Markets in Cape Town

Market shopping is big in Cape Town with the Mother City’s inhabitants loving nothing more than browsing a selection of stalls, selling everything from curios and clothes, to delectable food and drinks. Here are just some of the fantastic markets you can visit while in the city.

ORANJEZICHT CITY FARM

Held every Saturday at the historic Granger Bay site of the V&A Waterfront, the Oranjezicht City Farm is a true farmer’s market, selling the products and produce of local urban farmers. Everything from seasonal fruit and veg, flowers and homemade goodies are on offer here. Vegans and vegetarians, this market is for you. The market is well-known for catering to all types of foodies, and customers who want wheat, gluten, sugar and dairy-free alternatives are well served.
Where: Granger Bay, V&A Waterfront
When: Every Saturday, 9am – 2pm

THE BAY HARBOUR MARKET

Situated on the water’s edge at the old Hout Bay Harbour, with more than 100 stalls, a fish factory, and a stage for live musical performances, is popular with locals and tourists alike. The KWV Sound Stage has been graced by some of SA’s best musicians and always draws a big crowd. You can also expect a wide range of 80 awesome weekly traders, 9 draught beers on tap, artisan food stalls, art and crafts. The Market has also geared itself towards the festive season with its Thingz Festive Season Shopping Markets with the final one taking place on 20 and 21 December – Kids Thingz.
Where: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay
When: Every Friday (9.30am to 4pm), Saturday and Sunday (9.30am to 4pm)

KIRSTENBOSCH CRAFT MARKET

The ever-popular market at Kirstenbosch consists of around 180 crafters who sell original, hand-crafted goods and there is plenty of food on offer as well! Proceeds from stall rentals goes straight to the Development Fund for Kirstenbosch Gardens. Speaking of the gardens, the market is situated directly across the road at the Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages, meaning you can pop across for a stroll when you are finished shopping!
Where: Kirstenbosch Stone Cottages, corner Kirstenbosch Drive and Rhodes Avenue
When: Select days over December and January

WATERSHED AT THE V&A WATERFRONT

With over 150 stalls, selling more than 365 brands, look no further than the Watershed to satisfy all your purchasing needs. Open from 10h00 to 19h00, the Watershed sells a variety of products, ranging from furniture and textiles, to fashion and jewellery. It’s a perfect spot for gift-shopping or simply to treat yourself to something special. The space also includes the Jubilee Exhibition Hall and smaller spaces which play host to world famous exhibitions, live entertainment and workshops.
Where: Watershed, V & A Waterfront
When: Open Daily

DURBANVILLE CRAFT MARKET

The Durbanville Craft Market is held monthly on selected Saturday mornings. Roam the gardens of Rust-en-Vrede under a blanket of stars. Christmas décor, confectionery, only the best handmade gifts, preserves, home décor, food and much more will be on offer.
Where: Rust-en-Vrede, Wellington Road, Durbanville
When: Selected Saturdays 8.30am to 2pm

AFFAIR ON THE HILL

Launched with great success during the recent Season of Sauvignon in Durbanville this year, Affair on the Hill celebrates wine, good food, shopping, live music and is perfect for the whole family.
Where: Durbanville Hills, Tygerberg Valley Road
When: Selected days throughout the year

RONDEBOSCH CRAFT MARKET

The perfect way to spend a relaxing Saturday afternoon. Browse stalls of hand-made goods, have breakfast under the shade of the trees, or just do both. Held on the second Saturday of every month, the Rondebosch Craft Market continues to be a popular port of call for market shoppers.
Where: Rondebosch Park
When: Second Saturday of every month, 9am – 2pm

CITY BOWL MARKET

City Bowl Market on Hope Street is the place where Cape Town’s food lovers meet. Featuring tastes from across the globe, you’ll find huge pots of paella, famous Durban curries and more. If you go, plan to be on hand when the band arrives. Live performances start around 18.00 every week. Fashionistas should check the market’s site for the fashion expo that runs once a month.
Where: 14 Hope Street, Gardens
When: Thursdays 4.30pm to 8.30pm

NEIGHBOURGOODS MARKET

One of the hippest markets in Cape Town is the weekly Neighbourgoods Market in Woodstock. Housed in the Old Biscuit Mill, a converted mill house, it offers a number of quirky shops selling crafts, clothing and jewellery. If you go – go hungry! The highlight here is the incredible food stalls tucked in the back of the market. Find everything from breakfast fare to dumplings and gyros with craft beers to wash it all down.
Where: The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road
When: Saturdays 9am to 2pm

SPIER MARKET

A new one on the local market scene, the Spier Werf Market happens every Saturday from 09h00 – 14h00. You can shop for artisanal foods and handmade goods, as well as do one of the weekly workshops such as boerewors making. Kids are, of course, catered for in the form of games, face paint, a kids’ entrepreneurial market and so much more.
Where: Spier Wine Farm, R310 Baden Powell Rd, Stellenbosch
When: Every Saturday, 9am – 2pm

