The hidden seaside bistro on the ...
Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing
New restaurants and experiences to discover
Glamorous 80s club, grillhouse with braaibroodjies, surprise tasting & more
Last updated: Tuesday, 13 May 2025
What’s hot and new in Cape Town for 2025? This month our team’s found some of the most curious spots to add to your list. There’s a new spot on Kloof with island vibes, a grillhouse in Hout Bay that serves braai food made boujee, and glamorous 80s-style club for dining and discos. Plus 23 more of the latest experiences.
TAKE ME TO ARUBA (ON KLOOF)
When you step into Aruba it feels like you’re on an island. Think poolside drinks like an Aperol Spritz or a Mai Tai and live music till late at night. There’s tapas like crispy calamari and pulled pork empanadas. And on Sundays, there’s sangrias, oysters and live bands.
Must-try: Butternut gnocchi (butternut dumplings in coconut curry sauce)
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday; 12pm to 12am
Cost: Food from R45 - R175
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108 Kloof Street | Gardens | @aruba_ct | Image: @kailinwiggett
BRAAI BUT MAKE IT BOUJEE
Veldt is a proper South African braai experience, just turned up a notch. There’s braai classics like boerewors, braaibroodjies, and Tomahawk steaks flame-seared on the grill. And curious cocktails like rooibos-infused whiskey and malva pudding martini. The restaurant walls have depictions of Khoi people, inspired by rock art found in some of our mountain caves.
Must-try: Braaibroodjie (South African toasted sandwich)
Hours: Monday & Wednesday, 5pm to 9.30pm; Thursday - Sunday, 12pm to 9.30pm; Tuesday - Closed
Cost: From R45
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35 Main Road | Scott Estate | Hout Bay | @veldt.dbe | Image: Veldt
DINE & DISCO, BABY
BABY is the newest nightlife gem, combining a glamorous cocktail experience with an 80s disco. The bar vibe is cosmic and elegant, with a shimmering disco ball and walls and floors covered in leopard print. You can sip cocktails, eat food like prawn tacos and teriyaki chicken skewers. And at night you can groove to disco soundtracks.
Must-try: Disco Trio (Shaved prosciutto, chilli, garlic & oregano olives, french baguette, cultured butter)
Hours: Thursday - Saturday, 7pm till late
Cost: Food from R75
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13 Regent Road | @babycapetown | Image: BABY
SURPRISE SURF, TURF & WINE
Right above Galjoen in Harrington Street, is a new cosy 16-seater restaurant with a surprise tasting experience that focuses on flavours of the Western Cape. There’s no set menu or number of courses. Chef Adél Hughes brings together local ingredients and unique wine pairings, and her dishes celebrate the connection between land and sea.
Must-try: Pickled veldkool, springbok tataki, tomato, herb oil, sea lettuce chip
Hours: Dinner is served from 6.45pm, Tuesday - Saturday. Reservations are essential.
Cost: R1 200 per person
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99 Harrington Street | District Six | @seebamboes | Image: Seebamboes
ROLE PLAY VILLAGE FOR KIDS
The Harvest Village in Kenilworth is an indoor role-play space for kids, with wooden toys and activities like grocery shopping, a café (where they can “make” coffee), a medical section, and a farmstead with a woollen hen and baby chicks. It's designed to teach and engage young minds, while parents can relax in the seating area with Wi-Fi and coffee.
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 9am to 4pm on weekdays, 9am to 6pm on weekends
Cost: R100 per hour
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9b Wessels Road | Kenilworth | @theharvestvillage | Image: The Harvest Village
SOUTH AFRICA’S FIRST HAWAIIAN RESTAURANT
After realising how much Waikiki and Cape Town have in common, the owners opened Humu Aloha. Inside you’ll find decorated surf boards hanging on the walls, wait staff dressed in leis and hula skirts and a tiki bar where the drinks come with flamingos and umbrellas.
