Whilst not exactly a hidden gem... this is more of a crown jewel for Cape Town day trips. Small town charm under 30 min from the centre of Cape Town city that always feels like the ultimate holiday town, even if it is just for a morning, but ideally a full day.
Start a morning here with a plethora of amazing coffee spots, all dotted along main road. The secret to really enjoying Kalk Bay is time. You can start nearest the Harbour and meander for a full day through gift shops, decor shops, second hand spots... all are wonderfully enchanting and can easily take a full day, if not at least a morning to lunch.
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We eat to live & live to eat, as the old adage says... and so let's start there as once you decide where to have lunch or dinner (or Sundowners then you can choose which end of the road to start as parking is always a challenge. A testament to this is the parking guard, Patrick, outside of Cape to Cuba with his huge bundle of car keys who plays tarmac Tetris by moving cars... but bottom line is see a spot and park- this is a town to explore on foot as soon as possible.
Where to eat in Kalk Bay
Here is a list of the Famous Five restaurants in Kalk Bay based on their proximity to the harbour & their longstanding popular appeal.
Harbour House
Crisp and clean this is a spot with a sister restaurant in the heart of the V&A Waterfront as well. It's a formal dining restaurant is upstairs above a small take away, but revealed as an almost oasis with elegant white and clean design, that adds to the drama of the sea just outside the windows. Calamari is one of the stand out dishes here, but it is the evening dining where this spot also shows it's special location as you dine to the sound track of the ocean.
Image courtesy of Harbour House Facebook Page
Kalkys
Reportedly one of the best fish n chips in the Cape... and with long queues on a weekend it very well could be. Part of it's charm is it's lack of frills, it is a takeaway (with a few tables as well) that is right on harbour. Munching on freshly cooked, freshly caught fish (n chips) while watching a seal cast serious side eye at the fish sellers beside the rows of colourful fishing boats, it could very well be the setting that sways the critics, as well as the buzz.
Olympia Cafe
One of the steadfast & original artisinal eateries in the town, with a wonderful selection of baked goods each day & a seasonal menu that often includes fresh fish of the day (Mussels in White Wine when on the menu is definitely some of the best in town) but it is the quirky and casual design, excellent service that often keeps locals coming back for more.
Brass Bell
Not many restaurants can boast of a better position & so many dining options that it is like 6 restaurants in one! Brass Bell can though, with it's own patch of sheltered beach (complete with a small tidal plunge pool for the little ones to play in) surrounded by the Beach Deck & also a (relatively) new Sushi Bar. There is a huge selection of dining areas and options that it can get a little confusing as to where the best spot is.. depends on the weather, and also on a weekend, how busy it gets. Upstairs there is a traditional restaurant called the Cabin Restaurant that opens onto the Train Station... rather convenient ;) and very novel. This dining spot has the highest vantage point to survey the sea... but the real 'sea view' comes from the deck below which literally has sea spray crashing up onto the windows, aptly named Seaweed & Salt. It is an epic highlight for many. There is a bar with live music next door (as well as new home to Kalk Bay Theatre shows) that serves burgers etc, keep up with the latest gigs on their website to see if that might tie into a night out for you to book a table at Brass Bell call 021 788 5455 and to see what shows are happening & book tickets visit www.kalkbaytheatre.co.za
Sirocco Restaurant
Whilst this is a Summertime spot, it is a true Mediterranean street side cafe that oozes cool charm. It is a crisp white wine and fresh salad type spot. In fact some say, it is the kind of destination Camps Bay aims for but gets too overrun by! Located at the entrance to Brass Bell it does get busy but the service is excellent & the vibe is quite unique.
Obviously there is no way to create an exhaustive list of stops and there are many more including Cape to Cuba (quirky and recently modernised with a beach bar, but it can be a little hit or miss); Beria Mar Portugese (BYOB and fantastic all round value & flavour); Satori for some of the best Pizza in the city (not even just area!) and the list goes on... but the best thing to do is to hit the pavement & explore... just don't forget to peer up the side roads!
