Cape Town's Coastal Treasures

This time last year, we set off on a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Cape Town for our honeymoon, exploring the breathtaking Garden Route. This region is brimming with bucket-list-worthy things to see and do, from its jaw-dropping nature to its incredible restaurants and award-winning wine scene. We could’ve spent a year exploring it all.

We set up base at two hotels on our trip to Cape Town. Ellerman House was the first, an award-winning luxury boutique bolthole nestled above Bantry Bay, boasting panoramic views of the bordering ocean. It’s located a stone’s throw away from Camps Bay, which feels like the Hollywood Hills of Cape Town, filled with lovely restaurants, clubs and white sandy beaches. We also stayed at The Silo Hotel, a five-star hotel perched above the V&A Waterfront, another great area to wine, dine and get stuck into a spot of shopping. It’s also home to the iconic Time Out food market, where you can feast on food from leading local chefs and restaurateurs. Seeing the cute colony of Cape seals at the V&A Waterfront was also another highlight; they can usually be found snoozing and chilling in the harbour.

The food in Cape Town is enough of a reason to visit alone, and we tried so many amazing restaurants during our time here. Our favourite has to be Zest Restaurant, a seafood spot in Sea Point boasting an unobstructed view of the Atlantic. We tucked into the freshest oysters and other seafood specials while the chef explained each dish and gave us other local recommendations. We also loved The Old Biscuit Mill, named after its original purpose as a factory for making biscuits in the early 20th century. These days, it’s a lively neighbourhood market, home to a mix of food vendors, vintage clothing stalls, designers, artisans, and farmers. It also houses The Pot Luck Club and The Test Kitchen, two internationally acclaimed restaurants that have put the market on the map as a world-class culinary hot spot.

The Winelands in Cape Town are among the most renowned in the world, so we also spent some time exploring the region and sampling a range of exceptional wines. What makes this area particularly special is the stunning combination of incredible landscapes, dramatic mountain backdrops, and a rich, fascinating history.

We visited Stellanbosch first, home to some of South Africa’s oldest wine estates, known for producing world-class red wines. The town is filled with Cape Dutch architecture and quaint cultural hot spots. Paarl, located just north of Stellanbosch, is also known for its full-bodied reds and sophisticated white wines. This is also home to the old Frankenstein Prison, where Nelson Mandela was released.

However, our favourite was Franschhoek, known as the ‘French Corner’ because of the French Huguenot settlers who introduced their wine-making skills to the region in the late 17th century. The area is famed for its wine and food and is chock full of gourmet restaurants and charming vineyards. Hop on the Franschhoek wine tram to experience the best of the Franschhoek Vallery; you can visit different participating wineries in the region, get stuck into tastings, take part in cellar tours, or simply stroll through the pretty vineyards.

Chapman’s Peak Drive was also a highlight for us, one of the most scenic drives in the world that meanders down from Hout Bay to Noordhoek on the southern tip of Cape Town, an unspoiled village known for its picturesque landscapes, natural gems and laid-back surf vibe. Our time here was spent eating good food, soaking up the local vibes, taking in the stunning natural scenery and enjoying a spot of surfing.

We then visited Noordhoek Farm Village, a quaint local town with artisan shops, galleries, and restaurants. The open-air market every Wednesday evening is the ideal opportunity to feast on local street food, but there’s also the famous Foodbarn Café & Tapas, owned and run by multiple Michelin-starred chef Franck Dangereux, which is all about supporting local businesses and sourcing local produce. We enjoyed some food and then headed over to Café Roux, one of the country’s most loved live music venues, with stellar lineups of some of South Africa’s top musical and comedy acts.

We also had a wonderful picnic at Cape Point Vineyard in Noordhoek, where we enjoyed an al fresco lunch set against the stunning backdrop of Cape Point. Each picnic basket was filled with regional, seasonal ingredients, complemented by carefully selected wine pairings. The breathtaking views of the ocean, vineyard, and a serene koi pond surrounding us made it all that more special.

From there, we made our way to Simon’s Town, a charming little seaside village where you can see the famous colony of African penguins that call Boulders Beach their home. The waterfront here is lined with local restaurants, cafes and shops, but if history is more your thing, you can stroll along St George’s Street, known as the Historic Mile. This area is dotted with well-preserved Victorian buildings and historic landmarks with plaques explaining all about the town’s storied past.

Just a short drive from Simon’s Town, you’ll reach The Cape of Good Hope and Cape Point, which are part of Table Mountain National Park. It’s known for its dramatic landscapes and is the point where the Atlantic and Indian Oceans are said to meet. Here, you can follow hiking trails, go birdwatching, and trek up to Cape Point Lighthouse, originally built in 1859. The lighthouse offers unobstructed views of the striking coastline and waves crashing against the towering, jagged cliffs below. We also saw lots of local wildlife here; it’s home to baboons, ostriches, antelopes and zebras.