The 25 best ways to discover Cape Town’s ‘East City’

Perhaps the East City’s most famous resident, Truth Coffee, was among the first local coffee shops to gain global acclaim. The experience begins the moment you step indoors, with staff clad in steam-punk-inspired garb in a space brimming with brass and leather. Or, if the weather’s fine, take a seat in the quirky urban ‘parklet’ streetside. But as much as this is a coffee shop rich in performance, it also follows through where it matters: a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. There are several specialty beans and various brewing methods to choose from, and a top-hatted waiter will happily talk you through them. Undecided? Opt for a traditional flat white with their Resurrection Blend, which pairs perfectly with their freshly baked pastries. Beware of asking for sugar, else expect a little bit of light humiliation from the staff.

36 Buitenkant St, Cape Town

District Six was once a vibrant multicultural – and multiracial –  neighbourhood, before being almost entirely razed to the ground by the Apartheid government, with its 60 000 residents forcibly removed and their houses flattened. The scars of this injustice are still visible on the city landscape to this day. It’s a story essential to understanding the historical tapestry of Cape Town and South Africa, and it’s told beautifully and starkly in the District Six Museum. Guided tours available.

15 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town

Are these the best pita breads in Cape Town? Without doubt. This Claremont favourite expanded to the East City in 2023, and has proven to be a hit with office workers and city-dwellers alike. As with the Claremont original, The Lebanese Bakery is a shop of two parts. A handful of tables (and a few more in the tiny courtyard) cater for those who want to sit down, while a deli counter does a thriving takeaway business. The menu runs to a range of flatbreads and filled pita breads, with chef and co-owner Clare Bubenzer rating the cheese and za’atar manakish as her favourite not to be missed. The deli counter is filled with wonderful dips and tapenades, from hummus and babaganoush to wonderful muhammara. And, yes, you’ll definitely want to leave with a bag of those pitas.

7 Constitution Street

If you want to lessen your carbon footprint and hate the amount of plastic packaging in your average supermarket, then Nude Foods is the store for you. Embracing the concept of plastic-free shopping, you’ll find the shelves here stacked high with household essentials and not a plastic packet in sight. Fill your own containers with grains, dried fruit and oats, or pack a few of the vegan brownies in your basket for teatime. The range extends to vats of olive oil and honey, and even includes personal care items such as traditional mphepho smudge sticks and shampoo bars.  In the courtyard outside you’ll find Café NUDE serving up single-origin African coffee, organic teas and smoothies, while the food truck does a fine line in plant-based bites.

7 Constitution Street

The Book Lounge is one of Cape Town’s most cherished book shops, and it’s a destination to include in your itinerary whether you’re looking to pick up a holiday read, add a rarity to your collection, or simply browse the beautifully curated collection. You’ll find global bestsellers and cult favourites on the shelves and display tables, and it has a superb collection of books by South African authors. Staff are always on hand to offer personal recommendations, and a quiet basement area offers sofas and a coffee shop if you want to linger a little longer. The Book Lounge also hosts free conversations with authors most weeknights that, along with the free wine, makes for a perfect evening in the East City. 

71 Roeland Street, Cape Town

The First Rule of Speakeasy, Is We Don’t Talk About Speakeasy.

There’s more than a little intrigue involved in visiting The Art of Duplicity. You’ll need a booking and a password to step inside this trendsetting cocktail bar, which channels the subterfuge and styling of a 1920s speakeasy. Set in a restored Victorian-era warehouse, The Art of Duplicity is the work of serial entrepreneur David Donde – also behind Truth Coffee – and award-wining bartender Brent Perremore. Due respect is given to classic cocktails, which sit alongside the venue’s own creations, all served with a large pour of speakeasy charm. But, there are rules: ‘Thou shalt not wear shorts and slip slops’, and ‘Don’t order a beer or pretend to be in a wine bar’, to start.

Address? Well, it’s a secret, isn’t it?

As Cape Town's first authentic Parisian crêperie, there’s only one food type to order off the menu at Swan Café. Well, one food type with many variations. Swan Café serves a superb selection of sweet and savoury crêpes using traditional French techniques and ingredients. On the savoury side you can’t go wrong with a traditional Parisienne or Croque Monsieur. But save room for dessert. Although there are a few creative departures, our money is still on the cinnamon sugar with a squeeze of lemon or, if you must, the classic Nutella. 