Must-try: Huli huli chicken plate (Grilled teriyaki chicken with Hawaiian fried rice and grilled pineapple)
Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday, 11am to 8pm
Cost: All day breakfast and lunch from R95
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Cape Quarter Mall | 2 Jarvis Street | De Waterkant | @kumu_aloha | Image: Kumu Aloha
CAPE TOWN’S TINIEST WINE BAR?
Cassette Tiny Wine Bar only has 16 seats but lots of personality. The vibe is 80s and 90s nostalgia, paired with a weekly-changing wine list curated by their in-house sommelier, Erica. Best of all? They have DJs that play cassettes. Check out their wine of the day (with a fun fact about it) on their Instagram.
Must-try: Takeover events with local wine makers
Hours: Thursday - Saturday, 7am to 7pm; Sunday - Wednesday, 7am to 11pm
Cost: TBC
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206 Main Road | Sea Point | @cassette_tiny_wine_bar | Image: Cassette Tiny Bar
CAPE TOWN’S FIRST CEREAL CAFÉ
Why So Cerious is the new cereal café and bakery in Long Street. It serves imported cereals (like Cap’n Crunch, Froot Loops, and Oreo O’s), ice cream, cupcakes, cookies, Karak tea and freezos. There’s even toasted ice cream burgers, a toasted brioche bun loaded with ice cream and toppings.
Must-try: Toasted ice cream burger
Hours: Thursday - Saturday, 7am to 7pm; Sunday - Wednesday, 7am to 11pm
Cost: From R15
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263 Long Street | @whysocerious_cafe | Image: Why So Cerious
SEA POINT’S GO-TO BRUNCH SPOT
Sea Point’s new go-to spot for brunch and wine is Juno. Think fresh breads, flaky pastries, and a grab-and-go fridge for those on the move. The interior is dotted with round mirrors and fresh flowers (which you can purchase) and the menu has everything from hummus and mezze platters to Asian slaw salads and shakshuka.
Must-try: Smoked salmon on rösti
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 6.30am to 5pm
Cost: TBC
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6 Kloof Road | Sea Point | @juno.capetown | Image: Juno
RETRO DINER IN CLAREMONT
Stereo is the new foodie hotspot in Claremont, with a retro American diner feel. The space houses six different brands under one roof: Plato, Tortilla, Clown Burger, Fabrica, Hokey Pokey, and Palace Pizza. Everything is ordered online (similar to Chefs) keeping things quick and easy.
Must-try: Harlequin burger (double cheddar, caramelised onions and roast garlic mayo)
Hours: Monday - Saturday, 6am to 6pm; Sunday, 7am to 6pm
Cost: From R39
20 Dreyer Street | Claremont | @stereoeats | Image: Stereo
6-COURSE MEAL ON A… BUS?
Ever tried dining in a moving restaurant? Bus Cuisine is a double-decker bus that takes lunch and dinner to the next level (literally). They serve four and six course meals made by award-winning chefs, paired with some of the best Cape wines. Plus, each table has a window so you can soak in scenic sea views while you eat.
Must-try: Chocolate spring rolls with crème anglaise, citrus slices, and a drizzle of honey
Hours: Monday - Sunday, from 12.30pm for lunch
Cost: Lunch is R1 250pp, dinner is R1 650pp
Departure from The Commodore Hotel | V&A Waterfront | @buscuisine | Image: Bus Cuisine
HALAAL-CERTIFIED STEAKS & BURGERS
They were once voted Cape Town’s best burger, and now they’re back. Conscious Carnivores has reopened with a deli and eatery all under one roof. On the eatery menu you can find sustainable meats and mocktails. Plus, decadent milkshakes in flavours like cardamom, pistachio, peanut butter burnt toast and more.
Must-try: Pepper-crusted fillet burger
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am to 9pm; Friday - Sunday, 9am to 10pm
Cost: Starters from R35, steaks from R270, burgers from R150
8 Dock Road Junction | V&A Waterfront | @conscious_carnivores | Image: Conscious Carnivores
I LOVE THE DOUGH IS NOW…
Remember I Love The Dough with the pink neon signs and bright decor? They’re back as LOVEDOUGH with new menu items like pastas and folded focaccia, and a refined look. The decor is neutral with beige and brown furniture with candelabras on every table. You can pair your Italian meal with alcoholic slushies and jugs.
