Editorial
Cape Town rooftops give you Table Mountain to the south, the harbour to the north and the Atlantic Seaboard to the west. The four below show how the city uses one of the world's most photogenic geographies. Each is a real, currently open rooftop bar that welcomes outside guests.
Cloud 9 sits atop a boutique hotel on Kloof Nek Road in Tamboerskloof, within walking distance of Kloof and Long Streets. Voted the city's number one rooftop bar, it spreads across two sun decks, one with a water-wise plunge pool under a retractable roof, with roundabout views of Table Mountain and Lion's Head. Time a visit for the daily happy hour at sunset. Best for a first Cape Town sundowner.
The Silo Rooftop perches atop the Royal Portfolio's Silo Hotel in the V&A Waterfront, set in the converted grain silo that now holds the Zeitz MOCAA museum. The open terrace takes in the harbour, the city and Table Mountain, and it opens daily from noon to sunset, weather permitting. Outside guests are welcome for creative cocktails and small plates. Best for a polished Waterfront sunset.
Camissa House tucks into Oranjezicht on the slopes of Table Mountain, five minutes from the city centre. Its rooftop bar looks straight up at the mountain and out across the bowl of the city, an intimate spot for sunset vistas and cocktails away from the Waterfront crowds. The setting suits a slow, quiet evening. Order a gin and tonic and watch the light change. Best for a calm, scenic sundowner.
The Leopard Bar sits on the sandstone cliffs of the Twelve Apostles Hotel above Camps Bay, with the Atlantic spread out below. It holds some of the finest sunset views in Cape Town, with signature cocktails, casual dining and laid-back live music most evenings. Whales pass close offshore between July and December. Arrive an hour before sunset for a cliff-edge seat. Best for sundowners over the ocean.
Cloud 9 is the iconic city-bowl option, and The Silo answers it from the Waterfront. Most Cape Town rooftops peak between 5 and 8 PM at sunset, and the summer high season from December to February books out fast.
Which is the best rooftop bar in Cape Town? Cloud 9 in Tamboerskloof is regularly voted the city's top rooftop, with The Silo Rooftop its closest rival.
Which has the best Table Mountain view? Cloud 9 and Camissa House sit on the mountain side and look straight up at the peak.
When should you go? Aim for sunset, around 6 to 8 PM in summer. The Silo opens daily from noon.
Are they open to non-hotel guests? Yes. Cloud 9, The Silo and the Leopard Bar all welcome outside guests, though sunset booking is wise in high season.