Spend a Day in: Bloubergstrand

Discover one of Cape Town’s treasure troves

Sprawled along the coast of Table Bay, Bloubergstrand is an idyllic place for a day out. With water activities such as surfing, kitesurfing, stand up paddling and paramotoring, this seaside town has plenty to keep you entertained on a hot Cape Town summers day. When the kids are off school, finding a way to entertain them can be tricky so we have designed a selection of day-based tourism guides to help you get the low down on all the awesome local hangouts, stuff to do and the best restaurants for every meal. 

The sea off Bloubergstrand forms part of the wider Marine Nature Reserve, and thus any kind of species extraction is strictly prohibited. The marine life in Table Bay is a marvel, with whales, dolphins and seals often being seen frolicking in the bay. Believe it or not, killer whales have also been spotted on occasion.

Like every day should, we will start with breakfast. I have a passionate love of breakfast foods, and there is pretty much nothing that I cannot make with an egg and an avocado. The first place that you should definitely try is Petit Fours. This intimate little café cooks up a storm by combining French and South African cuisine, while keeping a very keen eye on developing international culinary trends. The building that houses Petit Four is over 200 years old, which just contributes to the sentimental atmosphere that makes this place a little hidden gem. Their breakfast is served from 8am to 12pm, and they also serve some delicious lunch dishes. Their traditionally delicious Eggs Benedict is a blessing unto the world, and I don’t think a better hollandaise sauce exists anywhere; pair that with their amazing views, friendly service and reasonable prices and you’ve got yourself a perfect place to break your fast. 

At the other end of Blouberg there is Carlucci’s. If you are feeling like a little breakfast al fresco, then this place is the best in the area. Grab yourself some yummies to go and have a little relax on the beach, in the glorious sunshine. There is also always the option of dining in at this charming little Italian place. They have freshly baked croissants, delicious breakfasts, a health bar and even a raw juice menu. Call me crazy but a breakfast burger and an Easy Green raw juice sounds like a pretty amazing combination. 

Blouberg is a big place, with lots to do and plenty of hidden gems to discover but it can sometimes be a little daunting. That’s where VoiceMap comes in; they will take you on an audio tour of the area and explain all of the secret histories and inside stories. Walking through the area while a knowledgeable guide directs you from your own smartphone is a feature that few venues in Cape Town can boast so why not give it a shot and fully immerse yourself in the history and culture of Blouberg? 

Mom always said to wait an hour after eating before going into the water, and I suggest you heed her warning. If you want to feel alive, travelling up to 60 knots per hour (111km/h) while gaining flight, you can learn to kitesurf in Blouberg. If gliding through the water at your own pace is more your thing, then you should try your hand at stand up paddling.

Ever seen those kite/bike/car things in the sky? Well, short of being insane, you probably saw a paramotor. Take it from me, there is very little on offer in Cape Town as cool as going paramotoring, and there is a tour operator based in Blouberg – Parapax. Flying around the bay with the impossibly stunning view of our beloved mountain sounds like a pretty ideal day to us! You can take off from Dolphin Beach and relax while a professional takes you on the best tour of Cape Town that you’ll find anywhere.

Surfers make tackling the mighty waves look like a total synch, when in actual fact it is a sport just as athletic as any other. You need skill, agility, balance and (apparently) a Jeep Wrangler. Jokes, but you do need an insane amount of skill. You know the term jumping in at the deep end? Well, that doesn’t really apply here; you could injure yourself if you are totally unprepared. We know that it is a little outside of Blouberg but Surf Big Bay are the local experts of conquering the mighty benguela current. If you are in the area, then they are the people to hit up if you want to hang ten. Their lessons are two hours per slot, which means you’ll have plenty of time to find your feet in the water. 

After an exhausting sea-perience, you’ll need a drink to cool off (not actually, the Atlantic sea is slightly on the chillier side) and we have the three best places to go. First off is News Café. Unbeknownst to us, they have a massively extensive menu featuring everything from a berry daiquiri to a springbokkie shot. If you make the very wise choice to sit upstairs, you can sip on your delicious cocktail while watching the waves gently lap the shore and the sunset illuminate our mighty mountain. If you would like a personal recommendation, then try the Psycho Jack (Jack Daniels, Southern Comfort, Butlers Strawberry Liqueur, Lemonade and more) it’s a taste explosion! You could even share some Mixed Berry Sangria, because you’re classy like that. 

