The hidden seaside bistro on the ...
Inventive small plates best explored with a wine pairing
Winter specials to lift your spirits
37 treats, from getaways and spa days to date night deals
Last updated: Monday, 1 July 2024
Some people grumble about winter; we think it’s a treat. It’s magical, especially in the Western Cape, and short enough (and sunny enough) to enjoy. Here are some winter treats and deals like a gîte getaway, Cape Malay cooking classes (as seen on Netflix), spa day at a new luxury hotel, Cape Town’s first hand casting experience and more.
DISCOVER A HIDDEN SPEAKEASY
A secret password or your name on the guest list. That’s the only way to get into Art of Duplicity, a renovated 1894 Victorian warehouse found at the back of a storefront. It’s a decadent jazz and cocktail speakeasy that’s inspired by the USA’s prohibition era. They serve light snacks, tapas, nuts, and charcuterie platters that pair with their cocktails.
Winter treat: Secret speakeasy
Price: N/A
Availability: All year
Hidden location | @art.of.duplicity | Image: Art of Duplicity
TASTE COASTAL MEXICAN CUISINE
Hacienda on Bree Street has a Latin American cowboy interior filled with leather booths, mosaic floors, and ceramic drinkware. Inspired by Mexico’s Baja Peninsula, the winter menu is made for sharing: Mole Hacienda, taco cola amarilla (yellowtail sashimi), brisket adobo taco, Oaxaca adobo rice and churros, and guajillo chilli chocolate ice cream.
Winter special: Winter set menu and a free glass of merlot
Price: R395 per person
Availability: 1 June - 1 September 2024
92 Bree Street | Cape Town City Centre | @hacienda_sa | Image: Hacienda
THE CITY’S NEWEST ARTS FESTIVAL
HEAT was created to address low visitor numbers to art galleries, and an absence of opportunities for young artists, during winter. From 11 to 21 July, young creatives will present across 14 art galleries and theatres across the CBD. Participating galleries include The AVA, Ebony/Curated, Eclectica Contemporary, 99 Loop Gallery, and more.
Winter treat: HEAT, Cape Town’s newest art festival
Price: Free - R180
Availability: 11 - 21 July 2024
Cape Town | HEAT Festival website | Image: HEAT Festival
DISCOUNTED ENTRY TO THE AQUARIUM
Every day, the aquarium offers visitors a special discount after 3pm. There’s so much to (re)discover about this magical place, like the penguin waddle through the aquarium or a Jelly Gallery with jellies so rare they don’t have a scientific name yet. Read more about the best things to see and do at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
Winter special: After 3pm special
Price: R190 for adults (usually R250); up to R140 for kids (usually R185)
Availability: All year
Dock Road | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | @2OceansAquarium | Image: Two Oceans Aquarium
SMALL PLATE TUESDAY SPECIAL
This restaurant and cocktail lounge brings the African desert to the urban jungle of Bree Street. Boma is known for its smoky flavours (everything is cooked over an open fire) and South African small plates. There’s even a classic jaffle – a dish so simple, and so nostalgic, you can’t help but want to try it again.
Winter special: Order two small plates on Tuesdays, and get a third small plate and drink free
Price: Small plates from R30
Availability: 1 June - 31 August 2024
107 Bree Street | Cape Town | @bomaonbree | Image: Boma on Bree
TASTE A TIRAMISU MARTINI
It’s like an espresso martini, but better. It’s made with Jose Cuervo bianco, Nachtmusik, crème de cassis and espresso, and you’ll only find it at Filini. This Italian restaurant also has limoncello cosmopolitans, Italian margaritas (made with Disaronno, an almond amaretto liqueur) and fresh pizza and pasta. Filini is Radisson Cape Town Foreshore’s newest restaurant.
Winter treat: Tiramisu martini
Price: R95
Availability: All year
29 Heerengracht Street | Cape Town | @radissonhotelcapetown | Image: Radisson Cape Town Foreshore
CAPE TOWN’S “KING OF ESCAPE ROOMS”
HintHunt’s new superhero-themed escape room, which took four years to complete, is being called “the king of escape rooms”. If you’re new to escape rooms, it’ll exceed your expectations. If you’ve done them all, this insanely-immersive game, which creates an atmosphere of superhero realism, just ups the ante. See what's been said about Marble.
