The 7 Best Food Markets in Cape Town: Diverse Flavors of The Mother City

I might be biased since this is where I live, but there is no denying that Cape Town excels in many ways. It’s one of the most gorgeous cities in the world, nestled between the Atlantic Ocean and towering Table Mountain; few places offer so much natural beauty within such close proximity to the city center.

The food in this city is second to none. Offering all types of cuisines prepared with local, sustainably sourced ingredients, it’s no surprise this city is teeming with outstanding restaurants. It’s also staggeringly affordable, especially for those paying in USD or Euros. You could eat a three-course meal paired with delicious local wines for the equivalent of a standard burger in America.

With its beautiful blend of outdoor scenery, fresh and wholesome produce, and great value for money, Cape Town stands out in another domain—markets. Seriously, I’ve visited food and produce markets in all four corners of the globe, and this city still offers the widest selection of local goods, all exquisitely presented in seasonally themed arrangements.

Here are seven of my favorite Cape Town food markets:

Oranjezicht City Farm Market, V&A Waterfront

Locally known and loved as the OZCFM market, this world-class Cape Town market is so popular that it practically outperforms all other markets. Jokes aside, you’ll want to bring your cameras to this one.

It’s located at the V&A Waterfront, Cape Town’s premier shopping area, and a buzzing local and tourist zone. It’s undoubtedly a popular tourist spot, but plenty of locals get their organic fix at this weekend market, too.

It’s open on Saturdays and Sundays from 8:15 (9 am Sundays) to 2 pm and opens partially for a night market on Wednesdays during summer.

OZCFM started as a small market selling goods grown at a community market in the Oranjezicht neighborhood. Today, it has several stalls selling everything from antiques to handmade soaps to artisanal bread, teas, cured meats, plants, and flowers.

The most famous market section is the fresh produce, which is seasonally arranged like it’s ready for a photoshoot. They work on a pay-as-you-exit system, with helpful check-out guys ready to quickly ring up your things.

The market also has a huge eatery hall packed with food options. I always beeline to the bao bun station, which serves delicious oversized buns for around $3 each. Paired with freshly squeezed juice for around $4, you can’t go wrong.

Pro Tip: This is one of the busiest markets in the city, and for good reason. Arrive early to grab the freshest produce and avoid standing in line or waiting for a table.

Cape Point Vineyards Night Market, Noordhoek

The Cape Point Vineyards Market is one of my favorite spots, mainly because of its location. It’s set on a wine farm in the mountains above Noordhoek, a small neighborhood about a forty-minute drive from the city center.

To get to the market, you could drive over the mountain on Ou Kaapse Weg road or take the even more scenic route via Chapman’s Peak – one of Cape Town, if not the world’s, most beautiful drives. This is a toll road, charging around $2 for a car.

Often referred to as simply the Noordhoek Market, it is open every Thursday evening from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm (weather permitting). The market is held in the function hall of the wine farm, which has a bar, an inside section, and a large outdoor area with plenty of different vendors selling your favorite foods.

The views from this market are spectacular, gazing out at the sun setting over Noordhoek Beach. There is also ample parking and a big play area for kids, too.

Pro Tip: This market is great for families with kids. However, tables are limited and hard to snag on a busy, summer evening. I recommend bringing a picnic blanket and setting up on the lawns. Weather chills quickly when the sun sets, so be sure to bring along a layer (or two).

Neighborgoods Market at The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock

The Old Biscuit Mill Market is one of Cape Town’s most loved weekend markets. It’s located in the up-and-coming Woodstock neighborhood, just a ten-minute drive or Uber from the city center. The area is an ‘old biscuit mill,’ home not only to a weekly market but also a range of boutique shops, office spaces, cafes, and one of the most exclusive restaurants in the city—The Pot Luck Club.

The market is open year-round from 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. on Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays and offers a wide range of goods and food for sale. From artisanal jams and pastries to local arts and crafts and organic produce, the market is divided into different sections for food, produce, and products.

My favorite section is, no doubt, the Neighborgoods food hall, which is packed with different food vendors selling everything from wholesome salads and smoothies to indulgent burgers and pastries. My meal of choice is a lobster roll from Lobster Mob. Made with freshly caught West Coast Rock Lobster, this brioche roll is divine.

As you stroll the market, you’ll be serenaded by live musicians who play sets throughout the day.

Good to Know: Neighborhoods is a countrywide brand that operates markets in other major South African cities, too. Check their website for their current locations!

Mojo Market, Seapoint

Mojo Market is a daily food hall located along the main road (Regent Street) of Seapoint in Cape Town. It is open daily from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. and closed on Sundays and Mondays. The market is set in a large warehouse-type building with different passages lined with food vendors. There are five bars and plenty of table seating downstairs and upstairs.

On Friday and Saturday nights, live musicians, bands, and comedic acts take to the stage in the seating area. They also screen live Sports Games on the big screen, making this a top option for rugby and cricket fans during the Sports seasons. During work hours, there is a small area where you can check out some local boutiques and shops.

Bunka Ramen is a good bet for a light yet tasty Japanese fare. I’m also a big fan of the salmon bowl at Dashi Poke, which costs under $6. Check out ESO Juice Co for freshly pressed juices and Juniors Burgers for the best burgers and milkshakes in town. For a meal and a drink, budget around $10.

I find Mojo Market a convenient dinner option for a group who can’t decide on one restaurant to eat at. With cuisine options ranging from sushi to pizza to smoothies to kebab, you can pick and choose what you want to eat and dine at one table together. It’s also open for take-outs, and many of the vendors are listed on UberEats.

Bay Harbour Market, Hout Bay

The Bay Harbour Market is located in Hout Bay, a small suburb about fifteen minutes away from central Cape Town by car. This area is famous for its beautiful coastline, the fishing harbor, and fresh seafood.

The market is open every Friday from 5 pm to 9 pm and on Saturdays and Sundays between 9:30 am and 4 pm. Each day, a musician plays live music on the Market Stage. Artists play at 7 pm on Friday evenings and start at 1 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Feel free to check out the schedule on their website.

You can find everything from hand-sewn clothing to local arts and crafts to some of the best street food in the city. Mexicano and Relish and Savour (a Mediterranean and Middle Eastern vendor) are two of the best here.

Nap Living is the perfect spot to grab a freshly brewed coffee paired with a sweet pastry on a weekend morning. Most famous with the tourists, Sea Bar sells out its freshly prepared paella just about every day – and for good reason.

Time Out Market, V&A Waterfront

If you’re not yet familiar with Time Out Markets, it is a global franchise that operates markets in Europe, Dubai, and America. A few months ago, the company opened its first African market, the Time Out Market, at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The market is open from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m. daily and closes a little later at 11 p.m. on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays. The concessionaires close half an hour before the market closes.

Not only do they provide a trendy space for local South African restaurants, pop-ups, and vendors to display their offerings, but the space also hosts various shows and events. Think quiz nights, live jazz music, Comedy nights, art classes, dance classes, and kid-friendly events.

Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market, Muizenberg

One of the more local markets on the list, The Blue Bird Garage Food and Goods Market, is a small market located around 35 minutes outside the city center in a surf-oriented neighborhood called Muizenberg.

It’s open from 4 pm to 10 pm on Thursday and Friday evenings and is set in a large garage-like warehouse just over the railway line from the main road. The market has a small fresh produce section but is most popular for its street food concessionaires, who sell snacky goods from fresh spring rolls to artisanal pizzas and craft beers.