Must-try: Parma ham, rocket, parmesan,& EVOO folded focaccia
Hours: Monday - Thursday, 11am to 11pm; Friday - Sunday, 11pm to 12am
Cost: Starters from R40, pizza from R125, grills and pasta from R110
101 Bree Street | City Centre | @lovedough.cpt | Image: LOVEDOUGH
TASTE CHOCOLATES AND ICE CREAM
It’s the Spice Route’s latest addition. You can now try a chocolate tasting at the Beyer’s Chocolate Room. There’s locally made chocolates and coffee, plus ice cream tastings are also available. Inside you’ll find a colourful and bright interior that makes you feel like a kid in a candy store.
Must-try: Premium chocolate tasting
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Cost: R60 per person for chocolate tastings, R100 per person for premium chocolate tastings
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Suid-Agter-Paarl Road | Southern Paarl | Paarl | @beyerschoc | Image: Beyers Chocolate
NEAPOLITAN PIZZAS MEET DISCO VIBES
Libertino is moody and seductive with its red walls, zebra and cheetah print stools, neon signs and disco balls. The ingredients are fresh, with the pastas rolled by hand, the pizza dough being made from scratch and even a few cheeses are made in-house. You’ll find it on the corner of Napier Street and Jarvis Street (the same road as Lello’s Caffé).
Must-try: Ravioli with caramelised pear, gorgonzola, walnuts and parmesan
Hours: Monday - Sunday, 6pm to 11.30pm
Cost: Pizzas from R60, pastas from R90
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47 Napier Street | De Waterkant | @libertino.ct | Image: Libertino
TRY A SMASHT BURGER
A southern suburb gem that started out as a burger spot from home, is the new buzz in Belvedere Road. Smasht has classic smash burgers (beef goodness with cheese, onion, pickle, mustard and ketchup on a toasted bun), Chilli Cheese (beef patty with cheese, spicy sauce and jalapenos on a toasted bun) and even a breakfast Smasht Muffin.
Must-try: The Chili Cheese
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 9am to 10pm
Cost: From R65
54 Belvedere Road | Rondebosch | @smashtburgers | Image: Saarah Gierdien
COFFEE FOR A CAUSE
This coffee shop is located in SANCCOB Table View, a non-profit organisation conserving the endangered African penguin species and other seabirds in Southern Africa. There’s stunning views of Rietvlei Nature Reserve and Table Mountain. Every sip you order supports SANCCOB’s mission to protect coastal birds.
Must-try: Coffee after a tour at the visitor’s centre
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday, 8:30am to 4pm
Cost: TBC
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22 Pentz Drive | Table View | @sanccob | Image: SANCCOB
ATHENS-INSPIRED EATERY IN SEA POINT
Kiki, on Regent Road in Sea Point, is inspired by Greece (the owner even took a trip to Greece so that he could start this restaurant). Kiki open for dinners only with menu items like souvla (skewers), brizóla (flake steak, greek butter (rosemary) and saláta (salads) like choriatiki made with tomato, cucumber, onion, capers and midlands jersey feta.
Must-try: Kleftiko ( lamb shoulder, spinach, greek potatoes, tzatziki)
Hours: Tuesday - Sunday; from 6pm
Cost: From R55
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85 Regent Rd, Sea Point | @kiki.cpt | Image: Kiki
ITALIAN CRAFT COCKTAILS
This restaurant in the CBD evokes feelings of a laidback Italian summer. There’s Limoncello cosmopolitans, tiramisu martinis, and unconventional eats like bite-sized lasagne crocchetta. And if that’s not enough, there’s a vibey rooftop bar upstairs from Filini at Radisson Cape Town Foreshore.
