Few cities combine scenery, food, wine, and cocktails quite like Cape Town. With Table Mountain rising above the city, the Atlantic Ocean stretching along the coast, and some of South Africa’s best wine regions an easy day trip away, Cape Town is a destination that works especially well for travelers who like to mix sightseeing with great drinking and dining.

We based ourselves at the Hyatt Regency Cape Town, explored the city’s cocktail scene, and devoted a full day to wine tasting in the Cape Winelands.

Where We Stayed: Hyatt Regency Cape Town

Hyatt Regency Cape Town is located on Buitengracht Street at the edge of the colorful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. The location is one of the hotel’s biggest advantages: Bree Street and Long Street are within walking distance, while the V&A Waterfront and many of Cape Town’s major attractions are a short ride away.

The hotel has 137 contemporary rooms and suites, making it considerably smaller and easier to navigate than many large Hyatt Regency properties.

For World of Hyatt travelers, it is also one of the most convenient points options in central Cape Town. While it isn't a destination resort, it makes a practical base for exploring the city, heading out for cocktails at night, and taking a full-day excursion into wine country.

Cape Town at a Glance

Ideal stay: 3–4 full days
Best for: Wine, cocktails, scenery & food
Stay: Central Cape Town / Bo-Kaap
Wine day: Stellenbosch + Franschhoek
Don't miss: Table Mountain, Cape Peninsula, CAUSE | EFFECT
Our pick: Private Winelands tour

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Exploring Cape Town

Cape Town deserves time beyond its restaurants and bars. Table Mountain is the city's defining landmark and, on a clear day, provides spectacular views over Cape Town and the Atlantic.

The V&A Waterfront is another easy place to spend several hours, combining restaurants, shopping, harbor views, and attractions. From there, it is easy to continue along the coast or return to central Cape Town.

The brightly colored houses of Bo-Kaap are particularly convenient when staying at the Hyatt Regency. The neighborhood is closely associated with Cape Malay culture and cuisine and provides a striking contrast to Cape Town's modern waterfront and downtown areas.

For a longer day, head south along the Cape Peninsula toward Cape Point, stopping along the way for coastal scenery and the famous African penguin colony at Boulders Beach.

Cape Town Cocktail Bars

Cape Town has developed one of Africa's most interesting cocktail scenes. Rather than concentrating only on classics, many of the city's best bars incorporate South African spirits, wines, botanicals, and ingredients into their drinks.

CAUSE | EFFECT Cocktail Kitchen

CAUSE | EFFECT Cocktail Kitchen & Restaurant was one of our must-visit cocktail stops. Located at the V&A Waterfront, the bar draws its inspiration directly from Cape Town's oceans, mountains, vineyards, and indigenous fynbos. Its menu changes seasonally and emphasizes local ingredients alongside inventive cocktail techniques.

This isn't simply a place to order an Old Fashioned and move on. The cocktails are theatrical and creative, and the bar has built its identity around transforming South African flavors into drinks.

South African brandy is particularly worth exploring here. CAUSE | EFFECT has championed local potstill brandies alongside its cocktail program, making this a good introduction to a category that doesn't receive nearly as much international attention as South African wine.

If you enjoy bars where the presentation is part of the experience, put CAUSE | EFFECT high on your Cape Town list.

The Art of Duplicity

The Art of Duplicity provides an entirely different experience.

This 1920s-inspired speakeasy is hidden inside a restored Victorian-era warehouse. Reservations are part of the fun: guests need a booking and password to enter, maintaining some of the mystery associated with the original Prohibition-era speakeasy concept.

Once inside, the atmosphere shifts to dark wood, low lighting, vintage glassware, plush seating, and a deliberately decadent Great Gatsby feel. The cocktail program combines well-made classics with more unconventional creations, and live jazz adds to the experience on select evenings.

The secrecy may be somewhat theatrical, but that's precisely the point. The Art of Duplicity isn't just about having a cocktail; the entrance, setting, music, and drinks combine to make the entire evening an experience.

Reservations are strongly recommended.

A Day Wine Tasting in the Cape Winelands

​One of the best things about visiting Cape Town is how quickly the city gives way to wine country.
A full day wine excursion is absolutely worth setting aside, particularly if you enjoy Cabernet Sauvignon, Chenin Blanc, Pinotage, sparkling Méthode Cap Classique, or Bordeaux-style blends.

Stellenbosch and Franschhoek are the two regions we would prioritize for a first visit. Stellenbosch offers historic estates, dramatic mountain scenery, and some of South Africa's most serious wines, while Franschhoek combines vineyards with excellent restaurants and a picturesque small town atmosphere.

Stellenbosch: Cabernet Sauvignon, Bordeaux-style reds, Chenin Blanc
Franschhoek: Méthode Cap Classique, Chardonnay, Sémillon, Syrah

Rather than driving, we recommend arranging a guided excursion or private driver. Full day tours from Cape Town commonly combine Stellenbosch and Franschhoek, while some also include Paarl. Depending on the tour, the day can include multiple estates, cellar visits, food pairings, and lunch.

For serious wine drinkers, a private touris worth considering. It allows you to concentrate on three or four carefully selected estates rather than trying to visit as many wineries as possible. You'll also have more flexibility to seek out premium or reserve tastings.

Stellenbosch is particularly strong for Cabernet Sauvignon and Bordeaux-style reds, while Pinotage offers the opportunity to taste South Africa's signature red grape in the place where it originated. Chenin Blanc is another variety not to overlook.

Allow a full day. Wine country is too good to squeeze into a rushed half day excursion.

What to Drink in Cape Town

Chenin Blanc • Pinotage • Cabernet Sauvignon • Bordeaux-style blends • Méthode Cap Classique • South African brandy

Cape Town for Wine & Cocktail Lovers

Cape Town is one of those cities where drinking well becomes part of experiencing the destination rather than an activity separate from sightseeing.

You can spend the morning overlooking the city from Table Mountain, the afternoon along the waterfront, and the evening working through inventive South African cocktails. The next morning, leave the city behind for Stellenbosch and Franschhoek and spend the day surrounded by vineyards and mountains.

For us, that combination is what makes Cape Town special.

Land Pour Explore Picks

Stay:Hyatt Regency Cape Town
Creative Cocktails:CAUSE | EFFECT Cocktail Kitchen
Speakeasy Experience: The Art of Duplicity
Best Day Trip: Cape Winelands - Stellenbosch & Franschhoek
Don't Miss: Table Mountain, Bo-Kaap and the V&A Waterfront
Drink: South African Chenin Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinotage, Méthode Cap Classique and potstill brandy

Planning Your Visit

We recommend spending at least three full days in Cape Town.

Use one day for Cape Town itself and Table Mountain, another for the Cape Peninsula and Boulders Beach, and reserve an entire day for the Cape Winelands. Evenings can then be devoted to Cape Town's restaurants and cocktail bars.

If wine and cocktails are an important part of how you travel, Cape Town should be very high on your list.

Wine Regions of the World