I’m a big fan of a food market and have decided to try and make more of a concerted effort to purchase fresh vegetables, bread, flowers and in some cases even meat and fish from our local market (the thoroughly divine Earth Fair Market in Tokai).
I popped in for the markets 1st birthday on Saturday and bought our weekly veges; two aubergines (one of them the size of a semi deflated rugby ball!), a bunch of leeks, carrots, celery, spinach, courgettes and mushrooms. All of that for the bargain price of R43 AND I didn’t have to pay for the cardboard box they were packaged into. Can you believe that; R43?
The way I see it is everyone wins; I get beautifully fresh vegetables at a fraction of the cost of shopping at bigger supermarkets, the ladies who run the stall make a living, we support local farmers and we more than likely cut down our carbon footprint. So, like I said, everyone wins! There is also something lovely about browsing a market on a Saturday or Sunday morning (or in the case of the Earth Fair Market also on a Wednesday evening); the stall holders are passionate about their product and people seem in a generally good mood as they browse stalls, sampling tasters and choosing bits and bobs to take home and try.
Here is an overview of the markets in the Western Cape area – make sure you get out there and support them!
… in the City Bowl Area
Cape Town and her surrounding suburbs enjoy a wealth of markets. Close to the city centre would be the Neighbourgoods Market. This market is held at the legendary Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock on Saturdays from 9am to 2.30pm. Apart from the amazing range of delicious, gourmet meals (think anything from huge steak rolls to Belgian waffles, pizzas and paella) the fresh produce market displays fresh flowers, crayfish, oysters, wine, champagne, breads, cheeses, cakes, fresh juices, meats and much, much, much more. You will have to experience it for yourself. If you want to browse without a throng of people moving you along then I suggest you get there early.
If you want to enjoy heritage food and vibrant handcrafts, then the Bo-Kaap’s Food and Craft Market from 10h00 to 14h00 on the first Saturday of the month is the place to be – located at the Schotschekloof Civic Centre in Upper Wale Street, Bo-Kaap.
… in the Northern Suburbs
Willowbridge Slow Market operates on Saturdays from 9am to 3pm at the Willowbridge Lifestyle Centre in Durbanville. You can expect speciality producers, artisans, farmers (both local and regional), seasonal goods as well as natural and organic merchants. The Nitida Farmers Market, also in Durbanville, is held on the last Saturday of the month from 7.30 to midday during the summer and 9am to 1.30pm during the winter. You can expect to find a bounty of fresh farm produce. Remember there are two markets during November but no market during December.
… in the False Bay Coastal Area
The South Peninsula is well covered with five separate markets. The Earth Fair Market, as mentioned above is open on a Wednesday from 3pm to 8pm and on a Saturday from 9am to 2.30pm. Look for the Builders Warehouse on Tokai Main Road and follow the signs. The organic and natural food market stocks breads, fresh fruit juice, divine coffees, beers, wine and organic champagne, sushi, pizzas, pancakes and so much more. It’s my favourite!
Kalk Bay Fresh Etc Market has been operating from the Kalk Bay Community Centre on the third Sunday of the month for close on two years now. Open from 9am to 23pm, the market provides locals with fresh produce, food and drink. Hang out in the garden or chill out with a view of the bay!
Fish Hoek has its own Triangle Square Market in the Triangle Square building on the Main Road. This covered market operates from 9am to 2pm every Saturday and offers a selection of great cheeses, fresh fish products, gourmet dishes and craft items.
… in the Southern Suburbs
The Southern Suburbs has its own selection of markets. The Constantia Waldorf Organic Market is a small, organic market open from 11am to 3pm on Fridays. Tokai is home to the Porter Estate Produce Market. Open every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, the market stalls stock a superb selection of breads, pestos, pies, honey, and free-range lamb. Seating is available so you can rest the legs and enjoy a farm-style breakfast (think bacon and egg roll) and a moer-koffie. Too good to be true! Parking is available as are activities to keep the kids busy.
The Mielie Market, open from 9am to 1pm every Friday is at Montebello in Newlands and stocks organic produce. All proceeds go towards supporting township community gardens so you’ll be supporting a very worthy cause indeed.
Observatory gets into the swing of things with the Obs Holistic Lifestyle Fair. Run on the first Sunday of the money from 10am to 4pm, the fair is one of the Mother City’s oldest. Over 160 stall holders showcase their goods and services. There is an R8 charge to enter the fair.
Rondebosch has two markets; the Craft Market and the Organic Market. The craft market takes place on the second Saturday of every month between the hours of 9am to 2pm. The organic market is a weekly market held outside the Rondebosch library from 7.30am to midday on Saturdays. The craft market can be found at the corner of Campground and Sandown Roads.
… in Blaauwberg
The Table Bay area has two markets; the Century City Natural Goods Market and the Eden Market. The Century City market is held outdoors on the first Sunday of the month (9am to 3pm) and offers quality products in the heart of Century City. The Eden Market at Eden on the Bay has over 40 stalls offering gourmet foods and local crafts. Open from 10 to 4pm on the first and last Saturday of the month.
