The Best Things to do in Woodstock, Cape Town's Coolest Suburb
Here's our guide to the best things to do in Woodstock, Cape Town.
From cool boutiques to world class restaurants, incredible street art to bespoke breweries, there's heaps Cape Town's coolest suburb.
If Cape Town is one of our favourite cities in the world, then Woodstock has to be one of our favourite suburbs. Located just 10 minutes from the CBD, Woodstock is Cape Town’s oldest suburb.
Once an industrial area of Cape Town with a somewhat questionable reputation, Woodstock has been reborn as one of the city’s most vibrant, hipster neighbourhoods.
Just 10 minutes from the CBD, a slew of third wave cafes brewing artisan coffee, buzzing craft breweries, hip eateries, and super trendy boutiques and design houses have popped up in its streets and former factories in recent years, while a thriving street art culture gives it an edgy-but-cool appeal (it even gives Bo Kaap a run for its money!)
We spent five weeks living and working in the Woodstock, enjoying the slew of coffee houses, eateries, breweries, boutiques, art galleries, street art, and of course, the crazy main streets, so here are our recommendations for the best things to do in Woodstock, Cape Town’s trendiest and coolest neighbourhoods.
THE BEST THINGS TO DO IN WOODSTOCK, CAPE TOWN
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GRAFFITI TOURS THROUGH THE HEART OF CAPE TOWN'S WOODSTOCK
Like any up-and-coming neighbourhood around the world, Woodstock’s narrow laneways and free walls are adorned with incredible street art.
Over 100 works of colourful street art adorn the corners and streets of this bustling neighbourhood; extremely talented pieces of art that also give voice to important political or environmental messages.
Either spend some time exploring the colourful streets independently, or head out on this guided street art walking tour ($28pp) and discover the artists behind the art, their meaning, and some of the history of this eclectic neighbourhood.
You can also visit Woodstock as part of the District Six half-day tour above
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BOUTIQUE AND BRILLIANT SHOPPING IN WOODSTOCK, CAPE TOWN
Woodstock is a hub for boutique stores and markets.
Our favourites place in the neighbourhood, and the epicentre of all things good, is The Old Biscuit Mill, which comes alive each Saturday with over 100 market stalls selling everything from jewellery to crafts, shoes to produce. It’s also an great place to try out local dishes and craft beer from the many food stalls. Just don’t get there late; it gets packed.
Just down the road is the Bromwell Boutique Mall, Woodstock's hidden gem for fashion conscious trendsetters.
It’s home to some great bespoke fashion, accessories, jewellery, art, decor, books and more, although we have to admit, it was a little much for our tastes.
The Woodstock Exchange is also home to an eclectic mix of boutiques, and design stores. We spent many an afternoon in KINGDOM, a vintage store full of everything awesome, and CHAPEL, home to the best backpacks we’ve seen, made right in Woodstock.
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EAT ALL THE FOOD IN WOODSTOCK’S BEST RESTAURANTS
One thing that constantly surprised us about Cape Town was the quality of the cuisine. And Woodstock is no different.
For dinner, you can’t go past The Test Kitchen, located within The Old Biscuit Mill. Ranked 22nd in a list of world’s best restaurants, The Test Kitchen is divided into the Dark Room and the Light Room, both with different, yet incredible menu’s.
If high-end dining isn’t your thing, The Woodstock Lounge on Roodebloem St offers very decent food at reasonable prices.
We spent many a lunchtime at New Brighton Bakery, enjoying the delicious home-made pies, curries, and sandwiches. This non-descript bakery on Victoria Rd is a great place to meet the locals and enjoy the vibe of Woodstock.
Suprette, in the Woodstock Exchange, is the perfect place for breakfast/brunch. It’s a super hip space, full of long benches, art and quirky fittings, but more importantly it’s home to great food and brilliant coffee.
If it’s just coffee you’re after, hit up Rosetta Roastery, also in the Woodstock Exchange. We’re total Melbourne coffee snobs and Rosetta Roastery made us feel right at home.
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CRAFT BEERS IN THE HEART OF WOODSTOCK
We love a good craft beer (or two), and like any self respecting up-and-coming neighbourhood, Woodstock is home to three breweries.
Our favourite was Devil's Peak Brewing Company, where we could have a burger and beer in their Taproom, a pub like space with lager, pale ale, IPA, golden ale and speciality beers on tap. We recommend their lager… it’s brilliant.
