Guest post by our Cape Winelands tour guide, Pam McOnie of Cape Fusion Tours:
This Article was written by Pamela McOnie who contributes to the foodie side of this website and also offers private guiding services and gourmet & wine tours of the Cape region.
Cape Town is an artsy, creative hub. The trend over the last few years has been a return to artisan roots and to support the smaller retailers. There is a very public shift away from big brands, such as Illy Coffee, versus home artisan roasted coffee. In addition, the recession has meant that there has been less of a focus on opulence and, as such, fine dining establishments have struggled and many have closed. Naturally, chefs are not opening new fine dining establishments – they are opting for smaller, quirky spots with a focus on eccentric and artisan sourced food and drinks.
Another big buzz is (finally) the rise of craft beer in South Africa. For years one big company, which made sure they kept the monopoly, dominated the market and, as such, there was no space in the market for craft beer.
To get a taste for the trends happening in Cape Town, I would recommend you start at one end of Bree Street and work your way down the street as far as the intersection of Bree with Strand Street.
Bree Street is the local new hotspot for creative business openings and offers a wide variety of quirky and interesting spots.
Here’s what to look for on Bree Street in the City Centre of Cape Town:
Sababa: Picture some of the most beautiful salads with Middle Eastern and Mediterranean influences and that’s what you’ll find at Sababa. This spot is tiny, quirky and delicious with gorgeous white interiors. You can either squish inside or sit out on the pavement and watch the world go by. The food is delightfully fresh and the flavors rock my world. These are truly talented foodies who understand that simplicity works.
Location: 231 Bree Street. https://sababa.withtank.com
Kirsten Goss and Missibaba: These are two local South African companies producing really great locally designed products. They share a shop space. Missibaba is a community empowerment project creating trendy bags https://www.missibaba.com. Kirsten Goss designs and produces jewelry locally in Natal
Location: 229 Bree Street. https://www.kirstengoss.com
Image copyright by Pam McOnie
Image above copyright by Pam McOnie
Orphanage: This is a quirky, fun upmarket bar that boasts a restaurant and a club. They are located on the corner of Orphanage and Bree Street – make sure you order the cocktail that gives a R15 contribution to a local orphanage. This is open from 5pm onwards.
Location: 227 Bree Street https://www.theorphanage.co.za
Skinny Laminx: For those that are into looking for local textiles while traveling, this spot is a must include while visiting Cape Town. Started by Heather Moore as a hobby, her fabrics are now sought after around the world and are available in stores in South Africa to New York.
Location: 201 Bree Street. https://skinnylaminx.com/shop/
Jason: This is a cult following bakery. People flock here for the sandwiches and the coffee and to stock up with bread. It is also a favorite of mine if you want to do some people watching. People sit along the pavement and you need to know that there is no service – you simply order from the hatch. Jason works closely with other artisan producers such as Franky Fenner Meats, and there is a great synergy between the two businesses.
Location: 185 Bree Street. https://jasonbakery.com (open daytime only)
Image above of Jason – The Hatch – copyright Pam McOnie
Clarke’s Bar & Dining: This spot is quirky, it is hip and it has become a local hangout for the trendy 20-year-olds in Cape Town. It started life as a burger bar that cared about where its meat was coming from – everything was free range and they could track the source. The burgers remain an insanely good option. They have, however, added to it – with fab pulled pork sandwiches and Caesar salads, and in fact have created a fairly large menu!
It has become a spot to meet up with friends for a real value for money, delicious dinner and drinks, and is a funky and fun hangout at night.
Location: 133 Bree Street. https://clarkesdining.co.za
**Another trend in Cape Town is the rise of Food Trucks. Clarke’s food can also be found in their food truck, which is always at the Biscuit Mill on a Saturday morning. Unfortunately we still have archaic legislation that makes it hard for them to simply pop up and operate. As such, to track the Cape Town food trucks one needs to follow where they are on the Food Truck Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/pages/Cape-Town-Food-Trucks/424139807602526
Bird Boutique Café: Chef-owned restaurants seem to always offer a taste of love on the plate and Bird’s is no exception. Here, Chefs Leigh and Kevin offer delicious, well-priced dishes in a simple café style setting. Well worth popping in. Open Tuesday through Saturday during the day, and Wednesday through Friday they are open during the evenings.
Location: 127 Bree Street https://www.facebook.com/BirdsCafe
Lucky Fish: This is the new baby of Lucky Fish from Kalk Bay Harbour, which is an award-winning fish and chip shop. The concept is very simple. Excellent, good old fish and chips, using the freshest fish direct from the Kalk Bay Harbour. Note at this stage they have no liquor license – but they are in the process of applying for one.
Location: 120 Bree Street https://www.facebook.com/LuckyfishandChips
Have a question for Pam or want to have Pam guide your next tour to Cape Winelands? Contact us today.
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