The 15 best ways to discover Cape Town’s ‘East City’

Perhaps the East City’s most famous resident, Truth Coffee, was among the first local coffee shops to gain global acclaim. The experience begins the moment you step indoors, with staff clad in steam-punk-inspired garb in a space brimming with brass and leather. Or, if the weather’s fine, take a seat in the quirky urban ‘parklet’ streetside. But as much as this is a coffee shop rich in performance, it also follows through where it matters: a perfectly brewed cup of coffee. There are several specialty beans and various brewing methods to choose from, and a top-hatted waiter will happily talk you through them. Undecided? Opt for a traditional flat white with their Resurrection Blend, which pairs perfectly with their freshly baked pastries. Beware of asking for sugar, else expect a little bit of light humiliation from the staff.

36 Buitenkant St, Cape Town

District Six was once a vibrant multicultural – and multiracial –  neighbourhood, before being almost entirely razed to the ground by the Apartheid government, with its 60 000 residents forcibly removed and their houses flattened. The scars of this injustice are still visible on the city landscape to this day. It’s a story essential to understanding the historical tapestry of Cape Town and South Africa, and it’s told beautifully and starkly in the District Six Museum. Guided tours available.

15 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town

New York Bagels is a family-run Cape Town institution; serving their bagels and other delicacies since 1940. Originally in Sea Point, they’ve bounced around various city venues and markets, but have recently found a home in their bustling East City store. They’re open early for breakfast bagels, pastries and coffees, and the energy picks up around noon as office workers descend. You can’t go wrong with anything on the chalkboard menu, but keep an eye out for the excellent chicken sando. Add it to a slice of their house-made cheesecake, and you have the perfect East City lunch to eat in or take away.

44 Harrington Street, Cape Town

The Book Lounge is one of Cape Town’s most cherished book shops, and it’s a destination to include in your itinerary whether you’re looking to pick up a holiday read, add a rarity to your collection, or simply browse the beautifully curated collection. You’ll find global bestsellers and cult favourites on the shelves and display tables, and it has a superb collection of books by South African authors. Staff are always on hand to offer personal recommendations, and a quiet basement area offers sofas and a coffee shop if you want to linger a little longer. The Book Lounge also hosts free conversations with authors most weeknights that, along with the free wine, makes for a perfect evening in the East City. 

71 Roeland Street, Cape Town

As Cape Town's first authentic Parisian crêperie, there’s only one food type to order off the menu at Swan Café. Well, one food type with many variations. Swan Café serves a superb selection of sweet and savoury crêpes using traditional French techniques and ingredients. On the savoury side you can’t go wrong with a traditional Parisienne or Croque Monsieur. But save room for dessert. Although there are a few creative departures, our money is still on the cinnamon sugar with a squeeze of lemon or, if you must, the classic Nutella. 

Corner Buitenkant & Barrack Street, Cape Town

Take a walk down Buitenkant Street any time of the day, and you’ll fall for the colourful allure of Rapt, one of the East City’s more recent additions. Technically it’s a chocolate shop, but like its sister business, Truth Coffee across the road it’s so much more than that. This is a store that takes itself seriously where it counts (mostly in the top-notch imported cocoa) and less seriously elsewhere (in brightly coloured chocolates and striking packaging). Bundled into Rapt are several experiences and attractions, including a Callebaut chocolate fountain, nitrogen ice cream station, and the option to build your own bar of chocolate. 

39 Buitenkant St, Cape Town

Belly of the Beast is an intimate fine-dining restaurant serving lunch and dinner in the East City. The emphasis here is as much on quality food as a sustainable culinary journey. Chef-patrons Anouchka Horn and Neil Swart encourage guests to trust their years of experience, and with no menu or number of courses disclosed upfront diners need to pitch up and go with the flow. Fare is all seasonal and sourced from ethical producers. Although some dishes may challenge conservative eaters, the duo always finds a perfect balance that will leave you planning a return visit to see what else they can cook up. 

