The 30 Best Things To Do in Kalk Bay

It was named one of The 12 Coolest Neighbourhoods Around The World by Forbes magazine, among international hotspots like Barcelona’s Sants, Washington’s Navy Yard and Amsterdam’s Noord, and outranking London’s Soho and New York’s Greenpoint in the process. After one visit to the quirky seaside village of Kalk Bay, it’s easy to understand why.

Part-sleepy fishing village and part-buzzy high street, Kalk Bay’s eclectic mix of historic buildings, cobbled streets, bohemian bric-a-brac shops, vintage bookstores, art and antique galleries, ocean and mountain views, quaint cafés and restaurants, colourful fishing vessels and creative locals is what makes it such an alluring seaside enclave, offering an unique experience unlike anywhere else in the city.

Kalk Bay Harbour
Things to do
Where to eat
Where to shop

Kalk Bay Harbour

The lighthouse

Kalk Bay harbour is not just a bustling landmark, it has a rich history, too. Its famous red-and-white-striped lighthouse – situated at the tip of the bustling pier – is the perfect spot for sunset photo ops or relaxed evening ambles. In winter, it sheds its laidback armour, giving new meaning to the phrase “Cape of Storms” as large waves come hurtling into the bay, crashing against the jetty and lighthouse with substantial impact – a truly riveting sight to behold!

The de facto residents of this bustling hotspot are the seals! And if you love watching these playful creatures up close and personal, then you’ve come to the right place.
Where to find it Kalk Bay Harbour, Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Buy fresh fish

After its existence as a whaling port was terminated, Kalk Bay Harbour became a thriving fishing port. Watch dedicated fishermen bringing in their hauls from their colourful rustic boats daily, and then make them an offer to buy some of their hard-earned produce. It makes a delicious (and healthy) meal, particularly when done over the coals – you’d be hard-pressed to find fresher fish anywhere.
Where to find it Kalk Bay Harbour, Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Harbour House

Towering over the bustling fishing pier and boasting spectacular views over both the mountain and False Bay, Harbour House is known for its seafood (fresh, delicious, pricey)… but you’re here for the luxury of lifting a glass to the ultimate seafront location. Pop in for a drink (they have an extensive cocktail menu) before the dinner shift starts, and if luck is on your side, ask to sit at table 40, the only outside spot on a tiny balcony facing the sea, with the waves crashing directly beneath you. Inside is a treat, too: with the late-afternoon light pouring in through floor-to-ceiling windows, everything seems to glow.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact 021 788 4133, kalkbay@harbourhouse.co.za
Where to find it Kalk Bay Harbour, Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

Kalky’s

Edwin and Liz Rosslind’s large cabin-like restaurant on the harbour quay offers the best fish and chips on this coastline. Daughter Allison now runs it, and business is brisk – especially on weekends when crowds queue for the just-caught fish on offer. The most popular dishes are battered hake and chips or snoek and chips, but the calamari, kingklip, yellowtail and prawns are also delicious. A waitress shouts out your number when your order is ready and you tuck in at one of the plastic-covered tables – it’s casual value-for-money eating for the whole family, and a famed Kalk Bay institution.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 10am – 7pm
Contact @kalkys_restaurant
Where to find it Kalk Bay Harbour, Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Live Bait

Just below Harbour House (its sister restaurant), with an equally open expanse of bright glass windows, this beach-themed eatery offers wonderful harbour and False Bay views from its oceanside location. In summer, it’s the perfect spot to sip sauvignon blanc, while in winter (between July and September), regular visits from calving humpback and southern right whales make its tables some of the most covetable in the peninsula. As for the food, it’s simple and tasty – ranging from sushi and moules to calamari, fish and chips, and surf and turf.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 12pm – 10pm
Contact  021 788 5755, kalkbay@livebait.co.za
Where to find it Kalk Bay Harbour, Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Things to do

Dalebrook Tidal Pool

One of the most beautiful tidal pools in False Bay, this is a veritable pilgrimage site for the morning-swim tribe and Instagrammers. The early birds know this east-facing pool is one of the best places to be at sunrise, as it seamlessly melds into the ocean over the low wall. Later on, the large boulder in the middle of the pool invites bathers to make like mermaids contemplating the horizon… The pool is completely surrounded by concrete (with built-in benches) and rocks, so if you’re not a fan of beach sand, this is heaven. Go as early as possible if you’re looking for some contemplative breaststroke; it does get very busy, especially on the weekend – although that’s a lot of fun, too, because literally everybody’s smiling…
Good to know The subway entrance to the Dalebrook Tidal pool is directly across the road from Chardonnay Deli @ Dalebrook, which welcomes a stream of bathers with coffees, smoothies, super juices, delectable pastries, ice cream, and more. If you’ve worked up an appetite, a menu of healthy but indulgent breakfasts, lunch and cakes awaits. The café also has lockers available for swimmers to leave their valuables.
Opening times Chardonnay Deli: Monday – Sunday, 7am – 6pm
Contact 021 795 0606, managerKB@chardonnaydeli.co.za
Where to find it 20 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Lever Street Park