Must-try: Tiramisu martini or Limoncello cosmo
Hours: Daily, 6.30am to 10pm
Cost: Cocktails from R95; Mains from R129
29 Heerengracht Street | 021 427 4800 | info.capetown@radisson.com | @radissonhotelcapetown | Image: Radisson at Cape Town Foreshore
BLACK-OWNED WINE BAR
Novel doesn’t just serve wine. Their breakfast menu includes mimosas in a can and coffee, and in the afternoon, they serve a variety of local wines by the glass or bottle like the Stellenbosch Damascene and Stark-Condé. Plus, you get a free bottle of wine when you make a birthday booking.
Must-try: Rebel Rebel syrah
Hours: Tuesday - Friday: 9am to 7pm, Saturday and Sunday; 9am to 4pm
Cost: From R30
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Unit C3 | 45 Yew St | Salt River | @novel_wine_bar | Image: Novel Wine Bar
NICE TO MATCHA
…Is the name of Sea Point’s latest addition. You’ve probably seen this blow up on your Instagram and TikTok. The self-proclaimed “calm caffeine fix” is made with organic ceremonial grade matcha. Flavours include strawberry, vanilla bean & sea salt, mango and more. Plus, it’s only made with dairy-free alternatives.
Must-try: African ginger lemonade matcha
Hours: Friday - Sunday, from 7am to 4pm
Cost: R80
206 Main Road | Sea Point | @nicetomatcha.sa | Image: Saarah Gierdien
TRY LUKE’S GRANNY’S MALVA
New at the Oranjezicht Market is Smoor, a boerie stand serving “the best wors in town.” There’s items like Lamb Boerie (dhania smoor, labneh and crispy onion) and Luke’s Granny’s Malva (koesister malva pudding and Ultramel ice cream). Look out for their orange sign and white doilies at the Wednesday Night Markets.
Must-try: The Smoor (beef boerie, smoked tomato smoor, onion marmalade, crispy garlic)
Hours: Wednesdays 5pm to 9pm
Cost: TBC
Oranjezicht Market | V&A Waterfront | @smoor.ct | Image: Smoor
PEDAL BOATS ALL THE WAY FROM ITALY
Pedal Boat Cape Town brings the new boat on the block, all the way from Italy. This summer water activity is suitable for all ages and sessions are 30 minutes. Each pedal boat seats two to five adults. It’s based in Battery Park, so after pedalling your boat through the canals at the V&A Waterfront, you can explore the skate park.
Must-try: Five seater pedal boat
Hours: 10am to 5pm on weekends, by appointment on weekdays
Cost: R100 per person
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Battery Park | V&A Waterfront | pedal.boat.cape.town | Image: Pedal Boat Cape Town
SAFARI FOR WINE LOVERS
With Durbanville Wine Safari, you can explore this lush wine valley by safari vehicle, tasting some of the region’s finest wines at Nitida Wine Estate, Maastricht Wine Estate, Durbanville Hills and more. Grab your friends and spend the day doing their Hop-on-Hop-off safari and curate your own wine route.
Must-try: Hop-on Hop-off Day Trip
Hours: 9:30am to 6pm (Closed Mondays)
Cost: R300 per person
Durbanville | @durbanville_wine_safari | Image: Durbanville Wine Safari
BOWLS OF RAMEN THAT TELL A STORY
From culinary masters Rikku O'Donnchu and Warwick King, Yatai - Ramenbar brings the heart of Japanese street food to Bree Street. Inspired by classic Japanese food stalls known as Yatais, Yatai - Ramenbar promises rich broths, hand-pulled noodles, and mouth-watering toppings in every bowl. It’ll be below Nikkei with an opening date to be announced soon.
Must-try: TBC
Hours: Daily, 12pm to 10:30pm
Cost: TBC
87 Bree Street | @yatai_za | Image: Yatai Ramenbar
FLOUR MARKET IN GARDENS
Situated in Gardens, Flour Market is the latest gem from David Donde, founder of Truth Coffee and Rapt. While you wait for the grand opening of Flour Market, you can order their treats on Uber Eats (custard danishes, chocolate eclairs, all day breakfast and more). It’s opening in October 2024.
