Once a rather gritty industrial-commercial precinct, the area east of Cape Town’s city bowl, where the CBD meets District Six, has seen a major development of late. Hailed as a new design and innovation hub, many a creative agency is currently settling in the area also known as the “Fringe”. Wander down Roeland, Buitenkant and Harrington Streets and you will suddenly happen upon cultish cafés, go-to restaurants and grungy dive bars, rubbing shoulders with Soho-style co-working spaces, trendy grocery shops and alternative lifestyle spaces. Yes, Cape Town’s East City is having a moment – in a big way. Want to explore this hip and happening neighbourhood? Read on for our top hangouts…
Morning
First up: breakfast!
Oh, and how much choice there is – you could easily spend a week here trying out different places every day. There’s New York Bagels for starters. Renowned as the best bagel shop in the Mother City, here you will find the real deal – traditional, hand-rolled, gooey bagels piled high with cream cheese that have those-in-the-know driving for miles to get their fix. For a more decadent sit-down affair head to Swan Café – oozing Parisian flair, the seductive aromas of batter and freshly brewed coffee will lure you into this sexy French crêperie, whipping up crêpes served with velvety chocolate, dripping in salted caramel or sprinkled with cinnamon. For the health-conscious there are also gluten-free, buckwheat-based galettes with a variety of savoury fillings. Talking of healthy – The Electric, another stellar (and very hipster-friendly) East City breakfast spot, serves fresh juices, Cashew Matcha nut milk and activated charcoal, ginger or Bloody Mary shots. The healthy all-day menu and warehouse-style setting add to the cool vibe and attract a steady Mac Book crowd. A bit of a coffee connoisseur? Then stop by Kamili on Harrington Street, for a seriously good cup of java – these guys take coffee as seriously as you do. You can even buy some beans to recreate the flavour at home.
Discover the East City’s cultural roots
Once your belly is full and the caffeine has duly kicked in, delve into the area’s history with a visit to the District Six Museum. During apartheid, the community of District Six was forcibly relocated from the city, and their houses and businesses demolished. The museum’s multimedia exhibition is a great place to hear the life stories of the residents themselves and learn more about the current restoration efforts. For something uplifting, follow this with a visit to State of the ART Gallery, which features works of art by established, as well as up and coming artists.
Shop ’til you drop
Then it’s time for some shopping, East City-style. There’s The Book Lounge, a well-established independent book shop where you can lose yourself for hours browsing rare finds and stocking up on new titles; Nude Foods, Cape Town’s first plastic-free grocery store; and Just like Papa, the place to gear up if you are thinking of heading on an outdoor adventure.
Afternoon
Grab a bite to eat
Lunch is the perfect time to try Downtown Ramen. This no-frills, communal-style noodle restaurant focuses on the main event – a perfectly simple yet delicious menu of four types of Ramen. The fragrant, flavourful bowls are a hit with Capetonians, as is the city’s original dive bar, Lefty’s, just downstairs– but more of that later. Another good lunch option is Lekker Vegan, a “vegan gourmet junk food” spot serving up tasty treats that will convert even the biggest carnivore. Think plant-based burgers, wraps, milkshakes and traditional South African Gatsby’s – Cape Town’s experimental foodie crowd is giving this place a big thumbs up.
Interesting co-working spaces
Need a quiet place to get some work emails out whilst in town? Then head to Tiny Empire, the East City’s latest, and possibly coolest co-working space. R250 will get you access for the day to what Mr Porter has described as “one of the world’s best co-working office spaces”, boasting a seriously stylish interior design and some very nice amenities. Equally polished is Eastside Cartel, which sounds like a secret mobster den but is actually a hipster friendly warehouse-turned-hair-salon – you know, in case you need a cool new haircut during the working day! And gents, how does sipping a strong whisky while having a hot-towel shave or beard trim sound? The Gentlemen’s Club-style Barnet Fair Barber Shop has you covered.
Get your caffeine fix
All this excitement warrants another café visit. Truth’s steampunk baristas and interior design are legendary, as is their coffee (it keeps being voted one of the best coffee shops in the world). For a High Tea experience with a twist, book in for the Pol Roger Champagne tea with tastings of their entire collection of single origin coffee – you’ll be buzzing for weeks to come. Another spot worth visiting is the Haas Collective, a quirky café-cum-art and design space that will ensure you leave a couple of unique souvenirs richer, and a couple of pennies shorter. Last but not least is the Eastern Precinct’s stalwart, Charly’s Bakery, one of the area’s early residents. Renowned as the city’s go-to birthday cake mecca, its “mucking afazing” chocolate cake is the stuff sugary dreams are made of.
Evening
Unleash your inner gourmand
But don’t go crazy on cake just yet (or save that second slice for another day!), as Cape Town’s East City has yet more culinary trumps up its sleeve come dinner time. New nose-to-tail eatery Belly of the Beast offers a seasonal tasting menu for a maximum of 20 guests, making for a highly personal dining experience and there’s no need to worry about the menu either; simply book, show up and enjoy. If you fancy Italian fare instead, The Cousins Trattoria, headed up by three cousins from the Adriatic coast of Italy, has you covered. Order the signature “The Cousins” tagliolini pasta with cream, mushroom & thyme, served in a Grana Padano cheese wheel (literally wheeled to your table!), and then digest with a limoncello or grappa. For diner-style fare, it’s got to be The Raptor Room, a retro-cool hipster hangout serving everything from traditional comfort food (Mac’ n Cheese, anyone?) to the tongue-in-cheek “You Gats-tby Kidding Me” and “The Drunken Chicken.” Pair with a cocktail or two for serious swag. More cocktails can be found at Harrington’s Cocktail Lounge, a plush hangout that conveniently also serves a selection of tasty tapas. If that sounds a bit tame, head downstairs to surfer-punk bar Surfarosa, or the aforementioned Lefty’s, a low-key spot for strong drinks and what some call the best ribs in town. Yup, the East City never stops eating – or partying…
