A spectacular food scene, nature in spades, and a nightlife that won’t quit – little wonder Gen Z has voted Cape Town the third-best city on the planet to call home.
That’s the conclusion of ’s first-ever ranking of the world’s best cities for Gen Z. Based on our annual best cities survey, but filtered to responses from under-30s, thousands of young urbanites had weighed in on everything from culture and creativity to overall livability.
The South African city came in just behind Bangkok and Melbourne, with respondents awarding it an impressive 82 percent score for general happiness – proof that Cape Town is doing something right when it comes to keeping Gen Z smiling.
So, what’s the city’s secret? For starters, dining out is a major hit with Gen Z, with 94 percent giving Cape Town top marks for its restaurants, calling the food scene ‘diverse’ and ‘delicious’. There’s everything from fine-dining at South African culinary legend Luke Dale Roberts’ Salon, or indulging in hearty fare at grillroom ROI. And, of course, there’s Market Cape Town – a 27,000-square-foot paradise with 13 kitchens and three bars, right on the iconic V&A Waterfront.
And if you need to work off a slap-up lunch, Cape Town has you covered. According to our survey, 74 percent of respondents praised the city’s green spaces and access to nature, while 71 percent described it as ‘beautiful’. Spend an afternoon riding the cable car up Table Mountain for breathtaking panoramic views, or wander through Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, taking a leisurely stroll along the famous Boomslang treetop walkway. Cape Town’s many beaches are ideal for relaxing – at Boulders Beach, you’ll find yourself sharing the sand with a colony of penguins.
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And then there’s the nightlife, which was given the stamp of approval by 74 percent of Cape Town’s Gen Z inhabitants. From sleek rooftop bars with skyline views to hidden speakeasies and buzzing clubs, there’s something for every night owl. Cocktail enthusiasts can sip inventive concoctions at bars like Fable or The Houe of Machines, while music lovers can catch everything from live jazz at The Blue Room to electronic beats at Modular.
With all this on offer, it’s no surprise Gen Z can’t get enough of Cape Town. The city even edged out global heavyweights like New York, Mexico City and London in our survey, cementing its status as one of the best places to live for young people.
Check out the full list of the top cities for Gen Z.
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