Elgin Railway Market

About Elgin Railway Market

Elgin may have earned its name as one of the prettiest fruit-growing regions in the country, but it is getting to the top of the tourist hotspot list for other reasons too. This vibrant, scenic little spot has plenty to offer visitors, and the Elgin Railway Market is guaranteed to be a hit for international tourists and locals alike.

Roger Orpen, a keen businessman, had the smart idea of converting Elgin’s old apple warehouse into this fantastic bustling market space, which has been a massive success due to the fabulous use of space, light and quirky design elements. Today, it is filled with the smell of craft food and sweets, the sound of live music, and the colours and flavours of South African products.

The design was inspired by steam trains and the industrial era, giving it a “steampunk” look and feel that is reminiscent of sci-fi movies set in this time. Described as “art deco meets Victorian”, the Elgin Railway Market certainly enjoys a unique space.

Visitors to the market should definitely come hungry. Look forward to pizzas, Mexican favourites, authentic curries, Greek dishes, grills, steaks, pies, quiches, low-carb breads, vetkoek, soup, and biltong. There are also plenty of indulgent sweets from which to choose; ranging from ice-creams to homemade cakes and tarts, and from waffles-on-a-stick to healthy smoothies. Varieties of craft gin, beer and cider are served alongside local wines for some world-class refreshment. Visitors needing a pick-me-up are invited to sample home-ground coffee brews.

Clothes, jewellery, accessories, wooden creations, ceramics, furniture, and even fresh-cut flowers make shopping at the market really fun and rewarding.

To add to the vibe and excitement at Elgin Railway Market, a steam train makes the trip to the market a few times a month (in partnership with the Ceres Train Company). You can book a ride on the train, or just watch it and enjoy its iconic whistle. This is a fabulous memory for the whole family. Elgin is about an hour’s drive from Cape Town.