Shisha lounges: Local favourites + new on the block

From Wynberg to Khayelitsha, everything from bottomless hubbly +  Syrian cuisine

Last updated: 15 August 2024

The history of hookah is as old as time. Shisha lounges have always been part of Cape Town nightlife culture, they have just become even more popular. There’s an array of shisha lounges all over Cape Town, from Khayelitsha to the city centre. Everything from rooftop bars, authentic Syrian restaurants and even lounges that have been around since the 90s. Here are 7 of the oldest, newest and favourite shisha lounges in Cape Town. 

CHILL ON A ROOFTOP LOUNGE

This elevated urban terrace is the place to be for a night out. Allure Rooftop Bar is a great spot for loungey lunches, sunset drinks and late night indulgence (the kitchen is open till 2am). It has a killer view of the city centre and a variety of hookah flavours to choose from. Plus, there’s DJs, live events, and free parking for guests.

Opening hours: Daily, 1pm - 2am

71 Waterkant Street | Cape Town City Centre | 021 569 9092 | @allurerooftop | Image: Allure Rooftop Bar

SMOKE FROM OPULENT EGYPTIAN SHISHA 

Saray has opulent imported shisha with glass, gold, and silver accents. There’s flavours like watermelon, grape, and cappuccino, which become more intense with a fruit or ice head (the shisha bowl is cut out of fruit or ice, filled with tobacco and used to inhale). The lounge is separate to the family-friendly restaurant with traditional Turkish grills.  

Opening hours: Monday to Thursday, 11am to 11pm; Friday & Saturday, 11am to 11pm; Sunday, 11am to 11pm

Shop G04 Clock Tower Building | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town | @saray_restaurant_ct | Image: Saray 

GET BOTTOMLESS HUBBLY + BUBBLY

There’s nothing like a chilled Sunday afternoon with music, bubbly and friends. This sunset and lifestyle bar in Khayelitsha offers bottomless shisha and MCC every Sunday from ​​4pm till 7pm. Bring your friends and enjoy a slow end to your weekend with live DJs, chilled outdoor seating and unlimited hubbly, bubbly and a cheese board at Seek. 

Opening hours: Thursdays to Sundays; 12.30pm - 11pm

Nkenjane Street 34 | Khayelitsha | @seekcpt | Image: Seek

ENJOY A FULL SYRIAN EXPERIENCE

Immerse yourself in a truly Middle Eastern experience with Arabic shawarmas and Syrian coffee. Named after one of the oldest cities in the world, Damascus Middle Eastern Cuisine is a charming hidden gem in Sea Point with a relaxed shisha lounge. The hookah pipes range from standard to deluxe and fruit, with popular flavours like watermelon, double apple, grape and seven more. Coals are topped up as needed.   

Opening hours: Mon – Thur, 11am to 11pm; Fri, 2pm - 11pm; Sat – Sun, 9am - 11pm

307 Main Road | Sea Point | 081 757 3148 | @damascus_ct | Image: Damascus

HOOK UP IN THE SOUTHERN SUBURBS

Get gourmet milkshakes, sandwiches and steaks while smoking shisha at this fully halaal lounge. The Hookup Lounge is in the heart of Wynberg and a great spot to catch up with friends. There’s weekly buy-one-get–one-free pizza specials and some burger and waffle specials. All the usual flavours are available, from apple to cherry, and you can mix the flavours per request.  

Opening hours: Mon - Thur, 11am - 10pm; Fri, 2 - 11pm; Sat, 11am - 11pm; Sun 11am - 9pm

121 Ottery Road | Wynberg | 021 768 0334 | @the_hook_up_lounge | Image: The Hookup Lounge

DAZZLE YOUR FRIENDS WITH A STYLISH LOUNGE

This lounge is inspired by the 4 000 year-old heritage of black royalty. Emperor’s Lounge, on Long Street, serves Western cuisine with an African twist and is decorated with black and gold decor. Don’t miss the promo bucket with a classic hookah, a meat platter for two and a bucket of beers. 

Opening hours: Daily, 1pm to 2am

230 Long Street | Cape Town City Centre | 081 241 4286 | @emperors_lounge  | Image: Emperor’s Lounge

WATCH THE BIG GAME WHILE YOU PUFF

Cafe Extrablatt in Green Point has 3-hour happy hours daily and a vibey balcony overlooking Main Road, making it a great, and affordable, spot for a regular after-work hangout. There’s loads of seating at the shisha lounge, located on the top floor of the Exhibition Building, with a couple of TVs playing all the big sport games. Rent hookah pipes and get flavours like watermelon, mint cream, cherry and more. There’s also daily specials at Cafe Extrablatt.

Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday, 9am - 1am; Fridays + Saturdays, 9am - 2am

Exhibition Building | Green Point | 021 434 3759 | @extrablatt_cpt | Image: Café Extrablatt

GO TO AN OG HOOKAH LOUNGE

Taste traditional Kurdish cuisine in Cape Town’s vibrant Green Market Square. Mesopotamia has been around since the 90s, and offers a variety of entertainment including belly dancers, comedy shows and more. There’s outside seating on a terrace overlooking the city and a cosy lounge inside. Shisha is available in the restaurant and is often served as a finale to your meal. You can smoke inside and outside. 

Opening hours: Daily, 9am - 11.30pm

36 Burg St, Cape Town City Centre | 021 424 4664 | @mesopotamia_kurdish_restaurant | Image: Mesopotamia

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