With plenty to do in Cape Town, here is something different to add to the list. There are various markets that take place in the late afternoon into evening. Although the days of the week vary, it is usually, Wednesday, Thursdays or Fridays. So forget about cooking and join in the local tastes and flavors that the Mothercity has to offer.
BAY HARBOUR MARKET (HOUT BAY)
Located at the edge of the sea overlooking Chapman’s Peak at the foot of the famous Hangberg Mountain; this once-abandoned factory is now the legendary Bay Harbour Market, home to over 100 entrepreneurial traders, who attract over 24,000 visitors a month locally and from across the globe.
An inspiring destination for breakfast, lunch and dinner, this weekend market kicks off with Friday Nite LIVE!, offering live music, at least 26 culinary experts catering to everything from Tunisian cuisine, Seafood platters, Oven-fired Pizza to gourmet Sandwiches, speciality soups and everything in-between.
The Saturday and Sunday market is open from 9.30 am to 4 pm and is alive with interesting people of all ages and cultures, shopping, tasting, eating, drinking and laughing, while listening to the live music on the Bay Harbour Sound Stage.
The strict criteria for the trader selection at this market ensures that some of the most innovative and creative traders can be found here, offering vintage clothing, natural fabric linens, antique collectibles, funky fashion and leather goods to suit all tastes and more! You won’t be disappointed.
The ethos of the market comes to life through Viola, Queen of the Bay, a large mobile Pig artwork who moves around the market collecting “change for change” to support the local community.
Bay Harbour Market is serious about recycling and works hand in hand with traders and local NGOs to raise consciousness on sustainable living. Viva Republica!
Where: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town.
When: Friday Nite LIVE!: 5 pm to 9 pm; Saturday &Sunday: 9.30 am to 4 pm.
Website: www.bayharbour.co.za
BLUE BIRD GARAGE FOOD & GOODS MARKET (MUIZENBERG)
Cosy, vibey market at the Blue Bird Garage in Muizenberg. Great food options, live music, and a selection of craft and clothing to one side.
Popular with locals, and goes on quite late.
Where : Blue Bird Garage, 39 Albertyn Road, Muizenberg
When: Fridays, 4pm-10pm.
Contact: bluebirdgarage@gmail.com
CAPE POINT VINEYARDS MARKET (NOORDHOEK)
Weekly outdoor food market at Cape Point Vineyards in Noordhoek.
Choose from a wide variety of food stalls and sample wines from the Cape Point Vineyards.
Where: Cape Point Vineyards, Silvermine Road, Noordhoek.
When:
SUMMER: Thursdays, from 4.30pm to 8.30pm
WINTER: Sundays – 12pm-3pm.
Contact: +27 21 789 0900
CITY BOWL MARKET ON HOPE (GARDENS)
Traders from in and around Cape Town gather together in an exquisite, historical building to cook up a storm!
There is around 30 different stalls to choose from, all of which are carefully handpicked traders that offer the highest quality, freshest ingredients & a passion for food.
Variety is key at the City Bowl Market, with cuisine from around the globe, everyone is certain to find something that suits his or her taste buds and dietary needs. Meet your friends or feed the family, there is absolutely no reason to cook on a Thursday night or a Saturday morning!
There is a live band performing at every market, which gets everyone’s toes tapping and creates a fabulous upbeat atmosphere that you won’t want to leave.
Where: 14 Hope Street, Gardens.
When: Thursday evening from 4.30pm – 8.30pm and every first Friday of the month from 4.30pm – 8.30pm.
Contact: citybowlmarket@gmail.com
Website: www.citybowlmarket.co.za
DAY BEFORE THURSDAY MARKET (WOODSTOCK)
The Day Before Thursday Market is a new food and entertainment market held on Wednesday evenings at The Woodstock Foundry on Albert Road, in Woodstock.
It’s a simple, intimate market, with food traders, food trucks, wine and beer (served from a vintage bar truck) – designed to encourage businesses in Woodstock to be open for longer, outside ordinary business hours and create a bit of a night vibe in Woodstock. So the businesses/stores in the Foundry will be open for longer on a Wednesday.
Where: The Foundry, 150 Albert Road, Woodstock
When: Weekly on Wednesdays 5pm-9pm
Contact: daybeforethurs@gmail.com / 0794291454
EARTH FAIR FOOD MARKET (TOKAI & ST GEORGE’S MALL)
Earth Fair Market can be found in Main Rd Tokai (same centre as the Builders Warehouse) on a Wednesday and Saturday and in the beautiful tree lined Upper St Georges Mall on a Thursday.
Each market has a distinct personality: Saturday is all about the weekly shopping; Wednesday is a buzzing hub of top up shopping, delicious dinner and drinks for the family and Thursday offers a vibey outdoor market in the heart of the City which is probably the closest to a European street market the Cape has to offer.
Earth Fair has the best selection of fresh produce shopping traders in the Cape. The Saturday market has 5 free range meat traders, 2 vegetable traders (1 organic), cheese, breads (including speciality breads), fish, farm dairy, patisserie, pet foods and pretty much everything you would need for your weekly shop.
