Removed from the immediate hustle and bustle, Cape Town’s Northern Suburbs offer green belts, outdoor adventure and satisfying suburbia. In this post, I share a few local gems to enjoy in terms of outdoor adventure, foodie finds and culture.
Best Northern Suburbs Gems to Enjoy:
1) Explore Marvellous Majik Forest
Majik Forest is a beautiful green space near the heart of Durbanville. This park serves as a gorgeous public space that is suitable for picnics, cycling, short nature walks/hikes and photoshoots.
I am sure by now everyone in the Northern Suburbs has heard of Majik Forest (I like to think I had something to do with that in the past five years) but if you are not from the area, it is worth the trip out to explore this nature haven.
For more details on Majik Forest, you can read my full review here.
Entry fee:
Majik Forest is a public space and is thus free to visit but please respect the rules (there are signs at both gates).
For MTB enthusiasts, some sections of Majik Forest are free to enjoy. However, if you wish to ride the Bloemendal side of Majik Forest, you need a permit or you must be part of the Tygerberg MTB Club.
Opening times:
Open daily from 07:00 am – 19:00 pm.
Website:
Contact:
Location:
Van Riebeeckshof Road, Van Riebeeckshof, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
2) Treat Yourself at Coco Safar Durbanville (Hertex Showroom)
Update: Regrettably, the branches in Durbanville and Gardens have now closed. Coco Safar has confirmed to me they were only intended as pop-ups. Note: A new cake and coffee shop, Cake Canteen, has replaced them at Hertex Showroom Durbanville.
Early in 2022, with great excitement, I visited then-new Durbanville branch of Coco Safar’s café-meets-French-patisserie offering.
Since Coco Safar first opened in Sea Point a few years ago, this all-day café and bakery has been wowing visitors from Cape Town and beyond.
Coco Safar offers pricey, yet quality sweet treats, coffee and teas and tasty café meals in stylish, opulent surroundings.
Their Sea Point flagship store is second to none but even the smaller branches do the brand justice with their delicious eats and peaceful atmosphere.
Pro tip: You have to try their croissants or desserts; they are life-changing!
If you are near Highstreet Tygervalley, be sure to pop into the Durbanville branch for some satisfying treats or beverages. They are situated within the Hertex Showroom.
Website:
Contact:
+27 (021) 914 0851
Location:
Hertex Showroom, 12 Bella Rosa Street, Rosenpark, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
3) Kenridge Dog/Bark Park
For dog lovers: this securely enclosed, off-leash doggy park, which first opened in 2020, is a great find.
This is one of the most popular, loveliest little parks in the area. There are a few important rules to follow – but otherwise, the park is free for owners and their non-aggressive, well-socialised and friendly pooches to enjoy.
There are a number of fun obstacle/agility course elements (including ramps and tunnels) in the Kenridge Bark Park for the dogs to enjoy, while owners can sit and watch from several benches.
The park is conveniently situated across from TAH Kenridge and Kenridge Centre, making it very central and close to amenities and the local vet. There is also some off-street parking outside the park.
The rules for using this popular bark park are as follows:
– No more than 15 dogs are allowed in at one time;
– No female dogs in heat;
– Dog handlers/owners must be in view of and keep control of their pooches at all times;
– Owners must dispose of waste immediately (there are several bins handy);
– Dogs who bark excessively or are aggressive may be removed from the park immediately;
– Children must be closely monitored at all times;
– Owners are responsible for any injury or damage caused by their dog.
Entry fee:
Free to visit.
Opening times:
Unclear but generally open daily during daylight hours.
Website:
N/A but there is a Facebook group.
Location:
Mildred Street, Kenever, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
4) Book Wise Exchange at Highstreet
If ever there was an Aladdin’s Cave for book lovers, it is Book Wise Exchange. Situated at the Highstreet Shopping Centre (a short walk away from Baby City as you enter Durban Road; if you turn right at the circle), Book Wise Exchange offers everything from second-hand books to exciting puzzles and more.
The space itself might be a hole-in-a-wall but owner Charlotte, who is always friendly and ready to assist, runs a tight ship: keeping the space clean and neat, with several shelves stacked high with books. There is even a little reading corner for eager readers to enjoy when visiting.
I visited Book Wise Exchange in early 2022 and fell in love. What I love most is that you can exchange certain second-hand books for in-store credit and use that to buy yourself fresh reads.