110 Harrington St, Cape Town

Long famous for their ‘mucking afazing’ cakes, no visit to the East City is complete without a turn at Charly’s Bakery. They’ve been a feature of the district since 2009 (and operating elsewhere for 20 years before that) and their array of colourful cakes and cupcakes fly out the door. They take orders for custom bakes if you’re after something special, or stop in and see what they have on offer. There’s always a colourful array of cookie monsters, unicorns and proudly Cape Town cupcakes and cookies waiting to be taken home. 

38 Canterbury Street, Cape Town

Adding an artistic element to the East City’s Buitenkant Street is StateoftheART. This is a vibrant contemporary gallery that showcases striking work from a variety of local artists. It’s open to the public who want to look over the latest of its curated collections, but it’s also a destination for buyers searching for local art. For those who want to dig a little deeper, there’s also the StateoftheART stockroom, which houses an inspiring selection of works by established and emerging South African artists. 

50 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town

Looking for the best ‘Cal-Mex’ cooking in the city? You’ve found it. The menu here runs from tasty tacos and finger-licking burritos to an eclectic collection of late-night bites that channel the best of West Coast cooking into a single destination. Beyond the food, Mamacita’s is as famous for the bold and bright décor as the flavoured margaritas, and has fast become a must-visit for any hungry local or tourist exploring the East City precinct.

75 Harrington Street, Cape Town

In what was previously the Fugard Theatre, the Homecoming Centre forms part of the District Six Museum and is a multi-purpose space that brings together the arts, live performance, and various learning programmes. With some planning and timing, you can catch anything from Pecha Kucha storytelling nights, classical and jazz concerts, and various theatrical productions. It offers an eclectic mix of shows with strong South African and Capetonian elements, and it’s a venue worth incorporating into any evening East City itinerary.

Corner Buitenkant St & Caledon St, Cape Town

Galjoen, by the owners of Belly of the Beast, is a relatively new addition to the East City. It focuses entirely on sustainably sourced seafood, which by Galjoen’s definition means fish caught responsibly and only in South African waters. Much like its sister restaurant, Galjoen serves a tasting menu that changes regularly based on both seasonality and what’s been caught. Chef Isca Stoltz aims to challenge patrons with unique ingredients and fresh takes on otherwise familiar seafood, and the result is a thrilling journey through the country’s best ingredients and ocean fare.

99 Harrington St, Cape Town

Ramen has taken off in Cape Town recently (don't miss Ramenhead at Time Out Market Cape Town), but Downtown Ramen was arguably one of the first to set the trend. It’s located upstairs in an understated building on Harrington Street, but don’t let the entrance mislead you: it’s a characterful venue with tasty food. On the menu you’ll find a selection of bao and dumplings, but most visit for the main attraction. Chicken, pork belly, and vegetarian ramen options all feature, but our money’s almost always on the spicy miso ramen with braised short rib. 

103 Harrington St, Cape Town

Dust and Dynamite is a hole-in-the-wall bar like no other in Cape Town. To enter, you’ll need to push past two aggressively hinged saloon-style doors and then squeeze through a raft of cowboy paraphernalia. Ordering a drink requires squaring up to the mustachioed and cowboy-hatted owner, who’s there most nights keeping the atmosphere authentic.

Although it’s a meticulously themed bar, it has none of the pretension you may expect from something this curated. Cowboy hats are on hand to finish your outfit, and shots are served in glass skulls if you wish. But you’ll also feel at home skipping both and instead pulling out a barstool with a non-craft beer to spark a conversation with a grizzled regular in the corner.

27 Caledon St, Cape Town

Need a cocktail while exploring the East City? Make a turn at Harringtons. The venue has seen several iterations over the years, but finally seems to have found its groove. The crowd is young and vibrant, and the atmosphere picks up as the evening blends into nighttime, with live DJs spinning the tunes. Cocktails are reasonably priced, but there’s also a fair selection of top-shelf bottles. And if you’re feeling a little hungry, the extensive tapas menu should have you covered.

 61B Harrington St, Cape Town