… in the Cape Winelands
Heading out to the Cape Winelands Region is the Hearth Fair in Stellenbosch. This fair is held alongside the Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market at Oude Libertas on the first Saturday of every month (9am – 2pm). The aim of the fair is to showcase talented local designers. The Stellenbosch Fresh Goods Market is open every Saturday from 9am to 2pm with producers selling produce they have sourced, grown, harvested or raised themselves. Another market for this area is the Moddergat Farm Market. This organic market is held every Saturday from 8am to 1pm.
The Heathersage Market in Somerset West runs every second and last Sunday of the month from 09h00 to 14h00. A community-driven exhibition of the best local goods on offer from authentically slow, gourmet food and freshly picked produce to a range of carefully crafted, gorgeous gifts, flora, music and great wine, find them at Heathersage Farm, 15 Gordon Road, Somerset West.
Also in Somerset West you will find the Helderberg Veld Winkel-Mark on the first Saturday of every month – this market has something for everyone whether is be a piece of jewellery or a piece of woodwork! Artwork, preserves and plants are also on sale so come along for a spot of shopping or bargain hunting! Find them at Southey’s Vines on 186 Main Road.
… in the Overberg
The Overberg Region has a selection of markets to to choose from with the Elgin Valley Market, the Fernkloof Farmers Market and the Hermanuspietersfontein Market being very popular. The Elgin market is held at the well known Peregrine Farm Stall on Saturdays from 9am to 2pm. Anything that is healthy, organic and sourced from the Elgin Valley is on sale! The Fernkloof Farmers Market is held at the Fernkloof Nature Reserve Picnic Site (what an ingenious place for a market) every Saturday from 7.30 – 11.30am. Over 30 traders offer good, wholesome, fresh produce.
The Hermanuspietersfontein Food and Wine Market in Hermanus is held every Saturday from 9am to 1pm, regardless of the weather! The market is both child and dog friendly so bring the whole family for breakfast or lunch. Every Saturday morning at ten, Greyton’s Market Square is abuzz with activity, where people flock to buy the freshest home produce of all descriptions. This market is famous for its products which range from freshly baked pies, muffins and cakes to gourmet cheeses, pestos and home-made jams and preservatives. Saturdays from 10h00 to 12h00 at Greyton Market Square, Main Road, Greyton.
Visit the Stanford Evening Market throughout the winter at the new venue; the Birkenhead Brewery Wine Cellar. All sorts of yummy fresh produce is available. The market is held on the last Friday of every month from 6pm to 8pm.
… in the Breede River Valley
In the Breede River Valley you will find the weekly Montagu Village Market, Pure Boland Market and the Robertson Farmers Market. The Pure Boland Market in Worcester, held on every second Saturday of the month. A variety of hand made and home made goods are for sale. The Montagu Village Market, held every Saturday morning in the park opposite the tourism bureau in Montagu, offers a sampling of local arts, crafts and cuisine, and an opportunity to meet and mingle with the friendly locals. The Robertson Farmers Market, now in its sixth year and somewhat of an institution in Robertson, is a great place for visitors to meet up with locals. Arrive early, have a coffee, get a bite to eat for breakfast and enjoy yourself. If you have children with you there is a secure area for kids to play and join in the fun.
… in the Karoo
In the Karoo, don’t miss the Saturday morning Prince Albert Farmers Market. The market takes place on the square next to the Fransie Pienaar Museum and locals gather together to sell their produce and catch up on the weeks news. On sale is anything from home made goodies, seasonal produce, fresh veggies, cheeses and of course, Karoo lamb. If you are in town for a weekend make sure you attend the market and get a feel for good country living in Prince Albert!
… in the Swartland
In the Swartland you have two fabulous markets to visit. The Short Street Food & Wine Market and the Riebeek West Farmers Market, both in Riebeek West. The Short Street Market takes place on the last Saturday of every month and has a wide variety of stalls selling fresh country produce, delicacies from the area and not to be forgotten, award winning wines from local cellars. If you happen to be in this area on the first Saturday of the month visit the Riebeek West Farmers Market. What could be better than shopping for some home grown or homemade goodness?
… in the Cape West Coast
And finally the beautiful West Coast has two markets: the Melkbosch Food Fair and the Vyge Valley Farmers Market. The Melkbosch is on from 9am to 3pm on the first Saturday of every month and the Vyge Valley market on the last Saturday between 9am and 2pm. Both offer fresh produce and the Vyge Valley Market also has cheeses, freshly baked bread, mushrooms and preserves.
Western Cape Info:
- Western Cape Attractions
- Things to Do in Western Cape
- Western Cape Farm Stalls & Markets
- Western Cape Accommodation
So there you have it, a fairly comprehensive overview of the wonderful Western Cape Markets! If we have missed any, please let us know in the comments below or check out Western Cape Farm Stalls & Markets.
