Your winter guide to the V&A Waterfront
Cosy dining, family adventures, special events and more – discover why winter is the perfect time to visit.Winter often gets a bad reputation – but the colder months might just be the perfect excuse to slow down and gather your favourite people.
This winter, the V&A Waterfront is giving visitors more than 100 reasons to embrace the season – from comforting meals with harbour-side tables to family-friendly activities, unique experiences, and exciting events.
Whether you’re planning a visit to one of the many incredible restaurants, a rainy-day adventure with the kids, or a winter evening out, here are some of our favourite ways to explore.
––– Eat & Drink
Start with something delicious
Winter specials, seasonal menus and restaurants worth booking.
There’s something about winter that makes dining out feel even more special. Think warming bowls, seasonal menus, indulgent treats, and lingering lunches with views of the harbour. Across the V&A Waterfront, restaurants and eateries are bringing winter specials to the table – making it the perfect time to revisit favourites or discover a new go-to spot.
Winter specials & top tables
Fine dining
COY
South African fine dining with seafood at its heart. A standout year-round, but the harbour setting and fireplace make it especially inviting in winter.
Now in season
The Knysna Oyster Company
Oyster lovers know winter is the season to enjoy them at their best – making this a must-book spot.
Special occasion
Nobu
For a special occasion, Nobu’s four-course omakase-style lunch offers a chef-selected experience with a cocktail included (Friday – Sunday, R1,500pp).
Winter special
Gibson’s Gourmet Burgers & Ribs
A winter steak special makes this an easy crowd-pleaser, with discounted ribeye, T-bone, and giant beef rib steaks available daily.
Winter special
Marble Cape Town
Enjoy Marble’s two-course (R395pp) or three-course (R495pp) lunch special available daily, or make a day of it with the Seven Colours Sunday Brunch from 11h00 – 14h00.
Harbour-side
Den Anker
A little piece of Belgium on the harbour. Settle in with Belgian beer, moules frites, and a front-row seat to the boats passing by.
Destination dining
Pier
A true destination dining experience. With visitors travelling specifically for a table here, Pier remains one of the Waterfront’s most memorable restaurants.
Afternoon tea
Royal Tea at The Silo Hotel
Spend an afternoon indulging in beautifully crafted pastries and sweeping city views, served daily from 14h30 – 16h30.
––– For the family
Winter school holidays: fun for the whole family
Keeping kids entertained just got easier. The V&A Waterfront’s Mini Explorers winter programme brings together creative workshops, family activations, ocean experiences, and exciting activities for curious young adventurers.
01
Zeitz MOCAA Winter School Holiday Programme
Fun and creative workshops for budding little artists.
02
Minions & Monsters Family Activation
A day of entertainment, characters and interactive fun.
03
Two Oceans Aquarium winter activities
Discover more about the ocean world and its amazing creatures.
04
NSRI World Drowning Prevention Day
Family-focused water safety awareness.
––– Explore
Make a day of it
100+ ways to explore
Why stop at dinner? A winter outing at the V&A Waterfront can easily become a full-day adventure – with so much happening in one place, winter days don’t have to mean staying indoors.
| • | Browse local makers |
| • | Discover new stores |
| • | Views from the Cape Wheel |
| • | Two Oceans Aquarium |
| • | Harbour cruises |
––– Date night
The perfect place for a winter date
From cocktails and cosy corners to unforgettable dinners.
Looking for an excuse to get dressed up and head out? These are the spots we’d have on our winter date night list — whether it’s a first date, anniversary, or simply a midweek treat.
Winter date night picks
Cocktails
CAUSE | EFFECT Cocktail Kitchen
Start with cocktails during weekday happy hour (16h00 – 18h00), then stay for burger and draught specials or Tuesday pizza nights.
Fine dining
Terrarium
Experience a five-course winter menu featuring seasonal, foraged ingredients from Chef Chris Erasmus and team – fine dining at a more accessible winter price.
Parisian luxury
Ladurée
Add a little Parisian romance to your evening with Tuesday Soirée dinners and Wednesday Le Rituel Imperial with Moët & Chandon and oysters.
Seafood
Baia Seafood Restaurant
A Waterfront institution for seafood lovers. Enjoy their three-course winter dinner special from Monday – Thursday.
Whisky bar
Bascule Bar
A classic winter date setting at the Cape Grace Hotel’s whisky bar – choose a marina-side spot with a blanket or settle into the cosy interiors.
Casual
Time Out Market
Perfect for a first date or a casual catch-up. Wander the stalls, choose what takes your fancy and enjoy the Waterfront lights after dark.
Sushi & Asian
TANG
A glamorous choice for sushi, seafood and Asian-inspired dishes in a lively setting.
Steak & wine
Belthazar Restaurant & Wine Bar
A Waterfront classic known for expertly prepared steaks, a knowledgeable team and one of the city’s most impressive wine lists.
––– What’s on
Winter events worth adding to your calendar
4 – 5 July · Makers Landing · Free entry
Sustainable Seafood Festival
Celebrate all things ocean with seafood experiences, cooking demonstrations, expert talks, live entertainment, and family-friendly activities – and it’s completely free to attend.
Every first Thursday of the month
First Thursdays at the Waterfront
Experience Cape Town’s creative side with art, culture, music, and late-night exploration across the city – with the V&A Waterfront as the perfect place to begin or end your evening.
What’s on · Time Out Market
Time Out Market Cape Town
From World Cup screenings to tango classes and wine tastings, here’s the upcoming events line-up at Time Out Market.
June – August · V&A Amphitheatre
Live sports screenings
Catch live screenings of soccer, rugby, tennis and more at V&A Amphitheatre and some restaurants.
Free weekend parking
A winter outing just got easier – with free parking available at selected V&A Waterfront parking areas over weekends at Battery Park, the Silo District, and the Clock Tower.
––– What’s on –––
Make the Waterfront your winter escape
From finding your next favourite restaurant to making memories with friends and family, the V&A Waterfront is full of reasons to visit this season.