C+S's Hout Bay (and surroundings) guidebook
Food scene
If the weather's nice, there's few restaurants that will beat Dunes. 10/10 venue & location, 7/10 food, and very reasonable prices.
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Dunes Beach Restaurant & Bar
1 Beach CresIf the weather's nice, there's few restaurants that will beat Dunes. 10/10 venue & location, 7/10 food, and very reasonable prices.
Very relaxed cafe / restaurant perfect for a lazy brunch or a 4 hour work session with the good ol' laptop.
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La Cuccina
Very relaxed cafe / restaurant perfect for a lazy brunch or a 4 hour work session with the good ol' laptop.
Our fav vineyard, with the added bonus you get to drive over Chappies both on the way out and way back!
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Cape Point Vineyards
Silvermine RoadOur fav vineyard, with the added bonus you get to drive over Chappies both on the way out and way back!
Incredible and affordable food. We particularly like the breakfast, but all we've tried there has been great. Co-located with the zip line guys, if you're keen for bite + adventure.
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Green Vine Eatery
Incredible and affordable food. We particularly like the breakfast, but all we've tried there has been great. Co-located with the zip line guys, if you're keen for bite + adventure.
If you're keen for a fancy meal on a special night, look no further. Never disappoints. Make sure to call ahead and ask for a seat on the terrace, which is a large part of why this is special. Also, suggest you arrive an hour or so before sunset to take it all in.
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The Bungalow
3 Victoria RdIf you're keen for a fancy meal on a special night, look no further. Never disappoints. Make sure to call ahead and ask for a seat on the terrace, which is a large part of why this is special. Also, suggest you arrive an hour or so before sunset to take it all in.
Sightseeing
This is main attraction here in Hout Bay. A must to drive it. We also recommend cycling it, if you can!
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Chapmans Peak Drive
Chapmans Peak DriveThis is main attraction here in Hout Bay. A must to drive it. We also recommend cycling it, if you can!
Hout Bay Beach, Hout Bay
This is a gorgeous beach that is typically wind protected. Suggest you park in the Sandy Bay Parking in Hout Bay and walk northwest over the dunes to an overlook of Sandy Bay. You can either enjoy the afternoon sun there (maybe with a drink you've brought?) or continue the hike downhill to the Sandy Bay Beach. Enjoy!
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Sandy Bay
This is a gorgeous beach that is typically wind protected. Suggest you park in the Sandy Bay Parking in Hout Bay and walk northwest over the dunes to an overlook of Sandy Bay. You can either enjoy the afternoon sun there (maybe with a drink you've brought?) or continue the hike downhill to the Sandy Bay Beach. Enjoy!
I'm sure you've read about it already before coming to Cape Town. Definitely worth a visit!
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Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Rhodes DriveI'm sure you've read about it already before coming to Cape Town. Definitely worth a visit!
That gorgeous long beach you'll see when you go over to the other side of Chappies is called Long Beach / Noordhoek Beach. Usually pretty windy here, so bring a jacket. Also, plenty of stories of muggings, so best to go with a few people and during the day. Worth it. Gorgeous, untouched natural beauty.
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Noordhoek Beach
That gorgeous long beach you'll see when you go over to the other side of Chappies is called Long Beach / Noordhoek Beach. Usually pretty windy here, so bring a jacket. Also, plenty of stories of muggings, so best to go with a few people and during the day. Worth it. Gorgeous, untouched natural beauty.
Activities
If you're feeling adventurous, these guys do a fun 1-hr zip line thing (we tried it and liked it!), as well as other activities we haven't tried. Check 'em out if you're the type!
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Cape Town Ziplines Sa Forest Adventures
Hout Bay Main RoadIf you're feeling adventurous, these guys do a fun 1-hr zip line thing (we tried it and liked it!), as well as other activities we haven't tried. Check 'em out if you're the type!
This is our favorite hike up Table Mtn. It goes right up underneath the cable car, and can get semi technical (e.g. some scampering, some steeper areas with steel staples to help, etc.) so only for the active and adventure minded!
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India Venster
This is our favorite hike up Table Mtn. It goes right up underneath the cable car, and can get semi technical (e.g. some scampering, some steeper areas with steel staples to help, etc.) so only for the active and adventure minded!
There are several outfits that do the seal snorkeling. We actually haven't done it ourselves but it's for sure on the bucket list. Can't vouch for it, but worth a gander on google to see if it's worth doing!
