Cape Town has come a long way since 'buying local' meant buying some beadwork and wood carvings. Cape Town's sophisticated mix of Afro-Euro has found its way into international design stores in London, New York and Paris. Of course, you'll find a much greater variety and friendlier prices if you forage yourself.
You'll find the city's best shopping areas in pockets and on certain streets - a personal favorite is the browsing of antiques, clothes, trinkets and galleries along Kalk Bay's main street, within sight of the sea, and interspersed with plenty of places to stopping for a breather (Olympia Café is an institution).
The shopping center at the V&A Waterfront is popular, but the selection is quite generic (although Cape Union Mart is worth a visit if you're looking for safari or camping gear). If you're specifically looking for locally produced goods, walk from the mall to the Watershed, ideal for a one-stop gift shopping experience, with more than 150 stalls in a large warehouse selling only items made on the continent.
Fashionistas should book a visit to MaXhosa Africa, Stefania Morland, KLûK CGDT, Kat van Duinen, Wanda Lephoto, Viviers Studio and Mantsho.
For more Cape Town inspiration, see our guide to the city and the best hotels, restaurants, nightlife and things to do. For more inspiration, read our expert's ultimate two-week holiday in South Africa.
Find places to shop by region
Green Dot
Out of this world
If you're short on time and looking for a curated collection of high-quality African crafts, Sue and Peter Vith have an excellent eye and long-standing relationships with traders and suppliers across the continent. There are beautiful furnishings, but for the most part the collection focuses on accent items - many of which are originally utilitarian items - that will bring a touch of the exotic to an elegant room. You pay accordingly, but it saves you searching through vast, market-like listings.
The story continues
Waterfront
Watershed
To shop for the widest selection of gifts, souvenirs or local fashion, plan to spend a few hours at the Watershed, located between the Two Oceans Aquarium and the new Time Out Market. With over 150 stalls in a large open warehouse, Watershed offers by far the most diverse selection of locally produced clothing in the city, as well as jewellery, textiles, toys, homewares, ceramics, shoes and more. It's a great place to browse for real quality, mixed with some touristy scenes - in fact, one of the long-term effects of lockdown has been an improved offering, with interesting standalone boutique shops such as Mungo and Jemima and Africa Nova now downsized to stalls at Watershed.
City center
Mungo
Organic cotton towels, heirloom quality bed and table linen, plaids and kikois in structured white tones or the most beautiful color combinations that really stand the test of time. Mungo has come a long way since master weaver Stuart Holding started weaving small runs of his beautiful home textiles on two restored antique looms in 1998. The company is the first Global Organic Textile Standard certified factory in Africa and its range is exported to Europe. and the US is truly excellent in every way. (Tip: If you're interested in local textiles, it's worth making time for African Jacquard's small showroom in Woodstock, or just visit the website africanjacquard.com for beautiful, sumptuous 'where did you get that' -scarves, bedspreads, cushion covers and towels, made in the traditional French jacquard manner, but with texture and pattern inspired by African geometric designs.)
The Olive Branch Deli
Tucked away down a narrow hallway in a corner of the Lifestyle Center, this small deli resembles a 19th-century pharmacy or Victorian grocer, with wooden cabinets and floor-to-ceiling shelves packed with visually appealing products, large burlap bags full of wares, racks of bread (including the best gluten-free breads) and a 1920s jazz soundtrack. Founded as a community grocer by the hands-on owner-managers, brother and sister Ommy and Hélène Demetriou showcase the very best in local produce, as well as top quality international brands for Cape Town foodies, and are always on hand to advise. Tip: If you want to see Cape Town's foodies in action, don't miss the Oranjezicht Farmers Market in Granger Bay every Saturday and Sunday (see activities).
