Get your freak on in Observatory

Explore organic food, art and alcohol-fuelled debates in this Bohemian Cape Town suburb

Need to let your hair down and let out your creative freak somewhere close to the city? Visit Cape Town’s most bohemian suburb, Observatory.

It's an arty district locally known as 'Obs'. The main entertainment area is centered around the Lower Main Road. You’ll find quirky restaurants, easy going bars, live music and lots of hippies in Observatory, which also represents one of the largest residential arts communities in South Africa. We're talking shabby chic.

Under apartheid, people from all races lived together and the spirit lives on. Youngsters, students, artists, philosophers, actors, backpackers and all kinds of weirdo’s engage in alcohol-fuelled debates about philosophy, politics, jazz, organic food, books, history and the arts. Enter any café in Obs by yourself and you simply know you will leave with a new friend, philosophy or self-produced poem.

Mimi’s
This shabby chic cafe offers freshly prepared breakfast and lunch. The menu is filled with organic and healthy foods. Opt for one of the delicious, homemade soups or taste the rich gourmet sandwiches. The staff recommends the bacon and potato salad. At Mimi’s all dishes are homemade and fresh. You won’t find any preservatives in the kitchen.  Healthy enough, right?

107 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town

Florentine
Imagine the vibe in your own living room and kitchen. That’s what Florentine is like. They serve large breakfasts from R16 for a croissant and ham to luscious breakfast platters for R38. But there’s more! Enjoy the homemade salads or taste a variety of tapas with a freshly prepared cocktail on the side. Don’t worry about missing out on cheap drinks: Florentine’s offers happy hours from 17:00 till 22:00u. They'll play a CD from their collection at your request as well. There’s no place like home, except Florentine.

66 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town

The Image & Hair
Looking for an excuse to escape the hustle and bustle of the city? Give yourself a treat and head to The Image & Hair. In this extensive beauty salon you can get your hair and make-up done, while you’re getting a manicure and pedicure. Not satisfied yet? There’s also a fashion boutique and a massage salon, all under one roof.

80/82 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town

OBZ Cafe
Start of with the OBZ Burger, try a piece of homemade cake for desert, head of for the OBZ theatre for live music, enjoy an Original Long Island Ice Tea and fall asleep in your dorm room at OBZ Backpackers. OBZ Cafe has everything you need for a full night out. On Wednesday you can grab a pizza at half price or taste the huge Big Daddy Special on Mondays for just R99.

115 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town

Hello Sailor Bistro
If you’re an Obs resident, the rock’n’roll bistro Hello Sailor should definitely become one of your locals. The sailor-decor is inviting, the music is well chosen, the food is good. "Food is a big thing for us. We serve stuff we like and what people like." say owner Bosko and Ryan, "Full on flavours but simple." And chef Maggie (cool eyewear, cool tattoos) will make sure you have a good food experience.

86 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town | +27 (0) 21 447 0707 |
ryan@hellosailorbistro.co.za

Café Ganesh
This is a downscale student bar-cum-club-cum-restaurant in the Observatory neighbourhood. It serves samoosas downstairs, the South African Indian answer to egg rolls, and art films as well as live, sometimes impromptu, performances upstairs. It keeps the charm of the township tavern kitchen – serving traditional meals and unbelievably cheap quarts. Meals cost R28 – R60 and you get the real pap here: pap and vleis with a  nice shack feeling.

Lower Main Road at Trill Road | Observatory | Cape Town

Touch of Madness
From the onset of arriving at A Touch of Madness, you are transported back to the Victorian era. The restaurant is quaintly situated in a Victorian style house, which was built between 1900 and 1905. A Touch of Madness definetely holds a superior ambience with its large windows casting a warm and homely vibe for those special get togethers. The burgundy walls and delicate chandeliers add to the eloquent feeling of fine dining. The extensive menu caters for all tastes. A definite must! 

12 Nuttal Road | Observatory | Cape Town

Tagore’s
Tagore’s is a is a late night pub and hidden away Moroccan-feel bar that attracts the bohemian and offers up a frantic line up of live jazz on Friday nights. Next to live music, Tagore offers you walls covered with poetry and pictures of jazz icons, that will feed your fascination until the early morning hours.

42 Trill Road | Observatory | Cape Town

Mango Ginger Coffee Shop
Pastry chef Fiona injects love into every fresh dish. She focuses on pure health food. The gluten free products are high in quality and low in price. If you're a sucker for freshly prepared and tasteful goodies, this is the place for breakfast and lunch; the quality is in the ambience and the details.

105 Lower Main Road | Entrance in Trill Road | Observatory | Cape Town

South African Astronomical Observatory
The reason this area is called Observatory is because the headquarters of the National Centre for Optical and Infrared Astronomy are based in this suburb. Every second and fourth Saturday of the month at 8pm you are welcome to have a peek. The headquarters include offices, the main library, computing facilities, engineering workshops and historic telescopes. This is your chance to look through the historic McClean telescope and spot that shooting star.

Observatory Road | Observatory | Cape Town

The River Club
Fancy something a bit more upscale? The River Club Golf and Conference Centre is the place to be. Enjoy a day of golfing on the 9-hole mashie course or the 90-bay driving range. The world famous Logical Golf Academy is based here. Aftwards, grab a bite at Players Cafe and Bar. The menu offers a wide range of dishes from breakfasts to light snacks, salads and sandwiches. 

Liesbeek Parkway | Observatory | Cape Town

Circus School
This circus school was founded by trapeze world champion, Dimitri Slaverse and his wife Nicky. Watch contortionists move their bodies in unbelievable shapes and positions and figure out how the firejumpers also jump through the ring at the right moment. Dare to take a challenge? Find out how fearless you really are and brave the trapeze or construct a human pyramid.

2 Willow Road | Hartleyvale | Observatory | Cape Town

Queen of Tarts Bakery
The delicious cupcakes, freshly baked products and funky decor is what makes Queen of Tarts Bakery the treat of Observatory. This bakery takes it’s inspiration from Parisian patisseries. Make a lasting impression on your guests and order from Queens of Tarts for that one special event you’re hosting.

213 Lower Main Road | Observatory | Cape Town

Hungry for more? See our overview of the Southern Suburbs.

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