (0) 21 423 2050 or shoot off an email to fandbmanager@innonthesquare.co.za.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Five Flies Restaurant
Carve out a lovers’ size portion of foodie heaven in the Mother City at Five Flies Restaurant, and indulge in a special cupid-inspired supper service. This year on V-Day, the historic eatery – it’s housed within two National Monument buildings - serves up a three-course set menu with yummy options for all, including a glass of bubbly and wine with the main meal.

Tickets: Dinner is R360p/p, and booking is essential. There are two sittings: one at 6:30pm and one at 9pm. Bookings can be made via telephone on +27 (0) 21 424 4442 or via email on info@fiveflies.co.za.

The Dutch Manor House’s Valentine’s Day Special
Travel back in time this Valentine’s Day with a stay at South Africa’s only antique hotel: the charming Dutch Manor House is offering a special package that includes a room for two, a cheese platter paired with Klein Gustrouw wine, transfers to and from a restaurant of your choice anywhere in the city centre or Camps Bay and a morning-after made-to-order breakfast.

Tickets: Booking is essential, as there are a limited number of rooms. To make a reservation, phone +27 (0) 21 422 4767 or email nobu@dutchmanor.co.za and ask for the CapeTownMagazine.com Valentine’s Day Special.

Valentine’s Day Special at the Royal Hotel
Wine and dine your way into your beau or belle’s heart and spend Valentine’s Day in the Riebeek Valley at the Royal Hotel. The charming country outpost is hosting indulgent cupid-inspired dinners from 14, February to 16, February, as well as offering up a combination dinner-and-a-room discount packages for those set on stealing away to the heart of Shiraz and olive country for the evening.

Tickets: The Valentine’s Day menu is only offered as a dinner option costs R198p/p and is available from Thursday, 14 to Saturday, 16 February 2013. Alternatively, book any one night on either Thursday, 14, Friday, 15 or Saturday, 16 February 2013 at R1 850 (Garden Room) or R1 750 (Standard Room) and get a bottle of Krone Brut Rosé, a Chocolate Nibble platter on arrival and a Valentine’s Day dinner for two; note that extra nights will be charged at the regular rates. Drinks are for patrons’ own account. 

Valentine’s Day Picnic Concert at Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate
Spend Valentine’s Day in Stellenbosch under the stars with your sweetheart. Devonvale Golf and Wine Estate is hosting a picnic and concert atop their pristine manicured greens. The red-wine-producing estate invites lovebirds to enjoy a basket of signature gourmet goodies and to settle in and snuggle up to drink in the sounds of guitarist duo, Amy and Willem (also known as Moonshine).

Tickets: Tickets for the picnic cost R480 per couple (R240p/p) and includes entry to concert as well as a picnic basket of delicious goodies.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Rick’s Café Américain
Draw inspiration from the famous 1942 romantic drama “Casablanca”, and spend Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at the popular Garden’s hotspot, Rick’s Café Américain. Wine, dine and woo your darling with a three-course dinner dreamed up by the well-travelled chef and owner, Per Menkö.

Tickets: This three-course dinner will set you back R245p/p and includes a welcome drink, a glass of Pongraz Rosé and ‘Turkish Viagra’ (a sweet pasty with dried nuts and fruits). Dinner is served from 6:30pm onwards.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Cafe Extrablatt
In its true something-for-everyone style, Cafe Extrablatt in Green Point is celebrating Valentine’s Day with an economical eating option. Their Valentine’s Day dinner special for lovers or new friends includes a scrumptious three-course meal as well as a welcome drink; it costs a reasonable R329 per couple.

Tickets: Dinner costs R329per couple and is served from 5:30pm onward. Booking is essential and can be done by telephoning +27(0)21 286 0460 or by emailing info@cafe-extrablatt.co.za.

February 14th Play at the Artscape Theatre
This February, in honour of Valentine’s Day, discover the definition of the day of love with the comedic play, “February 14th”, at the Artscape Theatre from Tuesday, 5 to Sunday, 16 February 2013. This dramatic investigation into adoration revolves around 11 characters; audiences are given a sneak peek into the characters’ lives and how they approach and deal with love.

Tickets: Tickets are available at Computicket.com and cost R80p/p for the Tuesday to Thursday shows and R90p/p for Friday and Saturday shows. Couples pay only R140 for a double ticket, while pensioners and students pay only R65p/p. Block bookings of 10 or more pay R65p/p, while groups of 20 school learners or more pay only R50p/p.

Valentine’s Day Dinner and Show at Amazink Live!
All aboard the love train! This Valentine’s Day, AmaZink Live invites sweethearts to take a romantic sunset train ride from Cape Town station to the picturesque Cape Winelands for an evening of ekasi food and entertainment in the lively Stellenbosch township of Kayamandi. Woo your amour and spend Valentine’s Day in Stellenbosch with the talented crew from Mzansi’s first township dinner theatre, and stand a chance to win great prizes (the best dressed couple gets a weekend away for two to Lagoon and Sea).

