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Southern Africa

The Southern African hot list
April 2025

Southern Africa • Insider guides • The Southern African hot list April 2025

What we’re loving in April 2025 (and you will too)

Stay informed and stay inspired! The Southern African hot list is your monthly dossier of what’s shaping the cultural and creative landscape across Southern Africa. From smart new openings and design-forward projects to events worth pencilling into your diary, we spotlight the ideas and initiatives that matter. Whether you’re a local with a keen eye on your surroundings or a traveller seeking authentic inspiration, this is your curated guide to the things that are getting our attention (and deserve your’s, too).

Top photography courtesy of L’Ami Family Brasserie

Spier Hotel: Stellenbosch’s newest luxury vineyard stay

Some places don’t just welcome you – they pull you in. The newly reimagined Spier Hotel, set within Spier Wine Farm in Stellenbosch, does exactly that. The hotel’s indigenous gardens – home to 39,000 newly planted fynbos – set the scene for a stay connected to nature. At its heart, an expansive wellness spa features a Cape Herbal Bath House, where healing botanicals are cultivated for therapeutic treatments. The hotel stays true to its roots with Fair Trade practices, farm-to-table dining and is committed to regenerative farming. You can also enjoy visiting three on-site bars including a rooftop sundowner bar and one of the largest heated pools in the Winelands. A feature we love is the wine library that showcases the farm’s award-winning vintages and the impressive 3,600-piece contemporary South African art collection curated throughout the spaces by the Spier Arts Trust.

Spier Hotel
R310 Baden Powell Dr
Stellenbosch
South Africa

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Photography courtesy of Spier Hotel

Cassette Tiny Wine Bar: Cape Town’s tiny bar with a big personality

Cassette Tiny Wine Bar proves that great things come in small packages. With just 16 seats, this intimate wine bar is all about curated discovery – offering an ever-changing selection of small-batch and natural wines that you won’t find on the average menu. The space itself is a nostalgic nod to old-school cool, blending vintage cassette tapes, warm lighting and a laid-back energy that just feels so Cape Town. The wine list, handwritten and refreshed weekly, features offbeat varietals and lesser-known winemakers, often poured by the makers themselves. There’s no pretence here – just good wine, good conversation and an easygoing, retro vibe. Cassette is Cape Town’s best-kept secret for wine lovers looking to step off the beaten path. Pull up a chair, pour a glass and let the night unfold!

Cassette Tiny Wine Bar
206 Main Rd
Sea Point
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Cassette Tiny Wine Bar

L’Ami Family Brasserie: innovative open-fire dining in Franschhoek

L’Ami Family Brasserie, located on the scenic La Motte Wine Estate, invites you to take your time, enjoy a glass (or bottle) of wine, and savour flavours that are both familiar and surprising. L’Ami means friend in French and that spirit runs through everything here. The space is relaxed and refined, with a wraparound veranda that spills out into the gardens, making it just as perfect for a long lunch in the sun as it is for an intimate dinner under the stars. Inside, the heart of the kitchen is the Vulcano Gres open coal grill, an imported Spanish masterpiece that gives dishes a beautifully smoky depth. Under the guidance of renowned chef Richard Carstens, the kitchen prepares an à la carte menu that balances French culinary heritage and techniques with South African cuisine.

L’Ami Family Brasserie
La Motte Wine Farm
R45
Franschhoek
South Africa

Photography courtesy of L’Ami Family Brasserie

Amare: Mediterranean inspired cuisine on Cape Town’s coast

Located along the breezy coastline of Bantry Bay, Amare brings a slice of the Mediterranean to Cape Town’s coastline. True to its name, which is Latin for to love, at Amare, every dish feels personal, made with a real love for fresh, high-quality ingredients that truly speak for themselves. Amare’s menu draws inspiration from Italy’s sun-drenched regions like Tuscany and Sicily, offering everything from handmade pasta to wood-fired seafood and slow-cooked meats. You can look forward to dishes like delicate burrata drizzled with olive oil, saffron-infused risottos and perfectly charred lamb cutlets, all designed to be enjoyed slowly. The cocktail menu is just as innovative, featuring bold, citrusy and herb-infused creations that pair well with the food.

Amare
29 Victoria Rd
Bantry Bay
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Amare

Gorongosa Safaris: discover the wild heart of Mozambique

Gorongosa National Park, once nearly destroyed by decades of civil war, is now one of Africa’s most inspiring conservation success stories. Located in central Mozambique, this biodiverse paradise is buzzing with life once more – lions, elephants, wild dogs and more than 400 bird species roam its floodplains, forests and savannas. Now, with the launch of Gorongosa Safaris, you can experience this remarkable restoration firsthand. Gorongosa Safaris offers three stays, each designed for deep immersion in the park’s landscapes and communities. Muzimu Lodge, a classic tented safari camp, provides breathtaking riverfront views and guided game drives. Chicari Camp, a seasonal tented retreat, places you right in the heart of Gorongosa’s wilderness for an off-grid experience. For adventurers seeking something truly unique, Mount Gorongosa Community Camp offers fly camping on the slopes of this sacred mountain, where you can hike through rainforests and engage with local communities.