Winter treat: Cape Town’s “king of escape rooms”
Price: R395 per person in a team of 6
Availability: All year
Watershed | 17 Dock Road | Cape Town | @hinthuntafrica | Image: HintHunt
EXPANSIVE JAPANESE 7-COURSE MEAL
Izakaya Matsuri, one of Cape Town’s most esteemed Asian restaurants, offers traditional Japanese tapas. The interior is tastefully decorated with Japanese screens for privacy and white Chinese lanterns hang from the ceiling. Their 7-course winter special includes miso soup, veggie tempura, gyoza, teriyaki skewers, sushi platter and an ice cream trio.
Winter special: 7-course meal
Price: R300 per person
Availability: All year
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Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village | Prestwich Street | Green Point | @izakaya_matsuri_ | Image: @hangry_foodmode
DATE NIGHT SPECIAL WITH GIN COCKTAILS
Harringtons is a Gatsby-esque lounge with whiskey dinners and dazzling disco parties. In June, they’re hosting Double Date Night with Bombay Sapphire. Menu items include cherry pepper poppers with mango and nigella seed chutney, and firecracker chicken tacos with pineapple. Plus, there’s a nightclub, rum bar, and more at Harrington Street.
Winter special: Thursday Double Date Night (three tapas and three gin cocktails)
Price: R350 for two people
Availability: 1 - 30 June 2024
61b Harrington Street | Cape Town | @harringtonsct | Image: Harrington Street
4 000+ VINTAGE TOY CARS
It might be a toy museum, but it’s a great place for adults to channel their inner child. The Warrior Toy Museum is a treasure trove for vintage toys with over 4 000 toy cars that span the history of automobiles, from classic cars to iconic race cars. There’s also 500 dolls and teddy bears, two fully operational miniature railroads and a sales section.
Winter treat: Toy car collection at the Warrior Toy Museum
Price: R10 entry
Availability: All year
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1067 King George Way | Simon's Town | Image: @museumexplorersa
MONSTER MOUNTAIN SCOOTER TOURS
This outdoor adventure is an exhilarating downhill descent on non-electric Monster Mountain Scooters. At Scootours’ newest location, Banhoek Chilli Oil, you get to cascade through vineyards and over small wooden bridges, all while admiring views of the Groot Drakenstein Mountains and Simonsberg Mountain. See Scootours’ other exciting routes.
Winter special: 50% off Scootours Banhoek. Use voucher code winter2024 when booking online
Price: R295pp (usually R590)
Availability: 1 June - 31 August 2024
Banhoek Chilli Oil | Stellenbosch | @scootoursbestdayever | Image: Scootours
WARMING SIP AND SOUP PAIRING
Spier’s tasting room is hosting soup and wine pairings this winter. Visitors can sample four wines (sauvignon blanc, chardonnay, shiraz, and cabernet sauvignon) with soups like creamy pea velouté and forest mushroom consommé. Each is made from seasonal ingredients harvested from their food garden and is served with warm sourdough bread.
Winter special: Sip and Soup pairing
Price: R170pp
Availability: 1 June - 30 September 2024
R310 Baden Powell Drive | Stellenbosch | @spierwinefarm | Image: Spier Wine Farm
INFUSED COFFEE & SALTY EDIBLES
Brownies and cookies are so last year. This cannabis club, which is the first SAHPRA-approved cannabis dispensary in Cape Town, has over 90 strains, salty edibles like kettle chips, and an infused coffee bar. It also has a pillow fort, games and TVs streaming sport. You’ll need to be a member to get into Cannibisters in Sea Point.
Winter treat: Infused coffee and salty edibles
Price: R100 monthly membership
Availability: All year
65 Regent Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | Image: Cannibisters
SA’S LARGEST COMEDY FESTIVAL
South Africa’s oldest and largest comedy festival is back. This year, the Jive Cape Town Funny Festival celebrates its 25th anniversary. You can expect popular local acts like Yaaseen Barnes, Dalin Oliver, Alan Committie, Emo & Loukmaan Adams, and many more.
Winter treat: South Africa’s biggest comedy festival
Price: From R130
Availability: 10 June - 7 July 2024
The Pam Golding Theatre at The Baxter | Main Road | Rondebosch | @capetownfunnyfestival | Image: Cape Town Funny Festival
FIZZ-FREE TREATMENT AT TOP HAIR SALON
Excentric Hair, one of Cape Town’s top salons (owned by award-winning stylist Flo Neacsu), is offering a Botox Smoothing experience this winter. It includes a beverage, botox treatment for frizz, precision cut, blow dry, flat iron and a travel-size care kit. See Flo’s eight insider hair care tips.
