Gigi Rooftop

Gigi Rooftop sits on the sixth floor of Gorgeous George, a design hotel created from two restored heritage buildings on St George's Mall in the city centre. The hotel was the first in Cape Town to join the Design Hotels collection, and Gigi is its rooftop restaurant and bar, describing itself as a living room for the neighbourhood and a place where overstaying your welcome is always encouraged.

By day, the rooftop is a relaxed place for breakfast or lunch, with poolside sessions in the sun, and as the afternoon goes on it turns into one of the city centre's most popular spots for a drink. The bar serves cocktails, wine and other drinks from midday until late, and the kitchen offers à la carte lunch and dinner, with seasonal dishes that, according to the hotel, use produce from its own farm.

Gigi opens every day. Breakfast is served from 07:30 to 10:30, and lunch, dinner, cocktails and drinks run from 12:00 until late. Sunset is the busiest time, particularly on warm evenings in summer and at weekends, so arrive early or book ahead if you want a good table. The rooftop is open to the elements, so it can be windy on some days, and it is worth bringing a light layer for the evening.

The venue suits couples, groups of friends and hotel guests, and it makes a stylish place to start an evening before moving on to restaurants and bars nearby. It is more of a lounge and dining space than a nightclub, with a sociable atmosphere rather than a dance floor.

St George's Mall is a pedestrian street running through the heart of the city centre, close to Greenmarket Square, Long Street, Bree Street and the Bo-Kaap, so Gigi is easy to combine with other bars and restaurants within walking distance. The hotel's guest parking is reached via Longmarket Street. At night, taxis and ride-hailing services are the safest way to travel between venues and back to your accommodation.

Cape Town's summer sunsets are late, often after 19:30 in December and January, so there is plenty of time to enjoy the light after a day out. In winter the sun sets much earlier and the rooftop can be cool, so the indoor areas become more appealing. If you are staying at Gorgeous George, the rooftop doubles as the hotel's own lounge and breakfast room.