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The Best Markets in Cape Town That Bring the Flavours, Artistry, and Views
Cape Town lives and breathes markets. I know because I don’t bother with the nearby malls anymore; I’d rather take a drive and fill my boots with farm-fresh bread and handmade linen.
That’s not all, though; beyond the freshness and craftsmanship, the Mother City herself adds some ‘exclusive deals’ to my retail therapy, and that’s views galore. It’s a ‘Table Mountain or aisle 4’ type of situation.
If that sounds like something you’d enjoy, you’re in luck. I rounded up my go-to spots in this guide, so spare yourself the trial and error.
Root44 Market
From root44stellenbosch
Address: Corner of R44 and Annandale Rd, Stellenbosch
Contact Details: +27 21 300 3935
Operating Hours: Sat to Sun – 9 am to 5 pm
Root44’s trifecta of art, food, and wine makes our weekends special. The Helderberg Mountain and vineyard outlooks surrounding it only amplify that feeling.
As an extra perk, it’s both indoors and outdoors. Inside is where our wine, art, and oyster aficionados stay, while the outside is a hotspot for mates who live for beefy tacos, garlic-loaded souvlaki, Italian pizza, and Asian dishes…lots and lots of Asian dishes.
Personally, I prefer the outdoors for two reasons: the water fountain and the lush expanse. The kiddos love playing around the former; the latter allows me my lazy weekend picnics.
| Tip: It’s dog-friendly, so bring those pups! |
Oranjezicht City Farm Market
From ozcfarm
Address: Haul Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Contact Details: +27 83 628 3426
Operating Hours:
- Sat – 8 am to 2 pm
- Sun – 8:30 am to 2 pm
Ever since discovering the sea-facing Oranjezicht City Farm Market, my shelves have been stacked with farm-fresh produce. You see, the vendors here only sell what’s ripe and in season.
I typically walk out with a tote bag of fruit and vegetables. If the budget allows, artisanal cheeses or free-range beef and bacon are added to that loot, sometimes even with an additional marmalade and olive oil to butter it up.
Post-shopping, I often chill on the alfresco strip, enjoying grapefruit margaritas coupled with glazed, sticky ribs.
| Tip: Give their workshops or tours a whirl for an extra dynamic shopping experience. |
The Neighbourgoods Market
From hot_tottie_saunas
Address: 373 Albert Rd, Woodstock
Operating Hours:
- Sat – 9 am to 3 pm
- Sun – 10 am to 3 pm
The Neighbourgoods Market, sitting in an old biscuit house, paved Woodstock’s revival when it opened in 2006.
These days, it’s a love letter to the plate, be it global or local. Lining up inside the two warehouses are booths selling home-cooked African stews, spiced Syrian coffee, gourmet sandwiches, and umami-rich Korean beef.
What truly sets this apart, though, is its hip air. Street culture is loud here, and no stretch proves that more than the parking lot, where the artsy and fashion-y bits attract aficionados and casuals.
| Tip: Parking is available at the College of Cape Town. |
Willowbridge Slow Market
From slowmarket
Address: Willowbridge South, Carl Cronje Dr, Bellville
Contact Details: +27 81 831 3011
Operating Hours:
- Sat – 9 am to 4 pm
- Sat -9 am to 3 pm
Willowbridge Slow Market values artisan and locally sourced offerings. Sure, there are no rolling hills or wine-country elegance, but shoppers still get top-shelf products, cooked or grown by the vendors themselves.
From my latest sprees, baked goods, such as cake and bread, are the usuals. Protein isn’t scarce either; a few from the sea, several from the pasture.
Oh, and there’s no shortage of condiments (especially the fiery kind), so that plate of oysters or dried ostrich meat you nabbed can always be spiced up.
| Tip: Visit during a holiday for giveaways. |
Mojo Market
From themojomarket
Address: 30 Regent Rd, Sea Point
Operating Hours: Daily – 8 am to 12 am
As a quintessential ‘food and lifestyle market,’ Mojo has the goods and energy for pulling crowds. It’s also one of those rare spots where you can catch a musician or taste international cuisine seven days a week.
Personally, I chase the flavours, a task easier said than done, with over 30 food stalls that don’t offer samey bites. My solution to that is to gobble whatever is in my path; last July, that meant sticky ribs, Saldanha Bay oysters, and Belgian chocolate truffles.
Mojo’s steady pour of drink options can be persuasive as well. I mean, that checks out when you have a separate corner for whiskey and cocktails.
| Tip: You can do karaoke every Monday. |
Noordhoek Farm Village
From noordhoekfarmvillage
Address: Corner of Village Lane & Noordhoek Main Rd
Contact Details: Daily – 8 am to 10 pm
If there’s a market I’d visit to slow down, it’s Noordhoek Farm Village. The oaks here shade shoppers, and the rustic, open-air setting is ideal for breezy catch-ups.
To sweeten the deal, kiosks line up, with Kristen’s Kick-Ass Ice Cream (read that right) as the can’t-miss stall. Other favourites include a French tapas bar run by a Michelin-starred chef and a sushi bar that doubles as a curry and dim sum joint.
