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Cape Town

Shopping in Cape Town

  1. A

    Portfolio

    A showcase for young South African fashion designers that keeps long hours – they may just save you during a late-night what-to-wear crisis.

    reviewed

  2. B

    Secret Room

    Owner Jacqui Shomang is the in-house designer at this well-stocked boutique. They also carry labels by Jacqui Partridge, Scarlett Smith and Susan Hanson.

    reviewed

  3. C

    Winesense

    It’s possible to sample some of the wines here before buying. There’s also a branch in the Mandela Rhodes Centre facing onto St Georges Mall.

    reviewed

  4. D

    Mainstream Village & Mall

    The Mainstream Village & Mall is Hout Bay’s principal shopping focus, although you’ll also find other shops on a strip along Victoria Rd.

    reviewed

  5. E

    Kraal Gallery

    See weavers in action creating multicoloured, uniquely designed rugs and wall hangings at this stand-alone shop, behind the Mitchell Brewery on the Waterfront.

    reviewed

  6. F

    Big Blue Cavendish Square

    A good boutique for picking up some fun clubbing gear or beachwear by South ­African designers, including Jo Soap, Amanda Laird Cherry, Cuba Vera and Gottalotalove.

    reviewed

  7. G

    Big Blue Kalk Bay

    A good boutique for picking up some fun clubbing gear or beachwear by South ­African designers, including Jo Soap, Amanda Laird Cherry, Cuba Vera and Gottalotalove.

    reviewed

  8. Olive Tree

    Anything and everything to do with olives can be found in this small shop. You can taste oils and olives from local farms, and buy cosmetics, tapenades and chutney.

    reviewed

  9. H

    Surf Zone

    All the usual international labels, including Rip Curl and Billabong, are here in what is claimed to be the biggest range of surf-wear, wet suits and boards in Africa.

    reviewed

  10. Porter Estate

    This is a farm-fresh produce and craft market held in the leafy surrounds of Tokai. Grab breakfast here and let the little ones run wild in the various activity areas.

    reviewed

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  12. I

    Quagga Art & Books

    It’s hard to pass this appealing bookshop by if you’re looking for old editions and antiquarian books, as well as local art, and tribal art and artefacts.

    reviewed

  13. J

    Lulu Tantan

    There’s a strong Chinese/Asian vibe to the designs at this colourful women’s fashion shop, dubbed a ‘temple of luxury’ by owner Inge Peacock.

    reviewed

  14. K

    Coco Karoo

    Discover Victorian oil portraits, antique copper baths and wood-carved fish from Malawi at this great interior design store in the heart of Wynberg’s Little Chelsea.

    reviewed

  15. L

    Mememe

    A forerunner of the funky boutiques blooming along Long St, Mememe is a showcase for young Capetonian designers and labels such as Cherry Clair, Pink Ant and Adam & Eve.

    reviewed

  16. M

    Afrogem

    Diamonds, aquamarines, topazes – you name the gem, the chances are this company makes gold or silver jewellery using it. See how it’s done on a free guided tour.

    reviewed

  17. N

    Light

    At this stylish gallery you'll find the handmade paper art and décor of Cathy Stanley, as well as a great selection of weathered wooden frames and furniture made from driftwood.

    reviewed

  18. O

    Space

    Groovy boutique in the bowels of Cavendish Square where you can accessorise clothes by Amanda Laird Cherry and Colleen Citizen with cute wirework or dyed springbok-fur brooches.

    reviewed

  19. P

    Vaughan Johnson’s Wine & Cigar Shop

    Selling practically every South African wine of repute you could wish to buy (plus a few more from other countries), it’s open, ­unlike most wine sellers, on Sundays.

    reviewed

  20. Q

    Mabu Vinyl

    New and secondhand LPs, CDs, DVDs, comics and books are bought, sold and traded at this reputable shop. It’s the place to hunt for independently released CDs by local artists.

    reviewed

  21. R

    Presidential Shirt

    If you want that Nelson Mandela look then this shop stocking the distinctively loud pattern shirt designs of Desré Buirski is for you. Five per cent of sales go to a local charity.

    reviewed

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  23. S

    Prins & Pins Jewellers

    On the corner of Hout and Loop Sts, this old Cape Dutch style house makes for a suitably salubrious venue for stocking up on some of South Africa’s mineral wealth in wearable form.

    reviewed

  24. T

    Baraka

    Eclectic décor and gifts like quad paintings on Mandela by Dominic Logan and handmade leather journals and photo albums by Gavin Terblanche (www.worldsofwonder.co.za).

    reviewed

  25. U

    Biblioteq

    Specialising in difficult to find and i­mported books on graphic art and photography, you’ll also find pieces hanging here by cult artists such as Japan’s Takeshi Murakami.

    reviewed

  26. V
  27. W