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Markets are always fun! There’s so much to see and do walking through a variety of stalls, from fresh produce, fine foods, delicious coffees, handmade goodies, and usually live music that sets the tone for a buzzing morning, whether with friends or family. So, if you’re on holiday in the Western Cape or just passing through on a weekend, give the local markets some love.
5 Cape Markets
Below are five markets worth exploring. While some are closer, in Hout Bay, and conveniently located only a few kilometres from all three of our Hout Bay units (Harbour View, The Boardwalk, and Riverview), others are a bit further afield but will allow you to get a glimpse of the beautiful Cape scenery. Let us start with Hout Bay.
Bay Harbour Market
Known as “Cape Town’s Most Vibrant Market”, it is in a fish factory on Harbour Road, but we promise there is nothing fishy about it! The market caters to everyone, supplying delicious foods, from sweet to savoury, sushi to waffles, and almost everything in between. Enjoy a morning coffee or if you’re a juice person, you can opt for one freshly prepared. For the beer lovers out there, you can get your beverage at the Boom Bar, which is a full-service bar.
While you have food taken care of, you can enjoy offers that range from arts and crafts to fashion, beauty, wellness, and décor with live music. The Bay Harbour Market is open on Fridays from 5 pm to 9 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays from 9.30 am to 4 pm. More details can be found on their website or social media channels.
Hout Bay Village Market
What used to be the Lion’s Club Craft Market is now the Hout Bay Village Market, located in Mainstream Park (opposite the Mainstream Mall). It is only about a minute’s drive away from our Riverview Hout Bay unit. With food stalls available to your tastes, you can enjoy a leisurely stroll outside, experiencing a variety of arts and crafts by artists who handmade their products. The Hout Bay Village Market believes it’s “not just about shopping; it’s about creating an experience”.
It is open every Sunday from 9 am to 3 pm, depending on the weather conditions. Additionally, it operates during seasonal times, namely Spring, Summer, and Autumn. You can bring along your whole family and it is also pet friendly.
First Fruits Farmers Market
Situated on Valley Road in Hout Bay, the First Fruit Farmers Market fosters a sense of community and gives small business owners a boost. If you’re looking to enjoy the outdoors brimming with beautiful scenery this will be an enjoyable early morning treat. You can also picnic and bring your dogs (on leashes). The market is open once a month on the first Saturday of every month, from 9 am to 2 pm. Bring the whole family and pets are also permitted.
Lourensford Market
If you want to expand a little bit beyond the city limits and take a drive to enjoy the Cape scenery, why not try The Lourensford Market on the Lourensford Wine Estate in Helderberg, Somerset West? It’s over an hour from Hout Bay and offers over 60 stalls with a variety of foods and artisanal and artistic goods.
For the adults there is wine tasting. If you are a connoisseur, you can get a taste of the wines from the estate. For the kiddies, there is a variety of activities available. You can’t have a market without some live music, which you can enjoy and jam along. The market is open on Fridays, from 5 pm to 9 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 4 pm, and Sundays from 10 am to 3 pm.
Oranjezicht City Farm Market
Just under an hour away from Hout Bay, the Oranjezicht City Farm Market at the Victoria & Alfred Waterfront (V&A) is a great option if you want to explore the city bowl a bit more while on your trip. The market brings “urban farming” to life and offers locally produced food with various options that include vegetarian, vegan, dairy, sugar, wheat gluten-free, and more.
The market is open on Saturdays from 8.15 am to 2 pm and Sundays from 9 am to 2 pm. There is also the Wednesday night market that runs until April 2024 from 5 pm to 9 pm. Pets are also allowed here but on leashes and well-mannered.
Chilled Market at the Range (Tokai)
Come and chill at the Chilled Market at the Range in Tokai, it’s about 25 minutes away from Hout Bay. Explore some delicious homemade meals from pizzas to delicious sweet treats, and beverages that cater to everyone from those who love their craft beers, which are on tap, and those who enjoy an evening wine, and more!
The kiddies can come too and have a blast at the play area while you enjoy a stroll through the stalls. Paired with some live music, and indoor or outdoor seating, it’s a fun-filled Friday evening outing that opens on Friday evenings from 4.30 pm to 9.30 pm.
There you have it! Just a few options to choose from, some within walkable distance away and others requiring a scenic drive out, but either way it’s a fresher alternative, shall we say, to get your fruits and veggies, and some local gifts and goodies, during your stay here. While we do out best to provide accurate details, we do kindly advise you to double-check the respective markets’ webpages about any date or opening time changes.
