Cape Town...

[endymion411]

Hi all!

I'll be spending a few days in Cape Town (in between a few weeks in Uganda and a couple weeks in Joburg)--anyone been recently? Advice on place to stay? eat? things to do?

Thanks!

[tlew12778]

We stayed at the Welgelegen Guest House (http://www.welgelegen.co.za/) which is in the garden district and within walking distance to mainly everywhere except the V&A Waterfront. Actually you can walk to the V&A too but we always took taxis at night. For some reason the webpage isn't working right now but here is the tripadvisor (http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g312659-d482107-r15018110-Welgelegen_Guest_House-Cape_Town_Western_Cape.html) page. We really loved it. We were there on honeymoon and they welcomed us with a bottle of champagne, strawberries and a dozen roses.

In Cape Town we ate at:
Nelson's Eye steakhouse - was ok. We did not pick it but had dinner there with friends. I found the meat sort of dry and the waiter told me it's bc of the way they age their meat.
Ocean Basket - Interesting experience. It's a chain. There are no menus. They bring you this huge chalkboard with the catch of the day. Good prices but you will find fresh seafood everywhere in Cape Town. I liked the laid back atmosphere. It was kind of like dining in your back yard.
Africa Cafe - Fantastic experience. A little touristy but there were lots of locals there for celebrations as well. It's a fixed menu with dishes from various African countries. They have a live music and dance show as well.

I don't remember where we ate lunch. I know one day we did a Cape tour (we did the winelands/Boulder Beach/Cape of Good Hope in the morning and Stellenbosch in the afternoon) and another day we ate on the V&A Waterfront.

The day tours are good if you don't want to be bothered driving around (they drive like crazy people on the highways) and want a guide to tell you info instead of reading it from a book. You spend a lot of time in the car with them so it's also a good way to get local information on the city if you want it.

Definitely go to the markets. The Green Market Sq. is a bit of a tourist trap but the market down by the aquarium has decent prices. Skip the aquarium. It's not worth it.

[shaqangel]

here's a good link to help you out:

http://www.capestay.co.za/cape-town-guest-houses.asp

i can recommend Hout Bay and Noordhoek cos those were our fave places to stay but we've also stayed in Sea Point. Noordhoek is a little further out but its a great location. We love the Hout Bay area - THE best fish and chips there (which you have to try - thats a must if you go to that area).

as for places to eat (and shop) - there's lots of great places at the Victoria and Alfred Waterfront:
http://www.waterfront.co.za/
There's a place called Harrie's Pannekoekhuis (its a pancake place) that you HAVE to try! its in the Clock Tower section of V&A. Ocean Basket is a good seafood place and Mugg and Bean is also great for quick meals that are good but arent expensive. One thing you have to try (and not necessarily in CT) is Nandos.

as for things to do/places to see - there's lots. Cape Town is really beautiful:

Robben Island - if you plan to visit Robben Island, try to book this before you get there or on your first day there go to the ticket office (its located in the Clock Tower section of the V&A). if you aren't into any history/politics, etc you can skip this. a lot of people want to see it cos of Nelson Mandela. it's definitely a one time thing.

Table Mountain - this is a must. you can hike up (free and takes about 2-3hrs) or you can ride the cable car up. Go early too cos there's almost always long queues. and if the weather is bad or there's cloud cover, they dont let anyone up.

Cape Point - a definite must see. This is where the Indian and Atlantic Oceans meet. always windy and cold here!

Chapman's Peak - the drive around here is amazing.

Boulders beach (penguins) and Simonstowns - a good stop on the way to Cape Point

wineries - Constantia and Stellenbosch

the beaches are nice too but its going to be cold.

hope this helps! also you definitely dont need to book a tour with a group. you can do the city on your own. just hire a car and get a map. its pretty easy to get around.

[endymion411]

thanks tiffany and shaq--great tips!! (shaq, i was wondering this morning if you'd post here :))

is nando's the place with the really good hot sauce (or am i remembering something different??)?

[shaqangel]

Nandos does have really good hot sauce - if you're brave try the peri peri chips! and you can buy the sauces cos they sell it so you could use them as marinades.