So you have 24 hours and you need to know what to do in Cape Town? Although I am lucky enough to live here, Anna-Belle my mate from Joburg is often down and I love showing off this amazing city! Its been really awesome being an entertainer and sharing all this amazing city has to offer! So we decided to put together a little list of things to do on a girls day out. Whether you are a tourist in Cape Town or local there is plenty for everyone and who says the perfect date cant be with one of your besties? Here is our list of activities that we get up to when we have time together!

The Oranjezicht city farm market on a Saturday

The market sadly only runs on a Saturday but if you find yourself available you won't be disappointed. Breakfast starts early and if you get there around 8:45 then you will miss all the crowds and get to tuck into local, fresh, artisanal food that will leave your belly in a very happy place! With each store offering something unique and different you should be prepared to do some shopping and pick up yummy gifts for family and loved ones! It is also a great place to get a snack (which we are all about) for a picnic on the beach.

Jiva at the Taj

No date would be complete without a five-star massage at the famous and beautiful Taj hotel spa, Jiva. I honestly have never been so relaxed. The spa is five-star and the staff has hands from heaven. You will be engulfed in relaxation. With a fruit platter and detox tea post-treatment plus your very own prayer beads as a gift, you will leave feeling like you were on a months holiday in Seychelles. The hotel as such is simply spectacular and an institution of Cape Town. With the company gardens on the doorstep of the hotel, you can take a walk and explore them whilst feeding the friendly squirrels and overlook the splendor that is table mountain!

Visit the top of Table Mountain

The view is always better from the top and in this case its a guarantee. Table Mountain is the 7th natural wonder of the world and is truly amazing! You can catch a cable car up or hike up and catch the car down. Either way make sure to plan, book online here and take your sunblock and water. You can go up early or catch the sunset from the top. The views are breathtaking and really something to marvel at! Exploring the top of the mountain is amazing so make sure you give yourself some time at the top!

Visit Clifton beach

From the very top of the mountain to the bottom of the beach. Cape Town has it all. The pristine beaches will leave you feeling like you are in Monaco. With blue flag beaches, Clifton is well known for its ice-cold water and its magnificent sunsets. You can pack a picnic basket and blanket and enjoy the best view in the world. Summer or winter you won't be disappointed! When I watch the sunset's I truly realize how lucky I am to call this place home. It is such a great reset from the hustle of life!

Pop into the Mojo market for lunch or dinner

The Mojo Market is one of the hippest and happening spots in the Sea Point revival. It is a market filled with different food and clothing stores. It has a little something for everyone. If you want to stick to healthier food and plant-based or indulge and get ribs and ice cream you will find it at the Mojo Market. It's a great spot to meet up with friends and have a beer and a catch-up!

Catch a Yoga class

Cape Town has some amazing Yoga studios and it is always a treat to have a flow together. Working up a sweat and letting go of our day is one of our best things to do. Yoga always makes me feel better and lighter. A perfect way to end the day. With classes scheduled throughout you can pick a time slot that works for you! Some studios are Unraveled Yoga, Wild Thing, Hot Dog Yoga and The Yoga Life!

Dinner at The Short Market Club

As part of the Luke Dale Robert collection of amazing restaurants, The Short Market Club is one of my favourites in Cape Town. The tasting menu is sublime and the wine perfection. A true highlight that shows off the amazing food experience that we have here in Cape Town. Reservations are a must however, you can take a chance with a walk in.

No matter where you find yourself. Love your friends, be kind and celebrate friendship. It is something to be so grateful for because, in the end, they are the family you choose!

If you want to see how much Anna-Belle loves Cape Town then click here.

-Melissa

There is a new kid on the block and it’s called The Shortmarket Club but trust me, there is nothing rookie about this spot

Owned by Chef Wesley Randles, his mentor and legendary Chef Luke Dale Roberts (Test Kitchen and Pot Luck Club,) Simon Widdison (and a few others) The Short Market Club is the hottest new spot in Cape Town and it is not even open yet!

This exciting new restaurant will be open from the 27th of June and I was lucky enough to get a “behind the scenes” look (tasters included.)

Marked by a beautiful manhole with an owl, fox, hog and butterfly you know you have found what you are looking for when walking down Shortmarket Street.

The Décor is exquisite and the first thing that makes an impression as you walk up the stairs from a humble entrance into the Grand parlour. You get the feeling that this is going to be an exclusive club that not everyone can get an invite to. You are surrounded with woodwork panels created by artist Pete Eastman and stained glass doors that will leave you breathless. The main bar area sports black and white mosaic tiles with small tables - The perfect spot for a pre dinner drink.

As you enter the main dining area it is nothing short of glorious. With high ceilings and classy leather booths I couldn’t help but notice the attention to detail right down to the copper light fittings. I got the feeling of a grand 1920’s speakeasy and felt as if I was stuck in some by gone era during prohibition. Baz Luhrmann eat your heart out.

The main wall of the dining room is the next thing to impress you - It is a beautiful wall of what initially seems to be the main butterfly collection from the museum of natural history. However, on closer inspection you realize that it is an extensive artwork created by artist Mark Rautenbach made up of all the notes, photographs and memories of The Test Kitchen and Pot Luck club burnt into butterfly wings. Wes shared with me that Sandalene, Luke’s wife, had been creative voice behind the magnificent décor along with input from Wes and the Luke Dale Roberts team.

The menu is going to be one that will pay homage to Wes’s path so far as a chef. A “modern interpretation of the classics” if you will.

Having followed Luke as far back as La Colombe, Test Kitchen, Pot luck club and Naturalis - the menu is sure to blow your taste buds. With everything from Tomahawk steaks to lobster this menu is something I cannot wait to experience!

Whether it’s a girls night out filled with cocktails and indulgent food or the setting for an industrious breakfast meeting, The Shortmarket club is ready to serve its eager customers. They will be open for breakfast, lunch and dinner and from what I can gather (and have tasted) it is going to be an experience to savour.

A big thank you to Head Chef Wesley Randles for his time and for allowing me a sneak peek of what is sure to become not only one of the Mother Cities Gem’s, but undoubtedly an additional peacock feather in our proud countries culinary cap.

-Melissa