Best Rooftop Cafes in Cape Town With Views Worth the Climb
Words by
Ayanda Dlamini
Rooftop Cafes in Cape Town With Views Worth the Climb
I have spent the better part of a decade dragging friends, family, and stubborn visitors up stairs, through hotel lobbies, and behind unmarked doors to find the best rooftop cafes in Cape Town. Some of these places sit above the Atlantic Seaboard, others hover over the Old City, and one or two are so high above the Bo-Kaap that you can see Robben Island while your coffee goes cold. This is my personal directory of places worth the climb.
1. The Silo Rooftop at The Silo Hotel, V&A Waterfront
Location: Silo District, V&A Waterfront
You cannot talk about rooftop cafes in Cape Town without starting here. The Silo Hotel’s top-floor bar and terrace is technically a hotel amenity, but non-guests can book afternoon tea or cocktails on the rooftop. From this height, you have a full 360-degree view: Table Mountain behind, the harbour below, and the rooftops of the old grain silos all around you.
What to See / Do: The afternoon tea service on the rooftop, which includes a local twist like rooibos-infused scones and biltong canapés.
Best Time: Arrive around 3 PM on a weekday when the light is golden but the dinner crowd has not yet filled the terrace.
The Vibe: Luxurious and curated, like sitting in a gallery. The only real drawback is that it is not cheap, and you must book well in advance during peak season (November through January).
Local Tip: Cross the bridge to the neighbouring Zeitz MOCAA museum rooftop, which is also open to the public and offers a different, more contemporary outlook over the waterfront.
2. The Tulip Hotel & Rooftable, Bree Street
Location: Bree Street, City Bowl
Tucked above one of Brie Street’s quieter corners, Tulip’s Rooftable is where I take people who want to see the city’s layers: the colourful flats, Signal Hill, the old church spires, and the cranes of the waterfront all in one glance. It feels like peeling back the skin of Cape Town while sipping your drink.
What to See / Do: Their house speciality, aginaceous and ginger with local bitters. Ask for a table near the railing when you book.
Best Time: Between 4 PM and 6 PM on a weekday when the afternoon light hits the buildings just right and the evening rush has not taken over.
The Vibe: Intimate and slightly bohemian, like a friend’s rooftop party that got out of hand. The only downside is limited seating, so you must reserve, especially on weekends.
Local Tip: Walk three blocks south after your visit for a street art walk along Loop and Buitensingel streets. The murals here change almost every month.
3. The Secret Garden at Castle of Good Hope
Location: Castle of Good Hope, Buitenkant Street
This is not a rooftop in the modern sense, but the elevated courtyard and ramparts of the Castle of Good Hope open to a small garden café that feels like stepping into a secret. The views are of the Grand Parade, the old city hall, and the lower reaches of the Castle’s own bastions.
What to See / Do: The heritage tour of the Castle first, then sit in the courtyard with a rooibos iced tea and koeksisters. The rampart walk itself offers a unique perspective on the old colonial city.
Best Time: Mid-morning, around 10 AM, before the tourist groups fill the courtyard and the sun gets harsh on the stone walls.
The Vibe: Peaceful but layered with history, sometimes uncomfortable given the Castle’s past, yet worth the visit for its honesty. The courtyard can get breezy, so bring a light jacket if you are there in winter.
Local Tip: On the first Saturday of each month, there is a small craft market inside the Castle walls with local artisans selling handmade goods, from ceramics to recycled-metal sculptures.
4. Bijou at 90 Bree Street
Location: Bree Street, City Bowl
Bijou is one of those places I call “the office” when I need an outdoor cafe in Cape Town with a proper city view. Above the street level, the open-air terrace overlooks Bree Street’s mix of heritage buildings and newer boutiques. The tables are crammed together, which means you will eavesdrop on someone’s business deal or breakup, but the atmosphere is gold.
What to Order: The eggs Benedict with smoked trout and the strong flat white. The breakfast menu is the reason most regulars keep coming back.
Best Time: Weekday mornings from 8 AM to 10 AM, before the lunch crowd arrives and service slows noticeably.
The Vibe: Trendy but not pretentious, with a soundtrack that leans towards local jazz and Afro-soul. The one honest complaint: the terrace can get uncomfortably hot in peak summer (January and February).
Local Tip: Park on Hout Street rather than Bree, walkability and parking ease down considerably just one block away from the more congested Bree intersections.
5. The Granary Café at The Wren
Location: Wale Street, City Bowl
Above the boutique Wren Hotel, The Granary is a quieter, more considered rooftop space that feels like an extension of the old city’s personality. You look down onto Wale Street’s cobbles and up towards Table Mountain’s lower slopes, and for a moment, the chaos of Cape Town feels carefully contained.
What to See / Do: The seasonal breakfast board with local cheeses, cured meats, and homemade preserves. Ask about the weekly specials, which often feature heirloom vegetables from nearby farms.
Best Time: Late morning on a Saturday, when the Bo-Kaap houses across the street are at their most colourful in the soft overhead light.
The Vibe: Calm with a hint of old-world. The only real drawback is that the space is small, and larger groups can make it feel crowded quickly.
Local Tip: Before heading up, walk through the Bo-Kaap Museum on Wale Street to understand the layered history of the neighbourhood you are about to overlook. It gives the view a whole different weight.
6. Sky Bar at The Cape Royale
Location: Green Point, Atlantic Seaboard
This is one of the sky cafes Cape Town locals love but rarely shout about. The Cape Royale’s rooftop sits above Green Point with views towards Mouille Point, the Atlantic Ocean, and, on clear days, the faint outline of Robben Island. The infinity pool up here adds a modern edge to the old colonial-style building.
