Cape Town
Guidebook
Welcome to the Market Systems Symposium 2024 in Cape Town, South Africa!
It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we welcome you to the vibrant city of Cape Town for the annual Market Systems Symposium 2024. Nestled at the southernmost tip of the African continent, Cape Town beckons you with its undeniable charm and captivating landscapes. As you gather here to exchange ideas, explore innovative market systems, and shape the future of economic development, we invite you to immerse yourselves in the rich tapestry of this remarkable city.
To ensure that your visit to the Mother City is both enjoyable and memorable, we have compiled a guidebook of the best places to visit, stay, and explore during your time here. We recommend using Uber to navigate around the city. Do not walk at night, always be vigilant of your surroundings and preferably walk in groups.
Take a look at the Inside Guide here.
Cultural
Kaleidoscope
Join us for a day trip or a couple of nights and experience the big 5 safari in the Karoo, just under 2 hours from Cape Town! Acclaimed for service excellence, renewable energy, social responsibility efforts and conservation programmes, Aquila is more than just an unforgettable wildlife experience, it is an experience in luxurious African hospitality, traditional culinary delights, service excellence and the restoration of pride to the indigenous people and the land.
Boulders Penguin Colony, situated near Simon's Town in Cape Town, South Africa, offers a unique and enchanting experience for international travelers. This remarkable destination is home to a thriving colony of African penguins, providing an up-close encounter with these charming and captivating creatures, while you get to swim alongside them....just be sure not to get too close.
Clifton Beaches
Clifton Beaches offer international travelers a sublime beach experience like no other. Renowned for their pristine beauty and azure waters, the Clifton Beaches are a popular destination for sunseekers and nature enthusiasts alike. Consisting of four distinct coves, aptly named Clifton 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Beach, each has its own unique charm and appeal. These beaches are nestled between rugged cliffs and boast fine white sand that contrasts beautifully with the deep blue hues of the Atlantic Ocean.
Bakoven at Sunset
Nestled along the rugged coastline, Bakoven offers a serene and picturesque setting for witnessing the beauty of the sun sinking below the horizon. Perched on the smooth rocks overlooking the azure waters, visitors can unwind and savor the moment with a glass of wine, some delectable snacks, and the company of like-minded individuals. The cool ocean breeze caresses the skin, creating a soothing ambiance that complements the breathtaking scenery.
Culinary
Delights
Whether you're looking for a night out to connect with other attendees, or extend your stay to enjoy Cape Town's offerings, you'll never be left disappointed with the city's vibrant culinary scene!
Fine Dining Restaurants
Chef Ivor Jones joins Liam Tomlin in welcoming you to an exceptional yet informal dining experience, bolstered by personable, friendly service.
Discoveries are made when boundaries are crossed. At FYN, South Africa’s wild freedom is tempered by the rigours of contemporary cuisine to create a restaurant at the edge. Check your assumptions with your coats and join us on a journey of flavour discovery.
Situated on the Pierhead, with the iconic views that have made this attraction so famous worldwide, PIER restaurant offers an intimate, multi-course fine-dining experience to one of the world’s most-loved destinations.
Welcome to The Test Kitchen Fledgelings. A space where we learn, teach, always with love and passion.We believe that this platform enables people who previously had no access to the hospitality industry to potentially forge a new career, with world renowned chefs mentoring the fledgelings through the process.
Restaurants
At Gigi Rooftop, come for breakfast and stay for dinner. A place where overstaying your welcome is always encouraged, join Gigi on the 6th floor for sky-high fun. Let your hair down and indulge in late afternoon drinks, sun-filled poolside sessions or partake in one of our signature events. GiGi Rooftop is a living room for the neighbourhood and you’re invited. This is where Cape Town comes to play.
Grand Africa Café & Beach embraces a free-spirited beach café culture, nestled poignantly on the sea-front shoreline and flaunting her majestic views of the mighty Atlantic and Robbin Island. With iconic style and playful luxury, Grand captures the quintessential charm and colloquial effervescence of the bustling city vibe while offering a quaint and relaxing escape, ‘a world away’ in the heart of Cape Town’s social mile.