Woodstock and Horse Island
Imiso Ceramics / Mervyn Gers Ceramics
Cape Town has many excellent ceramicists, but for handmade one-of-a-kind pieces, Andile Dyalvane and Zizipho Poswa really stand out. Their work shows some European influences, such as the Picasso-inspired Africasso series, but is largely rooted in Africa, with delicate renderings of traditional objects such as isiXhosa milk buckets and Ngumi storage vessels. The beautifully structured Scarified collection is inspired by tribal body scarification. Zizipho Poswa specializes in delicate squeeze pots and her functional ceramics are simply beautiful.
If you prefer functional ceramics, check out the beautiful range of handmade tableware in the workshop of award-winning ceramicist Mervyn Gers. His plates make the meals of many of the country's top restaurant and lodge chefs look even tastier. Besides being an authentic studio experience, its 'seconds' (all with very minor flaws) are a bargain. Or put together a custom dinner set, where you can choose from a wide range of colors and designs. Shipping is arranged by the team.
The South African Print Gallery
For quality local art that you can easily take home with you, visit the SA Print Gallery (SAPG). Founded in 2009 by master printmaker Gabriel Clark-Brown, it is the only exclusive art print dealer in the city, and the best place to look for limited edition SA prints. In addition to selecting works from some of the big local names in printmaking (such as William Kentridge), the owners look for lesser-known artists who exhibit strong technical qualities and embrace unusual subject matter.
Kalkbay
Kalkbay Modern
An unassuming entrance and stairs lead to this Kalk Bay classic, packed with excellent arts and crafts. It has one of the most extensive collections of ceramic artists in the city, but the walls are also beautifully decorated with works by William Kentridge, Nicholas Maritz and Cecil Skotnes, and there is some great jewelry on display. Gallery director Cheryl Rumbak has worked on San community projects, so the gallery is home to one of the largest collections of contemporary San prints, paintings and textiles. This also marks the start of one of the city's most charming shopping areas - keep driving north all the way to Anpa.
Soul design
This beautiful little shop specializes in handmade African jewelry - from chic copper cuffs to Maasai-inspired necklaces, cowrie rings to earrings from Marrakech, this is the kind of understated jewelry you wear often, and affection grows along with memories of where it is been and seen. Choose from a beautiful range of ready-made items, or choose a pendant that appeals to you, decide on the length and choice of beads, and Lee will create a bespoke item while you wait. Or make your own - with sparkling harbor views and a table laden with beads, brass charms, feathers, tassels and letters, the workshop studio is a great place to spend a happy hour manifesting your creativity.
Merchants on Long
This city center store, with a smaller outlet in the V&A Waterfront, showcases the best of both emerging and established local designers and is where you can meet Africa's trendsetters. Top brands worth looking out for include the award-winning MaXhosa Africa (a personal favorite; well worth browsing designer Laduma Ngxokolo's standalone store in Waterfront), as well as Sindiso Khumalo, Lukhanyo Mdingi, Rich Mnisi and MmusoMaxwell. (Tip: For the most delightful introduction to the excellent fashion produced on this continent, plan your trip in November when Mount Nelson hosts their annual salon-style fashion show, serving a lavish high tea and beautiful contemporary fashion created by the continent's brightest stars.)
Contact: merchantsonlong.co.za
Prices: ££
Okapi
The first independent store with luxury leather bags, wallets, wallets and even key rings has opened (by appointment only) in the historic manor of the Anthonij Rupert wine farm in Franschhoek (also one of the best tasting experiences by the way; worth a visit ) appointment for both!). These are limited edition accessories, 100% locally sourced, handmade from sustainably sourced leather (look out for the springbok and ostrich bags). You can choose the leather, colour, upholstery or choose from the pret-a-porter range, which you can view online. Limited collections of homewares and jewelry are also available.
Contact: za.okapi.com
Prices: ££
Coast and Khoi
Do you have a thing for beautiful statement shoes? Make an appointment to see what Caryn Wilensky currently has in store. Her pumps are not only striking, but also comfortable, and each pair - exported to boutiques around the world - is unique. In addition to her signature pumps, Wilensky makes unique sandals, espadrilles, boots and brogues in a range of materials (even vegan), all beautifully embellished.
Contact: Coastandkoi.com
Prices: £
