Bree Street has made TimeOut’s Top 20 list of coolest streets in the world, and to celebrate, we’re compiled some of the best attractions to explore when you’re in this part of Cape Town.
This city centre gem has become a hub of creativity, innovation and cultural diversity.
A vibrant thoroughfare with an eclectic mix of trendy cafes, stylish boutiques, art galleries, and buzzing nightlife spots.
Here is our guide for the Best of Bree:
Best Burgers
You’ll discover plenty of restaurants on Bree Street that feature burgers on their menu, but these are some of our personal favourites:
Clarke’s
Clarke’s serves up an array of dishes, ranging from sandwiches, breakfast, and sweet treats. However, it’s their burgers that keep customers coming back for more. Their burger selection features mouthwatering beef, chicken and vegetarian option. For a taste sensation, dive into the Greenfield’s grass-fed 210g beef burger with Klein River Havarti cheese. All burger buns are freshly baked daily.
Location: 133 Bree Str
Price: Burgers start from R92
Contact: Email info@clarkescapetown.co.za or visit www.clarkesdining.co.za/
Burger and Lobster
Sink your teeth into some of Cape Town’s finest burgers at Burger and Lobster. The restaurant boasts an extensive menu with standout classics like the B&L Burger, available with either a 180g or 250g beef patty and maple bacon. Their Vegan Burger is topped with vegan cheddar, avocado, and BBQ mayo. Gluten-free options are also available.
Location: 105 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
Price: Burger prices start from R149
Contact: Visit burgerandlobster.co.za/
Cowfish
You’ll find over 15 burger options at Cowfish, including a vegetarian selection. If you’re visiting, we recommend you try The Full House featuring a 160g beef patty, Cowfish mayo, a fried egg, two rashers of bacon, aged gouda, BBQ sauce and mustard. Or devour the Savage Garden with a chickpea patty, red onion, grilled mushroom, Cowfish mayo and mustard.
Location: Corner of Waterkant and 50 Bree St
Price: Burger prices start from R115
Contact: Visit cow-fish.co.za/
Best Coffee Spots
Take a stroll to these charming coffee spots, whether you are in need of an invigorating morning boost, a cosy workspace, or craving your daily dose of caffeine.
Rosetta Roastery Cafe
At Rosetta, acclaimed as Cape Town’s multi-award-winning Specialty Coffee Roastery, sip on their signature cuppas, from pour-over and batch brew filter coffee to refreshing iced creations. Once you’ve savoured their coffee, you’ll likely find yourself tempted to stock up on a few bags, which are sold at the award-winning roastery.
Location: 101 Bree St
Price: From R36
Contact: Call +27 21 447 4099
The Ladder
The Ladder boasts an aesthetic, tranquil space where you can satisfy your caffeine fix. Menu options we love include the classic Americano, Flat White, and their Double Espresso. If you are feeling more indulgent, they offer a mean frappuccino. If the coffee wasn’t tempting enough, the eatery serves Instaworthy meals set in a backdrop of some of the city’s finest art.
Location: 136 Bree St
Price: From R24
Contact: Visit www.theladderon136.com/
Pang Speciality Coffee
Pang Speciality Coffee is a brand born and raised in the heart of Cape Town, with a passion for creatives who love fashion and a great cup of coffee. Enjoy their famous brew with freshly made pastries. The shop also sells merchandise including totes, T-shirts, sweaters and caps.
Location: 173 Bree St
Price: From R50
Contact: Visit pangspecialty.com/
Best Pasta
Dig into some of the city’s best pasta dishes on Bree Street. Think saucy pasta dishes with lots of cheese and authentic Italian flavours.
Villa 47
Villa 47 is an Italian eatery that serves up some of the most delicious pasta dishes. Choose from a menu of family favourites like Pomodorino with linguine, lightly sautéed Italian tomatoes, garlic and chilli, Spaghetti ai Frutti di with prawns, calamari, mussels, clams and white wine, and Conchiglioni al Norma with tomato, aubergine, basil, ricotta and chilli. A gluten free pasta option is available. The food is served with love in a homely setting.
Location: 47 Bree St
Price: From R145
Contact: Visit www.villa47.co.za/
Vixi Social House
Vixi Social House is a vibrant destination famous for their handmade pasta crafted with carefully selected ingredients and spices. Consider options such as Pappardelle with lamb ragu, Taglierini with seafood, and vegetarian ravioli dishes. While you indulge in your meal, take in the energetic music, sometimes featuring live DJs, and bustling atmosphere.
Location: 49 Bree Street
Price: From R195
Contact: Visit vixi.co.za/
Best Sushi
These Bree Street establishments are elevating the way they serve their sushi. We love:
Aiko Sushi
Aiko Sushi (formerly Active Sushi) is renowned for its all-day sushi buffet. Prepare your comfy pants, as you can indulge as much as you like. Feast on everything from California rolls, maki, nigiri, fashion sandwiches, and more. An all-day vegan menu is available from Sunday to Wednesday. If a buffet is not your thing, you can opt for items from the menu.
