(Re)discover the iconic Kloof Street

Voted coolest street in the world, here’s why

Last updated: Wednesday, 3 April 2024 

This street was voted the coolest in the world in 2022 by Time Out Magazine. You know it, you might love it. But did you know that there’s free wine tastings every week, halaal French tacos, vegan apple pie ice cream and a thrift store with brands like Ferrari and Burberry? These are 20+ places on Kloof Street you should (re)discover.

IF THE ‘90S WERE A HANGOUT

Pizzas, pals and boozy slushies – name a better night out. This pizza bar is dripping with nostalgia, from the neon signs and old-school brand logos like Pepsi Cola to vintage photographs and chequered tiles. They’ve got massive pizzas, boozy slushies and soft serve ice cream. Find out more about the live vinyl DJs and retro vibes at OLD PAL. 

Hours: Sunday to Wednesday, 7am to 12am; Thursday to Saturday, 7am to 1am

73 Kloof Street | Gardens | @o.l.d.p.a.l | Image: OLD PAL

EVEN YOUR MOM WILL LIKE THIS PIERCING SHOP

The Piercery feels like something from Barbie Land, from the bright and colourful decor to the friendly staff. For piercings you can just walk in and choose from a range of jewellery options. Plus, there’s loads of Instagrammable moments from the lightning bolt mirror to the boobie booth.  

Hours: Monday - Friday, 10am to 6pm; Saturday, 10am to 4pm; Sunday, 10am to 2pm

8 Kloof Street | Gardens | @the.piercery | Image: The Piercery

FREE WINE TASTINGS

Wine is engrained in Cape Town culture. This family-run restaurant and wine bar agrees. Every Tuesday Judd’s Local has a free wine tasting experience, giving its guests a chance to taste and learn more about popular and hidden wineries from Ayama Wines to Waterkloof. Find out more about tastings and dinners at Judds.

Hours: Monday, 4pm to 11.30pm; Tuesday - Saturday, 10am to 11.30pm

141 Kloof Street | Gardens | @juddslocal | Image: Judd’s Local

IF HOGWARTS HAD A DELI 

It’s like shopping in Diagon Alley. The Olive Branch Deli has dark wooden furniture and low hanging lamps, giving it a magical vibe. There’s rows and rows of fresh products and pantry staples, from Funky Ouma braai salt and Louisiana hot sauce to freshly-baked challah and recipe books. It’ll make you feel like a kid in a (magical) candy store. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 6pm; Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Lifestyle on Kloof Centre | 50 Kloof Street | Gardens | @olivebranchdeli | Image: Olive Branch Deli

FRENCH…TACOS?

This eatery is the first to bring them to Cape Town. A French taco is a toasted tortilla filled with meat (even chicken nuggets), french fries, sauce and cheese. French Tacos are open till late and it’s halaal-certified. For something sweet there are Belgian waffles, crêpe and pancakes with a range of sweet sauces and ice cream on top.   

Hours: Sunday - Friday, 11am to 12am; Saturday, 11am to 1am

Palmhof Centre | 105 Kloof Street | Gardens | @frenchtacoscpt | Image: French Tacos

20th CENTURY HOUSE TURNED NIGHTLIFE SPOT

Asoka is a Kloof Street institution. It’s a cosy and romantic spot with regular live music and great special days, plus a menu designed around the five elements. For earth there’s vegetarian, for water there’s seafood, for wind there’s chicken and duck (in the form of various dishes), for fire there’s red meat and for nirvana there’s dessert. 

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 5.30pm to 2am; Sunday, 5.30pm to 12am

68 Kloof Street | Gardens | @asokakloofstreet | Image: Asoka

THE 12TH BEST BURGER JOINT IN THE WORLD 

There’s knockout burgers at this spot (pun intended). From the burger names and neon signs to Muhammad Ali and Rocky posters, the theme of Smokin Joes is boxing. All burgers are halaal, with options like The Gypsy King, Nacho Libre or The Champion. For fries you can choose from truffle and thyme, chilli cheese or super loaded.

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9am to 6pm; Saturday, 9am to 5pm

Lifestyle on Kloof Centre | 50 Kloof Street | Gardens | @smokinjoesza | Image: @cosmopolitanfoodie_

MOVIE AND VEGAN ICE CREAM SPECIAL

Ditto is Cape Town’s first completely vegan ice cream parlour. Around the corner you’ll find the waffle house. And they’ve got a really cool special every Sunday – two signature waffles and two movie tickets for The Labia. Try unique ice cream flavours like Lemon Cheesecake, Brittle Gone Nuts and more. Or try signature waffles at Ditto.

Hours: Monday - Thursday & Sunday, 9am to 10pm; Friday - Saturday, 9am to 11pm

119 Kloof Street | Gardens | @eatditto | Image: Ditto

SECRET TEQUILA BAR

To enter this cocktail bar, you have to walk through Hudson’s, past the kitchen and up the stairs. Rita’s has the best of both worlds – a ritzy indoor area with plush pink and green couches, disco balls and warm dim lighting; and a chilled outdoor rooftop bar overlooking Table Mountain. Plus there’s half price tacos and Margaritas.

Hours: Tuesday – Thursday, 4:30pm to 2am; Friday – Sunday, 3pm to 2am

22 Kloof Street | Gardens | @ritascocktailclub | Image: Rita’s

WINE BAR INSIDE A FASHION STORE

It’s the only right way to go shopping. AKJP Studio is home to clothing from over 30 local designers. In between browsing the fashion, you can grab a coffee and pastry or glass of wine from the new AKJP BAR. There’s wines like Mother Rock, Krone and Vinehugger, and beers from Devils Peak.

