Green light for CBD revival as SA off the red list

The Cape Town City Centre is ripe for a revival, with the move to adjusted Level 1 coinciding with South Africa's removal from the United Kingdom's Red List, giving the CBD a welcome reprieve.

The country would breathe a collective sigh of relief last week as the UK officially took SA off the red list, allowing for local tourism operators to ramp up their plans as travellers from the UK immediately started looking into a summer holiday in Africa. With Cape Town traditionally a holiday hotspot for the UK market, this December is bound to be a busy one, particularly when compared to 2020, with heightened restrictions strangling the local market.

The CBD has always been a driving force in the local market and is the lifeblood of the Mother City. The urban hub, with a constant stream of new restaurants and activities is a hive of activity, and this is the reason so many people have chosen to purchase properties in and on the outskirts of the city bowl. With the lifting of restrictions and a coming boom in tourism, there is already a new energy in the city, and that will only grow further as the summer season begins to settle in.

The food scene, of course, has always been a strong lure for city centre outings, and we've put together a list of some new venues to try out now that the CBD is starting to find its groove again. So get ready to get stuck in with the local scene set for a timely re-ignition.

Tagine opened in June this year and is a great addition to the already-bustling De Waterkant area. Open Wednesday to Sunday, you can enjoy incredible Moroccan and Middles Eastern breakfasts, lunched and dinners in a fresh, colourful space.

Owned by Ofer Hollinger, Nish Nush is an epic little hole-in-the-wall kitchen based on the wildly popular Bree Street stretch. Here you will find arguably the best falafel and hummus in town, with a simple, yet delicious, menu offering a range of Middle Eastern flavours.

Talking of Bree Street, another wonderful spot to check out is Farro. The husband-and-wife team of Alex and Eloise Windebank opened the store in Cape Town after Covid forced them to close down their Illovo branch, but there is no doubt they will prove as popular here as they were in Jozi. European-inspired dishes, using locally source flavours, and a seasonal menu dripping with tantalizing options, make this a great addition to the Mother City foodie scene.

The Royal Oyster Bar only opened in September and is quickly becoming popular with the locals. Not just for the oyster aficionados, the menu also caters to the vegetarians and carnivores in your group. Boasting a beautiful bar and sidewalk seating, it's the perfect venue for summer nights in the city.

Chapter One is another venue to open its doors in September, this one on Kloof Street, which is showing some serious signs of becoming a formidable stretch to rival the Bree Street vibe. This is a a multicultural dining experience where easy eating meets fine cuisine in a series of tantalising small plates. Open Tuesday to Saturday, vegetarians are also well catered for as are those looking to enjoy a cocktail or two.

Misfits is a new addition to the Ideas Cartel family and as such is the perfect option for those looking to add a bit of networking to their meals. Brunch, lunch, cocktails and dinner are on the menu in this beautifully stylish space.

The latest from the team behind Max Bagels, Tomson is a lovely little restaurant. Offering of Cantonese-style street food, third-generation Chinese-South African Andrew Kai, is at the helm, with the menu inspired by his South Cantonese youth.

The city centre is not just the restaurants, of course, with plenty more to enjoy. Form the art galleries and First Thursdays - showing a promising return to form of late - and the lifestyle offerings from Kloof Street to De Waterkant, there are plenty of reasons to rejoice as the Cape Town return to normal continues.