CITY GUIDE: Shop ‘Til You Drop in Cape Town [updated August 2025]
![CITY GUIDE: Shop Til You Drop in Cape Town [updated August 2025]](https://hellolifestyle.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design-Feature-1024x1024.png)
Wanting to splurge a little? We have the ultimate #HelloRecommends list on the best places to “shop ‘til you drop” in Cape Town.
1. The Charming Chef’s Sweetie Pies
If you’re looking for a treat for your sweetie pie during the month of love, The Charming Chef, Ayesha Bibi Juwaley, has put a creative spin on the her favourite childhood treat by adding an extra layer of filling to the classic Sweetie Pie. With flavours like pistachio, strawberry, hazelnut and caramel, sandwiched between a biscuit base and soft fluffy marshmallow, enveloped in dark chocolate and sprinkled with nostalgia, it’s hard not to fall in love with these tasty treats. If the way to the heart is through the stomach, The Charming Chef can provide you with the lightest and fluffiest of steppingstones. Check them out at Makers Landing or order them online.
2. Karoo Prick: Prickly Pear Gin
Made from prickly pears, one might expect Karoo Prick’s Prickly Pear Gin to be bitter. Instead, it is surprisingly sweet. This small-batch, locally produced craft gin is a not-so-dry, fruit-forward gin with flavours reminiscent of bubblegum and hard-boiled watermelon candy. Enjoy it with sparkling water, a pink or light tonic and a slice of watermelon and cucumber, or savour it on the rocks. Packaged in a quirky bottle with a sweet, kitsch aesthetic that recalls the charm of small-town shops from a bygone era, this gin is a true taste of the Karoo. And, it might just be the best thing to come out of it in donkey’s years!
3. Mack Brands
After the success of Brooks Hard Seltzer and with the backing of parent company Mack & Schühle, founder Nicolas Mack set out to build a global house of luxury spirit brands to address a gap he identified in the market. The goal was to create not just premium quality spirits, but also brands that resonate with modern consumers through thoughtful design and compelling storytelling. The result is three new spirits: Conte Camillo (a ready-to-sip negroni), Finvara (a triple-distilled Irish whiskey) and Tequila Rosaluz (a tequila with a hint of French rosé). Made and distributed internationally, but conceived and established here in Cape Town, keep a look out for these innovative new products if you appreciate the finer things in life.
4. Charly’s Bakery
Charly’s Bakery has been a Cape Town institution since 1989, famous for its elaborately decorated cakes. But there’s more to love about this striking pink and white striped establishment. If you’ve ever wandered into their bakery, you will know that their deli counter is always packed with delicious and quirky surprises. From cupcakes shaped like what Meta refers to as the ‘chocolate ice-cream emoji’ to cookies with funny sayings on them, there’s always a delightful selection of treats in store. If you’re looking for a sweet way to spoil your mom this Mother’s Day, celebrate a special occasion or even just practice some self-love, have a look at what Charly’s has on offer. Their creations aren’t just confectionary; they’re edible works of art, designed to make you smile before you even take a bite. Be warned, though – choosing just one might be the hardest decision you make all day!
5. Cowgirlblues
Whether you knit something yourself or provide the material for an exciting new craft project, give mom some mohair this Mother’s Day. Cowgirlblues is a local company that makes and sells hand dyed natural yarn for knitting, crochet and crafting. What started as an experiment in owner Bridget Henderson’s kitchen back in 2012, is now a thriving business that supports 11 women and one man and exports to stores in the USA, Europe, the UK, Australia and Japan. The yarns are locally spun from free-range South African wool and mohair and dyed by hand using harvested rainwater. They believe in supporting women, minimising their impact on the environment and crafting colourful lives. Their yarns can be purchased online or from their retail studio at their factory in Maitland, where they also host frequent crafting community get-togethers.
6. Diptyque Boutique
Labotessa Luxury Boutique Hotel recently rebranded its in-house boutique to exclusively feature the French fragrance house, Diptyque. The result is South Africa’s first standalone Diptyque Boutique. Founded in Paris in 1961, Diptyque is known worldwide for its innovative approach to fragrance. Located at the entrance to the hotel, the Diptyque Boutique invites guests to explore a selection of Diptyque products, including up to 18 different fragrances, as well as candles, home fragrances, body lotions and soaps. An extension of this new collaboration takes the form of the Diptyque Tea Experience at the Labotessa Café & Terrace, where Diptyque’s signature fragrances are paired with a selection of fine teas and small bites for a unique multi-sensory experience. It also comes with a Diptyque gift bag to take home.
7. Eichholtz at Core Furniture
The luxury Dutch furniture and home brand, Eichholtz, has built a strong following in South Africa for its elegant and refined European aesthetic. As a leading distributor of premier European brands, Core Furniture recognised the demand and is now stocking an expanded collection of this brand in-store. From understated classics to bold, sculptural statement pieces, Eichholtz offers something distinctive for every space. Visit the Core Furniture showroom in Woodstock to explore their latest arrivals in furniture, lighting and accessories.
8. Darling Sweet
Known for their colourful packaging and associated with the home of Evita Bezuidenhout, Darling Sweet – a range of old-fashioned, handcrafted toffees – is fast becoming the Western Cape’s most common edible souvenir. From classics like Tannie Evita’s Classic and Honey & Salt to Bird’s Eye Chilli and even Liquorish Toffee, they have a wide range of flavours. If you’re fortunate enough to find yourself in Darling, be sure to check out their tasting room where they offer a complimentary toffee tasting and you can view their vintage toffee tin collection that includes more than 300 items. Alternatively, look out for their sweet treats all over the place – they’re hard to miss!
9. Numuti
Numuti offers a range of soft drinks that don’t just taste great, but blend traditional African botanicals with modern science to support mental well-being. Inspired by the San, the drinks harness the power of Sceletium, an indigenous plant known for its mood-enhancing and stress-relieving properties. The range includes three drinks: Unwind features calming rooibos and honeybush extracts; Thrive combines marula flavour with natural caffeine from guarana for focus and energy; and Vibe offers a caffeine-free social tonic to elevate your mood. You can find them at a range of stores, including Checkers, Spar and Faithful to Nature.
10. South African Fynbos
Founded by Giselle Courtney in Wellington, South African Fynbos is redefining indigenous local flavours with its range of culinary and lifestyle products. The company sources ancient Cape botanicals like buchu, honeybush, rooibos, snow bush and rhino bush – among others – and transforms them into products like dried herbs, salts, vinegars, syrups, teas and cocktail infusions. Each product offers a taste of the veld while supporting sustainable harvesting that helps protect fynbos biodiversity. Whether infused in a roast, shaken into a cocktail or woven into your well‑being rituals, these products offer a flavourful way to reconnect with South Africa’s botanical heritage. Available online or through selected stockists.
11. Afrikoa
Afrikoa is known for luxury chocolate with a conscience. They use only ethically sourced, single-origin Tanzanian cocoa, bought directly from the farmers and they keep every step of the process right here on the continent. Their award-winning chocolate comes in a range of bars, truffles, chocolate-coated nuts and a variety of other tasty treats, including vegan options. Pop into their shop at Makers Landing at the V&A Waterfront for the full Afrikoa experience, or buy their chocolate from one of their many suppliers around the country. They’re perfect for gifting (or for secretly indulging in by yourself).
![CITY GUIDE: Shop Til You Drop in Cape Town [updated August 2025]](https://hellolifestyle.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Untitled-design-Feature-768x768.png)
