The Southern Suburbs of Cape Town offer many popular attractions, but driving from the city centre, blink and you might miss the charming eccentricities of Mowbray, split in two by the Liesbeek River and city train tracks. Many might see it as a thoroughfare for taxis, commuters and students, but there are a lot of reasons to stop by in the suburb’s section of Main Road and Little Mowbray’s Durban Road.
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The upper side is home to the area’s Community Hall and library, as well as activist spaces, charity shops and many hair salons and spaza shops that keep the area bustling. The lower side has more restaurants and party spots, and both sides are home to a plethora of old and new churches and religious organisations, perfect for those who enjoy a little architectural sightseeing in their neighbourhood wanderings.
Here’s where to start with your Mowbray explorations.
Housed in the former Royal Standard Hotel, Bertha House's community centre, office space and cafe is the heart of Mowbray’s activist and NGO community.
Follow their social media page to check out any of their upcoming events - including art exhibitions, creative talks, skills workshops and live music acts. With a small cinema and reasonably priced kitchen, the collaborative space offers an opportunity to connect with the spirit of the community.
Address: 67, 69 Main Rd, Mowbray.
Right next to Bertha House, Gangstar Cafe this small coffee spot with a big mission. The business provides a training programme for ex-offenders to help them get back on their feet after incarceration.
Their mantra is “Gang is the Past and Star is the Future”. They have a mobile coffee van for events and here, a cuppa means a second chance, and what better way to get your caffeine fix.
Address: 65 Main Rd, Mowbray.
If you’ve been to Durban, you’d probably have heard of the infamous giant rotis from Sunrise Chip ‘N Ranch, and you can get the same experience right here in Mowbray.
From gatsbys to bunny chows, the takeaway spot also comes with a price tag that’s easy on the wallet, though you might need a friend or two to help you finish the meal.
Address: 94 Main Rd, Mowbray.
Want to do some thrifting while also contributing to a worthy cause? This corner charity store on Main Road sells clothes, books and anything else that gets donated to them. The money goes towards providing programmes for vulnerable children living in rural parts of the country, so you can hunt for treasures with a full heart.
Address: 6 Victoria Rd, Mowbray.
Past the Liesbeek River in Little Mowbray, you’ll find Yiahai's one of the best Greek bakeries in the city, perfect for a lunch date or taking some delectable pita and hummus home with you.
The vegetarian meze plate or their signature savoury spiral pie are highly recommended if you're thirsting for Mediterranean cuisine, and their coffee ain’t too bad either.
Address: 41 Durban Rd, Mowbray.
There are a few good reasons why you need to book in advance for this popular pizza spot. While on the pricier side compared to other spots in Durban Road, Novo puts a lot of care goes into making their small menu pop with Italian classics. This is paired with a very unique wine selection, filled with labels not commonly found in your local bottle store.
Address: 99 Durban Rd, Mowbray.
A city favourite, the Mowbray chain of Fat Cactus is quite a popular student hangout with its Tex-Mex offerings and frozen margaritas. A must-try is their homebrewed Gingerdead Tequila that will spice up any night out with friends, and the menu has a lot of customisation options for picky eaters. This is the place for pre-drinks and carbo-loading before you hit the bars and clubs in Claremont or Observatory.
Address: 47 Durban Rd, Mowbray.
Another favourite takeaway spot in Southern Suburbs, Monk’s Chinese Food will fill your tummy with the most aromatic of Asian cuisine. Try out their popular ginger chicken, sweet-and-sour pork or smoky noodles on the side, or get a few dishes to share with friends. They do get quite busy on weekends, so try to get your order in early in the evening.
Address: 79 Durban Road, Mowbray.
If you want to catch a Premier League game or Springbok match with the gees to match, head down to B74, where sports will always be playing on a big screen. They have DJs on weekends and two-for-one burger specials on Fridays, so you’re bound to save some Rands while cheering on your favourite team.
Address: 74 Durban Rd, Mowbray.
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