7Shopping
Bring an empty suitcase because the chances are that you’ll be leaving Cape Town laden with booty. There's a practically irresistible range of products on offer, including traditional African crafts, ceramics, fashion, fine wines and contemporary art. You’ll also find antiques and curios from all over Africa, but shop carefully as there are many fakes among the originals.
Art & Design
Local design came to the fore during Cape Town's stint as World Design Capital in 2014. The best places to tap into what's likely to be the next big thing are the weekly markets such as Neighbourgoods and the collective designer spaces such as Woodstock Exchange and Woodstock Foundry. Running alongside the annual Design Indaba festival is the Southern Guild show for local design – it also has a permanent gallery in Woodstock.
Commercial galleries stocking a broad range of visual arts are big in both the City Bowl and Woodstock areas, with the highlight of the month being the First Thursday events that show openings often coincide with. There are also some particularly talented ceramicists here, including Barbara Jackson and Clementina van der Walt (www.clementina.co.za).
Ethical Shopping
Shopping here can also effect positive change, as when proceeds from your purchase of some township-produced goods go towards helping people struggling with poverty, or towards supporting projects to deal with health issues such as HIV/AIDS or education.
A great one-stop shop for many such items is
the Watershed. Here you'll find established brands, such as
Wola Nani (
MAP
GOOGLE MAP ; 
%021-447
2091; www.wolanani.co.za;
Unit 3, Block A, Collingwood Place, 9
Drake St; 
dObservatory), specialising in picture frames and
papier-mâché bowls, and the beaded works of Monkeybiz (www.monkeybiz.co.za), alongside
up-and-coming businesses such as the fashion accessories of Lulu K
(www.lulukdesigns.com) or
Cool-tabs (made from recycled can tabs).
Fashion for All
Scout the boutiques on Long and Kloof Sts for upcoming designers and affordable streetwear from the likes of Unknown Union (www.unknownunion.co.za) or Strato (www.wearstrato.com). More couture clothing is produced by Stefania Morland (www.stefaniamorland.com) and Klûk CGDT (www.klukcgdt.com).
Shopping by Neighbourhood
ACity Bowl, Foreshore, Bo-Kaap & De Waterkant Long St offers up an eclectic retail mix; African crafts can be found in Greenmarket Sq.
AGardens & Surrounds Kloof St has several fashion boutiques, galleries and gift stores.
AGreenpoint & Waterfront There's Victoria Wharf mall and plenty of other retail action in Cape Town’s premier shopping destination.
ASimon's Town & Southern Peninsula Kalk Bay offers a brilliant mix of crafts, antique and fashion boutiques.
Lonely Planet’s Top Choices
Watershed Outstanding selection of local crafts, design and fashion at the Waterfront.
Old Biscuit Mill Fabulous retail and Saturday’s Neighbourgoods Market.
Kalk Bay Modern Fine art, jewellery and fabrics beside the sea.
KIN Finely curated selection of contemporary arts and crafts, ideal for superior souvenirs.
Best Fashion
Unknown Union Statement pieces, as well as more casual clothing, on Kloof St.
South African Market Showcase for local fashion and jewellery, alongside other design products.
Grandt Mason Originals Beautiful fabrics are used to create one-off shoes and boots.
Best Ceramics
Art in the Forest Sells established and developing talents; the profits help a worthy cause.
Imiso Ceramics Creative clay art at the Biscuit Mill.
Pottershop Great selection by local ceramicists, including discounted rejects (with barely noticeable faults).
Best Contemporary Art
Stevenson Often humorous, subversive work in shows at this Woodstock gallery.
Goodman Gallery Cape Represents luminaries like William Kentridge, as well as up-and-coming artists.
Luvey 'n Rose Mash-up of collectable antiques and works by key South African and African artists.
Best Crafts
Red Rock Tribal Eclectic selection, ranging from tin-can planes to old Ethiopian silver.
Mogalakwena Colourful stitched panels and other Pedi crafts from the Limpopo province.
African Image Fab range of new and old crafts and artefacts at reasonable prices.
Best Weekly Markets
Oranjezicht City Farm Fresh locally grown produce, edible treats and crafts.
Blue Bird Garage Fun Friday-night bash in Muizenberg, with tons of food, some fashion and crafts.
Bay Harbour Market Seaside market that's great for souvenirs, food and relaxing at the weekend.
Best Books & Music
Book Lounge Hub of Cape Town’s literary scene, with a packed schedule of readings and events.
Clarke’s Bookshop Best range of books on South Africa and the continent.
African Music Store Take home CDs and DVDs for memories of a highly musical city.
Best Ethical Products
Montebello Artists studios scattered around a central craft shop, stocking a great range of gifts.
Streetwires They can build anything out of wire here – including life-sized sculptures of Mandela.
Monkeybiz Rainbow-coloured beadwork crafts, made by local township women.