Shopping at V&A Waterfront

A real shopping paradise, V&A Waterfront is one of South Africa's top shopping destinations. It houses over 450 retail shops displaying and selling a huge variety of goods, ranging from fashion, jewellery, leather goods to home-ware, both local and international brands. Needless to say, the shops in V&A Waterfront caters for all, no matter the budget.

The top spots to shop can be divided in 3 categories:

• Shopping Malls
• Arts and crafts
• Food markets

Shopping Malls

Victoria Wharf

Victoria Wharf is the major shopping section of Cape Town's V&A Waterfront. This mall is in fact a series of big warehouses that have been converted into a shopping haven, attracting tens of thousands of visitors each year. This waterside mall has everything for those who find a shopping, eating and entertainment spree really delightful!

In Victoria Wharf, you will find all the major local traders as well as international brands. The Victoria Wharf boasts a diverse shopping experience, from exclusive international brands to local craft shops where you can watch the items being made in front of your eyes. Moreover, the outlets offer high quality goods as well as items that are often difficult to find elsewhere in the city.

There are also two separate cinema houses in Victoria Wharf, one of which showcases the newest mainstream movies, while the other, the latest art-house films.

For those looking to dine, there are cafés offering coffees, refreshments and snacks throughout the day, while fast food outlets offer almost everything from burgers and pizza to ice-cream and pastries.

Watershed

This beautiful space houses more than 150 tenants who exhibit more than 365 brands. From ceramics and furniture to textiles, fashion and jewellery, an assortment of products can be found here. The Watershed focuses on artisans and designers, striving to provide the very best of the continent. Indeed, the Watershed is a world of African innovation, craft, design and discovery all under one roof.

Inside, the Watershed is flawlessly designed to display the quality products all creatively designed, meticulously hand-crafted and produced with the warmth and spirit of Africa. Along with fashion, one can find art works, furniture made with great accuracy, intricately crafted jewellery, rich textiles, soft furnishings, ceramics, accessories and much, much more. Not only a place to shop, the Watershed also houses ‘Wellness at the Watershed' on the mezzanine level, which offers a range of treatments for your mind, body and soul.

The open-ended Watershed has 2 entry points: one entrance faces the Two Oceans Aquarium on the one side and the other one is opposite to Jou Ma Se Comedy Club. Standing on the south face of the Watershed, one is treated with unmatched views over the Robinson Dry Dock towards Table Mountain. The Watershed is open daily from 10h00 to 19h00.

Arts and crafts

The Red Shed and the Waterfront Craft Market

If African arts and crafts are your thing, the The Red Shed and the Waterfront Craft Market (also called the Blue Shed) are definitely worth a visit! The Red Shed is housed in a huge warehouse, adjoining the Victoria Wharf. Here visitors can see the expert craftsmen at work, creating items to put on sale. The V&A Waterfront supports these dedicated artists and craftsmen by hosting them in a special area.

The Red Shed is a large craft market offering an assortment of mementos and tokens for souvenir hunters! Other than that, shoppers can find a collection of fine handmade jewellery, fine township art, traditional bead work, textiles, décor, woodwork, fashion accessories and rural crafts, including ceramics and textiles. On offer are also beautiful items such as blown glass, pottery, leather bags, woollen scarves and glass jewellery-making The Red Shed a unique retail concept!

The shopping hours are: 

• Monday to Saturday: 9am to 9pm daily (excluding public holidays)
• Sundays and public holidays: 10am to 9pm.

Alfred Mall gallery & Pierhead

With a vibrant African-feel, the Alfred Mall gallery and Pierhead exhibits the original and creative works of some of South Africa's most exciting and talented artists. Paintings in varied media, ceramic art and bronze sculptures can be found here. Its focus on African art, wildlife and township art, complemented by the broad collection of limited giclee prints by several artists offers a wide choice to the visitors.

Here, you get the much-sought opportunity to buy one-of-a-kind crafts and artwork, which often reflects a design sense only found in a nautical African destination. Find signature pieces and treasures to take back home with you!

The Barrow Court

Look out for the barrows dotted around Victoria Wharf! Each one of them has a love and talent for a specific product. This allows the visitors to have a unique shopping experience. Many are also located around the central Barrow Court. The Barrow Court consists of small business owners who want to carve a niche for themselves and sell their products in Victoria Wharf Shopping Centre. They have a wide collection of jewellery, art, fashion and speciality products.

Barrow traders operate seven days a week from 9am to 9pm.

Food markets

V & A Market on the Wharf

V & A Market on the Wharf provides fresh food and produce and is filled with exciting producers who are very passionate about what they sell. In fact, many of them make the produce themselves. The mix of vendors sell everything from fresh fruits and vegetables, meat, cheese to delicious food like dim sum, steaks, sandwiches and cakes.

The market houses over 40 vendors, a foodie bookshop, a bar and a demo kitchen. The stunning demo kitchen is well-equipped. You can attend a food demo, cooking class or hire the space for a private party.

V & A Market on the Wharf is the perfect place to hop in for lunch or an early supper and go home with a few local, organic or artisan food items. The best part is that the vendors are ever ready to provide information on the food that you buy and this makes shopping at the market more rewarding.

The market remains open throughout the year but remains closed on Christmas Day and New Years Day.

Restaurants and eateries at V&A Waterfront

Looking for fine dining or just a cool place to grab a bite? V & A Waterfront has it all! In fact, some of the best restaurants of the Cape are found in V & A Waterfront. Also, visitors can choose from over 80 eateries! Foodies, watch out! Here's the place where you can savour flavours from around the world without burning a hole in your pocket! Moreover, the breathtaking view of the never-ending sea or Table Mountain is the cherry on the cake!

There are also several top-rated restaurants at the Waterfront, where patrons can choose from the finest seafood, meat, and speciality dishes. Most of these restaurants boast extensive wine lists featuring top local varietal.

Two Oceans Aquarium at V&A Waterfront

Undoubtedly, the aptly-named Two Oceans Aquarium is a major attraction at the V& Waterfront which appeals to adults and children alike. This hotspot is a favourite with both locals and visitors. Get immersed in the blue world as you pay a visit to South Africa's marine creatures! Time seems to move at a slower pace as one steps in this different universe. The humming of aquarium pumps and the searching eyes of curious crabs, jellyfish and clown fish create a surreal atmosphere that is greatly soothing.