World-Class Gin Distillery, Most Locals Don't Know About It

Tucked away in the semi-industrial pocket of Ndabeni, a short Uber from the V&A Waterfront and the City Bowl, and 5 minutes from the new Riverlands Centre is one of the most decorated gin distilleries on the African continent. Most Cape Town locals have no idea it exists, but once they find it, they keep coming back. The best kept secret in Cape Town.

This is Unit43 Distilling Co. And this is their story.

Built on a simple principle: Find and Refine

Founded in 2018, Unit43's motto is "Find and Refine." It sounds simple, but it shapes every decision the distillery makes, finding the best possible ingredients and refining them into something exceptional. Their flagship gin is made with 16 hand-selected botanicals, including wild Cape Fynbos harvested from the foothills of the Franschhoek mountains. It's copper distilled in small batches, which means every bottle gets the attention it deserves.

The awards aren't hype, they're proof

18 international gold medals. Best Gin in Africa (The Gin Guide UK) three years in a row. Recognition from competitions in America, Hong Kong, Europe, and the UK. These aren't marketing claims, they're the result of entering highly competitive blind-judging events and coming out on top, consistently, against distilleries from around the world.

For a small Cape Town operation, that's extraordinary.

You can visit, taste, and even make your own

Unit43 isn't just a production facility, it's a destination. They host guided gin tastings, distillery tours, gin making experiences, and private events at their venue in Ndabeni. Book a tasting and light lunches. Hands-on gin making sessions hosted by Master Distiller Jason, where you craft, distil, bottle, and label your own gin to take home.

The space seats up to 46 for private events, and up to 65 for cocktail-style functions.

Ndabeni is worth the Uber

If you haven't been to Ndabeni recently, it's quietly becoming one of Cape Town's most interesting neighbourhoods, creative studios, small manufacturers, and now one of the city's best gin distilleries. So if you love a hidden gem - this is for you.

To visit: 37 Berkley Road, Ndabeni, Cape Town. 
To book: hello@unit43.co.za | 083 9699 777