Corner Buitenkant & Barrack Street, Cape Town

Love great design? Don’t miss out on this sleek concept store on Harrington Street. While they also champion local designers, the heart of the offering is the showcase of some of the world’s most famous brands in the world of lighting, furniture and home décor. If you lust over owning a piece by the likes of Arflex, Varaschin, Pedrali or Magis you’ve come to the right place.

76 Harrington Street

Gents, if you need to take care of your ‘barnet fair’, you’ve found the right spot. This national chain takes men’s grooming seriously, from cuts, fades and styles to bespoke beard treatments and facials. There’s a dark and moody aesthetic at Medellin in what is undoubtedly a masculine space. This is no place to rush by for a quick buzz (although they do those too). Rather, settle in with that complimentary whisky (coffee and water on offer too) for a 45-minute session of me-time. Extra kudos for the handy online booking system.

99 Harrington Street

Take a walk down Buitenkant Street any time of the day, and you’ll fall for the colourful allure of Rapt, one of the East City’s more recent additions. Technically it’s a chocolate shop, but like its sister business, Truth Coffee across the road it’s so much more than that. This is a store that takes itself seriously where it counts (mostly in the top-notch imported cocoa) and less seriously elsewhere (in brightly coloured chocolates and striking packaging). Bundled into Rapt are several experiences and attractions, including a Callebaut chocolate fountain, nitrogen ice cream station, and the option to build your own bar of chocolate. 

39 Buitenkant St, Cape Town

Want to make the East City your base while you’re in Cape Town? Good choice. The Neighbourgood aparthotel offers more than 100 rooms furnished in an unfussy contemporary style that will make you feel right at home. The rooms are all en-suite with fast Wi-Fi internet on tap and offer. Across five categories rooms range from Snug to Comfort Plus, with the best options offering a freestanding Victorian bathtub and a private balcony! Regardless of your room, you’ll have access to large communal spaces, including a shared contemporary workspace, common kitchen, dining area and the ground-floor café. If you’re planning a longer stay in the city, consider their 84 Harrington location instead: here 50 fully equipped self-contained apartments each offer en-suite bathrooms, dedicated work areas and private kitchens.

60 Corporation Street

New York Bagels is a family-run Cape Town institution; serving their bagels and other delicacies since 1940. Originally in Sea Point, they’ve bounced around various city venues and markets, but have recently found a home in their bustling East City store. They’re open early for breakfast bagels, pastries and coffees, and the energy picks up around noon as office workers descend. You can’t go wrong with anything on the chalkboard menu, but keep an eye out for the excellent chicken sando. Add it to a slice of their house-made cheesecake, and you have the perfect East City lunch to eat in or take away.

44 Harrington Street, Cape Town

Belly of the Beast is an intimate fine-dining restaurant serving lunch and dinner in the East City. The emphasis here is as much on quality food as a sustainable culinary journey. Chef-patrons Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart encourage guests to trust their years of experience, and with no menu or number of courses disclosed upfront diners need to pitch up and go with the flow. Fare is all seasonal and sourced from ethical producers. Although some dishes may challenge conservative eaters, the duo always finds a perfect balance that will leave you planning a return visit to see what else they can cook up. 

110 Harrington St, Cape Town

Bonded by both family ties and a love for vinyl, this independent record store is the best place in the East City to satisfy your music craving. The selection is eclectic and carefully considered, running from new releases to old favourites. There’s also a small collection of merch that will keep any Gen-X’er happy.

46A Canterbury Street

In a rather unlovely corner of the East City, you’ll find one of the most charming, characterful restaurants Cape Town has to offer. The Cousins Italian Restaurant is run by three, yup, cousins hailing from Romagna in northern Italy, and has fast grown a rep for delicious plates at reasonable prices. There’s a wide selection of dishes, but the somewhat theatrical signature is a herby taglioni tossed in a wheel of Grana Padano and plated at the table. It’s as delicious as it is entertaining.

3b Barrack Street

Long famous for their ‘mucking afazing’ cakes, no visit to the East City is complete without a turn at Charly’s Bakery. They’ve been a feature of the district since 2009 (and operating elsewhere for 20 years before that) and their array of colourful cakes and cupcakes fly out the door. They take orders for custom bakes if you’re after something special, or stop in and see what they have on offer. There’s always a colourful array of cookie monsters, unicorns and proudly Cape Town cupcakes and cookies waiting to be taken home. 