Woodstock brewery is another great place to sample your favourite tipple. It’s also home to the Woodstock Grill & Tap, and have some great food and beer specials during the week.
If you’re after both beer and fun, the Brewer’s Co-Op has a quiz night every Wednesday. Beers/cider are cheap (R20 a pint!) and change very regularly - the Co-Op allows members to make their own beer and sell it on the premises.
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COCKTAILS WITH A VIEW OF CAPE TOWN
Cocktails from a rooftop overlooking the wonderful ‘‘Mother City’ sounds awesome, right?
Well, Woodstock is home to Jamaican Me Crazy, a Caribbean/African influenced bar/restaurant which is home to one of Cape Town’s best views. It’s important we also make you aware of their 2 for 1 cocktail specials...
Woodstock really is one of Cape Town’s best up-and-coming neighbourhoods and we thoroughly enjoyed our time living there.
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SAFETY IN WOODSTOCK
We’ve written a post with everything you need to know about safety as a traveller in South Africa, but for Woodstock specifically, the main thing to keep in mind is that the suburb is, like most places in Cape Town, best visited during the day.
For the most part, Woodstock is an extremely friendly, warm and inviting suburb, but that the area is not immune to the petty crime that plays out across Cape Town and wider South Africa.
In fact, we never had an issue here in over five weeks.
Gentrification has caused a wide range of issues, and the area has boomed in popularity with tourists in recent years, so its likely to have drawn the attention of petty thieves.
Keep your wits about you, don’t go flashing all your valuables, and don't leave your stuff unattended particularly when it comes to cameras, tripods, etc.
Save your explorations for the daylight hours when there are plenty of other people around, or if you must visit at night, travel in groups.
Obviously it kind of goes without saying that when you travel in South Africa (and beyond), travel insurance is super important. We use World Nomads insurance for our travels, and find them pretty great for comprehensive cover and convenient claims
BOOK | Book travel insurance here
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WHERE TO STAY IN WOODSTOCK
Woodstock is definitely our favourite suburb in the whole of Cape Town!
This up-and-coming suburb is affordable, easily accessible, and a perfect choice for those looking for a creative, hipster vibe.
Here are our choices for where to stay in Woodstock:
AIRBNBS
BEAUTIFUL LOFT IN TRENDY WOODSTOCK | Spacious, trendy loft in a converted industrial block in central Woodstock. Has all the amenities a traveller / corporate traveller needs (including Netflix!). Close to all the action of Woodstock.
BOOK | Loft in Trendy Woodstock
[Use our airbnb discount code for up to £30 off your first booking!]
HOTELS
STOCK EXCHANGE APARTMENT HOTEL | These self-contained Stock Exchange Apartments have everything you could need from a home away from home. Located opposite the vibrant Woodstock Exchange and near the Old Biscuit Mill, the hotel also has a fitness centre, 24-hour front desk, airport transfers, and is close to all the action of Cape Town CBD.
DOUBLETREE BY HILTON UPPER EASTSIDE | Classically comfortable and chic hotel you’d expect by the Hilton, with a restaurant on site, breakfast included (on some rates) and gym facilities.
Alternatively, check out Hotels Combined for the best hotel deals
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PLANNING A VISIT TO CAPE TOWN SOON?
We have a whole lot of essential reading before you travel to Cape Town:
CAPE TOWN HIGHLIGHTS | The very best things to do in South Africa’s Mother City
BO KAAP, CAPE TOWN | Our guide to Cape Town’s colourful suburb, Bo Kaap
CAPE TOWN DAY TRIPS | 11 unmissable day tours in Cape Town and surrounds
SOUTH AFRICA SAFETY | How to travel safely in Southern Africa
AFRICA TRAVEL TIPS | Everything you need to know before you travel in Africa
PACKING FOR AFRICA | Our ultimate Africa packing list (what to pack and what to leave behind!)
TRAVEL INSURANCE | Don’t leave home without travel insurance (seriously, don’t!). Click here to get the best deals with World Nomads, our trusted travel insurance provider
PHOTOGRAPHY | Love our photography? Wondering what gear we use to get all of our photos around the world? Click here to view our detailed photography gear guide, as well as our top travel photography tips!
RESPONSIBLE TRAVEL | Responsible travel is important. REALLY IMPORTANT. Learn our top responsible travel tips to help you, your family and friends travel more consciously around the globe
ECO FRIENDLY PACKING ESSENTIALS | Don’t leave home without our favourite eco-friendly travel essentials
