A guide to wine bar crawling

Free wine tastings, street food, live jazz, wine libraries, pizza bagels + more

Last updated: Thursday, 6 April 2023

It’s always wine o’clock in Cape Town. You’ll find everything: Little known labels, special imports and wines from small producers. Join free tastings on Tuesdays, listen to live jazz or try curious street foods at these wine bars in the city (because wine not). 

GET STREET FOOD AT THIS CHEEKY BAR

This is not your typical wine bar. You’ll find signed wine glasses (like Starbucks, but better), tables made out of crates and graffiti on the walls. It serves upscale street food from across Asia, the Middle East, South Africa, Mexico and more. Think dumplings, arancini balls, crab bruschetta, and hummus and pita dip. Find out more about Who Knows.

Hours: Tuesday to Thursday, 3pm to 12am; Friday to Sunday, 2pm to 12am

17 Bree Street | Cape Town CBD | 071 490 2834 | @who_knows_bar | Image: Who Knows

FANCY FREE WINE ON TUESDAYS?

Judd’s Local is a family-owned and run restaurant and wine shop on Kloof Street. Every Tuesday it offers a free wine tasting experience, hosted by a different wine rep every week. Learn about wines from across the Western Cape, from larger farms like Grootepost and Newton Johnson to independent labels like Vine & Co or The Garajeest. Stick around and enjoy a charcuterie board, a burger or a snoek taco. 

Hours: Mondays, 12pm - 11.30pm; Tuesdays to Saturdays, 11am - 11.30pm; closed on Sundays

141 Kloof Street | Gardens | 064 527 1272 | @juddslocal | Image: Judd’s Local

PAIR PIZZA BAGELS AND WINE

Bagel shop by day, wine bar by night. Leo’s Wine Bar is squeezed in Max’s Bagels on the vibrant Bree Street. It’s an intimate space that leaks out onto the street terrace, where most of the seating is. Leo’s specialises in wines from smaller producers, with a great selection of natural wines. Plus they serve pizza bagels and bar snacks nightly.

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 5pm - 11pm

Shop 28 | De Oude Schuur | 120 Bree Street | Instagram: @leoswinebar | Image: Leo’s

TASTE WINE FROM AROUND THE WORLD

Grub and Vine’s wine bar is hard to miss, with its name splattered on a bright orange wall in Bree Street. Culture Wine Bar offers cult classics, hidden gems, natural wines, and special imports from across the globe (from France to Australia). Plus, you can snack on their small menu while listening to live jazz over the weekend.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 12pm - 11pm

103 Bree Street | Cape Town City Centre | 087 153 5246 | Instagram: @culturewinebar | Image: Culture Wine Bar

PICK YOUR BOTTLE FROM A WALL

Open Wine is tucked between trendy restaurants and art galleries on Wale Street and has a bar, lounge and cellar. Wine enthusiasts can choose from their exceptional selection of wine, ranging from unique boutique wines, local gems and bigger industry-leading wines. You can pick a bottle straight from the wall (which is also their menu).

Hours: Tuesday + Wednesday, 12pm - 11pm; Thursday to Sunday, 2pm - 11pm

72 Wale Street | Cape Town City Centre | 021 422 0800 | Instagram: @openwine_za | Image: Lara van Zyl

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