Gardens, Tamboerskloof, and Oranjezicht

Skirting the edge of the center city, Gardens is a vast neighborhood that runs from the top end of the Company's Garden toward the base of Table Mountain and Lion's Head. Populated by a mix of students, young professionals, and lifelong residents, it has numerous low-rise residential apartments and many beautiful homes, and on and around its main thoroughfares (most conspicuously Kloof Street) are endless numbers of restaurants, cafés, shops, and nightlife options.

Flanking Gardens, both Tamboerskloof and Oranjezicht are predominantly residential, with plenty of tree-lined roads, a few parks, and proximity to trails that ultimately head up the mountain. The entire area is very pleasant to explore on foot and there are many guesthouses and a few larger hotels to pick from. Tamboerskloof is a lovely area below Lion's Head, and although it's mostly residential, there are quite a few restaurants and bars, especially in the concentrated hub at the bottom of Kloof Nek Road, that tend to be frequented by the area's large population of young professionals. The atmosphere can be quite hipsterish. Tamboerskloof is also a good place to find a B&B or guesthouse that'll offer a sense of being part of the neighborhood, especially because you'll find it easy to step outside and explore the area on foot.

Slightly more upscale, Oranjezicht is home to a few excellent B&Bs and gorgeous boutique guesthouses; it's generally a quiet and tranquil place to base yourself. It is less useful for on-foot exploration, though, since the distances can be vast and there is a serious angle to the uphill slope on which the suburb is situated. Much the same can be said about extremely wealthy Higgovale, full of mansions and conspicuously beautiful architecture, plus exquisite views. But, as much as it's spitting distance from Table Mountain, it's a slog to reach and accommodation prices are as steep as the roads.