The Cape Town List

The first time I visited Cape Town, I was reminded a bit of San Francisco: for the way mountains, sea, and mercurial weather all collide, and everyone seemingly outside all the time: morning hikes up Lion’s Head, cold plunges in the Atlantic, and weekends at the incredible Oranjezicht farmer’s market. You’ve even got the Cape Winelands—Stellenbosch and Franschhoek—an hour outside the city. But of course, Cape Town is so much more, with cultural layers that run deep—from the Indigenous Khoisian roots of the region to the Cape Malay community with its spice-rich food traditions, to Dutch, British and Xhosa influences that continue to shape the city’s language, design and vibe. The food scene is wildly creative, the design culture deeply rooted in South African craft, and the city rapidly evolving. Tammy Tinker, a designer friend who recently returned to Cape Town after living in Munich for three years (and who helped to wrangle this list!), told me, “The biggest shift is how visible the creative economy has become. There’s a stronger ecosystem now, from small independent labels and streetwear brands to more polished concept stores, galleries and food studios—not just catering to tourists, but to a plugged-in local crowd that’s very design- and fashion-literate. Neighborhoods like Woodstock, Salt River and Observatory have really leaned into that creative identity: old warehouses are now home to studios, coffee roasteries, sustainable fashion brands and co-working spaces, with street art and markets as the glue. The food scene has leveled up—Bree Street and its surrounds are now a proper ‘gourmet boulevard’ packed with chef-driven restaurants, natural-wine bars and cocktail spots, many of which showcase local artisans and makers. Overall, the city feels more confident about its own culture: less derivative of Europe, more rooted in local craft, African references and a Southern Hemisphere point of view.”

I haven’t been since before covid and can’t wait to go back! Especially after reading the recommendations from these six creative locals for what makes this city so vibrant and distinctive. —Alex Postman

TAMMY TINKER, designer, creative consultant, and co-founder of Big Little Store

Raised in Cape Town, Tammy worked in brand and fashion strategy, collaborating with local designers, concept stores and cultural festivals as Cape Town’s creative scene was starting to globalize. She moved to Munich three years ago, returning as often as she could to see family, hike Lion’s Head at sunrise, and reconnect with the city’s galleries, markets and emerging designers. She recently returned to Cape Town where she runs her creative agency, Tammy Tinker Consultancy, and operates Big Little Store supporting African artisans.