Must-see shopping in South Africa

  • 27 Boxes

    Johannesburg

    This shipping-crate complex of boutiques, galleries and eateries is well on its way to establishing its Melville street cred. A newly planted park,…

  • 44 Stanley

    Johannesburg

    The antithesis of consumer tack, 44 Stanley is a blueprint for future mall development. It’s a warren of lanes around shady courtyards and features an…

  • Watershed

    Green Point & ­Waterfront

    One of the best places to shop for souvenirs in Cape Town, this inventively designed retail market gathers together over 150 tenants representing the…

  • OZCF Market Day

    Green Point & ­Waterfront

    Produce grown on the Oranjezicht City Farm and other local farms is sold every Saturday here alongside many other edible and souvenir products. It's a…

  • Guild

    Green Point & ­Waterfront

    Trevyn and Julian McGowan have made a business out of cherry-picking the cream of the South African design community and promoting it to the world in…

  • Bay Harbour Market

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    This imaginatively designed indoor market at the far end of Hout Bay Harbour is one of Cape Town's best. There’s a good range of stalls selling items from…

  • Africa Nova

    Cape Town

    One of the most stylish and desirable collections of tribal and contemporary African textiles, arts and crafts. You’ll find potato-print fabrics made by…

  • Neighbourgoods Market

    Cape Town

    This is the artisanal goods markets that kickstarted the craze for similar markets across the Cape – and it's still one of the best. Food and drinks are…

  • Montebello Design Centre

    Cape Town

    This development project has helped several great craftspeople and designers along the way. In the leafy compound, artists' studios are scattered around…

  • Kim Sacks Gallery

    Johannesburg

    Kim Sacks, a renowned ceramicist and ceramics teacher, has assembled an astounding collection of handcrafted pots, baskets, tapestries, rugs, jewellery,…

  • Streetwires

    Cape Town

    Their motto is ‘anything you can dream up in wire we will build’. And if you visit this social project, designed to create sustainable employment, and see…

  • Market on Main

    Johannesburg

    Spilling out of Arts on Main onto Fox St is this buzzy weekly market. You'll find the usual selection of takeaway food stalls downstairs (look out for the…

  • Kalk Bay Modern

    Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula

    This wonderful gallery is stocked with an eclectic and appealing range of arts and crafts, and there are often exhibitions here by local artists. Check…

  • Art Africa

    Johannesburg

    Arts and crafts from across South Africa as well as Mali, Ghana and the Ivory Coast are attractively displayed here – you'll be spoiled for souvenir…

  • Old Biscuit Mill

    Cape Town

    This former biscuit factory houses an ace collection of arts, craft, fashion and design shops, as well as places to eat and drink.

  • Woodstock Exchange

    Cape Town

    As well as good places to eat and drink, there's a fair amount of original retail at the Exchange, including the boutique Kingdom, which mixes fashion and…

  • AHEM! Art Collective

    Cape Town

    Shining a light on the graphic art and illustration talents of local artists, as well as importing some great pieces from France and elsewhere, this…

  • Out of this World

    Green Point & ­Waterfront

    Buddha statues meet Nigerian tribal crowns at this interior design emporium piled high with treasures from across Africa and Asia. Here also, in a…

  • Rialheim

    Cape Town

    Locally sourced clay is used in the Robertson-based factory to make these stylish, mainly monochrome ceramics that range from plates and mugs to…

  • Monkeybiz

    Cape Town

    Colourful beadwork crafts, made by local township women, are Monkeybiz’s super-successful stock in trade – you'll find their products around the world,…

  • Hout Bay Lions Craft Market

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    Browsing the stalls at this little village-green market, a fundraiser for the Lions Club of Hout Bay social-upliftment organisation, is a lovely way to…

  • LIM

    Cape Town

    Although the shop’s name is an acronym for ‘Less is More’, this interior design shop has been so successful that they've had to add more room by expanding…

  • Ethno Bongo

    Sea Point to Hout Bay

    A court order may have stopped this shop from using the name Dolce & Banana for its bead jewellery, but otherwise it hasn’t put a dent in this long…

  • Thesis

    Gauteng

    Typifying the new Soweto are the crew who run Thesis, a streetware brand selling colourful design T-shirts and hats made locally. Next to the boutique is…

  • Ashanti

    Cape Town

    Baskets, mats, lampshades, pillows, bags and cushions are among the many rainbow-coloured products on sale at this great artisan design shop that creates…

  • Chandler House

    Cape Town

    Michael Chandler showcases his quirky ceramic homewares and decorative pieces in this well-edited collection of imaginative local arts and crafts, which…

  • Stable

    Cape Town

    A one-stop shop for a variety of South African designers' products, including very portable items such as clothes hooks, fridge magnets, skinny leather…

  • Book Lounge

    Cape Town

    The hub of Cape Town’s literary scene, thanks to its great selection of titles, comfy chairs, simple cafe and busy program of events. There are up to…

  • Handmade by Me

    Cape Town

    Sera Holland is the artist responsible for the colourful, floral and abstract designs on the fabric items – cushion covers, napkins, table runners etc –…

  • Bluecollarwhitecollar

    Cape Town

    There's an eye-catching selection of tailored men's and women's shirts from this locally based fashion brand – formal (white collar) and informal (blue…

  • Stefania Morland

    Cape Town

    Gorgeous gowns and more casual wear made from silks, linens, lace and other natural fibres seduce fashionistas in this chic showroom and atelier.

  • Bridge Books

    Johannesburg

    An independently owned, mostly African literature bookstore, Bridge Books has become a literary meeting place for Jo'burg's top local authors. The books…

  • Krag Drag/The Strong One

    Johannesburg

    Krag Drag, which means 'the Strong One' in Afrikaans, is easily the best place in Jo'burg to shop for locally made gifts. Cleverly designed T-shirts,…

  • Blue Bird Garage Food & Goods Market

    Simon's Town & Southern Peninsula

    This hip, artisan food-and-goods market is located in a 1940s hangar, once the base for the southern hemisphere's first airmail delivery service, and then…

  • Ilala Weavers

    The Elephant Coast

    Sells a large range of Zulu handicrafts, plus there’s a museum and a local, slightly contrived ‘village’. It's a good place to pick up souvenirs and worth…

  • African Flavour Books

    Johannesburg

    Part of a burgeoning African literature scene in Jo'burg, African Flavour Books offers an extensive selection of fiction and non-fiction by Africans and…

  • August House

    Johannesburg

    Smack in the middle of downtown Jo'burg, August House is notable for both its location and its incredible selection of high-end South African art. Home to…

  • Chocoloza

    Johannesburg

    A haven for chocolate-lovers, Chocoloza produces handmade chocolates that are melt-in-your-mouth heaven. From zesty ginger, honey and lime to decadent…

  • Art Eye

    Johannesburg

    Once you've got over the panoramic views from this 5th-floor gallery's windows your eyes will pop at the diversity of creative works on display in this…

  • Bryanston Organic Market

    Johannesburg

    Arts and crafts are on offer here, but the main attraction is the splendid organic produce. There are five cafes as well and often live music.

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