This little green oasis is a wonderful pitstop during or after a day of exploring Kalk Bay, especially if you have kids in tow. Complete with a slide, roundabout and swings, it acts like a modern-day village green and is the number-one meeting place for Kalk Bay locals. On any given day, you’ll see them standing around clutching takeaway coffees while their kids (and dogs) frolic and romp around.
Good to know Feeding all of these people with said coffees and delicious bagels is Bob’s Bagels, a gem of a spot overlooking the park. Also on the menu are smoothies, coffee shakes, homemade toasted banana bread, soup in the winter and a range of treats for dogs. If you’re in an art-buying mood, the space also serves as a gallery.
Opening times Bob’s Bagels: Monday – Friday, 7.15am – 3pm
Saturday + Sunday, 7.15am – 4pm
Contact 083 280 0012, robinpoll@netactive.co.za
Where to find it Corner of Lever Street and Rouxville Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Lakeside Provisions

What do you get if you combine fashion and a love for the great outdoors? This cute little shop, new to the hood, boasts “adventure-inspired streetwear” for men and women, plus other funky bits and bobs, as well as coffee, sandwiches and delicious baked goods. Founder Morne describes his clothing as “more Kloof Street, less boho”, and (being part of Lakeside Brewing Co) they’ve also got a taproom and a terrace out back.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 084 999 3056
Where to find it 64 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Kalk Bay Trading Post

No wander through Kalk Bay is complete without stopping by Kalk Bay Trading Post in the old post office (you can still see the rusty green postboxes in the entrance way), where “Bony” Tony Popplestone has been buying and selling his fascinating bric-a-brac for years. Whether you’re tracking down an old comic book, the perfect antique, a unique vintage sign or some other retro find to resurrect, this red-brick building may hold what you’re looking for – and even if it doesn’t, you’re likely to stumble upon something else that’s just as interesting.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 5pm
Saturday, Sunday + public holidays, 9.30am – 5pm
Contact 021 788 9571, kalkbaytradingpost@gmail.com
Where to find it 71 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

The Ice Café

This super-cool spot on Main Road is famous among locals for its homemade ice cream, made using a secret family recipe consisting of natural ingredients, no eggs or gelatine. The flavours, which taste amazingly like the real thing, include Black Forest (with real cherries, chocolate cake and cream), Peanut Butter, Cinnamon, Liquorice, Coffee, Coconut and loads more, and are served in a sugar cone or cup to be enjoyed while strolling along the streets. Other than the great prices and huge scoops, we love that they change flavours weekly, and are environmentally conscious, encouraging customers to return plastic spoons and utilising paper tubs only.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm
Saturday, 10am – 6pm; Sunday, 9am – 6pm
Contact 084 569 2452
Where to find it 92 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

The Brass Bell

Head under the railway line to The Brass Bell (once a council-run tea room built in 1939) for a drink served with stunning ocean views. The seaside pub has been an institution for decades, especially as a live-music venue. Situated right on the shoreline, overlooking two tidal pools, it now comprises  a complex of different venues, including the main Brass Bell restaurant, Seaweed & Salt (a bistro so close to the waves you could get splashed at high tide) and the Kalk Bay Theatre, known for its intimate, cabaret-style offerings.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 11.30am – late (kitchen closes at 10pm)
Saturday, Sunday + public holidays, from 11am
Contact 021 788 5455, info@brassbell.co.za
Where to find it 75 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan
Book for Kalk Bay Theatre

Honest Chocolate

This just in: An Honest Chocolate Café is coming to Kalk Bay in January/February 2025! Expect all the handcrafted, organic, ethically produced, chocolatey goodness that you’ve come to expect from this little artisanal bean-to-bar brand – and a sensory experience that can only be enhanced by the fresh sea air and authentic atmosphere of a town that’s as honest as they come.
Contact 076 765 8306, info@honestchocolate.co.za