Must-try: Pain au Chocolat
Hours: Daily, 7am to 4pm
Cost: From R20
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105 Hope Street | Gardens | @flourmarket | Image: Flour Market
TOUCHED BY FIRE AT THE ONE&ONLY
One&Only Cape Town’s newest restaurant, ROOI, showcases ingredients from land and sea that’s infused with local flavours and traditions. Inspired by the vibrant essence of a classic braai, ROOI has menu items like lamb shank potjie, masala spiced kingklip fillet and peri peri spatchcock chicken.
Must-try: Smokey Josper Aubergine (Muhammara, flatbread, sumac pickled shallots, herbs and chilli oil)
Hours: Daily, 6:30am to 11am, 6:30pm to 11pm
Cost: From R140
One&Only Cape Town | V&A Waterfront | @rooi_capetown | Image: Rooi
ICE CREAM AND DONUTS?!
Ditto and Grumpy & Runt are now under one roof at Ditto’s flagship store on Kloof Street. You’ll still find Ditto’s oat milk-based ice creams and waffles, with the new addition of Grumpy & Runt’s vegan donuts and sandos. Expect flavours like chocolate lava donut (filled with fudgey chocolate lava and topped with chocolate brownies).
Must-try: Breakfast waffle (Hash brown waffle, tofu scramble, brown mushrooms, baby spinach and baked beans)
Hours: Monday to Thursday and Sunday, 9am to 10pm; Friday and Saturday, 9am to 11pm
Cost: Scoops from R38, donuts from R38, waffles from R88
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119 Kloof Street | @eatditto | Image: Ditto
TADAA! IS HERE
You’ve probably seen this new ice cream shop on your socials, and for good reason. Tadaa! Ice cream is all-natural with 20 flavours available. Some are pretty unique, like Vietnamese coffee, grapefruit cinnamon, blueberry mascarpone, and licorice and white chocolate. The decor feels like childhood nostalgia with bright pink walls and a melting disco ball.
Must-try: Gin & Tonic Sorbet
Hours: Daily, from 1pm till late
Cost: R30 for an “almost scoop”, R45 for a single scoop, R150 for a take-home tub
17 Kloof Nek Road | Gardens | @tadaa_icecream | Image: Tadaa!
ALCOHOL-FREE BAR & UNDERGROUND CINEMA
Yes, you read that correctly. Cloud Café at the Old Foundry is a conscious café and 0% bar offering non-alcholic drinks designed to “deliver a natural high”. There’s options like the Cloud 9, Blissful Beet and Matcha Mule. It’s also has a gluten-free bakery and coffee bar, underground cinema, tech-free first Thursday events and more.
Must-try: Vegan cookies and creamsicle
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 9am to 5pm
Cost: From R70 for a cake popsicle
Ground Floor, The Old Foundry | 74 Prestwich Street | Green Point | @cloud_cafe_zerobar | Image: Cloud Café
CAPE TOWN’S FIRST MUSEUM FOR DOGS
You’ll find it in one of the city’s 350-year-old buildings. Karel van der Vyver opened a museum where you can learn the history of dogs in South Africa, see a photography exhibition, ceramics display and read stories on memorable mutts (including famous presidential dogs). There’s also a listen station and of course, the museum is dog-friendly too.
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 5pm
Cost: Adults, R100; Kids under five, R50; Free for kids under 10
95 Keerom Street | Gardens | Cape Town | @museumofdogs_ | Image: Museum of Dogs
CLASSIC PUB GRUB ON KLOOF NEK
New on Kloof Nek Road is a public house with a cosy feel. From the dark wood interiors to the decorations in the form of rugby balls and hanging fish, The Twelve Bells has a classic pub vibe. There’s a wide variety of drinks and classic pub lunches like fish and chips. You can find favourites like Bells, Jameson and Guinness. The menu changes often so be sure to check the daily food items.