This is especially useful if, like me, your read books build up at home, daring you to replace them with something fresh and ready to be devoured. (And once you have bought a book here, if you return to exchange it at a later date, you qualify for a store discount.)
Second-hand books here generally range from R40 – R100 and there is a wealth of book genres for everyone, including teens and children.
I exchanged a book or two on my first visit and left with an armful of new books.
There is nearby parking in the open space just a short walk down from the store, otherwise you can use the underground parking, which is free for the first hour.
Opening times:
- Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday, 09:00 am – 16:00 pm
- Wednesdays: 09:00 am – 13:00 pm
- Saturdays: 09:00 am – 14:00 pm
Website:
Contact:
N/A
Location:
Highstreet Shopping Village, 4 Bella Rosa Street, Rosenpark, Bellville, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
5) Tygerberg Nature Reserve
Many people who reside in and around the Northern Suburbs are familiar with Tygerberg Nature Reserve – but I think for every person that has heard of or visited it in Cape Town, there are five who haven’t.
This nature reserve, nestled above the leafy suburb of Welgemoed, offers several, easy-to-hike trails – including some wheel-chair-friendly sections.
With spectacular views of distant Table Mountain, a wealth of flora and fauna, lovely picnic benches and even some historic cannons, this safe, tranquil reserve is a joy to visit.
It is ideal for couples, friends and family. Please note: Regrettably, dogs are not allowed at the reserve due to the bird life and wildlife within.
While the reserve is beautiful year-round, it is a mass of wild flowers and greenery during spring and early summer and makes for a perfect family outing in the Northern Suburbs.
For a full review, please see here.
Entry fee:
- Adults (18 years and older): R20 per person
- Children (ages 3-17 years), students and senior citizens (validation required): R10
- Learner/student groups (pre-booked; discounts may apply): R10
- Free to children under 3 years and to ‘friends’ of the reserve (proof of membership is required.
- There is also some free parking outside the reserve.
Opening times:
Monday to Sunday: 07:30 am – 18:00 pm
Website:
Contact:
+27 (021) 444 8971, tygerberg.naturereserve@capetown.gov.za
Location:
Tygerberg Nature Reserve, Totius Street, Welgemoed, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
6) Rust-en-Vrede Gallery
One of my best discoveries in the Northern Suburbs is Rust-en-Vrede Gallery. I am not normally a huge art connoisseur but this welcoming, beautifully set-out gallery won me over in an instant.
This non-profit organisation (NPO) houses within its grounds: an art gallery (which supports local artists and has exciting exhibits that change on a monthly basis), a Whisky Library, clay museum and other art studios.
From a historical point of view, the building and grounds also tell a fascinating tale, as the building was originally built in the 1840s.
Over time, it has served as a prison, police headquarters, magistrate’s court and more. In 1984, this beautiful Cape Dutch-style building was rightly declared a national monument.
I loved exploring Rust-en-Vrede and enjoyed a lovely meal at Yoco Eatery (although it is now under new management). So I can definitely recommend this gem for art lovers, foodies and history buffs alike!
Entry fee:
The museum and its exhibits are free to visit and enjoy.
Opening times:
The gallery is open Monday – Friday, 09:00 am – 16:00 pm and on Saturdays from 09:00 am – 13:00 pm.
Website:
Contact:
Location:
10 Wellington Road, Durbanville, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
7) Avondale Open Garden
This beautiful, private garden is situated in the heart of Durbanville and it is a true hidden gem.
I feel that, in recent years, I have helped to put it on the map. Yet, even to this day, most people in the Northern Suburbs and Cape Town are unaware of its existence.
Generally, Avondale Garden is only open to the public once or twice a year. Usually around Garden Day or during mid-to-late-October when they host their annual Avondale Open Garden weekend.
Usually, for a small charity fee (payable at the gate, where you can purchase tickets), the garden is open to visitors and guests can spend a day exploring its magnificent, well-maintained grounds.
Highlights include the orchid glasshouse, natural swimming pool section, wild flowers, clivia garden and a stunning rose garden that give any English manor a run for its money.
Picnicking is not allowed, however, coffee and tea with scones is purchasable from the tea room and can be enjoyed in the garden.
Avondale Open Garden is one of the best garden experiences I have enjoyed. I could honestly go annually and never tire of it! 🙂
You can read my full review of their open garden weekend here.
