Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront is often associated with busy promenades, harbour-view restaurants and flagship retail stores.
Image: Miriam Kimvangu
As one of South Africa’s most visited attractions, it draws millions of local and international visitors every year. But beyond the busiest sections of the precinct, near the cruise terminal, lies a quieter space many people overlook entirely.
Maker’s Landing offers a different kind of Waterfront experience. Removed from the constant movement of the main promenade, the space has developed a slower, more community-focused atmosphere centred around food, creativity and local entrepreneurship. Many visitors only discover it when heading to a restaurant or event in the area. Others miss it altogether because of its distance from the Waterfront’s central hub. Yet that separation is part of what makes the space appealing.
What is Maker’s Landing?
Maker’s Landing was established as a food community and business incubation hub designed to support local entrepreneurs, chefs and artisanal producers. Rather than operating solely as a market or dining venue, the space combines food, workshops, retail and cultural experiences within one environment.
The industrial-style interior reflects its location within the working harbour, while communal seating areas and open-plan layouts encourage visitors to spend time exploring.
Image: Miriam Kimvangu
Its position beside the cruise terminal also gives the space a different rhythm compared to the busier areas of the Waterfront. Cruise passengers, local creatives and Cape Town residents often move through the venue together, contributing to its relaxed atmosphere. Over time, Maker’s Landing has become part of a broader global trend toward mixed-use creative spaces where visitors can eat, shop and participate in experiences within a single destination.
A focus on hands-on experiences
One of Maker’s Landing’s defining features is its emphasis on participation rather than passive tourism. People are increasingly seeking experiences that feel personal, educational and locally rooted. Instead of simply buying souvenirs, many visitors want opportunities to engage directly with local culture and creativity. Spaces like Afrikoa reflect this shift. The workshop studio offers hands-on experiences inspired by African creativity and storytelling, allowing visitors to create their own items while learning about the cultural influences behind them. This interactive approach gives the space a more immersive feel than many traditional tourist attractions. Visitors are encouraged to slow down, ask questions and become part of the creative process rather than simply observing from the outside.
Food rooted in local culture
Food remains central to the Maker’s Landing experience. Unlike larger commercial dining spaces at the Waterfront, the venue focuses heavily on independent food businesses and local culinary talent. Menus often showcase South African flavours, regional ingredients and contemporary interpretations of traditional dishes.
For visitors, this creates a more exploratory dining experience. It is a place where food becomes part of a wider conversation about culture, identity and entrepreneurship. The venue also provides visibility for emerging chefs and small food businesses, contributing to Cape Town’s growing reputation as a culinary destination.
Why it remains overlooked
Despite its growing reputation, Maker’s Landing remains one of the Waterfront’s lesser-known spaces.
Most visitors stay within the central promenade area where shops, entertainment venues and major restaurants are concentrated. Few continue walking toward the cruise terminal unless they already know what is there. As a result, Maker’s Landing has managed to retain much of its quieter identity. That slower pace is ultimately what sets it apart. In a city where many attractions compete through spectacle and scale, Maker’s Landing succeeds by offering something more grounded and experience driven.
Follow us on social media for more travel news, inspiration, and guides. You can also tag us to be featured.
Instagram | Facebook | Twitter
ALSO READ:
6 hydroelectric sites in Southern Africa that became travel destinations