Tokai is a well-established, indoor, conveniently situated market with lots of parking. Earth Fair is known for its strict trader standards and for its emphasis on getting people to take markets seriously as a shopping destination.
While they take themselves seriously in the take home shopping department, that is not at the expense of a great vibe, toe tapping music and one of the biggest craft beer selections to be found. The Little People’s Corner offers great activities to keep the small people entertained while you shop and eat.
Where:
Tokai
333 Main Road, Tokai (where Builders Warehouse is)
St George’s Mall
Upper St George’s Mall, opposite the Cathedral
When:
Tokai
Every Saturday 9.00 am – 2.00 pm
Every Wednesday 3.00 pm – 8.30 pm
St Georges Mall
Every Thursday 11:00 – 3:00pm
Contact: Jacqui – hello@earthfairmarket.co.za
Website: www.earthfairmarket.co.za
GOOD NIGHT MARKET AT THE WATERSHED
The Watershed at the V&A Waterfront is a monthly evening market, showcasing all things creative. The Good Night Market will be held on the last Wednesday of each month, bringing live music, food trucks and a drinks bar to the space to entertain visitors on their meander around the market’s offerings.
Entrance to the Good Night Market is free, with food and beverage trucks providing delicious food and drink.
Where: The Watershed, 17 Dock Rd, V&A Waterfront, Cape Town
When: Last Wednesday of the month 4pm-9pm. The Watershed is open from 10am.
Contact: Tel: +27 21 408 7600 (V&A Waterfront Info Centre)
I LOVE BIG BAY MARKET (BLOUBERG)
I Love Big Bay Market is a new food and craft market which launched on 30 September 2015. The market will be held monthly (possibly more often during holiday season) on Wednesday evenings (4pm-9pm) at the Big Bay Surf Lifesaving club in Blouberg (near Eden on the Bay shopping centre – Otto Du Plessis Drive).
There is such a rich and lively beach culture on this side of the mountain and we cannot wait to share the beautiful views and atmosphere with our guests as they grab a beer or glass of wine and watch the sun go down with the gorgeous Table Mountain just a glance to the left.
This market is aimed at families, singles, tourists or whoever wants to pop down and enjoy what Cape Town has to offer.
Where: Big Bay Surf Lifesaving club in Blouberg (near Eden on the Bay shopping centre – Otto Du Plessis Drive)
When: Last Wednesday of every month
Contact: 081 797 2825 l hello@bigbaymarket.co.za
Website: www.bigbaymarket.co.za
THE NIGHT MARKET AT THE RANGE
The Night Market @ The Range takes place at The Range Function and Conference Centre in Tokai. The market is the perfect place to meet and ‘Chill’ after a hard working week. Choose from different food stalls, wines from local wine estates and a choice of craft beers. Parents have the chance to relax to background music while children have a wide variety of activities to choose from.
When: Friday evenings 4.30pm-9.30pm.
Where: The Range, Orpen Road, Cape Town
Contact: 021 713 2340 | chilledmarket@therange.co.za
Website: www.therange.co.za/food-market.html
TRUTH NIGHT MARKET (CITY BOWL)
The Truth Night Market happens on the first Wednesday of the month and will host 15+ traders each month.
Expect everything from vintage threads to locally produced clothing, jewellery and accessories, designer shoes and swimwear, bric and brac and vinyls.
Roasting Records keeps the records rolling all night long and Truth Coffee runs some food and drink specials so come join in on the fun.
Where: Truth Coffee Roasting, 36 Buitenkant Street
When: Wednesdays 5.30pm-9.30pm
VINEYARD OVAL WEDNESDAY NIGHT MARKET (KENILWORTH)
The Vineyard Oval Nite Market is the place to be on a Wednesday night. This outdoor open-air market is situated in the heartbeat of the Southern Suburbs at Kenilworth Racecourse with plenty of parking available .
Expect to find gourmet food from some of the best Foodtrucks Cape Town has to offer as well as seasoned market food traders. You will find a variety of Cuisines available all made from fresh produce from our amazing chefs. Shop for a gift for a friend (or yourself) at one of the Arts & Crafts stalls offering on-trend items to suit any taste. We also provide healthy options, Banting& Halaal Traders
Where: Kenilworth Racecourse, Rosmead Avenue, Kenilworth
When: Every Wednesday 4pm-9pm
CLOSED: May through September (winter months)
Contact: Antonio 062 084 1152 and thevineyardovalwnm@gmail.com
Website: www.vineyardovalmarket.co.za
WOODMILL COURTYARD MARKET (STELLENBOSCH)
The Woodmill Courtyard Market is the perfect setting for a night out for the entire family of all ages to enjoy!
So bring along all your family and friends indulge in some hot fresh food along with a perfectly chilled glass of boutique wine and soak up our cheery surroundings.
Free Entry! Free Parking! Wheelchair Friendly!
Where: The Woodmill, Vredenburg Road, Stellenbosch (off Adam Tas)
When: Last Friday of the month (5.30pm – 10pm)
Contact: Nikki 083 755 2877
Website: www.thewoodmill.co.za