Entry fee:
Usually R50 per adult and free to children under 12 – but fees may vary annually.
Opening times:
Avondale Garden is a strictly private garden, unless it is open for the annual Avondale Open Garden.
In this event, the garden is normally open from morning to early afternoon for a single weekend.
Website:
Contact:
secretaryrotaryclubtygerberg@gmail.com
Location:
40 Protea Way, Bergsig, Durbanville, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
8) BAARD and Co.
2025 Update: BAARD and CO has regrettably permanently closed.
I always love a good coffee shop but BAARD and Co. is so much more than just a stunning, welcoming coffee shop.
Since their official coffee shop opening in 2021 and their emergence into the food scene as a lockdown baby in 2020 (with their coffee roasting launching sometime before that) – this Durbanville artisanal coffee bar, micro coffee roastery and sourdough bakery has won over Northern Suburbs- and Cape Town-coffee lovers.
It is rare to find a place that offers such a sense of homely community and warmth but BAARD and Co. checks all those boxes – and then they check them again.
This is thanks, in no small part, to the incredible owners, Louis and Ronel, who are some of the nicest, kindest people you can hope to meet! 🙂
They truly make some of the best coffee around (and trust me, after nearly a decade of living in Cape Town, I have sampled my share of good coffee) and their in-store goodies, occasional events and artfully designed sourdough creations are excellent too.
Their sourdough is hard to get your hands on (I tried and failed on my first visit) – but is available on Thursdays and Saturdays on a first come, first serve basis.
I also love that BAARD and Co. so passionately supports fellow local business owners. They have created a central space for coffee community, supporting local and so much more!
You can read my full review of BAARD and Co here.
Opening times:
- Monday to Friday, 07:00 am- 15:30 pm
- Saturdays: 07:00 am – 13:00 pm
Website:
N/A
Contact:
+27 (076) 305 0067, baard.co@gmail.com
Location:
5 Pampoenkraal Street, Durbanville, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
9) Seasonal Canola Fields
Every year, from August to September, the canola flowers bloom around Durbanville (and in certain areas near Stellenbosch, the Overberg and Swartland regions), turning farmlands and roadside verges into fields of bright, cheery yellow for almost as far as the eye can see.
Not only is the canola visually stunning and perfect for pre-spring photos, it is also a popular attraction for sightseers and professional photographers, who love using these picturesque fields for photo shoots every spring. Sunset shoots in the canola are pure magic!
Some of the canola fields flower on private land though, so please be respectful of the owner’s property and do not trespass.
If you want to do a shoot or walk among the canola, book a professional photographer, who can advise on suitable locations – or visit one of the wine estates.
Entry fee:
It depends on the location but it can be free. If it is situated on a wine farm trail, however, you may have to pay a fee.
Location:
Various places around the Northern Suburbs and beyond.
10) Nectar & Spice
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Nectar & Spice is a gorgeous local patisserie and small function venue that is the creative brainchild of Margaret Faasen.
They have a lovely store at Unit 2 in Rosenpark, near Highstreet Centre. Here, you can shop for fresh goodies like cakes, cupcakes, savoury eats and more. Alternatively, you can also order (for collection) from their online site too.
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Additionally, Margaret sometimes also runs exciting, all-inclusive cookie decorating classes that look and sound like great fun! (Best of all, no previous experience is required.)
Nectar & Spice makes quality, beautiful and utterly delectable treats and savoury goodies alike – and after trying their cookie tubs, I cannot wait to sample more of their items in future!
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Opening times:
- Tuesday to Friday, 09:00 am – 17:00 pm
- Saturdays, 09:00 am – 14:00 pm
Website:
Contact:
071 609 4238, info@nectarandspice.co.za
Location:
19 Pasita Street, Unit 2, Rosenpark, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
11) Langverwagt
2025 Update: Since this review, Langverwagt has changed hands. I think it only operates as a wedding venue now. For more info, please see here.
Langverwagt is a historic, working Cape farm near Kuils River. It is owned and run by the Le Roux family.
While it doubles as a beautiful, intimate wedding- and private events-venue in the Winelands and offers country-style guesthouse accommodation, the gardens are the real drawcard for me personally. (Although it is a beautiful wedding venue – and certainly one of the loveliest I have visited!)
