Cape Etc

LATE JANUARY INTO FEBRUARY AND MARCH ARE MY FAVOURITE MONTHS OF THE YEAR IN CAPE TOWN. As Capetonians, we don't like to admit it, but we're like New Yorkers because we're pretty precious about our city. We don't cope well with the madness of late November, December and early January. Make no mistake, we're still outside with local and international tourists, but privately irritated when they halt mid-stride to take a picture of something we see every day or scream, ‘Daaaarlllllling, another bottle of Cab Sauv,’ at sommeliers, have parties that last deep into the night at Airbnbs in our apartment complexes, and drunkenly spill onto Bree Street after spending $5 on an entire day's drinking. I concede that I'm a grumpy Capetonian, but I'm not alone in feeling this…

Mount Nelson, a Belmond Hotel, had a big year in 2024, celebrating its 125th birthday and being named Africa's Best Hotel by The World's 50 Best. Much like The Bear‘s Carmen Berzatto left fine dining to take over his family's restaurant, Chef Luke Lawrence Barry had a shake-up of his own, from studying the complex art of ingredient-driven Chinese cooking to taking the helm as The Nellie's executive chef in May last year, a massive responsibility given her storied history. Is that where the similarities end? If we shine a light on the inner workings of Chef Luke's kitchen, will we see chefs from different walks of life hustling hard, disciplined, passionate, mentoring and pursuing perfection? FADE IN: INT. MOUNT NELSON KITCHEN – NIGHT We open on an empty kitchen…

Just a 20-minute drive from Cape Town's CBD is a gem ripe for exploring. The seaside neighbourhood of Hout Bay, more affectionately known as ‘the Republic of Hout Bay’, offers stunning natural beauty and a vibrant cultural scene. It's the perfect spot for a relaxing day at the beach or an adventure-filled hike along its scenic trails, followed by a delectable meal at one of the area's many restaurants. Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey through the heart of the Cape with our curated list of 10 places to visit in Hout Bay. BAY HARBOUR MARKET // At the Bay Harbour Market, creative energy and Cape Town's vibrancy come alive in a working harbour. Here, local traders exchange banter with customers in a space lined with eclectic art, crafts,…

‘I got to live and die in one day and see death as a possibility’ ‘Since having chemotherapy, I leave words out of sentences when speaking. I'm aware of it, and it's super-frustrating, but a lot of weird shit happened to me when I went through chemo. I can think in long, beautiful sentences, but the words don't come out of my mouth.’ Holding court on her porch in Swellendam, where she lives with her husband, Pete, and dogs, Monty and Ozzy, Tamar Thorn Murray sips water, then adds, ‘I feel okay now. Everybody should feel how I do about life. I got to die twice. The only people who'll understand that are those who've lived and died in a day and see death as a possibility. I've gone through…

FIT FOR KINGS The Taj has more than a hint of opulence, says Lorraine Kearney The Taj Cape Town has been around for a while, though probably not as long as many think. The South African Reserve Bank, for that was the original resident, was designed in 1928 and completed in the early '30s. It was styled on the lines of Florence's Pitti Palace, with marble columns holding up the impressive ceiling and domed roof. In 2010, the refurbished building was opened as The Taj Cape Town, which revelled in its lavishness. And added much of its own in the carefully restored interior. Today it is no less majestic, though the colour palette has been toned down, more subtle golds blended with autumn colours. It is a melange of Africa and…

THE ART AND SCIENCE OF SIMPLICITY Terrarium joins a glittering list of fine Waterfront restaurants, writes Lorraine Kearney A tip of the hat to The Lovin’ Spoonful: ‘Cool town, evenin’ in the city Dressin’ so fine and lookin’ so pretty’ And where are we looking so pretty? At Terrarium, the new dining space at the Queen Victoria, that handsome hotel on the top of Portswood Ridge looking across the Time Out Market and into the bay. The understated restaurant has freshly opened, adding another delicious choice to the many and varied eateries in the V&A Waterfront. The V&A needs them all: almost 24 million people visit the Waterfront every year. Terrarium is the newest project of Chef Chris Erasmus, the famed forager from Foliage in Franschhoek. His focus at Terrarium is…