Cape Town
At this perennial favourite, the deal is to grab a beer (13 types on draught), order a pizza (R100) and settle in at a wooden table outside to enjoy the…
Must-see nightlife in Southern Africa
Cape Town
Babylon's broad balcony provides panoramic views towards Table Mountain. The vibe inside this new LGBT dance venue is laid back and friendly with plush…
Green Point & Waterfront
The food is so-so, but the drinks are fine at this classy all-day cafe serving everything from breakfast coffee and croissants to nightcaps. It's a lovely…
Cape Town
This relaxed, unpretentious bar does a brilliant job at digging out hidden gems of the Cape's wine and gin scenes. Taste drops from sustainably farmed…
Garden Route
Enjoy great coffee and homemade cakes at this funky cafe with eclectic decor and ocean views from the deck. It's an awesome spot to spend a couple of…
Green Point & Waterfront
Walk through the hotel to the spacious deck bar and restaurant with a prime Table Bay position. It’s a great place to enjoy a sunset cocktail; you can…
Cape Town
One of South Africa's most innovative breweries has moved to colossal premises outside the city. It's a somewhat unlikely location, on a large industrial…
Cape Town
As the boutique gin wave washes over South Africa, Hope on Hopkins remains one of the country's most progressive micro-distilleries. Occupying a disused…
Sea Point to Hout Bay
The attention to detail at this stylish, bustling cafe is magnificent. Beans are roasted in house and the coffee menu features everything from espressos…
Johannesburg
There's a cool 1920s prohibition feel to this welcoming space with a long wooden bar and outdoor tables right on the Tryone Ave shopping strip. It's hard…
Windhoek
This bar is in a lovely historic mansion that actually used to store the town’s water supply, but now houses the city’s premium wine selection. Staff here…
Harare
Across the road from Avondale Shopping Centre is this cool little bar that attracts a mixed, friendly crowd of students and professionals. There's a good…
Malawi
This craft shop and cafe serves fresh juices bursting with goodness and light meals such as feta pizza, ham and cheese pita sandwiches, salads and toasted…
Johannesburg
True to its name, A Streetbar Named Desire is a trendy bar overlooking the street. The first-floor balcony offers a nice view of busy Jan Smuts Ave; at…
Livingstone
Just the spot for a sundowner, this open-air bar within the Royal Livingstone Hotel overlooks a dramatic stretch of the Zambezi. As well as the usual bar…
Johannesburg
Bertrand is a Jo'burg coffee shop that feels more like a charmingly cluttered Parisian flat. Crammed with comfortable couches and second-hand knick-knacks…
Johannesburg
Tilt is a welcome addition in Melville, which has many great restaurants and bars but few great coffee shops. This tiny, Cape-Dutch-style building is just…
Johannesburg
Jail cell bars from the old prison at Constitutional Hill form part of the decoration of this rough chic cocktail bar run by the social enterprise Dlala…
Franschhoek
There are three permanent beers on tap, plus ever-changing experimental brews so be sure to ask what's new. It also serves beers from Cape Brewing Company…
Limpopo
We're ready to ignore the rather odd, close-to-the-airport location, and we really wish it'd open later, but this fantastic outdoor venue serves up…
Free State
Finely crafted local brews such as English ale, stout and IPA go down very well at this exposed-brick bar across from Clarens Sq. You can sample the range…
Johannesburg
Artisanal coffee, tea and a few baked treats is all you’ll get at this roaster but, man, are they good. The espresso is dark and intense, brewed by…
Cape Town
The popular Noordhoek-based brewery has opened a delightful taproom at Constantia Uitsig's Heritage Market. There's always something experimental on tap –…
Harare
One of Harare's current hot spots, the Jam Tree is all about its outdoor garden space, good choice of drinks (including bottled craft beers), tasty food…
Malawi
This cocktail bar built into the rocks overlooking the beach is a secluded and magical sundowner spot.
Johannesburg
Craft Coffee is hidden on a side street surrounded by graffiti-painted industrial buildings and art studios. Originally founded as a commercial coffee…
Johannesburg
It's best to make a reservation for this unsigned speakeasy-style cocktail bar as it's a pretty intimate place. Pull up a seat at the bar and the friendly…
Cape Town
One of the pioneers of South Africa's craft-beer culture, Jack Black's is a cavernous space with beer-hall-style seating. The brewery takes pride of place…
Johannesburg
Six has single-handedly shifted the 7th St dress code, thanks to its so-far-above-average cocktails and so-better-looking-than-you clientele. This is a…
Johannesburg
Toninos is a classic Jo'burg dive bar, complete with pool table, Wednesday evening karaoke, and a DJ playing 80s and 90s pop hits until late into the…
Green Point & Waterfront
This old V&A stalwart is as popular as ever, with an impressive range of Belgian beers, including ales from five Trappist breweries. Enjoy a crisp witbier…
Cape Town
With a menu that features pressed juices, activated charcoal shots and a range of nut milks, The Electric attracts a hip and healthy crowd. The high…
Johannesburg
The sheer length of the bar makes this high-end Braamfontein haunt worth a visit, and the length of the drinks menu is reason enough to stay. There's also…
Cape Town
This small cafe, stylish in its simplicity, serves nitro coffee – iced coffee poured from a draught tap. The nitrogen lends the appearance of a pint of…
Cape Town
Cheery owner Chris Bangira serves homemade ginger beer, herbal teas and a range of caffeinated options at this open-air cafe tucked behind the cultural…
Johannesburg
Flynn Coffee is in an unexpected spot for a hipster coffee shop – in a tiny brick building outside a furniture warehouse in the industrial suburb of…
Johannesburg
The massive, rectangular bar takes centre stage in this lively place awash with people getting jolly on the abundant cocktails and craft beers. The decor …
Johannesburg
In a town with few outwardly LGBT-friendly bars, Ratz nails its rainbow colours to the mast, offering cheap cocktails (just R35 until 8pm), ‘80s rock and…
Cape Town
Not much other than Fair Trade coffees from across Africa and a few sweet snacks are served in this chic cafe, which has space to spread out and a relaxed…
Cape Town
Come more for the arty design boutique – where you can sip artisan coffee, lounge, and work on your laptop – than for the food, which is OK, but not…
