The Elgin Railway Market lives in an old apple warehouse on Oak Avenue in Elgin, just outside Grabouw. Italian prisoners of war built it in the 1940s, and their skill still shows in the tapered concrete columns and curved box gutters. It has been renovated in a steampunk and art deco style that suits its railway setting.
Come on a Saturday or Sunday for the full market. Food vendors serve curries, Mediterranean food, Neapolitan pizza, poke bowls, Thai food, ribs and burgers, with halaal options too. The bar pours local wines, beer and cider, L-Gin serves craft gin from Elgin, and the wine shop stocks Elgin and Bot River wines. For dessert there's fudge, ice cream, handmade chocolate and cake.
Upstairs on the mezzanine and downstairs, stalls sell jewellery, leather goods, vellies, clothing, toys, gifts and braai tools, and there's a salvage shop to rummage through.
There's live music, and plenty of seating indoors and out, so it's easy to settle in for the afternoon. The market is the gateway to the Elgin Valley, so take your time on the drive out, which climbs over Sir Lowry's Pass and runs through orchards.
Getting there from Green Gables
Take the N2 east from Somerset West and over Sir Lowry's Pass. The market is about 45 minutes from Green Gables. On a clear day, stop at the viewpoint near the top of the pass for a view back over the Helderberg basin and False Bay.
Market hours
The full market runs on Saturdays and Sundays from 09:00 to 16:00.
During the week, the Steam Coffee shop is open Monday to Friday from 08:30 to 16:00. On Wednesday and Friday evenings, from 16:00 to 20:30, a smaller selection of food vendors and the bar open for an after-work crowd. Hours can change over holidays, so check the market's website before you go.
The steam train
The market sits right beside the railway line, and on weekends Ceres Rail runs a return trip from Cape Town to Elgin with its stable of 80-year-old trains. Their arrival is a must-see for children (and adults), as the train roars in with plenty of whistling, puffing and hooting.
You can greet it on the station platform or watch from the market's deck above the line. If you'd like to ride it yourself, the Cape Town to Elgin trip and the shorter Overberg Explorer from Botrivier can be booked through the market's website.
Tips for your visit
Weekends are busy, so arrive early if you want a table, especially in summer and during school holidays.
Elgin sits higher than the coast and is often cooler, so bring an extra layer even when it's warm in Strand. The rocket-stove fireplaces inside make it a cosy place on a winter's day.
Dogs are allowed under the market's pet policy, so read it before you bring yours. For groups, the private Captain's Lounge can be booked.
Make a day of it
The Elgin Valley is known for its apples, pears and cool-climate wines. Stop at a farm stall or tasting room on the way home, or book lunch at Idiom on the Somerset West side of the pass.
