I have lived in the Helderberg for four years now, and like most locals, my grocery routine was pretty much set in stone. We were absolute regulars at the Food Lover’s Market at Somerset Value Centre, right next to Somerset Mall. It was our go-to for everything from avocados, grapes and bananas to those massive 10kg crates of naartjies we seem to fly through lately. And, when they were in season, we would always make sure to leave with one enormous whole watermelon. Then there were the favourites we could never leave without: the cinnamon doughnuts, orange loaf, grilled hake, calamari, golden pocket samosas… the list is probably longer than our shopping list.
We always knew there was another Food Lover’s Market at Vergelegen Plein, but habit is a powerful thing.
A few months ago, though, we finally decided to break that habit and drive the extra few kilometres. It meant swapping a 4.9km trip for one that’s about 6.5km, but that small change has completely transformed how we shop.
While the Somerset West branch has that unmistakable bustling market atmosphere, it can also feel a little overwhelming. The Vergelegen Plein store, by comparison, feels more like a modern, high-end supermarket. Despite serving a densely populated area, it is noticeably cleaner, less crowded and far more relaxed.
The first thing I noticed was how accessible the entire store feels. In the Somerset West branch, I often felt like I was blocking someone’s way just by stopping to read a label. At Vergelegen Plein, the aisles are manageable and the layout feels intentional.
The bakery and hot food sections are particularly well-designed; they are enclosed so you only see the front selling area, which makes the whole display look much more appealing. Perhaps the biggest difference is that I actually have time to browse. Instead of waiting behind several customers just to order a single garlic roll, I can take my time looking through the baked goods without feeling rushed.
The real highlight for our family, though, has nothing to do with groceries. While the Somerset West store has a cow mooing on the radio and random announcements, Vergelegen Plein has a special “Fruit and Veggies” song.
There is a button located in the veggie area and another by the banana stall. Our son has turned this into his own personal DJ set. He spends the trip running between the two, pressing the buttons and shaking his body to the music. At the banana stall, the cheerful banana character doesn’t just sing—it dances too, which only adds to the fun. It has become his favourite activity. He sometimes has to wait his turn if there are other kids there, but it turns the chore of grocery shopping into a genuine highlight for him. He also loves the novelty of the centre itself, specifically going up the escalator to the top floor and coming back down in the lift.
Beyond the aisles, the physical setting of Vergelegen Plein is a massive drawcard. We always make a point of parking above ground because the panoramic view of the town, the mountains, and the ocean is breathtaking from the parking lot.
If you head upstairs to the restaurant level where Mugg & Bean and Spur are, there is an exit to the viewing deck. On a clear day, the blue of the sky and the False Bay ocean seem to merge into one. It turns a quick grocery run into a moment where you can actually stop and appreciate where we live.
Being able to combine a grocery run with a quick stop at Clicks or Woolworths upstairs, all while taking in that scenery, makes the slightly longer drive more than worth it. For us, the manageable foot traffic and the relaxed atmosphere make Food Lover’s Market Vergelegen the clear winner.
I’m a wife, mother and local publisher who traded Johannesburg and two years abroad for life in Somerset West. Through HelderbergStuff, I share lifestyle stories, local discoveries and noteworthy developments across Somerset West, Strand and Gordon’s Bay. For media and collaboration enquiries: marina@helderbergstuff.co.za
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