The V&A Waterfront is one of Cape Town’s most iconic landmarks; it’s an important part of the city’s maritime history and has evolved into a vibrant tourist hub. At its epicentre is the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, which is located right on the harbour’s edge and overlooks the waters of Table Bay and Table Mountain as well.

A Shopper’s Paradise

The Victoria & Alfred Hotel’s reception area blends seamlessly into a shopping lobby, so you can literally roll out of bed and straight into doing some retail therapy. Beautiful local art, clothing, jewellery and curios literally surround you at every turn. Just a few steps away is the V&A Food Market and the Watershed, so you are literally spoilt for choice.

As a tourist, you can spend your time in Cape Town exploring everything the Mother City has to offer, leave all your gift shopping to the last minute and then do it without having to walk more than a few steps.

Besides just being convenient for shopping, the hotel is also just a few steps away from the Cape Wheel, the Springbok Experience museum, the Two Oceans Aquarium and more.

A team of friendly porters will greet you as you arrive at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel and the theme of friendly personal attention carries through from the reception team, right to the handwritten welcome note in your room. The rooms are spacious and neat with modern bathrooms facilities, coffee, tea and mini bar amenities, local wine and a latest magazine for when you are ready to kick your feet up and relax.

Dining in at Ginja Restaurant

The hotel is home to Ginja Restaurant, which is located on the ground floor of the hotel and also boasts an unparalleled view over the harbour and city.

In winter, it’s kept cosy inside warmed by free-standing fireplaces, and in summer, the deck that wraps around the front of the restaurant and the tables outside, are ideal to soak up the sunshine with a cocktail in hand.

Ginja Restaurant focuses on gourmet food that has maximum flavour and is beautifully presented.

As it is a family hotel, the restaurant offers a great menu of sandwiches, wraps, pasta dishes and more, plus a great choice for children too. So, while the food is stylish and tasty, it remains well-priced and wholesome.

Rustic Sunday Lunch at Ginja Restuarant

Currently, Ginja is offering a Rustic Sunday Lunch that should not be missed. The idea is to share and the portions are generous, so going in a group is really ideal, as you will be able to try a few different things. We saw pork belly on the menu and simply couldn’t go beyond that. Described as slow roasted in milk, with crispy crackling and served with a pineapple and pork reduction, it was a no brainer. With this, we opted for the broccoli, almond and feta salad and the hot veg side of duck fat potatoes (who could resist?).

We definitely made the right choices. The food was absolutely sublime and is exactly what you would want from a Sunday roast – all of the deliciousness but none of the work (no dishes to wash – bliss!).

The pork was silky soft and juicy and the pineapple glaze was sweet and tart, perfect to cut through the incredible pork richness. The duck fat potatoes were crispy golden nuggets and the fresh broccoli salad was just enough greens to make us feel like we weren’t being completely gluttonous.

The Ultimate Breakfast Spread at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel

If you’re staying at the Victoria & Alfred Hotel, the trick if you are planning on having the Rustic Sunday Roast, is to make sure you don’t go overboard with breakfast in the morning. It will be tough though, as the spread the hotel puts on is amazing. When you wake up to the bustling Waterfront, it’s great to be able to wander down to Ginja for breakfast. The breakfast buffet is three tables long and includes pastries, divine local cheeses, salmon with all the trimmings, fruits, granolas and more, plus a full hot menu served to order as well.

Native Coffee Bar

If you’re an early riser, you’ll be glad to know that the hotel has its own coffee bar, Native, open from 06h30. Native serves excellent coffee and a mean chocolate croissant if the moment grabs you. If you’re feeling energetic, you can take a jog around the V&A’s marked jogging path and then grab an early coffee (and a croissant) when you’re back.

The hotel is part of the Newmark group so guests can also use the spa and pool facilities located just across the road at the Queen Victoria  Hotel & Manor House.

Whether you’re visiting Cape Town as a tourist or are a local looking for a place to eat, The Victoria & Alfred Hotel & Ginja Restaurant offer both options. With a superlative view, a vibey location and competitive pricing, it’s a combo that’s hard to beat.

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