Cape Town offers a range of shopping experiences, from traditional crafts to modern design products. Several areas around the city and its surroundings host collections of shops, studios, and markets featuring locally made goods, antiques, textiles, clothing, art, and homeware.
Below is a factual overview of notable shopping locations categorized by area:
City Centre and City Bowl
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The Olive Branch Deli: A local deli within the Lifestyle Centre featuring South African produce, breads, and groceries.
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The Old Biscuit Mill and Neighbourgoods Market: A redeveloped mill housing food markets, permanent shops, and design studios. It operates a weekend food and craft market.
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African Jacquard: A weaving studio producing cotton and linen textiles inspired by African landscapes and patterns.
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Merchants on Long: A fashion and design store showcasing capsule collections by African designers.
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Mervyn Gers Ceramics: A ceramics manufacturer specializing in handmade stoneware products.
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Gilles De Moyencourt Haute-Antiques: A vintage and antique store located in Woodstock.
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Crystal Birch: A hatmaker producing straw and felt headwear from a downtown Cape Town studio.
V&A Waterfront
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Watershed: A market hall offering over 150 stalls selling locally produced crafts, clothing, and gifts.
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aafricaa: A lifestyle store sourcing homeware, clothing, and accessories from various African countries.
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Jane Valken: A shop focusing on handcrafted, slow fashion garments.
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Out Of This World: A retail outlet offering African furniture, art, and crafts within The Strangers Club premises.
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Maxhosa Africa: A knitwear brand producing designs based on Xhosa beadwork patterns.
Kalk Bay and Southern Peninsula
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Soul Design: A jewelry store creating handmade pieces with African-sourced materials.
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Kristen’s KickAss Ice Cream: A local brand producing handmade ice creams in various flavours.
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Kalk Bay Modern: A gallery space exhibiting South African fine art, San art, and crafts.
Atlantic Seaboard
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Coast and Koi: A by-appointment boutique specializing in handmade footwear.
Southern Suburbs
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Montebello Design Centre & Shop: A nonprofit arts centre hosting craft studios and a retail shop with goods sourced across South Africa.
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Ardmore Design: A studio creating ceramics and textiles featuring sculptural and painted animal motifs.
Winelands
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Mungo: A textile brand producing organic cotton towels, bed linen, and throws, with weaving done locally.
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Okapi: A boutique offering handcrafted leather bags and accessories located in Franschhoek.
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Boschendal Homeware and Farm Shop: A retail outlet at Boschendal estate offering food products, ceramics, and textiles.
Summary
Shopping in Cape Town covers a wide range of interests including locally made textiles, ceramics, clothing, food items, antiques, and modern African design. Key shopping hubs are located in the City Centre, V&A Waterfront, Kalk Bay, Southern Suburbs, and the Winelands.
Each area provides access to both established brands and emerging local artisans. Most venues accommodate international shipping or offer compact goods suitable for travel.