Inside Guide
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Welcome to Inside Guide, a hand-picked selection of the best experiences in the Cape.
We’re a team of passionate Capetonians committed to sharing the magic of the Mother City. We spend our days (and nights) checking out new (and old) restaurants and bars, visiting galleries, museums and markets, and attending events in town and the Winelands, hand-picking the best to share with our readers.
No establishment is too fancy or too insignificant for us: if something has heart, feels authentic, inspires or excites us, and makes us feel good, we want to share it with you! And while we’re often first with the hottest new restaurants and other openings, we haven’t forgotten about our long-standing favourites and hidden gems.
We’ve done all the research for you. Our write-ups are accurate and informative, accompanied by sharp photography and clean design, to give you a clear idea of what’s on offer. We also provide direct booking links for many of our listings.
Inside Guide does not publish negative reviews, so if we have a less-than-satisfactory experience at an establishment, we’d rather give private feedback to them directly than doing so on our public platform.
Welcome to our community. Let’s enjoy all the Cape has to offer.
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| Scope | Local |
|---|---|
| Language | English |
| Country | South Africa |
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Recent Articles
Search ArticlesThe 17 Best Restaurants in Newlands + Claremont
With Newlands Forest on the mountain slope, a long avenue through its heart, fresh mountain streams, and Kirstenbosch Gardens at its boundaries, Newlands is one of Cape Town’s greenest suburbs (its higher-than-average winter rainfall all part of Table Mountain’s bounty). Quiet village streets and school playing fields coalesce to a buzz of restaurants and cafés at two main hubs: Kildare Road at Dean Street.
Hazendal Spa: Fynbos-Scented Massages + Hammam Rituals
A tranquil path through landscaped indigenous gardens leads to the spa at Hazendal, starting the relaxation process before you even reach the doors. Light-filled, tranquil and welcoming, the spa adjoins the boutique hotel on this Bottelary Hills wine estate, with views out over a farm dam to the vine-clad slopes: from the reception as you sip a welcome tea (rooibos, baobab and mango on the day we visited), and from the relaxation room in-between sessions.
Flint & Fennel: A Table with a View at the V&A Waterfront
Stellar views steal the show at Flint & Fennel, where floor-to-ceiling glass walls frame the iconic silhouette of Table Mountain and draw your eyes to boats and yachts gliding across the sunlit waters of the harbour. A table in the window is de rigueur in this beautifully dressed restaurant at InterContinental Table Bay Hotel, where deep banquettes in shades of forest green, marble-topped tables and sculptural chairs create a sense of place, poised between the ocean, city and mountains.
Omri Restaurant and Bar: A Lebanese Dining Experience in Camps Bay
There’s an intimate underwater ocean-forest feel to Omri, channelling the shimmering of sunlight on ocean waves, and taking in classic Camps Bay views of swaying palms and glorious sunsets. This glam dining spot stretches over a whole block of prime beachfront as the signature restaurant of Morea House boutique hotel.
Waterford Estate: Vineyard Safaris + Wine Walks
Dramatically framed against the Helderberg mountains, Waterford Estate’s terracotta roof tiles and monumental archway into the wide courtyard may evoke Tuscany, but the family-owned wine estate has its roots firmly in the vine-friendly soils of Stellenbosch’s Golden Triangle. It breathes the elegant cabernet sauvignons that these prime slopes are renowned for, but also speaks of family and warmth, with myriad stories to tell.
Wine of the Week: Alexander Vineyards Susara 2024
“Stephen said to me, ‘Start the wine brand. Do whatever you think is right.’ Where do you ever get an opportunity like that?” says CEO and cellarmaster Hannes Meyer as he leads me through The Alexander Estat, a newly launched property in Noordhoek. At the foot of Chapman’s Peak, the views are among the most spectacular in the Cape. Vineyards fringed by fynbos tumble towards the Atlantic, where broad bands of white sand meet deep blue sea.
Oude Werf Stellenbosch: Sip the Season Spring Celebration
With centuries of history behind them, the heritage buildings of Oude Werf Hotel have seen many a celebration. This September, the tree-shaded courtyards will resonate with the sounds of live jazz as their annual Sip the Season event welcomes spring with open arms and cap classique bubbling over.
Culture Newlands: A Buzzing Neighbourhood Wine Bar
Every neighbourhood needs a proper wine bar. An informal spot where you can drop in after work and find familiar faces, with good wine (obviously), a few tasty eats and a relaxed vibe that feels like home. This is exactly what Matt and Roxanne Manning have created in the heart of Newlands. “The inspiration comes from all those small European wine bars Rox[anne] and I have stumbled across on our travels,” says Matt.
The Labia Theatre: What’s Showing this Week
This 1950s-style cinema in Gardens is the perfect spot to get your weekly dose of good movies, selected blockbusters and occasional documentaries. It may not have the latest supersonic charm, but it’s packed with nostalgic retro touches. There are four theatres (with modern comfy seating and up-to-date audiovisual tech) and a foyer café serving fabulous snacks (from classic popcorn to spanakopita) and drinks (wine, gluhwein, coffee, hot chocolate, spirits and more).
InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town: A V&A Waterfront Destination
An anchor of the V&A Waterfront from the day it was opened by Nelson Mandela back in 1997, the transformation of this iconic hotel into the InterContinental Table Bay Cape Town has created a haven of elegance and comfort. The top-to-toe redesign is inspired by the meeting of mountains, ocean and city, combining contemporary design with African heritage and framing soul-stirring views of Table Mountain across the bustling harbour.