Aksum
This cool little juice bar has free wi-fi, a modern feel and terrific juices. Ask for its special of the day – we loved the mango, avocado and guava – or…
Must-see nightlife in Africa
Tunisia
Inserted into the medina wall between Bab Diwan and Bab El Kasbah and accessed by a colourful set of steps, this atmospheric cafe is a refuge from the…
Limpopo
This mobile coffee tuk-tuk is the brainchild of master barista and all-round-coffee-guru Ben Schempers. Keep an eye on Facebook on weekdays then track it…
Cape Town
Real beer lovers rejoice – this convivial Caribbean restaurant and bar is like manna from heaven, with over 30 beers on draught (including Banana Jam's…
Tunis
The Ville's best bar is hidden behind a high wall and yellow door that give no hint of the bohemian scene that unfolds within. Tables and bar stools are…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
With a dress-circle view over the Atlantic, the Twelve Apostles Hotel's bar is an ideal spot to escape the hoi polloi of nearby Camps Bay for a classy…
São Tomé
This delightful rum bar is spread across the grounds of a historic plantation house – STP needs more of this! The bar itself is nestled in the top floor,…
Jinja
Right on the fast-flowing water, this open-air thatched bar with lounge divans and tables on a floating pontoon boat is the most ambient drinking…
Tunisia
This is a magical place overlooking the Mediterranean on the south side of the medina. Several levels of tables jut out over the sea, and kids and…
Cape Town
A charmingly decorated, relaxing place in which to sample organic and sustainable artisanal teas, fruity and herbal brews, and vegan baked treats. At…
Mahé
As good for a morning coffee as a late-night cocktail, this slice of sophistication could be the coolest place on the island. With wicker sofas on a…
Tangier
After 6.30pm, the roof atop the outstanding Dar Nour guesthouse becomes one of the best cocktail parties in town, featuring flavourful mojitos, martinis…
Windhoek
True to its moniker, Joe’s stocks a wide assortment of Namibian and German beers, and you can count on prolonged drinking here until early in the morning…
Boiler Room @ The Warehouse Theatre
Windhoek
From after-work drinks to live music and a crowd that likes to dance, the Boiler Room at the Warehouse is one of the coolest and most versatile places in…
Sierra Leone
A Freetown institution, Quincy's claims that it shuts 'when the last person leaves', and in their case, it's true. Come the weekend, an exuberant crowd of…
Melilla
This is a great tapas bar that brims with people of all ages both inside and out: outdoor seating is under a tent in the street. Free tapas are included…
Aksum
The hotel may be past its prime, but the Yeha remains the best place in town for a sundowner. The terrace faces the setting sun and overlooks the Northern…
Arusha
On the terrace of the large Cultural Heritage complex on Arusha's western outskirts, Fig & Olive has a Thursday cocktail night, and mellow live jazz and…
Tunis
A mass of tables set in passageways under the vaulted arches of the medina's most atmospheric souq, this cafe is popular with locals of all ages and…
Tunisia
Sip mint tea high above the medina's narrow laneways at this two-level rooftop cafe attached to the Dar Baya boutique hotel. It's particularly atmospheric…
Mauritius
La Gaulette's coolest place to drink, this upstairs lounge bar has a 5pm to 6pm Happy Hour, as well as a long cocktail list. There's often live music on…
Johannesburg
This plant-packed oasis offers great city views of Jo'burg. Enjoy cold beers, cocktails and bar snacks as you watch the city go by at this rooftop jungle…
Cape Town
With 99 brands of bottled beer, both local and international, and several more brews on tap, this brightly designed and spacious joint in the heart of…
Alexandria
At this fantastic cafe across from the Bibliotheca Alexandrina you can sip tea and smoke shisha to the sound of waves rolling in, and smell sea air…
Tunisia
Aida Gmach Bellagha, whose family hailed from Takrouna, moved from Tunis to embark on an ambitious project to cultivate interest in local Berber heritage,…
Cape Town
This long-running bar and restaurant has new management but still offers an eclectic art-house atmosphere and a varied menu of global favourites. There's…
Cape Town
Some 16 craft beer brewers get to showcase their efforts at this co-op bar. You could have a very entertaining time working your way through their various…
Victoria Falls (town)
The Terrace at the stately Victoria Falls Hotel just brims with English colonial ambience. High tea is served to a postcard-perfect backdrop of the…
Kinshasa
Billing itself a 'rhumerie', Kwilu is a smart cocktail bar, lounge and tropical garden where an after-work crowd comes to relax and imbibe offerings from…
Durban
This warehouse-like space alongside the train tracks is in a complex of arty enterprises that is set to gentrify this formerly downtrodden district. Beers…
Cape Town
Following a successful crowdfunding campaign, Honest Chocolate launched this homage to fine dark chocolate in liquid, solid, ice-cream and cake form. It's…
Hurghada
If you're looking to chill with a cocktail right next to the sea, this palm-thatched pontoon over the water has a laid-back atmosphere made for lounging…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
This Euro-chic restaurant and lounge bar is a great place for a long lunch, languorous-afternoon craft beers or sunset mojitos and martinis, overlooked by…
Green Point & Waterfront
Sporting an industrial-chic look with a cosy library corner inside and sheltered, spacious front courtyard outside, this is one of the area's most…
West Coast & Swartland
An absolute must for tea enthusiasts. There are more than 100 blends and flavours of rooibos available. The tea tasting (R70) is highly recommended –…
Drakensberg Escarpment
Occupying a 1921 trading post, this microbrewery has a bar-restaurant in its pleasant modern interior. Grab a taster platter of the full range of seven…
Cape Town
Afternoon tea in the lounge or (in good weather) the gardens of the 'Nellie' is pure pleasure. There are two sessions daily, where a piano player provides…
Pretoria
This places oozes hipster chic, with its minimalist decor, craft-beer taps, and cuts of steak you've maybe never heard of. However, it's the gin menu –…
Johannesburg
This slickly designed members' club and co-working space in Rosebank's most trendy location throws open its doors each day at 4pm to anyone who would like…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
You can hardly get closer to the beach than this – in fact, the front courtyard is the beach. Up on the terrace or from inside the restaurant-bar, you'll…
