Cape Town has come a long way since “buying local” meant picking up some beadwork and carvings. Cape Town’s sophisticated blend of Afro-European finds its way into international design-savvy stores in London, New York and Paris. Naturally, if you do your own foraging, you’ll find much more variety and more affordable prices.
You’ll find the city’s best shopping areas in pockets and on certain streets; A personal favorite is browsing the antiques, clothes, ornaments and galleries along Kalk Bay’s main street, overlooking the sea and interspersed among the many venues. stopping to take a breath (Olympia Café is an institution).
The shopping center at the V&A Waterfront is popular but the offerings are pretty generic (though Cape Union Mart is worth it if you’re shopping for safari or camping gear). If you’re looking specifically for locally produced items, walk from the mall to Watershed; It’s a great place for a one-stop gift shopping experience, with over 150 stalls in a large warehouse flogging products made exclusively on the continent.
Fashion lovers should reserve visits to MaXhosa Africa, Stefania Morland, KLûK CGDT, Kat van Duinen, Wanda Lephoto, Viviers Studio and Mantsho.
For more Cape Town inspiration, check out our guide to the city, its best hotels, restaurants, nightlife and things to do. For more inspiration, read about our expert’s recent two-week holiday in South Africa.
Find places to shop by area
Green Dot
out of this world
If you are short on time and looking for an exclusive collection of high end African crafts, Sue and Peter Vith have an excellent eye and long-standing relationships with traders and suppliers across the continent. There is some gorgeous furniture, but the bulk of the collection focuses on accent items, many of which are originally utilitarian pieces that will add an exotic touch to an elegant room. You pay accordingly, but it saves you having to search through sprawling, marketplace-style offerings.
To contact: outofthisworld.co.za
Price:%s: £££
Beach
Basin
Be sure to spend at least a few hours at the Watershed, located between the Two Oceans Aquarium and the new Time Out Market, to find the widest selection of gifts, souvenirs or local fashion. With over 150 stalls in a large open-plan warehouse, Watershed offers by far the most diverse selection of locally produced clothing in the city, as well as jewellery, textiles, toys, homewares, ceramics, shoes and more. A great place to check out real quality mixed with a bit of tourist taste; in fact, one of the long-term effects of the lockdown is the improvement in service, with quirky independent boutique shops such as Mungo and Jemima and Africa Nova now downsized to stalls. In Watershed.
To contact: waterfront.co.za
Price:%s: ££
Town center
mungo
Heirloom quality organic cotton towels, bed and table linens, throws and kikois in textured whites or the most wonderful color combinations that truly stand the test of time. Mungo has come a long way since master weaver Stuart Holding began weaving a limited range of beautiful homeware textiles on two restored antique looms in 1998; The company is the first Global Organic Textile Standard certified factory in Africa and its product range is exported to Europe. and the USA is truly extraordinary in every respect. (Tip: If local textiles interest you, it’s worth making time for African Jacquard’s small showroom in Woodstock, or checking out the website africanjacquard.com for gorgeous, sumptuous “where did you get that” scarves, bedspreads, cushion covers, and towels . is made using the traditional French Jacquard method but its texture and pattern are inspired by African geometric designs.)
To contact: mungo.co.za
Price:%s: £
Olive Branch Delicatessen
Located in a narrow corridor in a corner of the Lifestyle Center, this small deli resembles a 19th-century apothecary or Victorian grocer, with its wooden cabinets and large sacks filled with floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with visually striking produce. produce, bread shelves (including the best gluten-free loaves), and 1920s jazz music. Designed as a community grocer by hands-on owner-managers, brother and sister Ommy and Hélène Demetriou showcase the best of local produce alongside top-quality international brands for Cape Town foodies and are always on hand to make recommendations. Tip: If you want to see Cape Town foodies in action, don’t miss the Oranjezicht Farmers Market in Granger Bay every Saturday and Sunday (see activities).
To contact: olivebranchdeli.com
Price:%s: £££
Woodstock and Paarden Island
Imiso Ceramics / Mervyn Gers Ceramics
There are many excellent ceramicists in Cape Town, but in terms of handmade one-off pieces, Andile Dyalvane and Zizipho Poswa really stand out. His work bears some European influences, such as the Picasso-inspired Africasso series, but is mostly African-based, with delicate drawings of traditional objects such as isiXhosa milk buckets and Ngumi storage containers. The beautifully textured Scarified Collection is inspired by the scars on tribal bodies. Zizipho Poswa specializes in delicate tuft pots and her functional ceramics are simply gorgeous.
