The biggest attractions in South Africa right now are a guy named Ronaldo, some dude named Mesi, and a chap named Rooney. But it wasn’t always like that (and it won’t be in about a month). As the entire planet descends upon this developing nation at the end of the world, the most die hard soccer fans will tell you that they eat, drink and live the Beautiful Game. We highly doubt that, since eating and drinking soccer would surely result in starvation, disease, and eventually death. So where should the international hordes actually be spending their time and money in between matches? Luckily, I spent some time in Cape Town before it was overrun by hooligans and WAGs, and discovered that South Africa’s second-most populous city is rich with wonderfully local cuisine, hella good wine, and a plethora of things to see and do when you’re not watching grown men chase after a white ball. Check ‘em out.

Drink Most nights, I find myself pleasantly tipsy. It’s hard not to over-indulge when the local wine is so good and so cheap. Even at moderately nice restaurants, it’s easy to find several bottles under $20, and we’re not talking carafes of cheap house wine of the Italian sort. We’re talking bottles of good local wine that will leave you hangover free.

“Even the French are starting to appreciate SA wines,” says Dominic Bowers, the Wine Steward at Cape Town’s Table Bay Hotel, who notes that while “for most of the 20th century, South African wines received very little attention within a global view,” the country’s wineries have really evolved since the end of the apartheid era.

Many of the country’s top wine regions are an easy day trip from Cape Town, and, with the vineyards nestled amongst rugged mountains, it’s some of the most beautiful wine country you’re likely to encounter anywhere. The Western Cape’s Mediterranean climate supports a number of different grapes, from crisp Sauvignon Blanc to the country’s signature Pinotage, a cross between Pinot Noir and Cinsaut.

Stellenbosch, the country’s preeminent wine region, is a pleasant 30-mile drive from Cape Town. A university town, it has a relaxed vibe, and most wineries allow you to taste the goods for free (take that, Napa). It’s worth a trip to both Tokara Vineyards, and the nearby Delaire Graff Estates, not just for their wines and olive oils, but also for their beautiful facilities, with gorgeous landscaping, artwork and design.

Eat “South African cuisine has really come into its own,” says Margot Janse, the chef at the Tasting Room at Le Quartier Francais, one of two South African restaurants on S. Pellegrino's annual “The World's 50 Best Restaurant” list. With great produce, exotic game meats, fresh fish from coastal waters, and beautiful scenery—be it coastal views, wine country, or craggy mountains—it’s easy to understand why.

The country’s haute cuisine features the locally organic grown produce, fresh dairy, and the French techniques you’d expect of any foodie enclave, but there are ingredients quite unique to the country. Janse’s 5-course menu includes a roasted wildebeest sirloin (with aubergine soufflé, butternut, tomato) and a coffee roasted warthog loin (with potato fondant, garlic puree, bone marrow and currant vinaigrette). Needless to say, Janse’s warthog loin is not to be confused with the warthog anus Anthony Bourdain ate in the bush on a very special episode of No Reservations. “Creativity is booming and there is a real pride in the culinary world with us chefs exploring all the possibilities of this country,” Janse says.

With in Cape Town itself, both casual and fine dining options abound. Try the butter chicken at Bukhara, a casual North Indian restaurant with four locations throughout the city. Grab cocktails and watch the sunset at the charmingly trendy Grand Café (35 Victoria Road) in Camps Bay (South Africa’s answer to South Beach) or head to 95 Keerom for Northern Italian fare, and the city’s best gnocchi.

Shop Observe Cape Town’s hipster contingent’s eating and drinking rituals every Saturday when they, along with young creative professionals and older locals, head to the Old Biscuit Mill in the trendy Woodstock area for the weekly Neighbourgoods Market (373 – 375 Albert Road, Woodstock). There, over 50 vendors hawking a gorgeous array of food, from “Afro sushi” to paella. Skip the cupcakes and try the cheeses from Constantia Cheesery, which offers cheesy goodness sourced from all over South Africa, and grab some caffeine at Origins Coffee, a local micro roastery.

It’s not only food and drink on offer at the Biscuit Mill. A Design goods Market tent houses an array of young local designers selling clothing, jewelry, shoes, and vintage couture, while the permanent shops around the area sell eclectic-if-pricey housewares and art.

The Neighbourgoods Market wraps up around 2 p.m. From there, head to De Waterkant, the city’s gay area, for upscale galleries and boutiques, or to colorful Long Street to grab some souvenirs at the Pan-African Market. Pop into Darkie Clothing (159 Long Street) to grab a t-shirt emblazoned with designer Themba Mngomezulu’s iconic afro comb.

See No time or money for a safari? Check out the little African penguins at Boulders Beach, about a 30-minute drive from Cape Town. The little guys are so used to human admirers, they practically open the car door for you when you hop out.

Driving around the countryside, keep an eye for baboons. They are known to steal anything from a piece of fruit to a passport from a tourist, and, according to locals, if a baboon wants something from you, just let him have it, especially if he appears to be intoxicated -- they’re known to sneak into houses and raid the liquor cabinet.

A short drive past the penguins are the stunning Cape of Good Hope— the southern most tip in Western Africa— and the Cape of Good Point, where the Indian and Atlantic oceans meet.

And, you gotta do it. Yes, it’s obvious, yes, they’ll be a ton of other tourists there, and yes, it involves buying a ticket and possibly waiting in line. All that aside, hop on the gondola and whiz up to the top of Table Mountain (3,563 feet above sea level). Watch anyone scared of heights lose their shit when the floor of the gondola starts to rotate.

Once atop the mountain, take in the amazing view of the city, the coast, and the mountains, and keep an eye out for dassie—rabbit-sized creatures that look like large guinea pigs and are reportedly the closest living relative to the African elephant.

Getting There South African Airways flies to Cape Town daily, with connections in Johannesburg, from both New York’s JFK and Washington Dulles Airport. Fear not, there’s plenty of South African on-board entertainment to help pass the long journey.