JETSETREPORT

Prepping for Summer in Cape Town

November 23, 2015 08.10 PM

It is around this time of year that we begin dreaming of Cape Town. Those unambitious summer days when you crave nothing more than lingering for hours at your favorite coffee spot in the Gardens before heading to the beaches of Clifton and Bantry Bay. While you'll be tempted to stay at the One&Only or along the V&A Waterfront, opt for more residential areas like Camps Bay or Clifton. It's here you'll find the boutique hotel Cape View with its sophisticated-spin on beach chic and unrivaled waterfront pool. Otherwise, there's always Ellerman House that pampers its 30-or-so guests with one of the continent's best art collections, 24-hour homemade snacks and decor worthy of World of Interiors.

Africa's haughtiest dining scene, Cape Town benefits from its proximity to the continent's most fertile farmlands, world-class wine country and ocean yet to be overfished. The result is chefs like Luke Dale Roberts who helms gastronomic The Test Kitchen and more casual Pot Luck Club at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock that's also home to his latest edible foray Naturalis. Lunches are still best at The Grand or more picturesque, and touristy, Bungalow with its view of Camp's Bay that makes up for the Versace-wearing clientele. Dinner reservations should be kept at cheerful and fashionable stalwarts like Beluga or newer Borage Bistro in CBD helmed by Heston Blumenthal alum. And for the latest edible pop-up, Beijing Opera does trendy dim sum in De Waterkant.

For those that struggle to find traction in Cape Town nightlife, Aces 'n' Spades still proves one of the city's sexiest nightspots in addition to their new Village Idiot that mixes gastro-pub, lounge and pool hall just up the street. If visiting for New Year's expect a menagerie of formal prix-fixe dinners, outdoor mega-parties and club events that seem to always disappoint. Instead, head towards the Cape Winelands and hotels like Babylonstoren that's the perfect address to enjoy nearby summer music festivals in Kirstenbosch or Electric Vines Music Festival that lure the city's hippest revelers away to toast the arrival of 2016.

Written by:

Michael Martin
Editorial Review Author
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