The Canal Walk Shopping Centre, Cape Town

Canal Walk is the 3rd largest shopping centre in Africa. Built in what the developers call "Cape Venetian architecture", the shopping centre hosts over 400 stores, 7,000 parking bays, numerous restaurants, 20 cinemas plus a game arcade.

What to buy here: Cape Jazz Volume 3 – Goema | Cape Malay Spices | Hip Hop (brand) Fashion

Originally, the Cape of Good Hope was established as a refreshment station for ships traveling the spice route, and Dutch settlers brought the Malays to Cape Town, originally as slave labor. With them, they brought a rich cultural history, specifically their use of spices. Their legacy is entrenched in Cape Town’s culture, specifically through their cooking and their seasoning. Varieties include the use of over 30 chilies, and different combinations of nutmeg, cinnamon and cloves. You can almost taste 300 years of history in one bite. A popular choice is the Atlas Trading Company at 94 Wale Street in the Bo-Kaap. This spice shop really gives you a taste of the Cape Malay culture itself. Popular choices include the 100g packet of leaf masala (consisting of twelve different spices) for R5.14. Atlas is open from 08:00 to 17:00 Mondays to Fridays (but closed from 12:00 to 14:00 on Fridays) and from 08:30 to 12:45 on Saturdays. Alternatively, try the Woolworths Cape Malay Curry Cook-in Sauce (R24.95) or their Cape Malay Curry Powder (R12.95). Both are available at the Woolworths food courts in Cavendish Square (open from 09:00 to 18:00 seven days a week) located in Dreyer Street, Claremont and the Canal Walk Shopping Centre (open from 09:00 to 21:00 seven days a week) in Century Boulevard, Century City.