Nothing shouts ‘summer’ like al fresco dining, and if ever there was a city perfectly suited to picnicking, Cape Town is it. Kilometers of scenic coastline, rugged mountains and verdant winelands create endless options to set up a couple of deck chairs or lay out a generous blanket and enjoy the magical weather we are known and loved for. If you prefer to pack your wicker basket yourself, there are deli counters galore offering a delectable array of culinary treats. Or, if you’re feeling lazy, many establishments are happy to pack a basket for you; all you have to do is show up. Here are some local favourites.
Lovely on the Lawn
Shhhh… Capetonians don’t want too many people to know about The Lawns at the Roundhouse. This stunning, upmarket spot situated high above Camps Bay has large bean-bags, twinkling fairy-lights, shady draping and drop-dead views of the bay and the mountain. Friday night sees it buzzing as the after-work crowd head up the hill to lounge, relax and unwind. Their pizzas are delicious and very popular, but you can also opt for a stylish picnic cabana where a beautiful picnic basket will be delivered to you. Lie back, exhale and enjoy the chilled-out tunes of their sunset music sessions.
Rock On
Picnicking on a soft, warm beach is always a delight, but the Atlantic Seaboard’s coastline provides some wonderful alternative spots to watch the sun go down. Huge, flat rocks are a great place to plonk a picnic basket and watch the waves and the beauty of the sun slipping into the sea. Oudekraal, between Camps Bay and Llandudno, is a wonderful ‘hidden gem’, perfect for this purpose. With a backdrop of the Twelve Apostles Mountain Range, it has grassy spots scattered beneath Milkwood trees that are just made for a picnic blanket. Saunders Rock, Maiden’s Cove and the secluded Beta Beach are good options too; or, take a drive along the gorgeous coastal road between Camps Bay and Hout Bay. There are lots of places to pull over and stop for supper. If you feel like going further afield, continue along Chapman’s Peak where the scenery gets more breathtaking with every bend.
Climb Every Mountain
While it does require a basic level of fitness, walking up magnificent Table Mountain is less scary than it seems. A slow, steady hike up Platteklip Gorge will take about two hours and you might be out of breath towards the end, but the journey will reward you with mossy ravines, smatterings of wild flowers and clear, twinkling streams where you can re-fill your water-bottle with cold mountain water. And the views along the way are, of course, spectacular. Once you get to the top there are many places to settle yourself and enjoy something to eat and drink, and the cable car is on hand if you’re too tired to make the trek down. If hiking up Table Mountain is a little too strenuous, Lion’s Head is an easy, gentle stroll and the views are just as good.
Go South
Groot Constantia in the southern suburbs is the country’s oldest wine-producing estate, and it has beautiful grounds and undulating vineyard views, making it the perfect spot for an outdoor summer lunch. Pre-order a picnic basket from renowned Simon’s restaurant and enjoy fresh baguette with paté, cured and home-cooked cold meats, chicken, salad and a selection of local cheeses and preserves. Kirstenbosch Gardens is one of the most beautiful botanical gardens in the world, and a very popular picnic spot. Stroll around the magical grounds and admire the stunning collection of indigenous flora and fauna before settling down on its soft lawns with the blue and lilac mountain looming large.
Feed Me, Seymour
For the best DIY picnic fare head straight to Green Point’s Giovanni’s and do not pass go. Their deli counter is brimming with deliciousness — cured salmon, artichokes, French and Italian cheeses, flavoured olives to name but a few, and a fridge boasting the finest caviar and foie gras money can buy. Their bakery is exceptional, too. For a wide array of tasty delights the Granger Bay market is also an excellent choice. Mediterranean dips, artisanal pastries, freshly pressed juices and fancy samoosas are the way to go. Or if you’re in a New York state of mind, Kleinsky’s Delicatessen in Sea Point is your friend. Try their bagel dog (a beef frankfurter wrapped in bagel dough), chopped liver tub or the California – smoked salmon, wasabi cream cheese, avocado, pickled ginger and sweet soya dressing. Heaven in a bagel.
Lance Real Estate is based in Fresnaye, Cape Town and covers the Atlantic Seaboard from the Waterfront to Camps Bay. With over 23 years’ experience in the most sought-after residential areas in Africa, Lance Real Estate has sold over R 1 billion worth of properties in the last 3 years.
It is this hands-on knowledge that sets Lance Real Estate apart from our competition. We have built an extensive database of buyers and sellers over the last 2 decades who have grown to trust our market knowledge and depend on us to negotiate the best possible deal in any property negotiation.
We are now extending our reach and taking on houses and apartments for sale from the Waterfront through to Llandudno.
If you are looking for a remarkable agency to buy, rent or sell your property on the Atlantic Seaboard, our friendly customer care team is a phone call away.
For a list of properties we have for sale in Bantry Bay click here:
We also have a range of holiday rentals to offer. If you appreciate beautiful African sunsets over the sea and sublime mountain views, then visit our holiday rentals section on our website.
Contact
Email: info@lancerealestate.co
Tel: +27 82 416 6103
Credits:
The Lawns CT
Giovanni’s
Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden
Kleinsky’s Delicatessen
Simon’s at Groot Constantia