Must-try: Pub lunch classics like scotch eggs
Hours: Wednesday to Monday, 12pm to 12am
Cost: TBC
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9 Kloof Nek Road | Gardens | @thetwelvebells | Image: The Twelve Bells
TRY SPANISH TAPAS AND WINES
From chef Dian Botes, head chef of Una Más Mezcalería, is a new spot for tapas and wine. Qué Linda Restaurante is all about Spanish authenticity. On the menu you can find traditional Paella and wine varietals using Spanish grapes.
Must-try: Basque cheesecake (Spanish burnt cheesecake, spiced berry compote and dolce de leche)
Hours: Wednesday to Saturday, 12pm to 12am
Cost: Bites from R75, tapas from R110, mains from R210
39 Regent Road | Sea Point | @quelinda_restaurante | Image: Qué Linda Restaurante
CHEEKY GEM IN WELLINGTON
Neon signs, boho fringe lamp shades and drag shows. And yes, it’s in Wellington. A trip to Festa is well worth the drive. It’s found next to Kleinevalleij, the wedding venue on the Bainskloof Pass. In the day there’s a classic café feel, while at night it turns into a party with various events like drag shows and live performances from local artists like Jeremy Loops.
Must-try: Breakfast pork belly (poached egg, crispy pork belly, avocado and pesto)
Hours: Wednesday to Sunday, 9am to 4pm; Thursday and Friday evenings, 4pm to 10pm
Cost: Small plates from R60, mains from R130
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Kleinevalleij Estate | R301 | Wellington | @festa_wellington | Image: Festa
BETWEEN WATERSHED & CAPE GRACE:
COY IN THE V&A WATERFRONT
Fine dining small plates in a relaxed environment at the V&A Waterfront, COY was right to announce itself an “ocean-inspired, African-led dining experience”. It is the new invention from chef Ryan Cole, of Salsify at the Roundhouse.
The location is fitting to the name: It’s seemingly hidden in plain sight at the water’s edge in the building many will -for the time being- only know how to direct you to if you ask for "The bridge that takes me from the Watershed to The Cape Grace".
Must-try: TBC
Hours: Monday to Sunday 12-14:30 (Kitchen closes 15:00) and 18:00-21:00 (Kitchen closes 21:15)
Cost: R1150 for the COY experience. R750 for wine pairing. Consider 'The Two's' for R495 for lunch.
Follow: on Instagram @coy_capetown
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Shop 151 | The Scherwyn Pavilion Building | V&A Waterfront | @coy_capetown | Image: COY
TASTE “GREEN TOAST”
It’s Sea Point’s latest all-day café. On the menu you’ll find breakfast sandwiches, fried chicken sandos, prego fillets and more. Currently you can bring in your own wine and beer as Maggy Lou’s doesn’t have a liquor licence. Inside there’s plants, wooden furniture and outdoor seating too. It’s lovely and cosy, just like a friend’s living room.
Must-try: Green toast (toasted sourdough, peas, zucchini, dressed greens and a soft poached egg)
Hours: Daily, 8am to 10pm
Cost: Breakfast from R60
206 Main Road | Sea Point | @maggylous | Image: @tazzypretorius
STAY IN A 1920s GRAND MANOR
This 1920s grand home, transformed into a boutique hotel, is brimming with character and charm. You can stay over in 5-star suites, have lunch at Palm Terrace or dinner at de Tafel, and a massage at the Açaí Spa. Wine lovers will appreciate that the menu has 30 wines all centred on boutique Cape estates. And a sommelier will gladly recommend a pairing for each dish at Palm House Boutique Hotel and Spa.
Must-try: A session in the Banya Sauna (traditional barrel-shaped sauna of Nordic pine)
Hours: N/A
Cost: From R2 950 per night
10 Oxford Street | Wynberg | Cape Town | @palmhousehotel | Image: Palm House
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