What locals don’t know about Table Mountain Cableway

Cape Town’s highest bar (no ticket needed), free tours + more

Last updated: Monday, 24 November 2025

Table Mountain stands proudly in the league of the Amazon (they’re both New 7 Wonders of Nature), with thousands of visitors flocking to this world-famous icon in our backyard. What you might not know is that there are so many hidden treasures for locals to (re)discover, too.

Like Cape Town’s highest bar, which you can actually visit without going up the mountain; free guided tours where you’ll learn all about Table Mountain; and wine tasting 1 000 metres above sea level. And the array of local specials make it worth visiting year-round.

Table Mountain is approximately 1 067 m tall and one of Cape Town’s Big Six attractions. Image: Table Mountain

CAPE TOWN’S HIGHEST BAR, NO TICKET NEEDED

The cable car is iconic (it’s one of only three in the world with a rotating floor, which means you get panoramic views) but there’s plenty more to explore.

At the Lower Station is TAP Bar, “the highest bar in Cape Town”, which serves Newlands Brewery craft beer, local wines, cocktails and bar bites like mini barbecue steak gatsbies.

You can watch the sun set over Lion’s Head and Signal Hill, and it’s where you’ll find hikers post-summit, cyclists, after-work crowds, or anyone just looking for a drink with a view. It's at the bottom of the mountain, so you don't need a ticket to visit.

The bar is easily spotted from the main Cableway drop-off zone at the Lower Station. Image: Table Mountain

DINING 1 000 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL

If you do go up, the Top Station has its own food scene worth discovering.

VIEWS by De Grendel is the mountain’s wine lounge. With plush green couches and floor-length windows overlooking Camps Bay, it’s where couples linger over a wine tasting and full à la carte menu.

Meanwhile, the fully-kitted Kloud Bar has 180 degree ocean views, Afrobeats and sizzling boerewors rolls. It's the place where you grab a few beers or Aperol Spritzes and settle in for a day at the summit; your time is unlimited once you get to the top of the mountain.

For a more family-friendly spot, TEN67 Eatery is a  self-service eatery with easy-going food like burgers, pizza, wraps, sandwiches and salads.

Just a few steps away is the Shop at the Top, where 97% of products are locally sourced and more than half of the suppliers are owned by women. It’s a great place to pick up a meaningful memento.

On its balcony, you’ll also find the bright yellow New 7 Wonder of Nature frame, one of the mountain’s signature photo opportunities literally framing the views of Cape Town.

There are options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Image: Table Mountain

FREE GUIDED TOURS

Once you get to the top, there’s so much more to keep you entertained beyond the food.

The daily free guided tours (30 to 45 minutes) uncover the mountain’s history and biodiversity, like how dassies are actually the elephant’s closest living relative, and that one of the five reservoirs at the summit is nicknamed “a hidden beach” for its pale sand and still water.

Guided tours happen on the hour, from 9am to 3pm daily (weather permitting) and depart from the Twelve Apostles Terrace, below the Shop at the Top. Guides also point out plants like the blister bush (a toxic plant you should admire, not touch) and share how Table Mountain Nature Reserve has over 4 500 plant species, more than most countries.

For a slower, self-paced option, download the VoiceMap app and get two free audio tours. They cover everything from the Cableway’s history to the hidden ecology of the plateau and are ideal for queue time or solo exploring.

Please note you are not allowed to feed the dassies if you come into contact with them. Image: Table Mountain

LOCAL SPECIALS THAT MAKE IT WORTH IT

Did you know that locals enjoy serious perks at Table Mountain Cableway? 

Birthday special
You get a free Cableway return ticket during your birthday month when you present your South African ID or driver’s license at the Cableway Ticket Office.

Pensioner special
If you’re a South African over 60, you can ride for R130 on return tickets seven days a week (valid until 30 June 2026). Plus, there are daily meal specials for pensioners at TEN67; like a pie, milk tart slice and tea or coffee for R85, or a cappuccino and mini chocolate milk tartlet for R30.

Student special
Local and international students pay R300 for a return ticket (valid until 30 June 2026) if you simply show your valid student card at the ticket office.

These specials make it easy to fall in love with Cape Town all over again. Image: Table Mountain

TIPS FOR VISITING TABLE MOUNTAIN

• It’s cheaper to buy tickets online (R450 online vs R490 for adults at the ticket office) and you get to skip the ticket office queue.

• If you opt for a fast track return ticket (R1 100), you gain direct access to the cable car, which comes in handy on busy summer days.

• It’s quietest from 3pm onwards. A late afternoon ticket also means that you’ll likely catch a glimpse of the sun setting.

• Spring (September to November) is one of the best times to visit since there are less crowds and the weather is milder.

• Free parking is available at the Lower Tafelberg Road parking area, with a free Cableway shuttle bus transporting visitors to the Lower Station.

• Use sustainable travel options like public transport, ride-sharing, and e-hailing as fewer cars means less congestion and quicker travel time.

• If you plan to hike, be sure to wear suitable clothing, start early when temperatures are cooler, and carry plenty of water.

• Check real-time queue wait times, weather (as operations may be suspended), specials and things to do via the Table Mountain Aerial Cableway app.

You can buy tickets from Webtickets, their official ticketing agency and from City Sightseeing South Africa. Image: Table Mountain

EVEN FUNCTION VENUES FOR ANY EVENT

Table Mountain isn’t just for sightseeing. It’s also a show-stopping function venue with indoor and outdoor spaces for cocktail parties, weddings, corporate events, or private celebrations.

The Twelve Apostles Terrace is an open-air venue that overlooks the mountain range and can fit up to 200 people. It’s wheelchair-friendly and ideal for breakfast or cocktail functions.

If you’re hosting a smaller, more intimate function, TEN67’s balcony faces the Twelve Apostles’ mountain range and is an open-air venue that can accommodate 40 people.

For a modern, indoor venue, VIEWS by De Grendel caters for up to 80 people and 25 more if you want them to open up the balcony.

Whether indoor or outdoor, VISTA, located at the Lower Station, with its stacking glass doors, can open to the city views below or create a cozy ambiance closed. It suits up to 40 guests.

Finally, at the base of the mountain, TAP’s shaded viewing deck was made for sundowner events - it has unbeatable views of the city and Lion's Head and fits up to 50 people standing.

To enquire about bookings, email functions@tablemountain.net.

Every year, Table Mountain receives hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world. Image: Table Mountain

(RE)DISCOVER TABLE MOUNTAIN

It’s easy to forget how extraordinary it is to live beneath one of the world’s natural wonders. Table Mountain isn’t just a once-off experience; it’s a place to return to, again and again. 

Table Mountain is open: Daily (weather permitting)

• 1 February to 30 April & 1 November to 30 November; 8am to 8pm (last cable car up at 7pm)
• 1 May to 31 August; 8.30am to 6pm (last cable car up at 5pm)
• 1 September to 31 October; 8.30am to 7pm (last cable car up at 6pm)
• 1 December to 31 January; 8am to 9pm (last cable car up at 8pm)

Find it: Lower Station, Tafelberg Road, Cape Town
Book: Via Webtickets
Contact on: 021 424 0015, info@tablemountain.net 

By Khadeeja Adams

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