Evening markets are the solution. These ingenious events give you the opportunity to not only get some browsing done outside of work hours, but also to wind down with friends and family with a glass of wine and some delicious fare in a vibey setting. With this in mind, here is an overview of some of the best night markets in Cape Town to inject some excitement into the routine-dominated work week. However, as we know – public transport don’t operate till 10:00pm – but Renting a car in Cape Town might be a better option for you to be able to drive to all the market places you wanna explore.
Bay Harbour Market
https://www.instagram.com/p/BLGYFTHAB_X/?tagged=bayharbourmarket
Where: Hout Bay
Opening time: Friday: 5pm – 9pm / Saturday and Sunday: 9:30am – 4pm
Website: http://www.bayharbour.co.za/
Contact: 083 275 5586 / +27 (0) 82 570 5992
Location: 31 Harbour Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town, South Africa
Entrance: Free
Bay Harbour market is home to the finest tastes, gifts, art, decor and fashion – with over 100 entrepreneurial traders, who attract over 24,000 visitors a month locally and from across the globe. Located at the edge of the sea – overlooking Chapman’s Peak at the foot of the famous Hangberg Mountain.
Expect craft beer-lovers, a jam live music line-up, people pushing back tables to make a dancing room, mollusco mavens slurping up ocean-fresh oysters and sparkling wine – more generally a colourful air of celebration. Alive with interesting people of all ages and cultures, shopping, eating, drinking, tasting – while listening to the live music on the Bay Harbour Sound stage. However, expect to buy vintage clothing, natural fabric linens, antique collectibles, funky fashion and leather goods to suit all tastes and more. You won’t be disappointed.
Cape Point Vineyards Noordhoek Community Market
Where: Cape Point Vineyards Estate
Opening time – Summer Markets: Thursday: 4:30pm – 08:30pm
Winter Markets: Sunday: 12:00pm – 15:00pm
Website: http://cpv.co.za/community-market/
Contact: +27 21 789 0900
Location: Silvermine Road, Noordhoek
Entrance: Free
The lakeside meadows of Noordhoek provide a picture-perfect setting for this outdoor market. Vendors include the Foodbarn pop-up kitchen and the vegan-friendly Angel Chefs.
Blue bird Garage food and goods Market
Where: Muizenberg
Opening time: Friday: 4pm – 10pm
Website: http://www.bluebirdgarage.co.za/page_01.php
Contact: 084 405 3544 / 082 920 4288
Location: 39 Albertyn Road
Entrance: Free
Situated in an old postal plane hangar, this authentic neighbourhood market prides itself on being hipster-free. Everyone’s taste are catered for – with food stands offering everything from Thai curries, potjies and vegan stir-fries, through artisan breads, Lebanese dishes, fresh sushi and Greek mezze. A dedicated bar area offers wine and beer from the region, further adding to the joyous vibe, berries, flowers, cakes, biltong, honey, bread and herbs by the time you leave.
Blue Bird Garage Market is always full of people buzzing with energy – the market has an irresistible vibe that keeps locals coming back for more. With a dedicated children’s area, the Blue Bird is none of the only child-friendly evening venues where parents can relax and have a meal – while their children are entertained.
The Range chilled Market
Where: Tokai
Opening time: 4:30pm – 9:30pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/pg/TheRangeMarket/about/?ref=page_internal
Contact: 021 713 2340
Location: The Range, Orpen Road, Tokai
Entrance: Free
Every Friday night The Range Function and Conferences take place at The Night Market. The market is the perfect place to meet and chill after a hard working week. Choose from different food stalls, wines from local wine estates and a choice of craft beer. However, parents have the chance to relax to background music – while children have a wide variety of activities to choose from.
I love Big Bay Market
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Where: Blouberg
Opening time: 4pm – 9pm
Website: https://www.facebook.com/DriveSouthAfrica/?ref=settings
Contact: 081 793 2825 (Whatsapp only)
Location: Big Bay surf lifesaving club, Otto Du Plessis Drive
Entrance: Free
Note: Opens on Summer months only – (closed; May, June, July and August)
This super-chilled market is a great place to wind down with some shopping on a Wednesday evening. Launched in September 2016, the market hosts a combination of food and craft vendors. Expect to eat Stokkiesdraai biltong, Don’s Calamari, NOB’s (No Ordinary Burger) – 480g pure-beef patties. Enjoy the Beer Merchants craft beers, freshly squeezed juices and Frozen yogurt.
Craft-wise, there’s a range of handmade clobber available, such as jewellery from Dee Designers, genuine leather bags by Faradilla, botha-style clothes from Whisper Between Worlds – and more. If shopping aren’t your thing – soak up the amazing sunset with a chilled beer in had while tapping your toes to the live music and DJs.
Earth Fair Food Market
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Where: Tokai
Opening time: Saturday; 9:00am – 2:00pm / Wednesday; 3:00pm – 8:30pm
Website: http://www.earthfairmarket.co.za/
Contact: jacqui@earthfairmarket.co.za
Location: 333 Main Road
Entrance: Free
Earth Fair Food Market is known for it’s strict traders standards and for it’s emphasis on getting people to take markets seriously as a shopping destination. However, Saturday is all about the weekly shopping; Wednesday is a buzzing hub of top up shopping, delicious dinner and drinks for the family.
Earth Fair has the best selection of fresh produce shopping traders in the Cape. The Saturday market has five range meat traders, two vegetable traders(One organic), cheese, bread (Including speciality bread), fish, farm daily, patisserie, pet foods and pretty much everything you would need for your weekly shop.
While they take themselves seriously in the take home shopping department, that is not at the expense of a great vibe, toe tapping music and one of the biggest craft beer selections to be found. The Little People’s Corner offers great activities to keep the small people entertained while you shop and eat.
City Bowl Market
Where: Gardens, Cape Town
Opening time: 4:30pm – 8:30pm (Every Thursday evening)
Website: http://www.citybowlmarket.co.za/
Contact: 073 270 8043
Location: 14 Hope Street, Gardens
Entrance: Free
This charming city centre market operates in an old school hall once a week (Thursday night) and prides itself on bringing people together in a relaxed environment over the common denominator of good food. Not to mention, as it’s an evening affair, the bazaar takes on a fun-loving, party-esque atmosphere (there’s craft beer on draught), live musics, once a month – a fashion show and wine tasting are on the bill.
The Watershed Waterfront
Where: V&A Waterfront
Opening time: Monday – Saturday; 9:00am – 9:00pm / Sunday and public holiday; 10:00am – 9:00pm
Website: http://www.waterfront.co.za/
Contact: +27 (0)21 408 7600
Location: Victoria Wharf
Entrance: Free
If you’re looking for jewellery that says ‘Africa’, you’ll find it at the Watershed Market. You can get rock-art inspired silver pieces from Juliana Jewellers or big, bold designs in amber and silver from Antique Ethiopian Jewellery.
Your home will enjoy a chic upgrade with the many decor items on offer. Afrotrends uses ostrich feathers, kudu horns and African textile designs in its contemporary products. However, these include; throws, lamps, cushion, covers and picture frames. Spin Knits blankets and throws are handmade by rural South Africans.
Surprise your kiddies with items from Baboon kids – a fun children’s clothing brand that’s 100% locally produced. You may also decorate the nursery with playful wooden spirals, clocks and mirrors from Atmosphere.