Tickets: Tickets cost R300p/p and include the train ride, transfers from-and-to the station and theatre, a welcome drink, a braai meal and the Amazink Live show. Drinks are for patrons’ own account. To book, contact the ticket office on +27 (0) 21 449 3018 or promotions@metrorail.co.za. Do note that the train will depart from Cape Town station at 6pm and patrons must meet at the information kiosk at least 20 minutes before departure.

Valentine’s Day at the Mount Nelson
Pamper your beloved and spend Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at the at the iconic Mount Nelson hotel. The pink lady is offering up a dazzling dinner and a soothing couple’s spa treatment and tea.

• Valentine’s Day Dinner at Planet Restaurant
  Impress your darling with an unforgettable romantic dinner – available on Thursday, 14 and Friday, 15 February 2013 – with a special V-Day menu.
• Valentine’s Day at Librisa Spa
  Take an afternoon off and woo your sweetheart with a spa treatment for two at the Librisa Spa. Enjoy a stimulating Africology balm massage followed by an afternoon tea in the hotel lounge.

Tickets: Dinner at Planet Restaurant will cost R795p/p and the spa treatment at Librisa Spa costs R1550p/couple.

Valentine’s Day Lunch and Dinner at Haute Cabrière
Spoil your amour and celebrate Valentine’s Day in Franschhoek at the lauded Haute Cabrière Wine Estate. Dine on dishes from the in-house restaurant’s extensive à la carte menu or sample the six-course tasting menu (including wine) designed by Executive Chef Ryan Shell.

Alternatively, relax on the property’s rolling greens and terrace for the Summer Soiree between 5pm and 7pm on Thursday, 14 February 2013. The free concert features local jazz quintet Cape Dutch Connection, an ensemble who will keep the summer vibes going while guests sip, swirl and sample great wines and dishes off the terrace menu. Wine will be available by the glass or bottle, but patrons must book a table if they’d like to sit down and have something to eat.

Tickets: The six-course tasting menu costs R295p/p (including wine), and costs for à la carte menu items vary according to selection. Spots are limited, so book now to avoid disappointment. To book a table  for either the sit-down dinner or the Summer Soiree, contact the Haute Cabrière Restaurant on +27 (0) 21 876 3688 or reservations@cabriere.co.za.

Valentine’s Day Lunch / Dinner at Sotano
Feast on sensual Mediterranean-inspired cuisine at one of Mouille Point’s most vibrant seaside eateries this V-Day. Sotano, which means ‘cellar’ in Italian, is dishing up a delectable four-course Valentine’s Day set menu complete with their signature seasonal produce and focus on simple, fresh flavor. Lovers can look forward to locking eyes over dishes made with love and care, like a Buffalo Mozzarella, Basic Pesto, Avocado and Plump Tomato Salad, Grilled Norwegian Salmon and Pan-roasted Duck Breast.

Tickets: The four-course Valentine’s Day meal at Sotano costs R270p/p. Drinks are for patrons’ own account. Booking is essential; to so, phone +27 (0) 21 433 1757. 

Valentine’s Day Special at Myög Frozen Yogurt Bar
Treat your darling to a healthy and oh-so-delicious dessert this Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at Myög Frozen Yogurt Bar in Kloof Street. The super-cool city centre boutique is commemorating V-Day by dishing up a delectable ‘Berries’ flavour from Monday, 11 to Sunday, 17 February.

Tickets: A small costs R19.90 (plain) and R29.90 (with toppings), a medium is R24.90 (plain) and R34.90 (with toppings) and a large goes for R29.90 (plain) and R39.90 (with toppings). On Mondays, fro-yo lovers can get a free upsize (from small to medium or from medium to large) just by saying “CapeTownMag says hello”.

Valentine’s Day Promotion at Waterford Estate
In honour of the month of love, this February (2013) Waterford Estate is offering guests a complimentary glass of Rose-Mary Rosé wine with every wine and chocolate tasting as well as a 10% discount on a bottle of the refreshing vino.

Tickets: Wine tastings cost R45p/p for three wines and chocolates; whereas, the full tasting of eight wines and three chocolates costs R65p/p.

Un-Valentine’s Day Dinner  at Môreson’s Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant
Ditch the over-priced red roses, cheesy love songs, heart-shaped confectionary and cards, and head over to Môreson’s Bread & Wine Vineyard Restaurant for their annual un-Valentine’s Day Feast. Whether you’re single or coupled (or in a love triangle), you’re welcome at this three-course experience (designed by chef Neil Jewell). In fact, the only rule at this un-Valentine’s Day fiesta is that there are no tables for two; everyone sits at one long table! Who knows, you might even meet “the one”!

Tickets: Dinner costs R295p/p and includes a complimentary glass of Miss Molly bubbly. Drinks are for patrons’ own account.