Gorongosa Safaris
Gorongosa National Park
Goinha
Mozambique

Photography courtesy of Gorongosa Safaris

Seebamboes: Cape Town’s latest seafood hotspot

Seebamboes is the 2025 addition to chef-restaurateurs Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart’s collection. Seebamboes, located above Galjoen, is an intimate 16-seater restaurant redefining the classic surf and turf concept. This time the chef-restaurateurs duo have collaborated with Chef Adél Hughes and artist Liebet Jooste to design a dining experience that blends land and sea flavours. Head Chef Adél Hughes brings a wealth of experience from her time in South Africa’s coastal towns, particularly Paternoster. Her menus often feature ingredients she foraged herself from nearby beaches. Dishes feature innovative combinations such as seaweed with meat or a mix of seaweeds with land vegetables, showcasing the versatility of local ingredients. We love the interior design, especially the wall of curiosities, adorned with treasures collected from beaches and the veld, adding a personal touch to the space. The use of reclaimed glass with sea sand and colors inspired by sea bamboo really brings the feel of the shoreline inside

Seebamboes
99 Harrington Str
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Seebamboes

Mila Restaurant: a hidden gem in Wellington

Mila Restaurant is a charming farm bistro located within the Doolhof Wine Estate, set at the foot of Wellington’s Limietberg mountain. Housed in the estate’s beautifully restored 19th-century wagon house, Mila is bathed in natural light streaming through expansive windows, while the wraparound terrace offers sweeping views of rolling vineyards and distant mountains. The restaurant’s interior is modern with rustic elements, featuring elegant crockery and tasteful décor that reflect the estate’s dedication to offering an unforgettable, top-tier dining experience. The menu puts fresh, local ingredients in the spotlight, serving up seasonal dishes that prove simple flavours can be anything but ordinary. Signature plates include the Mila Panzanella, featuring Fior di Latte, marinated tomatoes and crisp bruschetta and the Parma Ham & Melon, served with delicate baby leaves.

Mila Restaurant
Doolhof Wine Estate
Bovlei Rd
Wellington
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Mila Restaurant

The Wes: Cape Town’s French bistro with a cinematic twist

The Wes is not your typical French bistro. Inspired by the whimsical aesthetics of filmmaker Wes Anderson, the interior features playful and sophisticated elements – dusky pink ceilings, soft blue walls and plush velvet banquettes, all set against a striking hand-painted mural reminiscent of Anderson’s iconic visuals. But it’s not just about the looks – this bistro delivers seriously good food. Acclaimed chef Peter Goffe-Wood leads the kitchen, taking classic French dishes and giving them a fresh, locally inspired spin. Highlights include the Cape Bouillabaisse, a seafood stew infused with local flavours and the Twice-Baked Goat’s Cheese Soufflé. The wine list highlights the Western Cape’s best vineyards, while the cocktail menu features classics and Wes Anderson-inspired creations.

The Wes
55 Shortmarket St
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of The Wes

Novel Wine Bar: Cape Town’s next-gen wine bar

Situated in Salt River’s Salt Orchard development, Novel Wine Bar is Cape Town’s latest hotspot for wine lovers looking to discover the future of South African winemaking. Unlike traditional wine bars, Novel is all about shining a spotlight on the country’s young gun winemakers – the daring, innovative producers who are pushing boundaries with unconventional blends, natural winemaking techniques and low-intervention methods. The wine bar interior is intentionally minimalist, with warm lighting, sleek wooden counters and an intimate atmosphere that invites conversation. The wine list rotates constantly, meaning there’s always something new to try, from crisp Swartland Chenin Blanc to experimental skin-contact whites and smooth cool-climate reds. Beyond wine, Novel doubles as a speciality coffee bar, serving top-tier brews by day and transforming into a buzzing wine destination by night.

Novel Wine Bar
Unit C3
45 Yew St
Salt River
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Novel Wine Bar

Indoni Beauty: a luxe Afro-futuristic salon in Durban

Indoni Beauty is a design-forward sanctuary where beauty and architecture come together. Designed by TM Designs, the space embodies an Afro-futuristic aesthetic, fusing organic African elements with contemporary minimalism. From the moment you step inside, a striking abstract water ripple installation welcomes you, symbolising renewal and transformation. The salon’s flowing, sculptural interiors are inspired by natural forms, with curved archways, soft earthy tones and fluid textures that create a sense of calm. Warm lighting enhances the deep colour palette, while bespoke furnishings and artisanal details add layers of depth. At Indoni Beauty you can enjoy a full suite of beauty treatments, from hairstyling to luxurious facials, manicures, pedicures and advanced skin treatments. The salon specialises in customised experiences, ensuring you receive treatments tailored to your unique needs.