There’s a new market on the scene and what sets this one apart is that it’s nestled in nature. The Mountain Market is a newly launched community market that you can find bustling with bodies on the slopes of Table Mountain every Saturday.
What started in December 2021 as a way to get outdoors and enjoy summer days just outside the city, has quickly grown into a market loved and frequented by locals and visitors alike – it’s truly the “place to be” on a Saturday, and as such should be high on your list of family activities.
The Vision
The team behind The Mountain Market aim to create a Saturday farmer’s market that’s immersive and facilitates a connection with nature. It’s their ultimate vision to establish a haven in nature that encourages relaxation like no other.
Through this market, they’ve invited locals and visitors to join together in celebrating the immense beauty that surrounds Cape Town whilst engaging with a range of talented local vendors, enjoying good food in great company.
The Vendors
When drawing up a vendor list, the founders felt it important to have a mix of established brands and lesser-known small businesses. They also felt that this would be a good opportunity to allow smaller local businesses to gain exposure and increase their following. That said, the vendors you’ll find at The Mountain Market make for a diverse group of talented individuals who are passionate about what they do. The vendors include:
As masters of handwoven African basketry, the women behind Tatenda Woven create beautiful furniture pieces that are Earth-inspired and carry nature’s essence.
Known for their slow-fermented baked fresh daily authentic and artisanal bread – wow, that’s a mouthful – the Woodstock Bakery is run by a team of local legends who bake with consistency and confidence. They’re at several markets, but there’s nothing quite like enjoying one of their freshly baked treats whilst basking in the glory of Table Mountain.
Talk about delicious and homemade! Ty’s Bagels are more than a meal, they’re a delight. Made from the freshest ingredients and offering a variety of topping combos, Ty’s are the bagels for everyone.
Abalimi is a collective that was established in 1982 on the premise of enabling organic micro-farmers on the Cape Flats to grow their farms and produce substantial harvests. Today, Abalimi continues to work with various farmers and community gardens like Moya weKhaya and SCAGA to provide training, social-organisational support, the infrastructure necessary for growing quality produce and market access for distribution.
Whether you’re vegan, plant-based, health-conscious or just enjoy trying new things, Nourish’d has something refreshing for you. Nourish’d is a café and juice bar that is a long-running local favourite. With delicious smoothies, vegan juices and plant-based sandwiches, Nourish’d helps you prioritise your mind, body and soul.
Specialising in caffeinated drinks made from organic yerba maté, a tree species native to the Atlantic Rainforest of South America, Wildwood is new on the South African scene and is oh so happy to be here. Their speciality is a favourite drink among the locals of the region and pays homage to their culture.
Otherwise known as the “Buckwheat Specialist”, La Rozell are a gluten-free bakery and crêperie that has been around long enough to be excellent in their offerings. All products are made from family recipes and work to combine passion and authenticity to tantalise the tastebuds of locals and visitors alike.
Karibu, the local coffee maestro, serves coffee along with other cosy warm beverages that are perfect for an early start at The Mountain Market. You can also pick up a bag of coffee beans to enjoy at home or at work in the week ahead.
All the Other Things
Now that you know what to expect from a visit to The Mountain Market, let’s talk a little about the location, logistics and anything else you might need to know:
- When? Every single Saturday until mid April
- Where? Van Riebeeck Park – 15 Sidmouth Avenue, Oranjezicht
- Times? 8am to 2pm
- Parking? No parking is permitted in the park or on the park lawns/grass; please park responsibly and respectfully along the road
Additional Information:
- The market is family, child and dog friendly, making it a Saturday well-spent with the fam.
- There is a kiddies’ playground in the park.
- Picnic baskets that cater to the whole family are available.
- There’s live music to carry those good vibes.
If you do make your way to The Mountain Market this Saturday or the next, we’d love to know if you love it as much as we do!