Destination
Type of Shop
Editors Pick
Read MoreAfrican Image
African Images carries fascinating artifacts from all over Africa: mosaic murals of Nelson Mandela, chickens made from plastic shopping bags, antique tribal footstools and headrests from Ghana, Ethiopian Coptic crosses and brightly printed fabrics.
Read MoreCecile & Boyd Showroom
The designers who became famous for their interiors at Singita have a showroom in Cape Town that is located in an historic Arts and Crafts house in Tamboerskloof. Its rooms are filled with the global treasures, furniture, lighting, accessories and...
Read MoreChandler House
This design studio and boutique sells gorgeous textiles in addition to creative gifts, antiques and artwork. The 18th century building in the city’s business district houses both the Chandler House shop and The Voorkamer Gallery—also founded by local designer Michael Chandler—where visitors can...
Read MoreClementina Ceramics
Clementina Ceramics has a wonderful and ever-changing selection of artisan work and pottery, some of it by the owner, well-known Cape Town artist Clementina van der Walt. This includes dinnerware and more decorative pieces as well as interesting art. There's...
Read MoreImiso Ceramics
This pottery gallery in the Biscuit Mill exhibits the distinctive clay work of South African artists. Imiso means “tomorrow” in Xhosa and was founded by Andile Dyalvane and Zizipho Poswa. Behind the exposition space, which features sculptural objects as well...
Read MoreMerchants on Long
Set in a handsome 1896 Victorian building on Long St., this gorgeous store from taste maven Hanneli Rupert sells crafts, clothing, jewelry and homeware produced by artisans and small business people across Africa. Pick up anything from perfumes to bead...
Read MoreMonkeybiz
The colorful intricately beaded dolls made by women from local townships have already arrived in New York and London, where they cost a lot more than they do at their headquarters in Cape Town's Bo-Kaap neighborhood. The work is truly...
Read MoreMungo
This beloved South African textile company is the brainchild of Stuart Holding, who started weaving on antique looms as more of a lark than a business endeavor. He considered his workshop or barn a “working weaving museum” when he first...
Read MoreNeighbourgoods Market
If you only have time for one shopping excursion, make it the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill on a Saturday morning. The market, on a rather insalubrious stretch of industrial properties, has become a weekly ritual for many...
Read MoreOdeon
Located in the Watershed market at the V&A Waterfront, this tableware store is known for lovely handmade ceramics and unique, locally made housewares. Founded by the husband-and-wife team behind Cape Town’s international design fair GUILD, Odeon offers a well-curated selection of items from...
Read MoreStreetwires
This wire-sculpture cooperative showcases a South African craft form often seen on the streets; if you like haggling, buy a beaded chameleon or an adorable SAA aircraft from a street vendor. But at Streetwires, you can see artisans making the...
Read MoreTribal Collections
African crafts and souvenirs are hawked on every corner of the city; for something more unique and inspired, head to Collections on buzzing Long Street. The airy, two-level boutique carries a well-edited collection of African collectibles sourced from around the...
Read MoreTribal Trends
Run by the brother of the owner of Tribal Collections just up Long Street, Tribal Trends is a dramatic boutique that sells great African furniture, housewares and accessories. Huge carved wooden tables groan under with painted masks, shell or glass...
Read MoreWatershed
At the V&A Waterfront, bypass the cookie-cutter shopping center brimming with international mall staples and head instead for this covered market. It's a maze of stalls featuring wares by burgeoning local designers (Pichulik jewelry; Hello Charlie ceramics), which make for...
