Thrift and party like a student in Cape Town’s vibrant Obz

Want to party with the students, hippies and Southern Suburbians who prefer walking to their favourite bar? Cape Town’s Observatory is one of the most central neighbourhoods in the city, home to academics and activists and a big thrifting scene. I have lived a large part of my Cape Town life here, and once you’ve done that, it can be hard to leave.

You’ll always be able to find a special or three, and while driving its small roads and confusing one-ways requires a deft hand and tiny car, on foot you can easily spend an entire day in Observatory - grab good coffee in the morning, browse the thrift stores, snack at a cafe for lunch, listen to old-school music or get a tattoo in the afternoon and start your evening with a draught beer before finding a pizza or Asian fusion cuisine to fill up the stomach. If you’re looking for a late night on the weekend, you’re bound to find a DJ or band to entertain you into the wee hours of the morning. That’s what Observatory is all about!

Need more specifics? Here’s our roundup of what not to miss, from a big Obz fan.

Thrifting must-do’s

From the start of Lower Main all the way to Milton Road, you will find the biggest cluster of thrift shops in the whole city. From classics to a mix of old and new, a proper thrift session requires some time to fully dive into the massive collections of many stores. It’s all about seeing beyond the hanger, and styling is everything.

Time Out Tip: Take some hand sanitiser as it can get dusty fast, and wear clothes that are easy to undress as many changing rooms just have a small curtain between your birthday suit and other thrifty customers.

The best is to start at the top of Lower Main with the first Voom Voom store (which has a few shops). This is by far the biggest, and you will need to spend some time browsing its many, MANY racks. The vinyl records section has a smaller collection than Revolution Records further down the road, but it can also hide some gems for those willing to look.

As you walk down towards the main restaurant section, you’ll stumble upon many more thrift spots as you go. The Bang Bang Market has a mix of thrifted and new clothes, and is the best alternative scene spot for the Afrika Burners, goth girlies and metal bros. Then you’ll come to Revolution Records, an institution in Obz and thee best place to find classic vinyl records - even CDs. They tend to have their newest arrivals on display, but you can spend a lot of time getting lost in their backrooms.

For sports fans, Bahamas Thrift has a lot of second-hand branded clothes, while SiELO SOCIETY is the most recent addition to the thrift scene. If you prefer a less cluttered shopping experience, they have some more evening-type wear that’s easy to browse in their open store.

If you’re looking for those eclectic finds, check out Gracious Daisy for more old-school vintage, with lots of lovely porcelain figurines and other granny-core oddities. Grand Funk Revival also has a more bohemian vibe with the coolest jackets - where your favourite rich aunty gets her clothes. Maids of Honour is also more classic, with a few theatre costumes perfect for that next Halloween party.

For non-clothes thrifting, be sure to pick up something to read at Blank Books with a unique African flavours ice cream stall in the alley (Tapi Tapi are however on sabbatical and will be back in the second half of 2026). The bookstore also has some rare items and collectables at times. If you need to spruce up your home, Munro’s Antiques has bric ‘n brac from every decade you can think of, especially if you can’t keep drinking out of the same three stolen bar glasses at your digs.

But the thrift stores don’t end at the robot - if you walk a little further down past the Observatory Community Recreation Centre, you’ll come up to Barley’s Bloset - a must-shop if you’re looking for quirky denim jackets. There’s also Once Again @ Wendy’s where you can ask the shop attendant if you’re looking for anything specific, and they have great bargain bins.

However, these are just a sample of the thrift stores in Observatory - you’ll discover far more walking up and down Lower Main!

Coffee go-getters and thirsty haunts

Coffee in Cape Town is almost a religious endeavour, and Observatory is home to some of the best. If you need a little pep before you start your thrifting adventure (or a pick-me-up halfway through), you have almost too many to choose from. Sonder Café is an artsy spot popular with digital nomads, similar to Saint James Café just off Lower Main, with great croissants to boot.

Other coffee spots are Beezle Bistro (part of Narona) with lots of breakfast options, while Honeybun Café & Deli will sort you out with the best smoothies and handmade iced teas if you’re looking for something cool.

If you’re on the other side of Lower Main, Salt River side, then you can get your mocha fix from Ground Zero Cafe with many plant-based options for snacking, or channel your inner Gordon Ramsay at The Idiot Sandwich Café, where coffee and bread come together in holy matrimony.

Once the sun starts getting low and you’re looking for something stronger, bar hopping is a popular activity in Observatory. The best on-tap beers can be found at the Woodstock Brewery Taproom, locally made with a special small-batch on rotation. If you’re a beer connoisseur though, Spinal Tap down Lower Main is the tiniest bar with the most interesting beer selection - all special brews from small breweries.

If you are on the hunt to watch your favourite football club, Scrumpy Jack is thee sports bar to check out with your fellow fans, or shoot some pool at Stones, where double brandy and coke specials will give you fuel. For the classic student experience, hit up Trenchtown for great specials and cheap bar food as DJs spin in the background.

Armchair is also another classic spot with Shackleton draughts and great vodka ice teas, but most importantly, it’s where you can catch live music, comedy shows, karaoke and pub quizzes. For something a little more fancy, the revived Ganesh has odd but tasty cocktails that won’t cost you your firstborn child, paired with the best Thai street food in the whole city. For an even groovier time, go there on First Thursdays of every month for vinyl DJs. Remember to book ahead if you’re eating.

Truffle pizzas, Asian cuisine and Mexican bulldogs

Speaking of food, Observatory’s restaurant scene is as vibrant as its bars. If you’re counting your rands carefully, the best value in specials is Mr Lin’s Sushi and Thai, especially their chow mein and pad thai. Blue Marlin is number one for your sushi desires, while Linko will spoil you with Chinese delicacies.

Outside of the Asian food on offer, you can also opt for Tex-Mex at the long-running Panchos, where the must-try is the deep-fried deliciousness of flautas. The Mexican Bulldog is also the best drink for getting buzzed fast, mixing beer and frozen margaritas. You could also travel to the other side of the world at Timbuktu for Ethiopian cuisine and scrumptious injera flatbreads.

But when it comes to classic Italian, it’s hard to decide who is the best between Ferdinando’s and Pizza Shed. The former has a big, unique pizza menu - with many vegetarian options - and has a beautiful love story behind it. Most importantly, its vegan aioli has definitely inspired many a love sonnet. Further down Lower Main, you’ll find its biggest contender - Pizza Shed. While it has a smaller menu, its classic pizzas never disappoint (specifically the truffle one), and you can munch down while enjoying views of Table Mountain from its rooftop. With both of these restaurants, however, it’s vital to book in advance!

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