Winter special: Botox Smoothing experience
Price: From R750
Availability: Monday to Thursday, 1 June - 31 August 2024
Kloof Street and Sea Point | Cape Town | Find each branch’s contact details online | Image: Excentric Hair
PAP AND STEW, WITH A TWIST
This steakhouse is a meat lover’s mecca where everything is prepped and aged in-house, and the menu has tenderness and flavour scores. Char’d Grill is loved for its rare steak cuts, like caveman, flat iron and Denver, sourced from “one of the best beef breeds in the country”. Now imagine what their stew tastes like… See the chef’s recommendations at Char’d Grill.
Winter special: Traditional pap and stew
Price: R145
Availability: 1 June - 31 August 2024
Shop 4 | Hermanus Waterfront | @chardhermanus | Image: Char’d Grill
MUSEUM WITH 200+ CLASSIC MOTORCYCLES
There are more than 200 beautifully-restored classic motorbikes on display (from the early 1910s to 1974) at the Helderberg Motorcycle Museum. There’s also a collection of vintage petrol tanks, helmets, signs, and pumps that celebrate motorcycling through the ages. Plus, you can also dine at the restaurant at Helderberg Motorcycle Museum.
Winter treat: See 200+ classic bikes
Price: R100 for adults, R50 for senior citizens, free for kids under 12
Availability: All year
16 Old Sir Lowry's Pass Road | Helderberg Rural | Cape Town | @motorcycle_museum | Image: Helderberg Motorcycle Museum
7-COURSE ITALIAN MEAL & FREE RED WINE
You can get a free glass of red wine when you try Scala’s new winter menu. In collaboration with Michelin star chef Luciano Monosilio, it’s a seven-course meal with antipastis like Italian olive and potato focaccia, and oven-baked pacchero pasta. Dessert is dark chocolate and vanilla custard with candied almonds. Tip: It’s enough for two.
Winter special: Winter set menu and free glass of red wine
Price: R395pp (can also be split between two for R198pp)
Availability: Daily, 12pm to 10.30pm
81 Church Street | Cape Town | @scalapasta | Image: Scala Pasta
CREATE YOUR OWN HAND CAST
This first-of-its-kind experience is a great (and different) way to spend a chilly day. 2handsy hosts hand casting workshops, where you can make your own hand statues at venues like Woodstock Brewery (the venues change). You get all the materials and you can spray paint it. There are also drinks, snacks, and games at the 2handsy experience.
Winter treat: Hand cast experience at 2handsy
Price: From R195 for kids and R395 for adults
Availability: All year
Various locations | @2handsyexperience | Image: 2handsy Experience
CAPE MALAY COOKING CLASSES, AS SEEN ON TV
Roger Federer, Prince Harry and Meghan, Phil Rosenthal from Netflix’s Somebody Feed Phil are just some of the famous names that have visited Faeeza’s Home Kitchen. She hosts Cape Malay cooking classes in Bo-Kaap, where you’ll be taught how to roll rotis, fry chilli bites, cook curry and wrap samosas (vegan and vegetarian options too).
Winter treat: Cape Malay cooking classes
Price: R450pp
Availability: All year
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Chiappini Lane | Bo-Kaap | Cape Town | @faeezashomekitchen | Image: Faeeza's Home Kitchen
TRY A MEDIALUNA
Ever heard of a medialuna? It’s an Argentinian pastry that’s worth a drive to Somerset West. A mix of a brioche and croissant, Weirdough’s medialunas come in both savoury and sweet like Nutella, custard and mozzarella and brie. Make sure to get there before 12pm – they’re usually sold out by lunch.
Winter treat: Medialuna pastry
Price: R26
Availability: All year
Lions Square Shopping Center | Main Street | Somerset West | @weirdough_bakerysa | Image: Weirdough
EVER HEARD OF A GÎTE?
A gîte is a holiday cottage; you can find several in the Franschhoek valley (fitting considering the French origins of the term). These cabins have been transformed into luxury self-catering suites, perfect for couple getaways. Each suite has a wood-fired hot tub and views of the mountains. And it’s walking distance from the historic town.
Winter special: 10% off when booking directly on gitefranschhoek.co.za
Price: R1 710 p/n
Availability: 1 May - 31 August 2024
Cabriere Street | Franschhoek | @gitefranschhoek | Image: @cabin_fever_cpt
ELMA CAY AT A TURKISH PALACE
Stepping inside this Clock Tower restaurant is like being transported to Turkey. There’s colourful mosaic lamps and opulent velvet booths in sapphire blue and green. Elma Cay, a comforting traditional apple tea with hints of lemon, is lovely on a chilly day. Find out more about why you should visit Saray.