38 Canterbury Street, Cape Town

Adding an artistic element to the East City’s Buitenkant Street is StateoftheART. This is a vibrant contemporary gallery that showcases striking work from a variety of local artists. It’s open to the public who want to look over the latest of its curated collections, but it’s also a destination for buyers searching for local art. For those who want to dig a little deeper, there’s also the StateoftheART stockroom, which houses an inspiring selection of works by established and emerging South African artists. 

50 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town

Looking for the best ‘Cal-Mex’ cooking in the city? You’ve found it. The menu here runs from tasty tacos and finger-licking burritos to an eclectic collection of late-night bites that channel the best of West Coast cooking into a single destination. Beyond the food, Mamacita’s is as famous for the bold and bright décor as the flavoured margaritas, and has fast become a must-visit for any hungry local or tourist exploring the East City precinct.

75 Harrington Street, Cape Town

In what was previously the Fugard Theatre, the Homecoming Centre forms part of the District Six Museum and is a multi-purpose space that brings together the arts, live performance, and various learning programmes. With some planning and timing, you can catch anything from Pecha Kucha storytelling nights, classical and jazz concerts, and various theatrical productions. It offers an eclectic mix of shows with strong South African and Capetonian elements, and it’s a venue worth incorporating into any evening East City itinerary.

Corner Buitenkant St & Caledon St, Cape Town

Galjoen, by the owners of Belly of the Beast, is a relatively new addition to the East City. It focuses entirely on sustainably sourced seafood, which by Galjoen’s definition means fish caught responsibly and only in South African waters. Much like its sister restaurant, Galjoen serves a tasting menu that changes regularly based on both seasonality and what’s been caught. Chef Isca Stoltz aims to challenge patrons with unique ingredients and fresh takes on otherwise familiar seafood, and the result is a thrilling journey through the country’s best ingredients and ocean fare.

99 Harrington St, Cape Town

This carefully curated boutique on Buitenkant Street sells big-brand vintage and pre-owned collectable items at fair prices. While the clothing may be vintage, Afraid of Mice isn’t stuffy, dusty or unattainable. With a little luck you can find stellar-quality items from fashion heavyweights such as Salvatore Ferragamo, Diane von Fürstenberg, Oscar de la Renta, Mulberry, Nina Ricci or Prada, to name but a few.

99 Harrington Street

Pizzasaurus calls itself a ‘very nice place for vegan pizza’, which just about sums it up. It’s a quirky, welcoming spot in the heart of Cape Town’s East City District. All 15 of their pizzas are wood-fired and dinosaur-themed, with sizes from ‘Medium’ to ‘Dino’. Some, like the T-Rex, feature vegan bacon, but many are veggie through and through. Don’t miss the flagship ‘The Herbivores’ featuring mushroom, mixed peppers, olive, tomato, artichoke, and onion.

103 Harrington Street, Cape Town

Ramen has taken off in Cape Town recently (don't miss Ramenhead at Time Out Market Cape Town), but Downtown Ramen was arguably one of the first to set the trend. It’s located upstairs in an understated building on Harrington Street, but don’t let the entrance mislead you: it’s a characterful venue with tasty food. On the menu you’ll find a selection of bao and dumplings, but most visit for the main attraction. Chicken, pork belly, and vegetarian ramen options all feature, but our money’s almost always on the spicy miso ramen with braised short rib. 

103 Harrington St, Cape Town

Dust and Dynamite is a hole-in-the-wall bar like no other in Cape Town. To enter, you’ll need to push past two aggressively hinged saloon-style doors and then squeeze through a raft of cowboy paraphernalia. Ordering a drink requires squaring up to the mustachioed and cowboy-hatted owner, who’s there most nights keeping the atmosphere authentic.

Although it’s a meticulously themed bar, it has none of the pretension you may expect from something this curated. Cowboy hats are on hand to finish your outfit, and shots are served in glass skulls if you wish. But you’ll also feel at home skipping both and instead pulling out a barstool with a non-craft beer to spark a conversation with a grizzled regular in the corner.

27 Caledon St, Cape Town

Need a cocktail while exploring the East City? Make a turn at Harringtons. The venue has seen several iterations over the years, but finally seems to have found its groove. The crowd is young and vibrant, and the atmosphere picks up as the evening blends into nighttime, with live DJs spinning the tunes. Cocktails are reasonably priced, but there’s also a fair selection of top-shelf bottles. And if you’re feeling a little hungry, the extensive tapas menu should have you covered.

 61B Harrington St, Cape Town