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Seal Snorkeling Cape Town
Harbour RoadThere are several outfits that do the seal snorkeling. We actually haven't done it ourselves but it's for sure on the bucket list. Can't vouch for it, but worth a gander on google to see if it's worth doing!
if you're a good surfer, then ignore this, as I'm sure you know more than I do already about the good spots here. If you're a rookie or have just dabbled in surfing, and want to surf, check out Muizie's. Plenty of surf shops on the beach that offer cheap board and wet suit rentals. Fun to read about the shark flags too! :)
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Muizenberg Beach Club
165 Main Rdif you're a good surfer, then ignore this, as I'm sure you know more than I do already about the good spots here. If you're a rookie or have just dabbled in surfing, and want to surf, check out Muizie's. Plenty of surf shops on the beach that offer cheap board and wet suit rentals. Fun to read about the shark flags too! :)
Heaps of hiking trails start and connect to the Silvermine Reservoir. If you're a hiker, it's a good place to start a 1-3 hr trek!
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Silvermine Dam
Heaps of hiking trails start and connect to the Silvermine Reservoir. If you're a hiker, it's a good place to start a 1-3 hr trek!
A nice 3-4 hr round trip hike. Drive up to where the attendants are checking your Chapman's Peak ticket and park there. Pro tip: if you're stopping here, you can simply ask for a "day pass" at the ticketing gate on the way up and it's free! Nothing technical about this hike, so suitable for most people!
Chapmans Peak Hiking Trail North
1 Chapmans Peak DrA nice 3-4 hr round trip hike. Drive up to where the attendants are checking your Chapman's Peak ticket and park there. Pro tip: if you're stopping here, you can simply ask for a "day pass" at the ticketing gate on the way up and it's free! Nothing technical about this hike, so suitable for most people!
If you're keen to rent a road bike or MTB (mountain bike), then this place is a 5 min walk from the cottage. They offer pretty premium bikes, so not the best value for money in all of cape town proper, though it is right next door...Google Olympic Cycles in Claremont if you're looking for a better bargain on a rental.
Complete Cyclist
35 Victoria AvenueIf you're keen to rent a road bike or MTB (mountain bike), then this place is a 5 min walk from the cottage. They offer pretty premium bikes, so not the best value for money in all of cape town proper, though it is right next door...Google Olympic Cycles in Claremont if you're looking for a better bargain on a rental.
good for SUP (stand up padel) or surf board rentals. Best part is that after renting, you can just walk across the road to the beach!
Cape Town Surfing
11 Victoria Avegood for SUP (stand up padel) or surf board rentals. Best part is that after renting, you can just walk across the road to the beach!
If you want a tough 1 hr gym class with no fuss about memberships, then just 5 min walk away is Thrive Fitness. They do a lot of HIT (high-intensity training) classes that last about an hour, and best is they cater to drop ins. Check out their website.
THRIVE FITNESS
31 Victoria AveIf you want a tough 1 hr gym class with no fuss about memberships, then just 5 min walk away is Thrive Fitness. They do a lot of HIT (high-intensity training) classes that last about an hour, and best is they cater to drop ins. Check out their website.
Some really tranquil, relatively easy hiking trails in Newlands Forest. A very popular local spot as a result. Good for all ages and physical abilities.
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Newlands Forest
Some really tranquil, relatively easy hiking trails in Newlands Forest. A very popular local spot as a result. Good for all ages and physical abilities.
Necessities
Sentinel Dispensary
51 Victoria RdPharmacy within walking distance
The best pharmacy and general store in Hout Bay. Next to Woolworths in the Mainstream Shopping Centre.
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Clicks Pharmacy - Hout Bay
Main RoadThe best pharmacy and general store in Hout Bay. Next to Woolworths in the Mainstream Shopping Centre.
The upscale grocery store here in Hout Bay. Very relaxed vibe, easy (and free) to park.
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Woolworths
Princess StreetThe upscale grocery store here in Hout Bay. Very relaxed vibe, easy (and free) to park.
Jack Hammer's
44 Victoria Avehardware store just down the hill from us. Just in case!
Hout Bay Tops
46 Victoria Aveliquor store for beer, wine, and liquors.
Neighborhoods
There are several tours that can take visitors through the local township, currently called IY, or Imizamo Yethu (formerly Mandela Park). While these tend to be a bit intimidating to most travelers (and locals!), they always are rewarding, enlightening, and a memorable, worthwhile experience. Highly recommended. Similar tours are available within the townships in the Cape Flats (e.g. Khayelitsha, etc.). If you're keen for a cycle tour through Khayelitsha, we can HIGHLY recommend UBUNTU tours! Such a great experience!
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Imizamo Yethu
There are several tours that can take visitors through the local township, currently called IY, or Imizamo Yethu (formerly Mandela Park). While these tend to be a bit intimidating to most travelers (and locals!), they always are rewarding, enlightening, and a memorable, worthwhile experience. Highly recommended. Similar tours are available within the townships in the Cape Flats (e.g. Khayelitsha, etc.). If you're keen for a cycle tour through Khayelitsha, we can HIGHLY recommend UBUNTU tours! Such a great experience!