And my, are their gardens stunning! In October 2022, we were fortunate enough to visit the gardens, which are rarely opened to the public, for their annual, free open garden event. (This is normally held on Garden Day.)
It was a breathtaking outdoor experience from start to finish, enhanced by the lovely treats and lemonade we purchased from the venue on the day.
We loved exploring every corner of the farm gardens and admiring the historic buildings, wedding venue spaces and of course, their pristine garden spaces, which include a stunning water feature/pond that overlooks Table Mountain.
It really feels like something straight out of Mr Darcy’s estate, if you need to live out your Pride and Prejudice dreams.
Opening times:
The garden is only open on rare occasions – usually once a year for their open garden weekend. Keep an eye on their social feeds for opening dates and times.
However, for other enquiries and appointments (such as wedding venue visits or professional photoshoots), please contact the Langverwagt team directly.
Website:
www.langverwagt.co.za
Contact:
info@langverwagt.co.za
Location:
Langverwagt, off Langverwagt Road, Kuils River, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
12) Grab Some Plants and Cafe Fare at Greenery
2025 update: Please note, as of 16 May 2025, Greenery Cafe is no longer based in Durbanville; they are relocating to the Garden Route.
Greenery is one of the rare social media finds that is as good as it looked when I stumbled across it on Facebook. This plant shop-meets-cafe is perfectly situated in central Durbanville and offers a tranquil oasis for remote workers, cafe lovers and above all, the plant parents among us.
Whether you are looking for fresh plants, potting soil, watering cans or chunky pot plants – Greenery has you covered. The shop is small but cheerfully overflows with all things plant-related.
In a separate side room, the sunny little cafe packs a punch with its delightful array of hot- and cold-beverages (including some unique, excellent coffee options like their French Vanilla Mocha), tasty sweet- and savoury-breakfasts, brunches and lunches.
Having sampled both their sweet- and savoury-brunch options, I can assure you the food here is outstanding. More to the fact, so is the friendly, efficient service!
Opening times:
Monday – Fridays: 09:00 am – 17:00 pm
Saturdays: 09:00 am – 13:00 pm
Closed on Sundays.
Website:
Contact:
info@greenery.capetown
Location:
14 Wellington Road, Durbanville, Northern Suburbs, Cape Town.
13) Food Truck Valley
2026 Update: Food Truck Valley has regrettably closed.
This is a new addition to the Brackenfell suburbs (they already have a solid home base at N1 City, Value Centre) – but one that I hope will really kick off.
Situated at the Brackenfell Hyper Shopping Centre car park (near the Nandos side), this relaxed, carnival-style setup offers a great range of food truck trailers.
The trucks sell everything from gourmet, generous waffles to fresh coffee and koeksisters to delicious meals, like loaded fries, smash burgers and corn dogs.
There is limited seating (snag a table when you can) but they also have a useful hygiene station and mobile toilets on-site.
The food and drinks here are excellent and the food trucks and their teams of staff each bring their own friendly, vibey and tasty offering to this food truck experience.
There are also a lot of strictly Halaal trucks, which is great to see.
We tried the Locked and Loaded fries from Major Chip; a Butterscotch Latte and Salted Caramel Shake from Good Hood Coffee; and probably the biggest plate of ice-cream and waffles (Mixed Boat) from Everyday We Waffling.
Everything we sampled was insanely good, well-priced (nothing over R100) and fresh. The atmosphere is pleasant and friendly, even on a quiet Sunday.
You can visit the Food Truck Valley every Friday – Sunday at Brackenfell Hyper or alternatively, find them at N1 City, Value Centre, Goodwood.
The Food Truck Valley is a wonderful, family-friendly outing and the perfect place to grab a quick bite to eat (for sit-down or takeaway) on weekends!
Opening times:
- Friday: 14:00 – 22:00 pm
- Saturday: 10:00 am – 22:00 pm
- Sunday: 10:00 am – 19:00 pm
Website:
Contact:
info@foodtruckvalley.co.za
Location:
- N1 City, Value Centre, Goodwood (Opposite McDonalds)
- Brackenfell Hyper Shopping Centre, Brackenfell (Close to the Nandos side)
Some Other Northern Suburbs Gems:
Here are some more of the Northern Suburbs gems I love:
These are just some of the best Northern Suburbs gems. Are there any you would add to this list? 🙂
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