Javaphiles and booze lovers will also get what comforts them, as coffee beans and bubbles come in spades.
| Tip: Don’t leave the kids at home. There’s a playground! |
Milnerton Flea Market
Address: 126 Marine Dr, Paarden Eiland
Contact Details: +27 21 551 7879
Operating Hours:
- Sat – 8 am to 2 pm
- Sun – 8 am to 3 pm
I’m a bargain hunter, so Milnerton Flea Market rarely leaves my to-visit list. Odds and ends, antiques, artwork, and secondhand items are in troves here, and most won’t sting price-wise.
You have to be a chatterbox who doesn’t rush, though. Haggling is part of the game, plus not every WWII mask or vintage painting is displayed in plain sight.
Good thing there’s always something to nibble on while haggling. In my case, it’s either a soft-serve ice cream or moreish samosas.
| Tip: This is fully open-air. Don’t forget your hats or sunscreen. |
Cape Point Vineyards Community Market
From capepointvineyards
Address: Silvermine Rd, Noordhoek
Contact Details: +27 21 789 0900
Operating Hours:
- Thu to Sat – 11 am to 10 pm
- Sun – 11 am to 8 pm
In my books, Cape Point Vineyards Community Market is the most Insta-worthy spot on this list. Why? You’re hitting stalls near a lake, brushed by mountain outlines and the Atlantic Ocean.
The offerings are just as worth it as the views. Since the market rests among vines, grabbing a bottle of the estate’s award-winning Sauvignon Blanc is a choice that seldom disappoints.
What’s more, there’s more than enough to munch as you sip. The wood-fired pizzas, curries, Belgian waffles, and falafels first come to mind, though most food would taste divine with acclaimed vino on the side and golden hour all around.
| Tip: Take your picnic essentials with you. The market has a grassy stretch for an alfresco spread. |
Greyton Saturday Market
Address: Main Rd, Cross Market St & Greyton
Contact Details: +27 28 254 9564
Operating Hours: Sat – 9 am to 12 pm
As hospitable as the town it lives in, Greyton Saturday Market is a safe bet if you’re after rural scenes and countryside rates.
Everything is also local, to the extent that we often joke about the biltongs, preserves, and coffee coming from a farm just two minutes away.
Hardly any dull moments either. When we’re not bagging low-cost produce and crafts, you’ll find us chatting with Greyton residents, vibing to a homegrown busker, or rolling around in an old-school cart pulled by a horse, all while sipping coffee.
| Tip: Greyton is a town worth experiencing. Consider booking a spot for longer stays. |
Bay Harbour Market
From bayharbourmarket
Address: 31 Harbour Rd, Hout Bay
Contact Details: +27 84 370 5715
Operating Hours:
- Wed, Fri – 5 pm to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9:30 am to 4 pm
Bay Harbour Market eyes Hout Bay and Chapman’s Peak, so try not to take selfies with each stall you visit.
Speaking of stalls, the ones here attract fashionistas. Stylish fits and jewellery are what keep the market packed, followed by quirky crafts and masterful art pieces.
Food buffs have plenty to wolf down as well. Flame-kissed seafood and oven-fresh bread are my staples, and they’re best devoured while watching a smooth sax player or a hilarious mime playing tricks on the youngins.
| Tip: Check out their schedule of gigs to avoid ‘not a fan of this genre/band’ moments. |
The Watershed
From cdiatthewatershed
Address: V&A Waterfront, 17 Dock Rd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Contact Details: +27 21 408 7600
Operating Hours: Daily – 10 am to 6 pm
I get half of my keepsakes at The Watershed. This one is an open-air, contemporary arts and crafts market that’s home to over 150 traders.
Unsurprisingly, most of my haul consists of local paintings, with Bikis and Alda’s African-themed pieces as the usual score. I love the jewellery here, too, particularly the creations born of fynbos!
| Tip: You’ll find the nearest parking options here. |
Greenmarket Square
From whatever__do_it
Address: Burg St &, Longmarket St
Operating Hours: Daily – 9 am to 6 pm
The cobblestoned Greenmarket Square, open since 1696, is one of Cape Town’s OG markets. It’s also one of the spots where haggling skills are put to the test, even those of seasoned penny-pinchers.
What will you likely haggle for? African bric-a-brac, artefacts, jewellery, home decor, artworks, crafts—a lot. If you’re good (like yours truly), taking home a cheap wooden parrot or colourful mask isn’t a wild dream.
| Tip: Sundays are quieter, relatively speaking. |
Elgin Railway Market
From elginrailwaymarket
Address: Oak Ave, Elgin
Contact Details: +27 21 204 1158
Operating Hours:
- Wed, Fri – 4:30 pm to 9 pm
- Sat to Sun – 9 am to 4 pm
You can’t walk past Elgin Railway Market without noticing it. An old apple warehouse that got flipped into a wrought-iron market best characterised as ‘Art Deco meets steampunk’? That’s a looker.
And yep, the stalls and bonus features are also impressive. The food pop-ups whip out dishes from five continents (plus halal versions), there are cool-region wines to neck, and you can indulge in the well-praised fudge as the kids play in the jungle gym.
On weekends, musicians top that off with live performances that match the market’s high-spirited feel. I enjoy the blacksmithing workshops more, though.
| Tip: Complete your experience by taking the Ceres Railway vintage steam train. It’s a classic way to access the market. |
