Review : V & A Market on the Wharf

The view from the market doors

With much hype around the opening of the V and A Market on the Wharf, I'm happy to have visited twice in the past week - once to have a little look around before they officially opened, and the other time this past Sunday - when they were fully in the swing of things (and to do a little food shopping, of course).

Situated in the old Musica building, next to the Aquarium, Cape Town was in desperate need of a full-time food market. After the madness that is the Biscuit Mill on a Saturday morning, with spilling beer and clashing elbows - I have high hopes for the Market on the Wharf. Open from 09h30 - 19h00, Wednesday to Sunday, there is (hopefully) more than enough time for the crowds to visit in peace.

Wide aisles (yay!) which will hopefully mean no elbow-bumping-and-shoving

The market has a great selection of vendors - from fresh duck and rabbit, to preserves, fresh fruit and vegetables, cheese, sushi, ice cream - and ready made meals and snacks too, should you develop a nibble while browsing. I left with beautiful duck breasts from Coniglio, a trio of sauces from The Deli Box (thyme balsamic, coconut and coriander peri-peri and a pomegranate dressing) and enjoyed beetroot, apple and celery juice from Dr Juice while browsing. I left with a scoop of Salted Caramel ice cream from The Creamery.

I'll share a few of my favourite stalls and vendors with you below, but to get to know all the vendors a little better, click here.

Adam's Apple

    

Adam is a fourth generation Capetonian fruit and vegetable trader, and brings  the freshest, purest and best variety of fruit and vegetables to the market. His produce is hand-picked at four o’ clock every morning - and from what I saw, his stand is filled with fresh, shiny and beautiful good-for-you produce.

Aspen Flowers

  

  

  

 

Gorgeous fresh flowers, potted succulents, wreaths and home decor items. It was possibly the stand that had me oohing-and-aaahing the most.

Around Cheese

  

  

  

Around Cheese source and sell handcrafted farm cheeses from small producers bringing a touch of the countryside to the city - passionate about pairing delicious cheese with other country products. We first encountered Jane's cheeses here, so am very excited about seeing them with a "full time base".

Bosini Brothers

   

Selling fresh from-the-farm, traceable, unique and organic fruit and vegetables and a selection of other genuine and Italian foods as well as authentic Tuscan cookware. Born in Italy, the Bosini Brothers gravitate towards great food and healthy eating.

Dr Juice

  

  

Doctor Juice sells fresh healthy fruit and vegetable juice, made in front of you. A generous glass for R20, it'll give you a little health kick while browsing the market.

Fortain Chocolatier 

    

  

Potentially the most mouth-watering stand, Jean-Pierre Fortain, third generation chocolatier, provides gorgeous Belgian chocolates and confectionery for all the sweet-toothed visitors to the market.

Nap and Deluxe 

   

   

A collaboration between Nap Cafe and Deluxe Coffee Works  - with options of selecting your own coffee blend to take home, or enjoying a cup while you browse, with some of Nap's renowned treats: white chocolate cheesecakes, milky cinnamon dusted milktarts , lemon meringue pie,  chocolate brownies , homemade toffee, nougat, fudge, or pineapple & banana cake - just the stall to stop at for a mid-morning treat. (You can read about my love of Deluxe here).

Nigiro Tea Merchants 

  

Nigiro Tea Merchants specialize in tea leaves, tea equipment, tea training and exclusive tea blending. I have a long-standing-love for Nigiro - you can read my review here to understand why.

Royal Bavarian Bakery 

  

  

Royal Bavarian Bakery came to life when a South African, German and Brit realized that there were no great German products available at the Waterfront. All their products (including pretzels, sausages and breads) are made in Cape Town, from authentic German recipes. I visited with two Germans, and they approved.

The Creamery 

 

Honest to goodness, not-your-average ice cream. Wholesome, rich and creamy, coming from happy cows, I have much love for The Creamery (you can read my review here). With seasonal flavours ranging from ginger and roast apple, honey lavender and lemon curd swirl, it's also the only place I'll buy chocolate ice cream from.

The Mozzarella Well 

 

Mozzarella, Burrata and Scamorza cheeses made the Italian way, I can't wait to spend a little more time at this stall, tasting my way through their range.

Waymenels 

   

A premier salt beef bar using the finest grass-fed Brisket and making their own organic BBQ and mayonnaise, slaw and other nice fillings and placing them on the best artisan breads.

Note : Some if the above vendor information is from the Market on the Wharf website

There's also a demo kitchen upstairs -where Masterchef SA's Sue-Ann Allen will be hosting demos, workshops, cooking classes and private functions - proudly using iconic KitchenAid, of course!

   

There is really no excuse not to visit the market - I'm excitedly making my third visit this Saturday, and can't wait to show the lovely man all the delights I've found and tasted so far.