Cosy corners to eat, drink and relax in, this three storey bar and restaurant perfectly pairs a casual ambiance with indulgent design to create an unforgettable experience. Trace South Africa’s sporting history on the walls, enjoy a cocktail on the terrace, share a meal over candle light and end your night grooving to good tunes in the hidden basement bar.
Voted 86th Best Bar in the World by The World’s 50 Best Bars. Hidden away in a renovated 1894 Victorian warehouse found at the back of a storefront, this thriving speakeasy beckons. The Art of Duplicity is a decadent jazz and cocktail speakeasy bar that quietly opened its doors in the heart of the Mother City. The concept is inspired by the USA’s prohibition era, during which unlawful establishments served alcoholic beverages. While the existence of this secret Cape Town speakeasy was initially only disclosed through word of mouth, you can now make a booking. But this is no ordinary restaurant booking. Each booking comes paired with a secret password, address, and a series of prompts.
Location is a secret
Nature has blessed South Africa with beauty, and nowhere more than here, your forest home at the foot of Table Mountain, looking out over the Atlantic Ocean. Enjoy the good life at The Lawns – your every day, all-day restaurant for any occasion – be it delicious breakfasts, decadent brunches, lingering lunches or meeting friends for drinks with spectacular views.
Cape Town’s most sought-after location that plays host to some of the finest sunsets in the world. The Bungalow is perfectly situated in the heart of Clifton, with uninterrupted views of the Atlantic Ocean and the Twelve Apostles mountain range. Arrive straight from the beach for cocktails and Mediterranean-style cuisine – barefoot luxury at its best.
Welcome to Bobo’s – your new neighbourhood eatery. Featuring contemporary cool interiors and comfortable seating, Bobo’s makes for the perfect place for everyday eating for the whole family. Uninterrupted sea views are paired with a deliciously accessible menu, making Bobo’s a favourite local go-to.
Come and treat your taste buds to some of the best burgers you have ever had or maybe try our famous lobster roll for a decadent delight. Paired with any of our bespoke cocktails and you are in for a dining experience that you aren’t soon to forget.
From Grapes
to Glasses
A mere 20 minutes from Cape Town City’s center lies Beau Constantia, a well curated escarp of rolling vineyards, floating concrete and rocky mountainside. In a shy kloof, steep North East facing slopes summit the Vlakkenberg, from where both the Indian and the Atlantic oceans become visible. From the outset, the unique site called for a masterful eye and design approach that respects its terroir – a wine term that refers to a place’s character.
We are ideally located below Constantia Nek, just moments from the bustling Cape Town city centre. We are a pictureque boutique wine estate producing ultra-premium, cool climate wines. Why not join us at our Tasting Room for an amazing wine tasting experience, accompanied by delicious platters or a main course? You can also order bottles of our award winning wine from our online store.
The ultimate Cape Winelands experience, Delaire Graff Estate is dedicated to beauty in its many forms. Much like polishing a diamond to reveal its brilliance, jeweller Laurence Graff has transformed an extraordinary natural setting into a world-class destination for wine, art, cuisine, and an escape from the everyday.
Since opening in 2007, the Rust en Vrede Restaurant has shaped the way we think about wine and food. Set in the historic cellar, our aim is to show guests how a dining experience can be heightened by the combination of outstanding wine with excellent food.
With award- winning wine, cuisine, design, architecture, indigenous gardens and art, Cavalli Estate has quickly become a recognised South African lifestyle brand. Stretched across 100 Hectares of prime land located in the prestigious Helderberg region of Stellenbosch, South Africa, the estate boasts 26 hectares of vineyards, 10 hectares of indigenous fynbos gardens, a contemporary restaurant, 350-seater function venue, wine-tasting facility, retail contemporary art gallery, luxury boutique and a world class equestrian facility.
