V&A Market on the Wharf – a sneak peek!

** Update 6 December 2012: apparently, the launch of the market has been postponed because of fire safety issues. It’s unclear when it will be allowed to open – but hopefully on the weekend **

This evening was the media launch of the V&A Market on the Wharf, a new food market opening tomorrow at the V&A Waterfront. The market is quite different from most existing Cape Town markets in that it is not held weekly or bi-weekly, but will run from Wednesday to Sunday every single week, and will be open from 9.30am until 7.30pm each day. That makes it a great shopping market – so that locals working nearby can stop in after work and pick up fresh produce, or prepared meals to take home.

I am super-impressed. I think this could easily become one of the most popular markets in Cape Town (maybe even more so than the Neighbourgoods Market – especially because parking isn’t such a drag).

The layout is beautiful – they’ve used the warehouse space so well (it used to be CD Warehouse once upon a time), and it feels warm and inviting. The stalls look amazing (love the natural wooden slats and the chalkboards for daily prices), and the selection of producers is fantastic (plenty of familiar faces, and some new ones too).

There are two levels, with a lovely wide (though slightly slippery) staircase going up the top level, which overlooks the stalls below. The upper level has a bar and seating, spread out nicely, and plenty of prepared foods to tuck into right away. The lower level seems to be more focused on shopping – with plenty of fresh produce and deli-type options.

The market wasn’t officially trading, so I haven’t yet had a chance to try anything, but I can’t wait to come back and do exactly that as soon as I can!

The V&A Market on the Wharf officially opens tomorrow (Wednesday 5 December 2012) at 9.30am. Get yourselves there as soon as you can – it really is worth it.

V&A Market on the Wharf – Details:

When: Wednesday to Sunday – 9.30am to 7.30pm each day
Where: Dock Road, next to Nobel Square (opposite the Scratch Patch)

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