Location: 4 Bree Street
Price: The sushi buffet is R249 for a 90-minute seating
Contact: Visit aikosushi.co.za/
Nikkei
The new kid on the block, Nikkei, is making waves with its Japanese/Peruvian cuisine. While they showcase an elevated sushi menu, paired with some of the most delicious cocktails, we particularly love the Sushi and Sake Sundays. You can get a sushi platter of 25 pieces and half-price on all sake cocktails every Sunday. As you enjoy your sushi, a DJ will liven up the atmosphere.
Location: 87 Bree St
Price: R199 for a 25 piece sushi platter, available every Sunday between 12pm and 5:30pm.
Contact: Visit nikkei.co.za/
Best Cocktails
Bree Street is known for being an after-work cocktail hangout, with many bars popping up along its stretch. Here’s where we love to go:
Aperitif
This charming new hangout on Bree Street is perfect for pre-drinks. Find a seat the bar, in the courtyard, or outdoor seating area, while you nibble on something light and sip their bespoke cocktails. Some must-try signature cocktails include the Cacao Nib Negroni, the Golden Turmeric Margarita, Negroni, and Campari Soda. For sober curious visitors, there are also chili-inspired mocktails on the menu.
Location: 227 Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
Price: From R100
Contact: Visit www.aperitif.co.za/
Fable
Fable is a premier destination for cocktail enthusiasts. Paired with cheeky and talented bartenders and world-class DJs, it creates an enchanting ambiance. Their award-winning bar features unique creations inspired by local fables and legends, which will transport you to a world of flavour and storytelling. You may or may not be handcuffed to your drink during your visit.
Location: Corner Bree & Wale St
Price: From R95
Contact: Visit fablecocktailbar.capetown/
Best Nightclubs
Bree Street comes alive at night, boasting many nightclubs where you can party the night away. Some favourites include:
Arcade
Despite Arcade being only open three days a week, from Thursday to Saturday, it pulls a crowd. You can ease into the evening with a refreshing cocktail while a live DJ sets the mood. Known for its First Thursday events, the club fills up fast, so we highly recommend booking a table in advance to secure your spot.
Location: 152 Bree St
Price: Free to enter, but costs apply to drinks and table reservations.
Contact: Visit www.arcadect.com/
The Tiki Tomb
Tiki Tomb is an underground basement bar fashioned after the Tiki Cocktail Culture movement from the 1950s, pioneered by Don the Beachbomber in Los Angeles, California. At The Tiki Tomb, you can immerse yourself in the “feels of carefree island days or vibrant vacation nights.” Expect karaoke on Wednesday and epic DJ sets throughout the week. Only visitors 21 years and older are allowed access.
Location: 107A Bree St, Cape Town City Centre
Price: No cover charge but cocktails start from R130.
Contact: Visit thefirmct.co.za/tiki-tomb
Best Pizzas
Grab a slice or two at these pizza spots:
I Love The Dough
We’re obsessed with I Love the Dough’s Neapolitan-style pizza. The eatery, known for its pink aesthetic and big neon signs, offers a pizza menu catering to all dietary requirements, all numbered from 1 to 11. Gluten-free bases and vegan cheese are available upon request.
Location: 101 Bree St
Price: From R90
Visit: www.ilovethedough.co.za/
The Pizza Shed
Pizza Shed is known for its signature slow-proofed dough, a process that takes 48 hours of nurturing before it is baked in its woodfired ovens at a high temperature. Must-try options include their Margherita, Pepperoni, and Hot Honey pizzas, or the Burrata pizza.
Location: 231 Bree St
Price: From R110
Contact: Visit pizzashed.co.za/
Best for Date Night
Want a relaxed date night with your loved one, while you go on a food journey around the globe, right here in Cape Town? We love these date night spots.
Hacienda
Experience a modern twist on authentic Coastal Mexican cuisine at Hacienda. Paired with exclusively selected tequilas and mezcals from the Baja California peninsula region in Mexico, you can enjoy a variety of dishes to share with your significant other. The restaurant also offers set menu options. PS: There’s a half-price margarita special every day from 4 pm to 5:30 pm.
Location: 92 Bree St
Price: Starts from R59
Contact: hacienda.co.za/
Grub & Vine
Grub & Vine serves refined bistro-style fare in a relaxed and inviting space, perfect for those date nights with bae. Their menu is small and seasonal, which can be paired with their award-winning local and international wine list. The menu is perfect for sharing, so we recommend you get a few dishes to enjoy together.
Location: 103 Bree St
Price: From R95
Contact: Visit grubandvine.co.za/
Best Halal and Halal-Friendly Eateries
Halal-friendly restaurants are also situated along Bree Street, and here are our choices:
Nish Nush SA
Embed: https://www.instagram.com/p/C2RjupdqKpL/
“No drama, just shawarma” is the motto at Nish Nush. The eatery serves Middle Eastern street food favourites that will tantalise your tastebuds. Try Arayes, a lamb and beef mince crammed into a pita and served with tahini and amba sauce. Or dig into their shawarma plate and hummus bowls. The meat is sourced from a halal supplier.
Location: 100 Bree St
Price: From R100
Contact: Visit www.nishnush.co.za/
Iron Steak
Iron Steak also secures its meat from a halal supplier and, as its name suggests, is famous for its steaks and meat dishes. You can mix and match dishes with a variety of tempting sides and wash your meal down with one of their mocktails. The eatery has affordable set menus and regular specials.
Location: 114 Bree St
Price: From R100
Contact: Visit www.ironsteak.co.za/
