8 Best Places to Shop in City Centre, Cape Town

Open since 1957, Clarke's specializes in African literature and nonfiction works, with a specific focus on southern Africa. There are new and second books to browse, including contemporary current affairs and historical rare finds. 

A surf brand named for an African water deity, this lovely boutique showcases distinctively African surfwear, boards, casual clothing, and beach gear. Even if you don't surf, plan a visit to look into the creative mind of artist-designer Peet Pienaar who creates illustrated graphics, imaging, and patterns for this world-class fashion label. You will also find them at the Oranjezicht City Farm Market. The company is also linked to an amazing charity called Waves for Change which teaches children to surf in places like Liberia.

Behind its original Victorian facade you’ll discover one of Cape Town's most appealing collection of garments by African designers—labels to look for include Maxhosa Africa, Rich Mnisi, Sindiso Khumalo, Lukhanyo Mdingi, and MmusoMaxwell. Besides clothing, there are scene-stealing displays of top-end accessories, housewares, fragrances, ceramics, artworks, and books. The store's founder, designer Hanneli Rupert, conceived it as a concept store dedicated to sophisticated African design—she fashioned a dreamy, pared-down interior that’s as appealing as the goods on display.

Cape Town’s Katherine-Mary Pichulik has achieved global renown for her distinct jewelry designs. Inspired by her travels, she first gained attention by using rope combined with recycled glass, brass, fossils, stones, and other raw materials to create eye-catching neckpieces that are a remarkable reflection of African ornamentation. At this atelier just off Bree Street, you can find out more about the ethical brand and see the latest designs; be prepared to haul out your credit card for accessories that now also include earrings and bracelets, all of which retain that original spark of inspiration from Africa.

If you aren't crazy about traditional African artifacts à la Greenmarket Square, you might want to visit this store, which stocks contemporary and elegant African art and jewelry.

If you visit this historic square, you'll see a plethora of stalls selling African jewelry, art, crafts, and fabrics, as well as clothing (especially T-shirts), and locally made leather shoes and sandals. It's not necessarily as authentic as it seems (many of the stalls might be owned by one person) but it's still fun to browse here for souvenirs and gifts. More than half the stalls are owned (or at least manned) by people from other parts of Africa, and if you stop to chat, you'll find political and economic refugees from Ethiopia, Eritrea, Zimbabwe, and the Democratic Republic of Congo trying to eke out a living. Bargain, but do so with a conscience.

You'll see some glorious cultural contradictions here. The lobby boasts lovely if dusty Victorian tiling, while the first and second floors are a beehive of traders in new and old folk art, with representatives from most locales in West, sub-Saharan, and southern Africa. Order a custom-tailored garment, choose a mask from among the many thousands, and don't be afraid to bargain.

The people who work here are passionate about African music and eager to pass on their love to anybody who lends them half an ear. You could easily spend a couple of hours listening to any and everything in the store. With a listening booth to sample any CD in the shop, you're bound to find something here that captures the heart of the country for you.