Markets in Cape Town and Surrounds
Markets in Cape Town and Surrounds
Cape Town is a visitors delight and offers an astounding number of markets that will delight young and old. Some of these markets has got so much to offer, that it will keep you entertained for hours.
Greenmarket Square
Town
: Cape Town
You cannot visit Cape Town and not visit one of its oldest markets, set on a cobbled square between Short and long Market Streets. This is where Capetonians have been buying their clothing, jewellery, sandals, crafts and nick-nacks for years, and, whilst the face of the market may have changed a little – African curios now predominate – there is still an exciting buzz as well as evidence of the city’s most colourful and eccentric characters.
Greenmarket Square is unbeatable value too. You can pick up local art, crafts, fabrics and artifacts from almost every country on the continent at this open-air gathering place. Bartering is the name of the game on the square, which used to function as a trading area for passing ships.
Trading Hours: Monday – Saturday from 08:00 – 17:00
The Old Biscuit Mill Neighbourgoods Market
Town: Observatory
The Neighbourgoods Market at the Victorian-era Old Biscuit Mill is a confluence of so much that is Cape Town. Farm produce shares space with high art, and fine food with rare crafts. The environmentally minded initiative, founded in 2006 by entrepreneurs Justin Rhodes and Cameron Munro, bustles with apartment dwellers out for a quick bite and families looking to spend some time perusing the wares of some 100 specialty traders. You tan drop off waste for recycling; buy arty T-shirts; eat thin-crust, rustic pizzas at trestle tables; and listen to live music.
Trading Hours: Every Saturday from 9am to 2pm. 373 – 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town.
Call 082 370 4075 or visit www.neighbourgoodsmarket.co.za.
Rondebosch Village Market
Town: Rondebosch
This is a very small community market that specialises in a wide variety of organic and biodynamic fresh produce. There is also a selection of pickles, handcrafted dairy products, breads, cakes as well as gluten-free baked goods on offer. There is also a range of green living cleaning and other products.
Smart shopper tip: As most stallholders only have very small quantities, it is worth coming early if you want your pick of the best.
Trading Hours: Sat 7.30am-noon
St Andrews Road, Rondebosch 021 696 5749 gloriashomecrafts@gmail.com
Earth Fair Food Market
Town: Cape Town
This market aims to provide a venue where you can socialise, leave the kids in the play area and get your week’s shopping done at a reasonable price. The majority of goods has been ethically produced and there are more than 40 traders to choose from. Popular items include the stone ground flour bread, free-range meats, hand-crafted farm cheese and fresh seafood. There is a selection of real beer on tap as well as organic wine at the dedicated bar. Tuck into a wide variety of hot food – from gourmet hotdogs and burgers to crêpes filled with savoury fillings, delicious Italian ready made meals and even sushi.
Ethical shopper tip: Look out for award winning Bella Vita organic products (part of Living Unity) that include biodynamic dairy products like paneer, as well as tofu and organic veggies.
Trading Hours: Wed 3pm-8pm, Sat 9am-2pm
Visit http://www.earthfairmarket.co.za/
Bo-Kaap Cultural Market at Haas
Town: Cape Town
The Market operates on the last Saturday of every month. Enjoy traditional cakes, biscuits, rotis with curry, samoosas, koeksisters and more with excellent coffee and exotic teas at Haas Coffee Shop. Also find gifts and hand-crafted items like crochet baskets and bags, crafts from recycled materials, kiddies clothing, decopage, jewellery, soft furnishing and soaps. Get fresh flowers, honey, spices and pickles to use at home. Entrance is free.
Trading Hours: Last Saturday of every month 10:00am – 4:00pm
Haas Collective Gallery at 67 Rose Street, Bo-Kaap 072 643 0054 / 074 101 1837
City Bowl Market on Hope
Town: Cape Town
This market has become a favourite with city dwellers looking for their market fix, without the hipster crowd and inflated prices. The organic fruit and vegetables are consistently of excellent quality and lower than most prices and there are all the basics such as good quality bread, free-range eggs and cheese. For the health-conscious (or hungover), the first stop is Dr Juice, then take your pick from Malay curries, sushi, oysters, paella and a big salad bar for lunch. There is a stall specialising in flash frozen tuna steaks that are consistently very good value for money and another with free-range speciality pork bangers. Regulars love the hand made chocolate, Belgian waffles, DIY brownie mixture in a jar and yummy salted caramel truffels.
Ethical shopper tip: There is a safe kids’ play area with activities.
Trading Hours: Every Sat 9am – 2pm
Visit: http://www.citybowlmarket.co.za/
Milnerton Flea Market
Town: Milnerton
Cape Town’s most diverse outdoor market and famous landmark for bargain hunters!
A unique outing and shopping experience coupled with fresh sea breezes and spectacular Cape Town scenery.
On offer for sale is a vast variety of items in any imaginable form and description as well as fresh food and confectionary products catering for just about every palette and taste.
The main attraction for which the market gained its fame is the endless variety of used items ranging from humble domestic tools and utensils to bric-a-brac, collectables, militaria and antiques at bargain prices.
Many a dusty and unloved painting or piece of porcelain has resurfaced here and now graces a caring home somewhere in South Africa or abroad.
Trading Hours: Weather permitting, on Saturdays, Sundays and Public Holidays, (excepting Christmas Day and Good Friday), from 8:00 AM
Visit: http://www.milnertonfleamarket.co.za/
Source: eat-in.co.za
