The Best Bars Around The Victoria And Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

Just a short walk from the waterfront, Asoka is a great place for pre- or post-dinner drinks, or to while away the whole evening over tapas and wine. The atmosphere is stylish yet relaxed, and they offer a long wine and champagne list, and a stellar cocktail selection full of striking flavor profiles. Come here to nibble on inventive small plates, like miso-cured Norwegian salmon spoons (with mirin, soy, wasabi mayo & crisp ginger), and sip on rare concoctions like gin with Mandarin Napoleon and Jasmine syrup. If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Head in the Clouds: an unorthodox combination of Zacapa Rum and Tanqueray Gin, with cloudy apple juice, green cardamom syrup, fresh raspberries and lime.

Asoka, 68 Kloof Street, Tamboerskloof, South Africa, +27 21 422 0909

Just a stone’s throw from the Waterfront, right behind the fashionable Cape Quarter, you’ll find Sky Bar perched on the roof of the Village Lodge. With an extensive drinks menu and a shallow pool for when the sun gets too strong, this rooftop oasis is a perfect place to lounge all through the afternoon or under the stars at night, all while basking in magnificent views of Table Mountain, the Harbor, and the sprawling city this private patch of sky has to offer.

After a busy day of sightseeing, Alba lounge offers an intimate, uncomplicated setting to decompress. Here you can sit back and chat with friends over refreshing rocketinis (Stretton’s gin, rocket and cucumbers), and tempting tapas like grilled chorizo and prawns nacional (queen prawns in a peri-peri and beer sauce). Located in an old Victorian house with an expansive terrace, Alba epitomizes understated elegance. Their DJ is also a master of subtlety, creating a hip background soundtrack for your night at a volume that won’t cut into your conversation.

Den Anker is famous for its Belgian-inspired cuisine. The menu features a wide range of Belgian dishes and culinary delights. Expect to find classic Belgian dishes like moules-frites (mussels with fries), traditional Flemish stews, and a variety of meat and seafood options. Belgian cuisine is known for its hearty and flavorful dishes, and Den Anker does an excellent job of capturing these flavors.

Harbour House is renowned for its seafood-focused cuisine. The restaurant offers a variety of fresh and delicious seafood dishes prepared with a contemporary twist. Whether you’re a fan of prawns, calamari, linefish, or oysters, you’ll find an array of seafood options on the menu. While seafood is the highlight, they also provide choices for those who prefer other types of cuisine.

In addition to its culinary offerings, Harbour House features a cocktail bar. This bar serves a wide range of creative and classic cocktails. It’s an excellent place to enjoy a pre-dinner drink or relax with a cocktail while taking in views of the waterfront.