Winter treat: Elma cay
Price: R25
Availability: All year
Shop G04 Clock Tower Building | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | @saray_restaurant_ct | Image: Saray
CHOCOLATE AND WINE GETAWAY
This getaway special includes a two nights stay, a bottle of MCC and chocolate in your room, and two vouchers for a chocolate and wine pairing to Lanzerac Wine Estate and Spier Wine Estate. Bonne Esperance Boutique Guest House, situated in Stellenbosch, is elegantly charming and just one hour from Cape Town.
Winter special: Stellenbosch Chocoholic Experience
Price: R5 795 (two guests for two nights)
Availability: 1 June - 30 September 2024
Van Riebeeck Street & Neethling Street | Stellenbosch | @bonne_esperance | Image: Bonne Esperance
LUXURY HOTEL SPA DAY SPECIAL
There’s something about a cosy winter spa day. Palm House Boutique Hotel has three-course breakfasts, a pool and bespoke Wellness Oasis. The spa has great monthly winter specials, like a wellness ceremony treatment. And there’s sauna, massages, facials and more at Palm House Boutique Hotel.
Winter special: 33% off a wellness ceremony (full body brushing, mongongo nut oil scrub, mineral rich wrap, scalp massage and full body massage)
Price: R1 500 for a 120 minute session
Availability: 1 June - 30 June 2024
10 Oxford Street | Wynberg | Cape Town | @palmhousespa | Image: Palm House
MOST DECADENT HOT CHOCOLATE?
This chocolate wonderland is the brainchild of David Donde (owner of Truth Coffee and Art of Duplicity). There’s handcrafted “bon bombs”, flash nitrogen ice cream and build-a-bar experiences. A truly special treat is the choco-o-latte: Made with melted chocolate and burnt marshmallows around the edge of the cup. Find out more about the chocolate shop Rapt.
Winter treat: Melted hot chocolate with a burnt marshmallow rim
Price: R65
Availability: All year
39 Buitenkant Street | Cape Town City Centre | Cape Town | @raptindulgence | Image: Lindsey Appolis
HIRE CLASSIC BIKES FOR HALF PRICE
RETZA has two specials this season. You can rent a motorcycle for two days and only pay for one day, or, rent two motorcycles for the price of one for one day. Whether you’re wanting to go on a weekend getaway or a Sunday drive, you can choose from a fleet of gorgeously classic Royal Enfield bikes.
Winter special: Two-for-one specials
Price: From R1 550
Availability: 1 June - 30 September 2024
9 Factory Road | Brickfield | Salt River | @retza_enfield_tours_sa | Image: Retza Enfield Tours
LUXURY STAYCATION ON SIGNAL HILL
Dorp Hotel, high up in Schotsche Kloof, is made up of charming pillars and banks of windows set amid lush gardens. Some of the suites or studio-style apartments boast private steam rooms, wide-vista terraces, or secret courtyards. You can also dine alfresco in the “fairytale gardens” or under a tree. See their winter special below.
Winter special: Pay for two nights and get a third night free
Price: From R3 860
Availability: 1 June - 31 August 2024
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273 Longmarket Street | Schotsche Kloof | Cape Town | @dorphotel | Image: Dorp Hotel
R99 BRUNCH WITH “CAPE TOWN’S BEST COFFEE”
This Sea Point coffee shop has won five “Best Coffee in Cape Town” awards. It’s popular with early morning risers and Promenade joggers, thanks to its special blends and brunch specials (cappuccino and eggs benedict for R99 daily). And there’s winter comfort food like butternut or tomato soup, paired with toasties. Here’s what the buzz (and brew) at mischu is all about.
Winter special: Cappuccino and eggs benedict special until 4.30pm
Price: R99
Availability: All year
85 Regent Road | Sea Point | @mischucoffee | Image: mischu
TACO TUESDAYS AT A NEW EATERY
One of Cape Town’s hottest Mexican spots, Mamacita’s, has a new sister: Mama’s Margaritaville. The Kloof Street eatery looks just like a scene off the Venice Beach strip with its cheeky neon signs, palm trees, surf boards, and graffiti across the walls. On Tuesdays, you can mix and match any of their tacos.
Winter special: Taco Tuesday
Price: R50 per taco
Availability: Daily, 11am to late
8 Kloof Street | Gardens | @mamasmargaritavillect | Image: Mama’s Margaritaville
1 NIGHT FREE AT A SUSTAINABLE GUESTHOUSE
Gonana, meaning “embrace” in isiZulu, is the first sustainable guesthouse in Paternoster, using solar electricity to heat the saltwater pool and local food products and organic cheeses for breakfasts. It has direct access to the Columbine Nature Reserve and Cape Columbine Lighthouse.
