What’s the Point in Going to Green Point Anyway?

Because the Green was groovy long before the World Cup

Well, arguably Green Point is the perfect place to watch the football. There are a number of sports bars and, of course, a shiny new blob on the Waterfront which is staging international soccer talent as we speak. But Green Point laid its footprints firmly across Cape Town long before the World Cup. Hungry? Cuban quesadillas or pasta. Stressed? Meditation. Going out clubbing? Dress to impress. Decorating? Don’t you need furniture? Going out? Somewhere to see and be seen. Still don’t get the Green Point? Start living on the Green side of Cape Town with this groovy selection of fashion, furniture, dining and nightlife hotspots.

1-The Centre of Yoga and Meditation
Stressed out at work? Meditation and neuro-linguistic programming (NLP) guru and owner, Warren, is here to help. He spent an incredible six years practicing solitary meditation in India. He aims to awaken the spirit of Capetonians and transport them on a journey of self realization, through Hathe yoga, meditation and NLP. He has also opened a stress centre, complete with a GP and a psychologist, which aims to delve into the pathology (the route) of stress.

2nd Floor Unit 8c | 55 Somerset Road | Green Point | Cape Town

2-Blue Bay
In the words of that annoying, but insightful pop star, Pink: ‘Get the party started’. Blue Bay stocks show stopping party dresses for bold fashionistas who like to make a statement. Fashion is seasonal and Blue Bay is on point – expect cozy, winter knitwear and chunky belts by Italian designers, Fornarina.

Portside Mall | Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town

3-Gelato Mania
Winter isn’t all rain clouds – there are still intermittent bursts of sunshine. Sunshine equals ice-cream. And who would have thought that Ferrero Rocher ice-cream, in particular, won’t spend a lifetime on the hips? Gelato’s 30 delicious flavours are made with hormone free milk and do not contain additives or preservatives. Lick away!

65 Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town

4-Buena Vista Social Café
The food is Cuban, the chairs are Cuban, the music is Cuban…well, you get the idea. A worthy opponent to much of the contemporary offerings in Cape Town, Buena is Latin America, from its antique furniture to it’s rustic walls. Expect tantalizing tapas and sexy quesadillas, whilst sipping a strawberry daiquiri, and enjoy their live music well into the night. They’ve even stocked up on some extra beers for the World Cup.

Corner of Western Boulevard & Portswood Road | V&A Waterfront | Cape Town

5-Ultra Liquors
This alcoholic mega-store is all you need to throw the perfect party (not that you’ll remember it if you drink all that). Expect exclusive spirits brands such as, Robinson Gin and Husky Vodka. Keep your eye out for some of their special offers, as well. Current offers include; Jose Cuervo  from  R149.99 and Smirnoff Vodka, at just R59.99.

122 Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town

6-Peace River Trading Company
Just moved in your own flat? At the Peace River Trading Company you’ll find everything you need to make it special. And everything is an extra: Curtaining, interiors, furniture and installations. They have contracts with large hotels for curtaining and blinds and also do residential work. They mostly sell local products (like the red hot glass from Stellenbosch), but they also sell imports from India, Belgium, Italy and Poland. Very special: the stone sculptures from Zimbabwe!

59 Somerset Road| Green Point | Cape Town

7-Ambience Beauty and Massage
This beauty salon just opened in June 2010. They mostly offer beauty treatments for men and women like massages, hot stone therapy and reflexology. Their specialties are hair extensions – there are only 3 places in Cape Town that do this!

63A Sommerset Road | Green Point | Cape Town

8-Mano’s
This cute little restaurant is “dedicated to friends”. They don’t have a big menu but offer delicious Italian food like pasta and good selection of meat and fish options. And of course: Italian desserts! The décor is simple, yet elegant and light breezy. It’s the ideal place for an intimate dinner with friends or a partner before watching the game at Green Point Stadium.

39 Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town

9-Bravado
Bravado is a restaurant, which by night is turned into a sports bar for the Word Cup. You can sit on the 360% bar, drinking beer and watch the matches on one of their six screeners while eating delicious Italian food. They offer a big range of pizzas, pastas, salads, fish and meat from the grill.  Good selection of draught beers, cocktails. Their specialty is definitely the “Milano Pizza” – bolognaise, chili, onion and garlic.  

1 Portside Mall | Somerset Main Road | Green Point| Cape Town

10-Giovanni’s
Giovanni’s started out as an Italian deli, but has since embraced other European delicacies, so you’ll find French cookies and English tea here. Giovanni’s is home to the best cappuccino in town and you can even tailor make your own sandwich, from a range of homemade bread and fillings such as, roast beef and cheese. This deli is on the pricey side, but you get what you pay for – fresh ingredients of the highest standard. Enjoy their cosy bar on busy Sundays and there is also a quaint flower shop next door.

103 Main Road | Green Point | Cape Town

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By Lisa Nevitt and Susanne Klatt