The Silo District is the hottest place to be at the V&A Waterfront. Since the refurbishment of the old grain Silo, new developments have sprung up around The Silo to turn the precinct into a mecca of diverse experiences and attractions. The Silo District is located at STOP 2 on the City Sightseeing bus route, and we recommended that art lovers and dining enthusiasts hop-off here and experience some of the unique art collections and delicacies.
We have to start with the Silo District’s prized gem, the Zeitz MOCAA, housed in the old repurposed Grain Silo, once the tallest building in Cape Town. The building in itself is a piece of art, with its geometric glass windows and dissected inner columns, the inside of the museum houses the largest collection of contemporary African art on the continent, and also plays host to a number of international exhibitions from around the world on a regular basis. They even have a Zeitz MOCAA Food on the 6th floor, a restaurant where fine dining is treated as an art form.
It’s a must-see when you visit the district, and the good news is they often host museum nights. To make the museum as accessible to all members of the public as possible, Wednesday entry to the museum is always free for South African citizens from 10 a.m – 1 p.m, and on the first Friday of the month tickets are half price from 4 p.m - 9 p.m. For daily discounts on your museum tickets book online from City Sightseeing.
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As if the Silo District couldn’t get any better, introducing the Lindt Chocolate Studio, every chocoholics dream place. The Silo District is home to the Lindt Chocolate Studio, where the magic happens. The chocolate studio doesn’t just sell an extensive range of their lavish chocolates, but they offer baking and chocolate making classes as well. Wear a master chocolatier’s uniform and learn how to make your own truffles, chocolate cake, fondant, souffle and, most excitingly, macarons! They even do kids classes for children under 12, with Lindt Bear moulding, Bunny moulding and Lindor lolly decorating.
Classes typically cost R345 per person, and booking is essential as each class can only hold up to 12 - 36 participants depending on the classes, and some are bound to sell out long before the time. The Lindt Chocolate Studio can be found at Silo 2.
Image Source: Cape Grace
Whether you need to grab a bite to eat on the go or you’re looking to wine and dine on a picturesque Cape Town evening, The Yard is the place to be for great quality cuisines. The Yard offers a hybrid experience for contemporary dining and shopping at the concept store, stocked with jewellery, trinkets, clothes, a local beauty and skincare products, and more in this urban-friendly restaurant and store. They also specialise in great coffees, so they’re the perfect place to stop for a delicious breakfast in the district. Their style of cuisine is a mix of Indian, Asian, Mediterranean, and Middle Eastern.
The Yard is open Monday to Friday from 7:30 a.m to 10:00 p.m, Saturday from 8:00 a.m to 10:00 p.m, and Sunday from 7:15 a.m to 3:00 p.m.
Image source: The Spaces
There’s nothing better than relaxing at poolside with a cocktail and enjoying a spectacular view of the harbour and Table Mountain after a long day of work. The Red Roof Bar is at the very top of the Radisson Red Hotel, with a bar and food truck serving a delicious array of dishes from salads to burgers, cheese balls to chilli poppers.
The rooftop bar is open from 6:00 a.m to 12:00 a.m, perfect for catching a sunrise or partying it up till late. Entrance to the bar is free to the public, and the pool is open for use so if you’re looking to enjoy a nice dip bring along your swim gear and towel.
Image Source: Cosmopolitan
Located above the Zeitz MOCAA you’ll find the opulent Silo Hotel, part of The Royal Portfolio collection. The hotel features a collection of fine dining venues, including its breezy rooftop bar, contemporary cafe, and its relaxed cocktail lounge. Reservations are essential for all three venues, so be sure to call on ahead if you’d like to dine there. The Granary Café offers set lunch specials, Sunday Roasts, and seasonal menus, all inspired by the cafe’s amazing location, from salads to steaks, oysters to tartare.
The rooftop bar offers amazing cocktails and drinks to enjoy over lunch or while peering out over the Cape Town sunset. There’s a Tempura Bar for some delightful battered delicacies, and the kitchen serves a range of finger foods and platters to enjoy while laid back on the terrace. Down on the 6th floor, The Willaston Bar offers some of South Africa’s best wines and bubblies, with a selection of cocktails and gins to go along with them. To eat you can find sharing platters, breakfasts, salads, and a selection of pub-style mains.
Image Source: The Royal Portfolio
Between City Sightseeing’s bus stop and the Zeitz MOCAA is Mercedes Benz’s public art installation, the Zoetrope. It’s a large solar-powered, interactive design piece that engages the viewer, taking them on a journey of life and movement through sound, imagery and space. The inside consists of a spiral made up of 12 or more sections, with timed footage and audio played over the walls. Each section lasts a minute, and it's intended for the viewer to stay in each section until the footage and audio stop. They act as charging stations for the mind of the driver, and the design is the forerunner for many other themed pavilions that plan to be set up around the world.
The Zoetrope is a free experience for the public, so check it out when you visit the Silo District.
Image Source: https://www.architecturalrecord.com/
The Silo District is just one of the many top things to do in Cape Town, and with City Sightseeing, you can see them all from onboard our hop on hop off Red Buses. Book your tickets online to make use of our Winter Specials and skip the queues, with specials like our 3 for 1 kids special. With every adult ticket, you get two junior rider tickets free, valid for kids up to 18 years old. It’s a great way for South Africans and visitors alike to see the beautiful city we call home.
