Advertisement

Nata Lodge Botswana Festive 2025

Top Shopping Spots in Cape Town [updated Jan ’26]

#HelloRecommends spending your pennies on any of these premium brands in the Mother City

Share this article

CITY GUIDE: Shop Til You Drop in Cape Town [updated August 2025]

From seaside malls with a view to hidden neighbourhood gems, Cape Town’s shopping scene is as stylish and diverse as the city itself. Whether you’re browsing high-end fashion, hunting for locally made treasures, or indulging in a leisurely retail-and-lunch outing, the Mother City offers something for every kind of shopper. This guide rounds up the top shopping spots in Cape Town — each delivering its own mix of design, culture and undeniable local flair.

Aspire Day Spa Banner Festive 2025

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!

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop Karoo Prick Prickly Pear Gin

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.

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop with Mack Brands

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 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!

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop At Charly’s Bakery

Cowgirlblues

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.

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop At Cowgirlblues

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.

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop at Diptyque Boutique at Labotessa Hotel

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.

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop At Core Furniture

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!

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop At Darling Sweet

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.

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop At Numuti

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.

Cape Town Shop ‘Til You Drop at South African Fynbos

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).

Shop ‘Til You Drop At Afrikoa

Barrydale Hand Weavers

In today’s world where so much stuff is mass-produced and imported, there’s something really special about locally handmade products. Barrydale Hand Weavers is a small town company that makes high-quality hand-woven items. They have a strong focus on empowerment and believe in up-skilling their weavers according to their needs and talent. From baby blankets to towels, table linen to scarves, rugs to cushion covers, they lovingly craft a wide range of products in different colours and patterns. You can visit their shop at their Weavery, buy their products online or find them at plenty of other retail partners throughout the country. 

Barrydale Hand Weavers

Chommies

Chommies is a boutique pet store that sells a range of premium dog accessories, with some products for cats and humans too. All their leather pet collars, leashes, harnesses and dog beds are made by hand in their Cape Town studio. Their range comes in a variety of fun colours“designed to brighten days, just like dogs do.” Their Cape Town concept store is quite the experience for pet lovers, but their products are also available at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market 

Chommies

Cavendish Square

This shopping mall offers a modern retail experience that blends style, convenience, and community. From well-known favourites to exclusive boutiques, as well as diverse dining and entertainment offerings, and essential services, here you can find everything under one roof. In preparation for the festive season, there are a bunch of new shops and eateries to enjoy. Its not uncommon to experience entertainment, live music and other activations at this centre year-round, but this is especially true during the festive season, when you can look forward to an exciting program of events.  

Cavendish Square

WATERROWER | NOHRD

 Premium fitness brand WATERROWER | NOHRD recently opened its first brand store in Woodstock. With a focus on wellness, aesthetics, and sustainability, items from this workout equipment range make great gifts for environmentally conscious people who also appreciate the convenience of exercising in their own home. From their indoor bikes to their rowing machines and beyond, their products are designed to enhance performance, durability, and style, while delivering low-impact full-body workouts. Visit the new showroom to experience the craftsmanship and sleek hardwood design that define this collection 

Waterrower & Nohrd

Pezula Interiors

Pezula Interiors is a boutique on Buiten Street that is known for its refined and instantly recognisable aesthetic. With a signature style that blends understated elegance, natural textures and impeccable craftsmanship, Pezula creates spaces that feel both effortlessly modern and deeply inviting. Their store is filled with gift inspiration for this festive season with a curated collection of décor, furniture, and thoughtful gifts that celebrate beauty in all its forms. From prints and scented candles to kitchenware, clothing, bags, jewellery, games, books, and more, every piece is chosen for its intrinsic charm and appeal. The result is a space that feels more like a gallery than a shop.  

Pezula Interiors

For more Cape Town inspiration, click here.

Read our digital magazine.

Follow us on Instagram.

EDITOR'S CHOICE

SPONSORED

Read our latest Edition
Hello Lifestyle Holiday Edition 2025 Front Cover
Read Our latest posts
Advertisement
Adidas Banner Rectangle
Follow us on social media
Discover fun things to do in mzanzi

stay in the loop. live the lifestyle.

Enjoying our content? Subscribe to our weekly newsletter and every Thursday you’ll receive exciting news, reviews and event details from across Mzanzi!

By sharing your email address with us, you consent to Hello Lifestyle Magazine’s Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. You also consent to receive emails from Hello Lifestyle Magazine and our partners regarding news, events, offers and promotions.

Enjoying our content?

Subscribe To Our Weekly Newsletter

Stay up-to-date on the hottest, hippest and most happening things to do in Mzansi!

Hello lifestyle uses cookies to curate specific content that our readers enjoy. By continuing to navigate on our website, we assume you're cool with that. For more information on how we use cookies and how to disable them, please read our Terms and condtitions.