Alternatively, for a more chill out kind of drink, you can head to Doodles Beachfront. The views from the patio will take your breath away after all; our beloved mountain is the honorary eighth wonder of the world. Relax with an ice cold beer, or vodka, lime and soda while basking in the sun and just enjoying a quiet moment. Once the evening draws in, Doodles lights up and becomes quite the hang out for locals. Their food is delicious in case you were wondering, and they most certainly serve dinner. Here’s an idea – have a relaxing drink at Doodles, go for a romantic walk on the beach while the sun sets and return to Doodles for a delicious dinner. We have just made your weekend plans for you, so you are welcome. 

The next place is perfect for dinner, and very well known for their burgers but I mean it when I say that they made the best cosmo’s I have ever tasted. Jerry’s Burgers are legendary, but you just try sitting down to dinner without being drawn to their delicious sounding drinks menu. Do they have craft beer? Of course they do! Do they have the classic cocktails like mojitos? Yes, they 100% do, and they even go a step further by adding an extra touch of quality making sure it’s the best mojito you’ve ever had. 

After having a drink or five, a day spent in Blouberg would not be complete without a walk on the beach. There is a reason that so many people elect to go to Blouberg beach over so many others; it’s the view. The view is spectacular, and the access to amazing food and drink places (which we have mentioned above) means that Blouberg is the perfect place to spend an entire day. It’s an adventure in one town; all the fun without most of the travel costs. 

After you have burned off your cocktail buzz or you’ve worked up an appetite on the beach, it will most certainly be time for dinner. With the huge number of restaurants available for you to have a bite to eat at, we have done our best to select the most delicious and diverse options making sure there is something for everyone. 

To be honest, this next restaurant could be placed in the ‘before dinner drink’ section but their food is amazing and we think it’s time more people knew! Pakalolo specialises in Mexican food, and my goodness they do it well. Whether you’re feeling like a quesadilla, a burger or a hearty plate of nachos, Pakalolo make sure that your craving for delicious Mexican fare is truly satisfied. They also boast a pretty sensational view of the mountain, so when you make a reservation, be sure to ask for a table with a view. 

If you feel like dressing up for dinner, Blowfish is the place for you. Their menu includes sushi (yum) and even some modern spins on classic sushi types. Their emphasis on fresh and high-quality ingredients is clear, and you can taste it in their food! On their a la Carte menu they have everything from salads and fish to red meat and poultry, there really is something for everyone. Their dessert is no joke, in fact their Chai Nut Pie is a must try for any true sweet lover. If you don’t like Chai tea, maybe give their espresso crème brulee a try!

We have spoken a huge amount about the views of Table Mountain, but never once have we mentioned Robben Island. Well, On the Rocks has stunning views of both and an amazing menu to go with it. Their love of seafood can be seen on their menu, and their wine selection is both impressive and exciting. They have been open for nearly 60 years, so these guys know the restaurant business better than most. Put your dining experience in professional hands and they won’t let you down. They even opened a special breakfast café, Seaside Coffee Hatch which serves freshly baked pastries and delicious coffee from 7am daily. 

Article written by Charlotte Rogers.

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Tackle a beach run (with your dog) and watch the sunset on the city at the Plastic Free Oceans Beach Run Series.

New Place: On the Blouberg beachfront, for affordable prices and delicious food, bring your family to Our Place.

Discover one of the most unique and quintessential Cape Town beach restaurants in Moyo Blouberg at Eden on The Bay.

Find out about the first 5-star 'Green' hotel in Blaauwberg Beach.

If you are on the search for sunset spots to quench your thirst, why not check out our overview of Sizzling Sundowner Hotspots in Cape Town. Also, why not consider taking a trip of a lifetime on the Atlantic Rail Steam Train in Cape Town.

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