If you prefer functional ceramic items, check out the beautiful handmade crockery from the working studio of award-winning ceramicist Mervyn Gers. Their plates make the meals of many of the country’s top restaurants and lodge chefs seem even more appetizing. As well as being an authentic studio experience, its ‘seconds’ (all with very minor flaws) are an absolute bargain. Or create a personalized dinnerware set by choosing from a wide range of colors and designs. Transport is organized by the team.
To contact: imisoceramics.co.za
Price:%s: ££
South African Print Gallery
Stop by the SA Print Gallery (SAPG) for quality local art that’s easy to carry home. Founded in 2009 by master printmaker Gabriel Clark-Brown, the shop is the only dedicated fine art print dealership in the city and the best place to browse SA limited edition prints. As well as selecting works by some of the big local names in printmaking (such as William Kentridge), the owners also seek out lesser-known artists who demonstrate strong technical qualities and embrace unconventional subject matter.
To contact: printgallery.co.za
Price:%s: ££
Kalk Bay
Kalk Bay Modern
A modest entrance and a flight of stairs lead to this Kalk Bay classic filled with exquisite arts and crafts. It has one of the most comprehensive collections of ceramic artists in the city, but the walls are also adorned with works by William Kentridge, Nicolaas Maritz, Cecil Skotnes and there is some wonderful jewelery on display. Gallery director Cheryl Rumbak collaborated on San community projects, and as such the gallery houses one of the largest collections of contemporary San prints, paintings and textiles. This also marks the beginning of one of the city’s most fascinating shopping districts; Continue heading north until Anpa.
To contact: kalkbaymodern.co.za
Price:%s: £££
Spirit Design
This delightful little shop specializes in handmade African jewellery, from stylish brass cuffs to Maasai-inspired necklaces, shell rings and Marrakesh earrings. This is the type of simple jewelry you wear often, and the love grows with the memories of where they have been and where they have been seen. Choose from a magnificent display of ready-made products or choose a pendant that appeals to you, decide on the length and choice of beads; While you wait, Lee will create a special product for you. Or make one yourself from scratch; With sparkling harbor views and a table full of beads, brass charms, feathers, tassels and letters, the workshop studio is a great place to spend happy hours getting creative.
To contact: souldesign.co.za
Price:%s: £
Merchants in Long
Showcasing the best of both new and established local designers, with a smaller store at the V&A Waterfront, this city center store is the place to tap into Africa’s trendsetters. Top brands worth checking out include the award-winning MaXhosa Africa (a personal favorite; designer Laduma Ngxokolo’s standalone store at the Waterfront is worth checking out) as well as Sindiso Khumalo, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Rich Mnisi and MmusoMaxwell. (Tip: For the most enjoyable introduction to the great fashion produced on this continent, time your trip for November, when Mount Nelson hosts its annual salon-style fashion show, offering a spectacular afternoon tea and spectacular contemporary fashions from the fashion world. The continent’s brightest stars .)
To contact: merchantsonlong.co.za
Price:%s: ££
okapi
The first stand-alone store, showcasing luxury leather bags, handbags, wallets and even keychains, has opened (by appointment only) in the historic Estate of Anthonij Rupert wine farm in Franschhoek (which incidentally is also one of the best tasting experiences; worth a try) for both meeting!). These are 100% locally made, limited-edition accessories handmade from sustainably sourced leather (note the sharp bird and ostrich bags). You can choose the leather, colour, upholstery or pick up from the pre-carrier range available to view online. Limited homeware and jewelry collections are also available.
To contact: za.okapi.com
Price:%s: ££
Coast and Khoi
Do you have a thing for gorgeous flashy shoes? Make an appointment to see what Caryn Wilensky has in store now. Their pumps are not only eye-catching but also comfortable, and exported to boutiques around the world, each pair is unique. In addition to her signature heels, Wilensky produces one-off sandals, espadrilles, boots and brogues in a variety of materials (even vegan), all beautifully embellished.
To contact: coastandkoi.com
Price:%s: £