Cape Town: alive and ready for summer /

South Africa’s mother city is all geared up and ready to host a great summer season. I’ve picked a few of my hottest new Cape Town must-dos to add to your Mother City bucket list:

where to dine

elgr

Elgr Restaurant, Chef Jesper Nilsson’s celebrated eatery, fills a gap between bistro and fine dining – all without breaking the bank. In the comfort of the effortlessly elegant restaurant space, order from the variety of dishes designed to be enjoyed as a shared pate. Or let yourself be surprised and order the Chef’s Choice Sharing Menu. For fellow winos, sommelier Lee Roi has put together an excellent selection of wines – we must have spent nearly an hour talking (and, of course, tasting) wine!

Harbor House, V&A Waterfront

If you’ve visited Cape Town before, you’ll know that Harbor House is no newcomer to the waterfront dining scene, but what you might not know is that this popular eatery just got a fresh new look: a chic combination of glossy wood, new white leather seats and then an enchanting blue marble bar designed by local interior design studio KT Interior. And if it’s not the design that captivates you, it’s the food. Each dish has its own flavor – with gnocchi and grilled calamari being favorites. Insider Tip: Ask for table 24 when you book – it’s the two-seater in front of the fireplace for date-night purpose.

Cabo Beach Club

After last year’s trip to the French Riviera and its glittering beach clubs, I was excited to finally visit Mother City’s Cabo Beach Club. In addition to the chic outdoor areas where you can walk on white sand, the inside offers very chic dining areas. All this glamor is hidden right behind the Waterfront. Spend R500 per head on food and drinks and you’ll also have access to the beautiful pool, sun loungers and daybeds.

Where to wine

Beyond expectation

If you want to join discerning Capetonians on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon, you’re sure to find a fine collection of them at Constantia’s Buitenspiratie. The wine estates boast an elegant tasting room, coffee shop, and gourmet restaurant – though most visitors sit back on the manicured lawns, soaking up the sun while sipping the winery’s produce.

Brookdale estate

What would Cape Town’s magic be without a sneaky little excursion to the nearby Winelands, to one of the brightest new stars on the wine block. The drive through Brookdale Estate vineyards and fynbos-lined roads lets you know you’re in for a special treat. Kyra Scott is the young and gregarious winemaker behind the brand, and her Old Vine Chenin and archived blends are wines to be reckoned with. And why drive home after a wine tasting when there’s a beautiful country house at your disposal – a Winelands retreat that embraces understated elegance and youthful curiosity.

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Where to stay

One&Only Cape Town

There is hardly a more prized location than the One&Only Cape Town, set on picturesque canals, with the ever-present and towering backdrop of Table Mountain. While the grandeur of the resort is sure to impress, there is still an intimate and welcoming presence behind the doors. Eat your heart out with several tantalizing eateries and informative wine tastings with the hotel’s sommeliers. Of course, if you cross the bridge to the resort’s own island, the spa’s tempting offerings will provide you with all the rejuvenation you need.

Latitude hotel

Perfecting the work/life balance, Latitude Hotel offers a pleasant stay in the heart of Cape Town’s action. Because let’s face it, many of us will need to spend a few hours working while away, so why not take advantage of Latitude’s Soho House style workspaces. In addition, the apartments have a fully stocked kitchen, so they really do serve as your home away from home. In addition to the workspaces and in-house restaurant, the 9th Floor and Latitude Lounge also have pools to cool off in.