The 16 best neighbourhood spots in Kenilworth

If you’re looking for Instagram-worthy luxury, check out the calendar for the city’s premiere horse racecourse. Outside of their weekly race meets, they have big family-friendly events from the Cape Punters Cup to the stylish Cape Town Met (taking place this year on 31 January) -  where you must dress to a glamorous theme.

The racecourse is also home to the lesser-known Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area which offers tours and activities, but only open via prior arrangement - perfect for birders and nature enthusiasts.

Also read: The best birding spots in Cape Town

Another famous feature of Kenilworth is its shop-till-you-drop Access Park, a chaotic amalgamation of your favourite brands at discount prices. It has never-ending warehouse sales that’s perfect for those who find a thrill in finding that perfect steal, and you can spend hours getting lost among its stores. It is however a very popular spot and traffic is painful during pay-day weekends, so try to hit it up outside of peak shopping hours.

Also read: The best shops in Cape Town

After a tiring shopping trip, catch your breath with a cold brewski at the neighbourhood institution that is Banana Jam, a Caribbean restaurant that’s always pumping. It’s also home to the Afro Caribbean Brewing Co. and they offer a wide range of unique beer collaborations, as well as great cocktails that taste even sweeter during Happy Hour. Be sure to try out their hot yet delectable home-made jerk sauce, which you can also take home with you.

Also read: The best craft beer taprooms in Cape Town

No neighbourhood is complete without a place to watch the rugby, and Hobnobs right next door to Banana Jam is a no-frills establishment with lots of screens and lots of classic SAB beers on tap. Expect classic pub grub, and ensure you book a table when the Springboks are playing, or when the Champions League is on.

Also read: Best restaurants, pubs and bars to watch a match

You can also get a more permanent souvenir from Kenilworth at the local tattoo and piercing parlour. Whether you’re looking for a small wrist ink or a full-back tattoo, or even a piercing in a very *special* place, they have a variety of artists who mostly specialise in the classic tattoo art style. Surrounded by bars and restaurants, you can fuel up right before or after your session, or if you need some Dutch courage. They do take walk-ins, but it’s recommended to book in advance.

Also read: The best things to do in Cape Town right now

Another institution of the Kenilworth restaurant scene, Fat Harry’s is a meat-eater's dream spot, specialising in a fusion of Spanish and South African dishes. They also do Sunday Roast at a set price, but bookings are vital. More than just food, the venue also plays host to live music every Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday, as well as jazz jam nights. Check out their socials for a full line-up.

Also read: Where to find the best steaks in Cape Town

If you’re craving Italian, this family-run restaurant will definitely wow you with their award-winning pizza and pasta. It’s perfectly styled for a cosy date night with lots of couple specials, including Margarita Mondays and Wine Wednesdays, perfect for mid-week night outs. They also have Olympia pizzas, which are like eating four pizzas in one!

Also read: The best pizza restaurants in Cape Town

Outside the hubbub of Kenilworth’s main centres is an unassuming coffee roaster with a killer aesthetic. They source the best beans from around the world and roast them right at the cafe where their yellow Genio Roaster will hypnotise you with its mechanations. They also have cute yellow merch on sale, and they host educational coffee events for the hardcore connoisseurs.

Also read: The best cafés and coffee shops in Cape Town

If you’re keen for a bit of a restaurant/pub crawl, then 2nd Avenue in Harfield Village is a must-do. A section of the long road is home to a plethora of spots to grab breakfast, coffee, cocktails, pizzas, sushi and other delectables. The Cove doubles as both a coffee house and cocktail/wine bar, and hosts various tasting events. You can also try out Chicago-style deep dish pizzas at The Village Bicycle, or join a pub quiz at the groovy Cool Runnings Pub & Grill. These are just a small taste of the multitude of establishments to choose from.

Also read: The best wine bars in Cape Town

Drive up to Main Road in Kenilworth, and you’ll hit another cluster of shops, including the Oakhurst Farmstall and Coffee Shoppe. Filled with all the best goodies you normally find on long road trips around the country, it also has classic South African baked goods like milk tart and quiches that you can take home for no-fuss meals.

Also read: The best markets in and around Cape Town

Another deli-style establishment is this organic grocery store with healthy goodness from boutique cheeses to home-cooked frozen meals. They also have an online store for their locally-sourced products, as well as a cosy alleyway restaurant offering nutritious food that’s also good for the body. This is an especially great spot for those with special dietary requirements.

Also read: The best vegetarian restaurants in Cape Town

Blink and you might miss the entrance to this low-key pizza spot, catering mostly to local residents who staff know by name since 1994. Borruso’s has a very unpretentious, vibey atmosphere that will make you feel like a resident - but be warned. It can get packed on weekends, and if you’re grabbing a takeaway, call ahead so that you don’t have to wait around (but if you do, then a cold beer will be waiting by the bar).

Also read: The best Italian restaurants in Cape Town

For a bit of antiquing, check out Serendipity, where a very curated selection of rare and eclectic finds awaits. They specialise in silver, china, jewellery, and glassware, and might just help you fill that awkward empty corner in your house. It’s also a great spot for collectors, and is a bit fancier than your average second-hand thrift store.

There are normal bookstores, and then there is Fortunate Finds Bookshop. Marked by a curious Sherlock mural outside, the store is filled from floor to ceiling with odd and wonderful books, some rarer than others. If you’re an avid collector of specific genres, the store can also help you source the more expensive type of second-hand book that you normally only find in the restricted section of the library.

Round off your shopping excursion with this explosion of colour and sparkles at Therapy, the kind of store your rich, unmarried aunt or Constantia housewife would frequent. From bold prints to death by sequins, the store has a curated selection of clothes and accessories that also make it a great store for buying presents for the aforementioned women in your life.

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