Thoughtfully Selected For Its Prime Position, Ernie Els Winery Is Framed By Panoramic Views Of Cape Town And Table Mountain To The West And Stellenbosch And The Helderberg Mountains To The East. A Passage Beyond Our Grand Granite Boulders, And Through Our Wooden Farmhouse-Style Doors Will Lead You Into Our Homely, Expansive Tasting Room And Restaurant Where You Will Be Rewarded With Exceptional Wines And Hearty Farm-Style Cuisine.
Ethical farming, the health of the soil and the people who work it.Artistic endeavour and absolute care in the crafting of our wines. This is what matters to us. We’re an old Stellenbosch wine farm with a long and winding history, and many twists and bends in the road. Regenerative farming and pioneering environmental and social initiatives make us who we are. Our label is a symbol for top terroir-driven wines and we’ve been named South African Producer of the Year by the International Wine & Spirit Competition - twice!
Brewed to
Perfection
Truth Coffee Roasting has specialized in selecting and roasting some of the world’s most exclusive coffees. Named 'The World’s Best Coffee Shop' by the UK's The Daily Telegraph for two years in a row, we strive to have you Taste the Joy of the Extraordinary.
Joel and his team are passionate about coffee. From the sourcing of green beans, to precise roasting, blending, grinding and pouring of coffee. Benefitting from preferential relationships with some of the world’s leading quality coffee farmers, Origin is able to source some of the world’s finest coffee beans. All of our green beans have been grown, harvested and processed by growers who have been selected for their immense passion and dedication to quality. We focus on ensuring we have the widest selection of single origin coffees in South Africa.
The House of Machines (THoM) was created from a handshake to become a ‘good times, great memories’ meeting house for a likeminded community, a warm embrace against the white noise of everyday life. We’ve never wanted to be the coolest, the newest ‘go to’ spot, we just wanted to create a place where you’d want to hang out with friends, make new ones and simply feel like you belong to something a little more steadfast in this crazy world. Our little homes are all things Coffee, Café, Beer, Cocktails, Music, with a touch of ‘Moto Hero’ thrown in for good measure.
Located in the vibrant neighborhood of Green Point in Cape Town, Jason's Bakery is a haven for food lovers and coffee enthusiasts. This beloved bakery has earned a reputation for its delectable pastries, artisanal bread, and exceptional coffee, making it a must-visit destination for locals and visitors alike.
Espressolab is a specialty coffee roastery based at The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock, Cape Town. We have been roasting small boutique batches of coffee since 2009, and were one of the pioneers of the specialty coffee movement both locally and worldwide. We are part of the Espressolab global family, and have over 100+ retail stores worldwide, with our flagship roastery based in Istanbul, Türkyie and a further satellite roastery in Nürnberg, Germany.
Four & Twenty Café & Pantry is located in the charming Chelsea Village area, bringing a slice of Parisian pie to the neighbourhood. Expect to find a happy bustle and enthusiasm from our team and Tracy-Leigh. Our bustling café offers all-day breakfasts, hearty lunches, whimsical pastries, and a pantry stocked with sweet and savoury delights. We believe in using only fresh, seasonal produce sourced locally and take pride in every dish we create.
At the heart of SCHOON is a desire to create space for true community. We see ourselves as immensely privileged, because we get to collaborate with incredibly committed local artisans and farmers, using what they’ve produced to create food that we can then share with the people who choose to spend time in our spaces. It’s a very tactile exchange that constantly challenges us to look to the seasons for inspiration as we bake, cook, create and serve.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this guidebook regarding accommodations, restaurants, and activities is intended solely for informational purposes. While every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and provide reliable recommendations, we do not guarantee the suitability, safety, or quality of any establishments or services mentioned herein.
We strongly recommend that travelers exercise caution and undertake their own research before making any reservations or engaging in activities mentioned in this guidebook. This includes reviewing travel advisories, checking for updated safety information, and reading reviews or seeking recommendations from reliable sources.
By using this guidebook, readers acknowledge and accept that they assume all responsibility and risk associated with their travel choices and activities. We strongly advise travelers to exercise caution, use their judgment, and take appropriate measures to ensure their safety and satisfaction throughout their journey.
