{"id":91990,"date":"2015-05-04T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2015-05-04T00:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/travelstartblg.wpenginepowered.com\/20-hip-hole-in-the-wall-spots-in-ct\/"},"modified":"2025-11-04T13:52:40","modified_gmt":"2025-11-04T13:52:40","slug":"20-hip-hole-in-the-wall-spots-in-ct","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelstart.co.za\/blog\/20-hip-hole-in-the-wall-spots-in-ct\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Hip Hole-In-The-Wall Spots In Cape Town"},"content":{"rendered":"

We list 20 of the hippest, small-of-space but big-on-atmosphere places to eat, drink and chill in Cape Town. You may not be able to swing a cat but you will come away wallet relatively undamaged and smiling.<\/p>\n

1. Ferdinando’s Pizzeria, Kloof Street<\/h2>\n

\"Ferdinando's\"<\/p>\n

This is definitely my favourite pizza experience in Cape Town. Ferdinando (spot him on the left, he’s the one with four legs and a bandanna) welcomes you to the restaurant which operates out of Blah Blah Bar<\/a> on Kloof Street. There are a few of us so we sit on cushions on the balcony and peruse the awesome hand-made, illustrated menus which detail how Ferdinando’s got started. Chef Diego Milesi and South African artist Kimon Bisogno began making pizzas in their home in the Waterkant and were so wildly successful they quickly had to move to new premises. The good times continue as they’re opening a new Ferdinando’s in Obs in June. The pizzas are wood-fired with a variety of interesting toppings from which to choose. The bases are deliciously thin but not overly-crisp and the free starters of bread sticks and tasty dip will keep you happy in the interim. If you want a drink you need to order and pay at the separate bar and remember to take cash for the pizzas. Service is leisurely but extremely friendly.\u00a0Open Tuesday-Saturday nights from 6-10 pm, you will find them at\u00a084 Kloof street. Average price per main is R70 – R100.<\/p>\n

Update: no longer operating from Blah Blah Bar, visit this awesome pizza-making team at 205 Lower Main Rd, Observatory. Closed on Sundays and Mondays, open every other day from 6pm to 11pm.<\/p>\n

2. Street Food on Bree<\/h2>\n

\"Streetimage by Le Cape Town Journal<\/span><\/p>\n

Duck your head through the door of Street Food on Bree. It’s cramped but great for grabbing a quick take-away of stir-fried noodles or a freshly-squeezed juice. This is the younger-brother eatery of the fancier Chefs Warehouse and Canteen<\/a> upstairs. Average price pp is R60.<\/p>\n

3. Yo!! Meatball, East City<\/h2>\n

\"Yo!!<\/p>\n

Dave from Yo!! Meatball has a great sense of humour and loves dogs (so take your dog along for a free meatball). This small spot has two tables and a bar counter where you can look out on the street. Find them at 77 Roeland Street. They’re open from 11 am to 5.30 pm Monday to Friday and 12 pm to 5pm on Saturdays.\u00a0Call 076 456 7254. Expect to pay about R60 pp for lunch.<\/p>\n

4. Straight No Chaser, East City<\/h2>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

Formerly known as the Mahogany room, just down the road from Perseverance Tavern, you’ll find this svelte jazz bar. The atmosphere is intimate and relaxed and the weekly musical acts unmissable. Here is the place to grab a reasonably-priced drink and listen to quality live music. Space is very limited so book in advance by calling\u00a0076 679 2697. There are two sets per night, usually one set costs R60 and two cost R100. 79 Buitenkant Street.<\/p>\n

5. Downtown Ramen, East City<\/h2>\n

\"Ramen<\/p>\n

Cape Town’s first and only ramen restaurant- you’ll find their cramped quarters above Lefty’s Dive Bar at 103 Harrington Street (the entrance is found inside Lefty’s to the left up the stairs). Order the pork belly or tofu ramen with chili and egg depending on your tastes. The braised short rib bao (steamed bun) is a good starter option. Seating space is limited and they don’t take bookings so just pitch up, share a table and slurp away. They’re open\u00a0Monday to Saturday from 5pm to 10pm, call\u00a0021 461 0407 for more info. R80-R110 pp.<\/p>\n

6. Hello Sailor Bistro, Obs<\/h2>\n

\"Hello<\/p>\n

I was reluctant to include this place as it’s my absolute favourite restaurant and hang-out spot in Cape Town. It’s well-known and loved by many but I think it inspires a certain petulant “my local” possessiveness. Though not as tiny as others on this list, it’s fairly cosy with a few wooden tables. Sailor-related paraphernalia adorns the walls including a mermaid illustration<\/a> by celebrated South African artist Conrad Botes. The specials board changes every few months, a long-time favourite is “the ribs that saved my marriage” or the eggs benedict breakfast. They are very reasonably priced – you can get a classic cheese burger for R40. Find them at 86 Lower Main Road. They’re open from Monday to Friday 8.30 am to 11 pm, and Saturday to Sunday from 9am to 11pm. From around R60 pp.<\/p>\n

7. Beijing Opera, De Waterkant<\/h2>\n

\"Beijingimage by Skattie What Are You Wearing<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

This is the brand-new dim sum restaurant, which opened last month at 6 Rose street, De Waterkant. The chef-owner, Yang Zhao, is well-known for her pop-up restaurants of the same name in CT and JHB, though this one is here to stay. The dim sum is perfectly cooked, the atmosphere laid-back and friendly. Call 021 418 1127 for more info. About R80-R100 pp.<\/p>\n

8. Bacon on Bree<\/h2>\n

\"bacon-on-bree<\/p>\n

If you love bacon, glorious, crispy bacon then this place<\/a> is for you. Like the almond-milk, gin and cronut<\/a> foodie crazes that have over-taken the USA in the past year bacon-mania has arrived in Cape Town. But why not. It’s the least faddish of crazes – people liked bacon before it was hip and people will still like bacon butties long after. For a lunchtime spoil order the R65 Harvey Specter; ciabatta, tomato, pesto brie and bacon. They also serve a bacon-infused old fashioned cocktail for R45. They’re open from 7am to 4pm Monday to Friday and on Saturday from 8am \u00a0to 2pm. Call\u00a0021 422 2798 to find out more. About R70- R90 pp (juice and butty).<\/p>\n

9. Kleinsky’s Delicatessen, Sea Point<\/h2>\n

\"Kleinsky's<\/p>\n

Kleinsky’s was opened last November by the Klein brothers who are passionate about bringing New York-style delicatessen food to Cape Town. The prices are very reasonable as it is non-kosher. For instance you can get a bagel with two shmears for R24 or a chicken and matzo ball soup for R38. I have my eye on the latke benedict for breakfast or the hot pastrami on rye with mustard. They also serve\u00a0bialys<\/a> on occasion. Find them at 95 Regent Road, Seapoint. Call\u00a0021 433 2871 or check out their website\u00a0here<\/a>. R60-R80 pp.<\/p>\n

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