Travel

Be a Cape crusader on your visit to Africa’s new design capital

Markets

To market, to market: In South Africa, the humble open-air bazaar is elevated to an art form, and it’s a pretty good bet that you’ll stumble upon all the posh Capetonians at one of them on the weekends. Head to Neighbourgoods Market, set against the backdrop of a converted Victorian-era mill, for the ultimate hipster haven, where the city’s style set munches on slabs of organic biltong (jerky) while perusing racks of wood-framed sunglasses from Ballo. In the seaside suburb of Hout Bay, the lively Bay Harbour Market attracts a diverse mix of patrons who settle on stools made from repurposed tires to watch a rotating roster of live bands.

Tintswalo HotelTintswalo Hotel

Hotels

Parisian pomp meets South Beach glam on the glitzy palm-lined stretch of Camps Bay. On a promenade studded with the city’s trendiest restaurants and bars — and the models who frequent them — The Marly (from $260) laid claim to its own beachfront digs last December. The 11 suites take their design cue from a French château, but the opulence is understated: tufted couches, mod custom chandeliers, sleek white rooms with steel-gray accents. The hotel’s contemporary-Japanese restaurant Umi is well on its way to becoming a hot favorite with the model crowd, who sashay onto the terrace for sundowners before tucking into sushi and sashimi.
It feels as though you’ve traveled to the edge of the world at Tintswalo Atlantic (from $380), a luxe beach resort hovering above the water on scenic Chapman’s Peak Drive. Each of the 12 suites is inspired by a different island: you might stay in Zanzibar, Sainte-Marie, Madura or Ithaca — all without driving more than half an hour from the heart of Cape Town. The steady rhythm of waves lashing against the rocks makes for the ultimate nocturnal sound track.

Boutiques

Thinking about toting something edgy back for your pad? Stable is an interior decorator’s dream, a temple to sleek South African housewares. Browse for felt lighting by breakthrough design darling Laurie Wiid van Heerden or geometric glazed-stoneware jugs from Klomp Ceramics. You’ll find fashion sourced from the Cape to Cairo at Merchants on Long, a concept shop on bustling Long Street. It’s all about African labels here: hot sellers include leopard-print high-tops from Sawa and a printed waistcoat by Thabo Makhetha.

The arts

It’s a concept that’s taken off across the globe, and in Cape Town, it gets a local flourish. On the first Thursday of every month, more than 40 galleries and shops throughout the Central Business District keep their doors open late for the ultimate artsy block party First Thursdays. Until not too long ago, the CBD resembled a ghost town post business hours; these days, it’s home to a clutch of homegrown fashion labels, sleek eateries and sophisticated wine bars. Discover contemporary local and Africa-wide artists at Brundyn+, shop for furniture, clothes and accessories from area designers at South African Market and refuel at a food-truck park.

One of World Design Capital’s main goals is to improve life for thousands of Capetonians still relegated to townships that linger from the apartheid era. The Maboneng Township Arts Experience is one of the most inspiring projects on the lineup: an effort to transform township homes into galleries, bringing public art to communities that might not typically get the chance to enjoy it. Pay a visit to the Langa Township Art Gallery to see works from Zolani Siphungela and Mphati Gocini.

Superette RestaurantHayden Phipps

Dining

When he moved his restaurant to the top floor of a silo early last year, South Africa’s star chef Luke Dale-Roberts put as much thought into the decor for Pot Luck Club as he did the menu. The resulting visuals are slick and textured (think school chairs upholstered in felt and leather and bold artwork by Cape Town painter Peter Eastman), a stylish complement to Dale-Roberts’ inventive menu of Asian-inflected small plates.

Woodstock ExchangeWoodstock Exchange

Explore

The formerly downtrodden enclave of Woodstock is still a bit rough around the edges, but it’s also a thriving creative hub teeming with ceramics studios, artisans’ ateliers and quirky restaurants and coffee shops — don’t miss the retro-chic Superette in the Woodstock Exchange complex. Along with salads and sandwiches, Superette sources its ingredients almost exclusively from the market’s vendors. They also offer a regular supper club featuring set meals from local foodie favorites. If you’re willing to stray from the main Albert Road artery, a stroll through the warren of residential lanes just to its south will reward you with a kaleidoscope of street art murals.