Most Visited Food and Craft Markets in Cape Town

One of the most rewarding ways to spend a weekend in Cape Town must be by visiting a market. Fresh air, lots of walking and the ability to graze delicious food, stall to stall, while being inspired by incredible handiwork and skill. Add to this some great activities for kids, fresh and wholesome produce to take home and even some live entertainment to get you grooving and you have all the ingredients for a very happy day (or evening) out.

The Farm Village Market – Noordhoek

Farm-fresh produce, sophisticated snacks and a family-friendly, wholesome environment is what you can expect at the night market each Wednesday in the Noordhoek village. Open from 4pm to 8pm, the market runs each week – weather dependent – and is housed in a tent with gas heaters to keep visitors toasty while they peruse the stalls.

Delicious Cape wine and beer as well as a wide variety of tasty offerings like potjies, nachos, pies, sushi and scrumptious vegan options. Bring the kids and the dog and grab a festive mid-week dinner while you stock up on fruit and veg for the rest of the week.

Oranjezicht City Farm Market – V&A Waterfront

Situated alongside the V&A Waterfront, the Oranjezicht market is a staple grocery stop for many Capetonians. Focusing on fresh produce that is in season and locally grown, like vegetables, fruit and herbs as well as cottage industry items like honey, olive oil, bread and meat, it’s a wholesome atmosphere. With no fashion or craft offerings, but a selection of drinks and food, it’s a fabulous meeting spot for friends where you can browse the goods and catch-up over a coffee and a delicious snack like their famous samosas.

A classy market, you can pop in on a Saturday and Sunday til 2pm with your hound on a lead and grab stunning cut flowers or a potted plant as well as the ingredients for a snack platter to start your weekend in style.

Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods – Muizenberg

Housed in an old postal plane hangar, this lively market is a fabulous way to welcome in the weekend early as it opens every Thursday and Friday night and offers great shopping, delicious wares and refreshing drinks all in one relaxed space. Opening at 4, you’re welcome to bring the whole family (including the dogs) and let the kids loose in the play area where they can climb the jungle gym and get their faces painted, among lots of other fun activities.

Parents can take a break at the Bicycle Bar for an adult beverage before hitting the aisles for some laidback shopping. Blue Bird offers almost everything from accessories to fashion, jewelry to beauty products and books to games. You won’t go hungry either – get an early dinner of steak, salad, rolls, wraps and more, while you fill your basket with produce like pickles, bread, cheese and meat for the weekend ahead.

Khayelitsha Craft Market – Khayelitsha

Open every day of the week except Sundays, the Khayelitsha Craft Market is a celebration of South African creativity and is an excellent spot to pick up unusual gifts. The market takes place in St Michael’s church and is an important part of the area’s economy, allowing tradespeople and artists to display and sell their stunning work.

From incredible beadwork to sculpture and clothing, you’ll find something for a loved one, yourself or your home here that is uniquely Capetonian. Think wire and tin, cement and recycled plastic bags as materials for baskets, candlesticks, pottery and ornaments and make sure you pay a visit to the famous Baboon Man – a local who handcrafts gorgeous baboon statues.

Natural Goods Market – Century City

With a day market on Sundays from September through November and a summer night market from October through December, the Natural Goods Market promises a fabulous day (or evening) out for the whole family and for groups of friends of any age.

Little ones will love the interactive element on offer – from jumping castles to performances from magicians, displays by conservation groups and even adoption days from animal welfare associations there’s always something exciting to see.

For tweens, teens and grown-ups the shopping is wide and varied with stalls including clothes, jewelry, homemade body products and gorgeous gifts – as well as fresh produce and locally produced treats. Hosted outdoors but beneath Bedouin tents to protect visitors from the elements, the market is located on the village green next to Intaka Island Nature Reserve which serves up endless fresh air and stunning scenery too.