Hours: Monday to Saturday; 9am-8pm

73 Kloof Street | Gardens | @_akjpstudio | Image: AKJP Studio

SHISHA LOUNGE WITH COMEDY SHOWS

Vortex on Upper Kloof Street has over 20 shisha flavours to choose from. It hosts weekly comedy shows in a grungy and retro lounge, and it feels like the place where upcoming talent gets their start. Previous performers include Yaaseen Barnes, Kate Pinchuck and Nik Rabinowitz. Read more about the affordable comedy shows at Vortex. 

Hours: Daily; 11am to 12am

66 Kloof Street | Gardens | @vortexshisha | Image: Comedy on Kloof

INDIAN WITH AN ATTITUDE

It’s Vadivelu, a family restaurant that National Geographic named one of Cape Town’s most exciting food spots. On the menu you’ll find a combination of street food and styled plates from dosa (savoury pancakes) to pani puri (curry bombs). There’s also prawn curry and lamb tikka masala. 

Hours: Monday - Saturday; 12pm to 10pm

151 Kloof Street | Gardens | @vadiveluonkloof | Image: Vadivelu

FEELING KAK LUCKY?nbsp; 

You might have walked past this hidden tattoo studio and not known just how popular it is, with it being one of the most beloved spots by locals. Kak Lucky Tattoos are all about quality experiences whether you’re a regular or first timer (there’s artists who accept walk-ins). Have a coffee in the lounge while you decide on what to get. 

Hours: Monday, 11am to 5pm; Tuesday - Saturday, 11am to 6pm

43 Kloof Street | Gardens | @kakluckytattoos | Image: Kak Lucky Tattoos

ITALIAN-ISH PIZZETTES AND SPRITZES

Club Kloof has become one of the hottest spots on Kloof Street, with its all-red interior decor and outdoor courtyard with sun umbrellas. It’s a great place for an aperitivo. Besides their mini pizzas (pizzettes), you’ll find other items like a pork fennel stuffed olive arancini or a blood orange and campari almond cake with mascarpone. 

Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 12pm to 11.30pm; Saturday, 8.30am to 11.30pm; Sunday, 8.30am to 5pm

84 Kloof Street | Gardens | @clubkloof_  | Image: @ulrichknoblauch

A POTTERY CLUB WITH WORKSHOPS 

Baikt Ceramics is all about curating special pottery sessions to help you get creative. There’s pottery club specific workshops like Date Night, Mimosa Saturdays and Kids Pottery. You don’t need to be experienced in pottery and the guides teach the basics of ceramics.

Hours: Wednesday - Friday, 10am to 3pm; Saturday, 10am to 12pm

41 Kloof Street | Gardens | @baikt_ceramics | Image: Baikt Ceramics

ADD SOME RETRO TO YOUR STASH 

Ever gone to a thrift store and found Ferrari, Nike or Burberry clothing? That’s just some of the hot finds you’ll get at Retrostash Clothing. From fur jackets to film cameras, jewellery and accessories. There’s also events with live music and clothing sales. Plus, if you go at the right time you might make the cut in one of the TikToks (and get cool specials). 

Hours: Monday - Saturday, 10am to 6pm

45 Kloof Street | Gardens

SCANDINAVIAN-INSPIRED PLATES 

You might have walked past this hole-in-the-wall eatery and wondered what’s inside. From Swedish chef Jesper Nilsson is ëlgr, with Swedish-inspired flavours like kladdkaka (chocolate cake). The indoor decor has a forest feel with the dark green and wooden furniture, while the outside garden courtyard has live music.

Hours: Tuesday - Thursday, 6pm to 11pm; Friday, 6pm to 12am; Saturday, 12pm to 3pm and 6pm to 12am

75 Kloof Street | Gardens 

ANTIQUES, FROM TYPEWRITERS TO AN HOMEWARE

Inside this vintage and antiques shop you can find treasures like old New Yorker magazines, typewriters, a lifesize Oscar statue, Elvis Presley records, kitchenware, cameras and more. Antiques on Kloof have been around for years and is a great place to shop for classic items or home furniture. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 9.30am to 5pm; Saturday, 9.30am to 2pm; Sunday, 10am to 2pm

167 Kloof Street | Gardens | 021 423 6280

A MEDITERRANEAN HIDDEN GEM 

This restaurant has been a Kloof Street staple for so long, it’s become an institution for many to (re)discover. Café Paradiso is a true family restaurant. On the menu there’s a range of cuisines from osso buco ragu to pilaf rice with butternut or chicken gyros. Kids can even go into the kitchen and make their own pizzas or cupcakes. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 12pm to 10pm; Saturday and Sunday, 9am to 10pm

110 Kloof Street | Gardens | Facebook

A 40 YEAR OLD GERMAN BUTCHERY

Besides the usual finds at a deli, this butchery has interesting meats available including gemsbok, springbok, kudu and warthog. Gardens Continental Butchery and Deli is German-owned and run by Uwe Hansen, who’s known to loyal customers as the friendliest butcher. 

Hours: Monday - Friday, 8am to 5.15pm; Saturday, 8am to 2.45pm

120 Kloof Street | Gardens | 021 423 6944

By Sarah Williams

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