Cape Town, South Africa
Sky’s the limit: Cape Town’s 5 ultimate rooftop restaurants and bars
An insider’s guide to the best rooftop restaurants and bars in Cape Town
Cape Town feels different once you rise above the street grid. As the city’s food and design culture keeps evolving, rooftops have become its most expressive stage. Elevated spaces are no longer just about a good view. They’ve become social rooms in the sky where kitchens experiment, bartenders set the mood and the city’s energy drifts upward with the late-afternoon light. Each venue brings its own perspective on the skyline, shaped by the neighbourhood it rises above and the people who keep it moving. Some terraces lean into design, others into attitude, but all of them carry that confidence the city wears so well. This guide moves through the rooftops that speak to Cape Town’s current momentum.
Top photography courtesy of The Silo Hotel
01
The Marble Rooftop Bar
Up on the top of the refurbished Union Castle building at the V&A Waterfront, Marble’s rooftop radiates understated glamour. Designed by Irene Kyriacou, the space features floor-to-ceiling glass facades, bespoke local art, and 360° views of Table Mountain and the Atlantic. Co-founded by Chef David Higgs and entrepreneur Gary Kyriacou, Marble has established itself as a destination for those seeking a dining experience centred around flame-grilled cuisine. Dishes like snoek pâté with magwenya (fried dough) and line fish with burnt leeks celebrate Cape-inspired flavours, while the Grillworks adds smoky depth to favourites like Chalmar ribeye and roasted pumpkin with burnt honey dressing. Paired with innovative cocktails and a curated wine list, Marble Cape Town redefines dining by the fire.
The Marble Rooftop Bar
1 Dock Rd
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Mable
02
Gigi Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
Located on the 6th floor of the edgy Gorgeous George hotel, Gigi Rooftop Restaurant & Bar feels like Cape Town’s rooftop living room. It’s plush, leafy, and designed for lingering. The glass-panelled emerald pool deck, fire-lit seating corners and a view over heritage buildings make it the perfect urban escape, whether you slip in for breakfast or stay for sunset cocktails. Food at Gigi feels global but grounded. Wood-fired grills, salads, vegetarian options, and dishes like Cape Malay–inspired fish tartare that nod to Cape Town’s rooted flavours. Meanwhile, cocktails are playful and serious all at once. Well-suited to the rooftop mindset, especially once the sky darkens and music starts drifting through the poolside air.
Gigi Rooftop Restaurant & Bar
118 St Georges Mall
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Gorgeous George
03
Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
If you’re after something intimate, eclectic and imbued with character, the Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar, set atop a heritage building on Longmarket Street, delivers a captivating mix of bohemian charm and urban energy. The vibe is equal parts old-world and edgy-urban. Step inside and find dark wood beams, lanterns, Japanese-shrine-inspired décor and a bar painted shrine-red with walls lined in black-and-white photos of Tokyo and Kyoto. The rooftop terrace opens up to a fine view of Cape Town’s cityscape. A perfect backdrop as the light fades and the city lights begin to twinkle. Expect a creative cocktail menu, Japanese whisky, gin and sake on offer, plus a solid wine list alongside Japanese-inspired bar bites.
Tjing Tjing Rooftop Bar
165 Longmarket St
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of Tjing Tjing House
04
The Silo Rooftop
Set atop the architecturally iconic Silo Hotel in the V&A Waterfront, The Silo Rooftop delivers a vantage point declared among Cape Town’s most dramatic. City skyline on one side, the harbour and Atlantic on the other, with Table Mountain lurking majestically above. The decor is sleek and modern, designed to complement those views, not compete with them. While the infinity pool at the rooftop is reserved for hotel guests, the rooftop terrace and bar are open to the public. The bar is a refined affair. Expect artisanal cocktails, fine wines and premium spirits, served with enough elegance to make a sundowner feel like an event. On the menu you’ll find seafood, tapas-style nibbles or gourmet sliders.
The Silo Rooftop
Silo Square
Victoria & Alfred Waterfront
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of The Silo Hotel
05
The Moon Rooftop Bar
For anybody wanting a low-key but warm Cape Town rooftop moment, look no further than The Moon Rooftop Bar. In the heart of Cape Town’s energetic CBD, The Trade Boutique Hotel’s rooftop bar sits atop a colourful, characterful building on Shortmarket Street. The hotel’s quirky charm extends to its rooftop, which offers a poolside setting where you can unwind with a drink, a snack or a casual meal while soaking up city views. The menu offers simple yet delicious dishes like steak frites or grilled calamari, perfect for a lazy lunch or an after-work nibble. Wines, beers, and ciders from around the Western Cape make the drinks menu feel local and familiar.
The Moon Rooftop Bar
The Trade Boutique Hotel
55 Shortmarket St
Cape Town
South Africa
Photography courtesy of The Trade Bouqitue Hotel
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