Located directly below Table Mountain and Lion’s Head within the city bowl, Gardens is definitely one of the more fashionable areas and has long been a favorite post code for young professionals looking for a balance between the buzz of the city centre and the relaxed cafe culture that Cape Town is famous for.
Besides the numerous fashion boutiques, cafes, bistros, bars (be sure to check out Kloof Street) and it’s very own mall (see related links), Gardens also plays host to many modeling agencies, production and publishing companies and associated industries, making it the hub of the Cape Town creative industry.
Close to Long Street, the Waterfront as well as Table Mountain and only 10 to 15 minutes drive to the Camps Bay and Clifton beaches, it’s no surprise that Gardens is one of the most popular self catering accommodation areas in Cape Town.
Manna Epicure
151 Kloof St
+27 21 426 2413
Yes it’s an all white (decor) restaurant. And yes everyone is wearing oversized sunglasses. But the breakfast menu is undeniably good, there’s a lovely little terrace and it’s a great place to people watch. Especially if you can hide behind a pair of giant sunglasses. Open Tuesday - Sunday.
Knead Bakery
Wembley Square
Solan Street
Gardens
+27 21 462 4183
Choose your type of bread. Choose your type of cheese. Choose pizza. Choose life. Choose Knead. Although Wembley Square itself (where Knead is situated) does not necessarily warrant a tourist visit (it has a handful of bars and restaurants but is primarily a residential complex - not to be confused with the Gardens Centre Mall nearby), if you are staying in the vicinity and are in need of bread and pastries (and who isn’t?) we can definitely recommend Knead. Although it is primarily a bakery, it’s very focused on in-house eating and has a large and spacious sit down area with a varied restaurant menu to match. Best of all - not only does the complex have a free wifi internet connection, but the sit down section also has power points at some tables where you can plug in your laptop.
Raith Gourmet German Butcher and Deli
Shop No 38, Gardens Center, Mill Street
Tel: +27 (0)21 465 2729 / 465 6396
Bockwurst, Bratwurst, Weisswurst, Blutwurst,Knackwurst, Leberwurst, Wurst, Wurst, Wurst! With the average German consuming an approximate 30 kilos of sausage per year and Cape Town hosting one of the largest German populations in the country, it’s no wonder Raith Gourmet Butcher and Deli does so well. But their fare is not just limited to sausage. They have a wide variety of beef, chicken, lamb, ostrich and game, imported German products from sweets and pickles to giant bottles of curry ketchup and deli favorites such as German potato salad, Sauerkraut, Fleischsalat (yes, that’s right - meat salad. What?) and homestyle sweet and sour pickles. And if you’re feeling peckish be sure to grab something from their take-away counter. They serve all the favorites like Bratwurst, Schnitzel, Pork Belly, Eisbein, Fleischkäse (meatloaf), and their famous Steak Tartar.
Rick’s Cafe Americaine Restaurant and Bar
2 Park Road
Gardens
+27 (0)21 424 1100
The food here is great, but more than anything we love the ambience. This 100 year old Victorian house has been converted into a downstairs restaurant area with a beautifully restored wooden staircase leading up to a chill lounge in the attic spilling out onto a spacious roof deck area with it’s own cocktail bar. The cuisine is Moroccan / Mediterranean and besides the hearty mains they also have a good selection of tapas to go with their impressive wine list. Two thumbs up!