Valentine’s Day Secret Sunday Luncheon at the Yard
Enjoy an intimate luncheon in honour of Valentine’s Day at Yard (the site of the Dog’s Bollocks and Deluxe Coffeeworks) in Gardens, Cape Town on Sunday, 10 February 2013. Take your darling, friends or family and celebrate, love, life and everything else with a four-course Italian-style culinary journey. Lunch includes a complimentary cocktail, house wine to go with the meal, a sneak peak sample of a brand new beer as well as coffee from Deluxe Coffeeworks to cap off the experience.

Tickets: Tickets are available via Quicket.co.za and cost R500p/couple.

Valentine’s Day Concert at Beyerskloof
Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Stellenbosch with renowned local rock icon Karen Zoid at the Beyerskloof Wine Estate’s eatery, Red Leaf Restaurant. The mistress of melodies will serenade love-struck couples in an intimate concert in the Boland. Sip and swirl vintages from the Beyerskloof vines with your Valentine and enjoy this summer concert in the Cape Winelands. A special menu will be available on the night.

Tickets: Tickets cost R150p/p; only 120 are available. Only tables of four, six and eight are available (not tables of two), and these are subject to availability, so book now to avoid disappointment. Guests receive a complimentary drink on arrival plus two complimentary bottles of wine per table. The show starts promptly at 8:15pm, and the restaurant’s doors will be open from 5:30pm.

Valentine’s Day Picnics with the Picnic Company
Spoil your amour this Valentine’s Day in Cape Town and order a special V-Day picnic from the professionals, The Picnic Company. Stock up on your sweetheart’s favourite gourmet goodies and settle down at one of the Mother City’s most romantic spots for a scrumptious feast. Lovebirds have a choice of three different Valentine’s Day menus; for more information and to book your picnic, contact +27 (0) 21 706 8470 or info@picnics.co.za.

Tickets: Valentine’s Day picnics cost R300p/couple, R400p/couple and R500p/couple depending on the menu, and patrons must order at least 24 hours before the time. 

Valentine’s Day Special at Yemaya Spa and Hair Salons
Pamper your darling and spend Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at the luxurious Yemaya Spa and Hair Salons in and around the Mother City. Couples can enjoy a range of made-for-two spa, hair and nail treatments to suit any sized pocket. Lovebirds can choose either a “Side-By-Side” (45-minute couples massage), “Be My Valentine” (60-minute massage and facial), “Too Good to be True” (30-minute massage, mini facial and scalp or foot massage) or a “His and Hers” (a pedicure, shampoo and cut or blow-dry). 

Tickets: Costs for the spa and hair treatments are per couple: “Side-By-Side” is R650, “Be My Valentine” is R1 900, “Too Good to be True” is R1 000 and the “His and Hers” is R700.

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Lola’s Café
Enjoy a sumptuous surf and turf dinner and celebrate Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at Long Street institution Lola’s Café. Enjoy an extensive array of seafood dishes or, as a special V-Day addition, opt for the meat-lovers choice of beef fillet. Dinner includes either a cocktail, craft or commercial beer, or a glass of house wine. 

Tickets: Prices vary according to dish. 

Valentine’s Day at Café Manhattan
Treat your darling to dinner and a show and spend Valentine’s Day in Green Point at Café Manhattan. Dine on a delicious three-course meal while the likes of Saxy Sthe (of 3 Tons of Fun), Lesley Wulf and Zion 3 set the soundtrack to your love story.

Tickets: Dinner will set you back R189p/p and includes the live entertainment. Supper will be served from 7pm, and the show begins at 8:30pm. To book, contact +27 (0) 21 421 6666.

Valentine’s Day at Orphanage Cocktail Emporium
This Valentine’s Day in Cape Town, Orphanage Cocktail Emporium will host a saucy serendipitous supper club soiree in honour of the day of love. The chic shake-house, which specialises in out-of-the-ordinary cocktails offers sweethearts a cheeky-themed menu called “Rude Food”. Diners will be served, raunchy and blush-worthy dishes off this sexy menu (not for the prudish). The eatery will have two sittings for the V-Day bash, one at 7pm and another at 9pm. 

Tickets: Tickets to the supper club will cost R250p/p and includes dinner and a Valentine’s Love Potion cocktail. For bookings 

Valentine’s Day Dinner at Massimo's Pizza Club

Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Hout Bay at the Italian eatery Massimo’s Pizza Club. Woo your darling with a three-course Italian-inspired menu while local music man Nicola and his accordion provide romantic entertainment for the evening. 

Tickets: This V-Day supper costs R240p/p and includes either a glass of bubbles or a rosé cocktail.

Valentine’s Day at Maverick’s
Make merry and spend Valentine’s Day in Cape Town at gentleman’s club Maverick’s for a sexy V-Day celebration. Entice your darling and get in the mood in the Love Lounge; prizes will be awarded to the best dressed lady, not to mention treats will be available throughout the night. 

Tickets: Ladies get in for free and gents pay R100p/p to get in. 

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