ROOT44 MARKET

Located opposite the giant strawberry on the R44, between Somerset West and Stellenbosch, the ROOT44 market is housed in a marquee, making sure you never miss out even when the weather’s not playing along. There is a natural wood play park and lawn area for the kids, keeping them entertained for hours at a time. The market is open every Saturday and Sunday, from 10h00 to 16h00.
Where: Audacia Wines, Corner of R44 & Annandale Road, Stellenbosch
When: Every Saturday and Sunday, 10am – 4pm

EARTH FAIR MARKET

This is a favourite with the working crowd based in the CBD. Every Thursday from 11h00 to 15h00, the Earth Fair market pops up and sells delicious food made locally. The vibe is great and it makes for the perfect city centre lunch hangout. There is also a Tokai-based Earth Fair market every Wednesday from 15h00 – 20h30 and every Saturday from 09h00 – 14h00 in the South Palms Centre.
Where: St George’s Mall, Cape Town CBD & South Palms Centre, Tokai
When: Every Saturday, 9am – 2pm in Tokai, Every Wednesday, 3pm – 8.30pm in Tokai, Every Thursday, 11am – 3pm in Cape Town CBD

PALMS MARKET

Every Saturday, there’s another Woodstock market that unfolds (the other, more popular one, being the Neighbourgoods Market) – the Palms Market. This market offers a variety of things to see, do and eat for the whole family. The idea is that it’s a Platteland atmosphere within the urban part of Cape Town. There is a great variety of food (think homemade pies, marmalades, gourmet mushrooms, gourmet sandwiches and much more) and often some live music taking to the stage. The kids will love the unpretentious, relaxed set-up of everything while the older ones will enjoy the variety on offer.
Where: 145 Sir Lowry Road, Woodstock
When: Every Saturday, 9am – 3pm

OLD BISCUIT MILL

It may be known for the Saturday Neighbourgoods Market, but the Old Biscuit Mill is a shopping gem in its own right. Noteworthy shops include the acclaimed Imiso Ceramics, Continuum wood furniture and quirky kids shop Mu & Me. If shopping makes you hungry, definitely come here. The mill is home to some of Cape Town’s best restaurants including Italian at Burrata, sharing plates at Potluck Club and French at Saucisse.
Where: The Old Biscuit Mill, 373 Albert Road
When: Mon-Fri 10am to 4pm, Saturdays 9am to 2pm

BLUEBIRD MARKET

Located in Muizenberg, the Bluebird market is located in an old warehouse and operated every Friday from 16h00 to 22h00. Here you can get amazing homemade and heart-warming food, great entertainment and fun for the whole family.
Where: Cnr of Albertyn & Milner road, Muizenberg
When: Every Friday, 4pm – 10pm

TOKAI FOREST MARKET

The Tokai Forest Market is set in a large open space where visitors have the opportunity to have coffee, breakfast and brunch while doing some early morning browsing at this unique home industry market. There is plenty on offer from delicious baked breads and pies to jewellery, handcrafted décor items for the home and even children’s clothes.
Where: Orpen Road, Tokai
When: Every Saturday, 9am – 3pm

KALK BAY FRESH ETC MARKET

Another beautiful old building hosts a culinary adventure in a warm and feel-good setting in the quant town of Kalk Bay. Go say hello to the seals afterwards!
Where: Kalk Bay Community Centre, Kalk Bay
When: 10h00 to 15h00 on the 3rd Sunday of every month

COUNTRY CRAFT MARKET

Operating since 1983, the Country Craft Market in Somerset West has gone from just 17 crafters to 180 stalls on market day. Promoting high-quality handcrafts, the market has a wide variety of crafts on offer, while the Country Kitchen provides market shoppers with the sustenance needed to scoop up as many wares as possible, while Country Kids keeps the little ones occupied with a jumping castle, face painting and more.
Where: Southey’s Vines, 186 Main Road, Somerset West
When:  Selected Saturdays in summer, between 9am to 2pm

WILLOWBRIDGE SLOW FOOD MARKET

Priding itself on its homemade organic food, award-winning cheeses, Karoo meat, pastries and more, the slow food market harks back to the ancient festivities of fresh food markets done the natural way.
Where: Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre, 39 Carl Cronjé Drive, Tyger Valley
When: Saturdays 9am – 2pm

V&A FOOD MARKET

Set in Cape Town’s crown jewel of tourist locations, The V&A Waterfront, this culinary market tantalising fresh produce as well as designer appliances and a food bookshop.
Where: V&A Waterfront
When: Open daily 10am to 7pm

BO-KAAP FOOD AND CRAFT MARKET

Famous for the quirky culture and specialty foods, the Bo-Kaap brings koeksisters and samoosas, dried fruit, smoked snoek, pecan nut pie and melt tert into the equation – it’s a perfect way to explore South Africa’s vibrant Cape sub-cultures.
Where: Haas Coffee, 67 Rose Street
When: Last Saturday of every month, 10am to 4pm