Raincoats, red wine, and real vibes: winter in the Mother City
Winter in Cape Town gets a bad rap: a little sideways rain, the wine farms hit snooze, and your one friend who insists they’re moving to Durban “just because it never gets this cold there”. But the truth is, if you know where to look, you’ll see that the Mother City doesn’t really shut down in winter. She just puts on her mood lighting and leans into a slower, snugglier groove.
This isn’t your standard “go sip Shiraz in Stellenbosch” roundup (though, to be fair, we’ll never say no to a good glass… or two). This one’s for the adventurers, the wanderers, and the ones who secretly prefer off-season energy.
For the curious and spontaneous: Franschhoek Mystery Weekends
Adventure meets downtime. These all-inclusive weekends come wrapped in suspense, from where you’ll stay to which restaurants and wine tastings are included. You just pick your dates (there’s one weekend a month available from June to August), pack your bag, and trust the process.
Not keen on just one weekend in the winelands? Book Neighbourgood De Wet or Neighbourgood Gables as your pre- or post-weekend base. That way, you can ease into the adventure (or extend it) with a hot shower, local coffee, and a view you’ll want to frame.
For the homebody with a cultural side: independent cinema and soup
Winter is made for movies, but skip the mall. Try a Labia night and experience Cape Town’s oldest indie cinema, with plush red seats, old-school popcorn, and a sneaky glass of wine welcome in the screening. Or catch a foreign-language gem brought to you by the Goethe Institut (sometimes hosted at the Labia, sometimes in other venues).
Bonus move: Head to Clarke’s on Bree beforehand for their legendary soup and toastie combo. It's giving gallery-meets-coffee-shop-meets-grandma’s kitchen energy, and we’re here for it.
For the socialite with a score to settle: board game nights and pub quizzes
Nothing like a rainy evening and a board game to test the strength of your friendships. Sweet Revenge, Fable and Neighbourgood all run low-key board game or trivia nights throughout winter.
Just show up, grab a drink, and try not to flip the board.
For the ones who dance in the rain: intimate gigs and winter markets
Cold weather doesn’t cancel vibes, it just moves them indoors. Follow Sit The Folk Down or Kaya Café for pop-up live music in dreamy spaces like loft apartments, old churches and rooftop studios.
The Oranjezicht City Farm Market stays lively, even in the rain. Sip on something warm, support local, and yes — grab the artisanal chilli oil (again).
For the "just one more coffee" crew: cosy cafés with actual personality
A winter café hit list that isn’t just the usual suspects:
Nice Cafe: for that perfectly melty chocolate chip cookie and a coffee that actually hits.
Molten Toffee on Kloof: small, strong, and the baristas remember your name.
Honest Chocolate on Wale: why not pair that flat white with something sinfully dark and sweet.
The Ladder on Bree: bright interiors, strong coffee, and the option to switch your scrambled eggs for scrambled tofu.
Heaven on Burg: if you’ve ever wondered what the coffee tastes like in heaven, here’s your chance to find out. Set inside a historic Methodist church, the coffee served at Heaven lives up to the loftiest expectations.
Bring your laptop, your novel, or just your main character energy.
For the soul-seeking softies: storytelling nights and community dinners
This is the stuff that makes winter feel rich. Think candle-lit dinners hosted by Secret EATS, storytelling circles via The Story Club, or open-mic poetry evenings at Third House Poetry.
You’ll leave full - of food, feelings, and maybe a few new friends.
Final thoughts (preferably read while wrapped in a blanket)
Cape Town doesn’t go into hibernation in winter. She just whispers, “slow down, stay a while, try something new”. Some of the city’s best moments happen when the weather’s too unpredictable to plan and all you’ve got is a good coat, an open mind, and a hot choccie in hand.
So swap your beach towel for a beanie, call the crew, and discover the side of the city that only reveals itself when the clouds roll in.
We’ll keep the kettle on.