Winter special: Stay one night, and get another night free
Price: From R1 750 per night; book via book.nightsbridge.com
Availability: Until 31 August 2024
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42 Sonkwas Street | Bek Bay | Paternoster | @gonanaguesthouse | Image: Gonana Guest House
15% OFF AN AFRICAN FOOD TOUR
The Taste of Africa Tour is a bite-sized adventure of Cape Town’s culinary wonders. The tour journeys to four special places in the city centre: Madam Taitou, Green Market Square, The Secret Gin Bar and Open Wine. You’ll get to taste local beers, wines and gins; beef stew, vegetable curry, pap and a secret dessert.
Winter special: 15% off the Taste of Africa Tour, use our reader code CTM2024
Price: R1 678.75
Availability: All year
77 Long Street | Cape Town | 072 427 5184 | Image: @ct.culinary
WINTER MENU WITH TRADITIONAL RAMEN
This seaside secret might be ideal for a family beach day, but it’s also just as special in winter. The winter menu has ramen like tonkotsu shoyu (pork belly and nori and shitake mushrooms, with a pork bone-based broth) and niwatori miso (chicken and prawn in a miso broth). Find out why Milk on the Beach is Onrus’s crown jewel.
Winter treat: Winter menu with ramen and spiced sesame calamari
Price: From R65 for a small plate
Availability: Until 31 August 2024
1 Atlantic Drive | Onrus River | 028 316 1516 | @milk_onthebeach | Image: Milk on the Beach
BAR WITH FREE ARCADE GAMES
There are tons of bars in Cape Town, but how many of them have an arcade? At Barcadia you’ll find old gaming consoles on display, classic arcade machines like Rave Racer, Mortal Kombat, Street Fighter, and of course Pac-Man (all free to play if you buy a drink). And there’s old school soda guns at Barcadia.
Winter treat: Classic arcade games that you can play for free
Price: Free entry and games if you buy a drink
Availability: All year
62 Hout Street | Cape Town | @barcadiaza | Image: Barcadia
JAZZ LOUNGE WITH A 3-COURSE DINNER
This jazz lounge is gorgeously moody (especially when it’s pouring outside) with its leather booths, navy walls and dim lighting. This winter they’re offering a decadent three-course dinner with live music every Wednesday to Saturday. Find out why The Blue Room is a great little space for jazz lovers.
Winter special: Three-course dinner, canapés and live music
Price: R495pp
Availability: Until 31 August 2024
103 Bree Street | City Centre | Cape Town | @theblueroomct | Image: The Blue Room
ANTENATAL CLASSES (WITH READER SPECIAL)
Expecting? Know someone who is? Nurturenest in the northern suburbs is a calm and friendly space where new and expecting parents can go for guidance, support and gentle ways to nurture mom and new baby. There’s classes on pregnancy wellness, breastfeeding, newborn care and gentle parenting.
Winter special: 20% on four Tuesday evening antenatal classes (6pm - 9pm); use the code CAPETOWNMAG20
Price: R1 480 per couple
Availability: Until 31 July 2024
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35 Vygeboom Street | Durbanville | @nurturenest_baby | Image: Nurturenest
LITTLE BISTRO WITH INVENTIVE DISHES
On the strip of the Hermanus Waterfront lies a little bistro. You’ll discover a treasure trove of inventive dishes like sushi calamari, kombucha cocktails, and Cereal Killer milkshakes. And they have a special winter menu with cauliflower, blue cheese and truffle soup, pan fried gnocchi and prawn and chicken curry. Here’s 10 must-try dishes at Pear Tree.
Winter treat: Sushi calamari, Cereal Killer milkshake and eight more must-tries
Price: From R65
Availability: Until 31 August 2024
Shop 2 | Hermanus Waterfront | @peartreehermanus | Image: Pear Tree
FREE NIGHT FOR A TEAM GETAWAY
To celebrate their birthday, Bertha Retreat is offering guests a free night’s stay if they book three nights or more. It’s a beautiful corporate retreat, run by activism powerhouse Bertha Foundation. There’s fynbos gardens, cobblestone pathways, hiking trails and cosy cottages that look over the surrounding mountains.
Winter special: Book three nights and get a fourth free
Price: Rated based on visiting group’s ability to pay
Availability: Must book before 31 June 2024
Franschhoek | @bertharetreat | Image: Bertha Retreat
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