Kalk Bay Coffee Stops
A vital rest and recharge is needed as you browse the myriad of shops... here are some of the quirkier stops to look out for. Most also serve meals as well should you opt to linger longer.
From Olympia Cafe all along the main road there are a wonderful selection of stops that spill out and open right onto the street, playing an open handed invitation to drop in & sit down. New ones open every year but here are a few stalwarts not to overlook as they are either slightly set back or off the main road
Kalk Bay Espresso
A renovated blue train carriage, what's not to love?! And quite similarly (at times) this one is stationary. ;p To find it, you do need to know where to look as it is set back behind the Trading Post and next to Sirrocco (mentioned above)... it is an Instagram haven so worth the visit, and scones are fresh, but being a smallish venue with a basic menu it may not cater for all expectations... that being said, with attention to detail from photos on the wall to the chairs around each table, it is a worthy stop... and in fact, one worth returning to!
Courtyard Cafe
It might just be my opinion but I find this spot akin to an Aladin's Cave, there is a large window overlooking the main road towards the beach, which you would think would be the prime spots to sit at in the restaurant (and they are) but once inside there is so much more to see and do (including browsing the collection at Artvark next door) and a table at the Courtyard inside is a genuinely fantastic alternative place to take a moment to rest, recoup- and eat cake. Fantastic fresh cake (and amazing plant based menu options)
- Sunday-Thursday 8:00-16:30
- Friday-Saturday 8:00-21:00
- Website: Courtyard Cafe
Bob's Bagel Cafe
A morning / lunch stop off just off Main Road towards the Muizenberg end of Kalk Bay. This cafe is up a short cobbled street serving fantastic fresh bagels and a fantastic (Damn Fine, in fact) . 😜 cup of coffee. There is seating inside in the small cafe/ local goods market, but the real gem is to get takeaway and sit outside as it overlooks an old school playground that nestles in the shadow of the Mountain face which is always a spectacular view & utterly charming... but be warned it does get busy and it is a small spot.
- Mon-Sun: 7.30am to 2pm
- Bob's Bagel Cafe Facebook Page
Ohana Beach Cafe
Opposite the Kalk Bay Quarter shop, and the old church, next door to a small garden centre and slightly set behind an open shop courtyard with some fabulous local crafts, and fashion wear is Ohana. A brunch spot that is easily one of the favourite with locals. Always excellent, it is often hard to get a table on the weekends but worth the wait and you can always browse the little boutique while you do!
- Mon-Sun: 7.30 to 3.30 pm
- Ohanas Facebook page
More Things to do in Kalk Bay
There are some incredible market style shops, classy fashion boutiques and second hand spots that easily make a full day worth of exploration but here are a couple more not to miss
- A personal favourite is Kalk Bay Modern: An art gallery and shop that has such incredible local art and crafts that it feels akin to a museum. Rotating exhibitions and displays make this a spot worth visiting every trip to the area. Keep up to date with the latest on their website or Facebook Page It is also easy to spot as it is right above Olympia cafe, opposite the harbour. Open Mon-Sun 09h30 - 17h00
- Kalk Bay Bookshop this is a way to spend several moments browsing one of the best curated selection of popular and niche titles surrounded by excellent staff who love their literature too! It recently moved from it's corner side space to further along near the Church where Kalk Bay Theatre used to run out of & Kalk Bay Trading Post.
- Whatnot & Chinatown... you cannot say you have browsed the stores of Kalk Bay if you do not visit this spot. Be warned it is not for the faint hearted and definitely not for small children! Keep your elbows in and bags close as you stroll through a converted house filled to the ceiling (literally) of any and every type of china and porcelain... amazingly useful if every you break one of your heirloom pieces and hope to find a replacement.
Finally it is not all about just shop browsing you can also take 2 short walks to enjoy the full landscape of this little town and enjoy a
walk along the Harbour Wall in the Kalk Bay Harbour. You start opposite Kalkys and Harbour House, past the fishmongers and are most likely to encounter a fat seal or two lounging around.
On the other end of town you can walk the beach path from Muizenberg to St James, or vice versa. This allows you to enjoy the sea spray & probably walk off some of those extra croissant calories recently earned.
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