What to Drink: The house cocktail list leans towards gin, and their Cape Royale G&T with local botanicals is a favourite. For non-drinkers, the ginger beer with mint and lime is a solid choice.
Best Time: Early evening, just before sunset (around 7 PM in summer, 5:30 PM in winter), when the sky over the Atlantic starts to shift colours.
The Vibe: Upscale but still relaxed. Like stepping into aCape Town that is confident about its modern self. One honest note: parking outside is a nightmare on Friday nights, so come early or use a ride-hailing app.
Local Tip: Walk down to the Mouille Point Promenade afterwards. The windswept lighthouse walk in the evening light is one of Cape Town’s most underrated experiences.
7. The Rooftop at Restaurant Waterclub (formerly The Stack)
Location: V&A Waterfront, near the swing bridge
This one is slightly less known because it is tucked behind the busier parts of the waterfront, but it is one of the best Cape Town cafes with views and proper food. The rooftop deck looks across the basin towards the Table Mountain Cableway station and the old dockside cranes left as reminders of the harbour’s industrial past.
What to See / Do: The craft beer and gourmet burger pairing. The menu rotates seasonally, but the smoked paprika aioli burger is a recurring star. Sit close to the glass railing for the best view of the mountain and harbour.
Best Time: Late afternoon, around 4 PM, when the lunch rush has thinned and the lighting across the water basin is softer.
The Vibe: Lively without being overwhelming, young professionals in small groups, the occasional family. One complaint: the Wi-Fi drops out near the far railing if you are hoping to get some work done.
Local Tip: Use the Waterfront’s free shuttle from the Silo District to avoid the long walk with shopping bags when you are done. The shuttle runs every 15 minutes during peak hours.
8. The Glass Rooftop Bar at The Marly
Location: Camps Bay, Glen Beach side
If you want outdoor cafes Cape Town locals associate with a particular kind of indulgence, The Marly’s rooftop is close to it. Above Glen Beach, this glass-fronted space looks directly across the bay towards Lions Head. On calm days, the Atlantic is a sheet of blue just below you.
What to Drink: The oysters and champagne pairing is the obvious showstopper, but the small plates like tuna tartare and local charcuterie are just as good if you’re here mid-afternoon.
Best Time: Late lunch, around 2 PM, when the sun lights up the ocean without being directly overhead and the beach crowd noise rises up just enough to remind you where you are.
The Vibe: Upscale beach chic, like a Cape Town version of a Mediterranean seaside club. The main drawback: this side of the bay can get windy, even on days that seem calm in the City Bowl, so prepare for some wind.
Local Tip: Park at the top end of Camps Bay Drive and walk down to The Marly instead of trying to park on Victoria Road during peak weekends. The streets here are often nearly impassable with traffic.
When to Go / What to Know
The best months for rooftop cafes in Cape Town are late spring through early autumn (October to March), when the weather is generally warm and the skies clear up nicely in the late afternoons. Summer afternoons can be harsh if you are not under shade, so either choose a venue with cover or go later in the day. In winter (June to August), many rooftops remain open but serve more as bars than full cafes, and the wind can cut through even the best-designed outdoor spaces.
Booking ahead is essential for most of the places on this list, especially on weekends and during the holiday season (mid-December to mid-January). Prices range from mid-range (around R150–250 for a meal) at places like Bijou to significantly higher at hotel rooftops like The Silo or The Cape Royale. If you are on a tighter budget, aim for weekday lunches and skip the cocktails in favour of local craft beers or soft drinks.
Transport-wise, the City Bowl and Waterfront areas are walkable if you are staying nearby, but for Green Point and Camps Bay, I always recommend using a ride-hailing service rather than trying to navigate narrow, one-way streets and limited parking.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most reliable neighborhood in Cape Town for digital nomads and remote workers?
The City Bowl, particularly the Loop, Bree, and Kloof Street corridors, has the highest concentration of cafes with stable Wi-Fi, power outlets, and a work-friendly atmosphere. Co-working spaces in the same areas supplement this, and daily costs for coffee, lunch, and connectivity typically range between R200 and R400.
Are credit cards widely accepted across Cape Town, or is it necessary to carry cash for daily expenses?
Credit and debit cards are accepted at nearly all established cafes, restaurants, and retailers in Cape Town. Cash is still useful at some farm stalls, informal markets, and for small tips. Carrying R300 to R500 in cash per day is sufficient for incidental expenses.
Is Cape Town expensive to visit? Give a realistic daily budget breakdown for mid-tier travelers.
A mid-tier daily budget in Cape Town typically runs between R1,500 and R2,500, covering accommodation (R800–R1,200 for a decent hotel or guesthouse), meals (R400–R700 for two meals and coffee), local transport (R150–R300 using ride-hailing or the MyCiTi bus), and basic activities. Adding a paid attraction like Robben Island or Table Mountain Cableway adds another R400–R600.
What is the standard tipping etiquette or service charge policy at restaurants in Cape Town?
A service charge of around 10% is sometimes included on the bill at more upmarket venues, but it is customary to tip an additional 10% to 15% for good service at sit-down restaurants. At cafes and casual eateries, rounding up the bill or leaving 10% is standard practice.
What is the average cost of a specialty coffee or local tea in Cape Town?
A specialty coffee (flat white, cappuccino, or single-origin pour-over) usually costs between R35 and R55, while rooibos tea or other local herbal teas range from R25 to R40 at most cafes. Prices in hotel rooftop settings can be 20% to 30% higher than in independent neighbourhood cafes.
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