Where to eat

Salt

This small eatery, which started life as the entrance way to the movie house, the Olympia Picture Palace, has gone through a number of incarnations in its time – but Salt is sticking. That might be due to the food – so-called “global small plates” (don’t even ask, just order the yellowtail ceviche practically straight off the boat, and butternut and burnt sage butter ravioli now, quickly). Or it could be the drinks (great boutique wines and, as 30-year-old owner Nicolas MacLeod puts it, “secret ingredient margaritas that are very, veeeeeery good”). Or maybe it’s the atmosphere – cosy, friendly, relaxed – courtesy of the exposed brick wall and bar counter-like tables. Combine all that with vibey staff and you have a place that’s always buzzing, from the moment it opens at 6am (they serve R15 coffee until 9am on weekdays) to when it closes, party depending.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 6am – 11pm
Contact 063 019 8300, hello@saltkalkbay.co.za
Where to find it 136 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town
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Olympia Café

The sign that’s been hanging above the coffee station at Olympia forever says it all: “No self-discipline, no smoking, no split bills, no bullshit”. Kenneth, the co-owner, is proud of the fact that Olympia was the first to bring “good coffee” to the South Peninsula, as well as ciabatta bread. In fact, their cavernous bakery at the back has been crucial to their success. In 2010 they opened a shop attached to the bakery and now sell up to 200 loaves, 300 croissants and a whopping 800 coffees a day – but there are plenty of other baked treats to take away, too. On any given night, the café is packed with chipper customers, many of whom have been coming here for years (and ordering the linguine di mare, which is what you should do, too). Don’t expect frills and frippery; do expect love made visible.
Opening times Restaurant: Daily, 7am – 10pm (last orders at 9pm)
Bakery shop: Daily, 6.30am – 7pm
Contact 021 788 6396, info@olympiacafe.co.za
Where to find it 134 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Ohana Beach Café

Situated a stone’s throw away from the lapping waves of the rocky Kalk Bay shore, this vegan-friendly café and bakery is a local favourite for a light bite, good coffee, or a cold-pressed juice. In addition to all-day breakfasts and freshly baked scones, cakes and pastries (the Ohana Bun, made from croissant dough with chopped up pecan-nuts and a butterscotch sauce, is rightly famous, and sells out fast), it also serves a selection of healthy wraps, salads, quiches and sandwiches. Plant your feet in the sand at the casually clad tables under sun-shielding umbrellas on warm days, or take a table in the large glassed-in interior, and soak up the ocean vibes.
Good to know Look out for popular “harvest table” menus on selected Friday evenings and Sunday lunchtimes: R200 for “a bit of everything”, bring your own wine, no corkage. The menu changes according to what’s in season; check their Facebook and Instagram pages for updates.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 7.30am – 4pm
Contact 072 756 9055, ohanakbay@gmail.com
Where to find it 23 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Satori

Satori is a go-to for Kalk Bay locals and visitors who love the no-frills trattoria atmosphere and a menu serving up consistently tasty and hearty Italian meals. Wood-fired, crispy based pizzas are the order of the day (and they do them really well), but they also have excellent seafood, pasta dishes and salads (don’t miss their truly showstopping strawberry, feta and avo salad). Leave space for the tiramisu – it’s belissima!
Good to know Call in your order and do a drive-by collection for pizza to eat on the Kalk Bay harbour wall.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 11am – 10pm
Contact 021 788 1123
Where to find it 76 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Sirocco Café

On a patio under a towering palm tree next to the train station, Sirocco Café is the perfect place to lounge and people-watch. What was once a station-side plaza has been transformed into a pavement café, with shades of a boujie beach-taverna thrown in. Everything is outdoors here – but if it’s raining you can opt for the “train”, an original dining car in service for the SA Railways between 1914 and 1981. Tuck into fresh sushi or pizzas made with 72-hour-fermented, hand-stretched dough while listening to the DJ spin his tunes.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 7am – 11pm
Contact 081 310 3067, hello@siroccocafe.co.za
Where to find it 75 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Cape To Cuba

You’ll hear Cape to Cuba restaurant before you see it; there’s always a strident salsa beat belting through the speakers (and often live music on Sundays). Its bar, Hemingway, is a chilled spot from which to drink in the buena vista (good view) of sea and harbour, along with a cocktail. Pull up a cane chair beside the railway line and relax, beneath a canopy of giant monstera leaves and palm fronds in acid yellows and greens. The experience and the impressive cocktail menu make for a heady combination. Adjacent is the restaurant, where you’ll be able to indulge in the likes of their famous mussels, chilli poppers and seafood paella while admiring the OTT interiors.
Opening times Monday – Thursday, 11am – 11pm
Friday – Sunday, 11am – 12am
Contact 021 788 1566, kalkbay@capetocuba.com
Where to find it 165 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

Where to shop

Kalk Bay Modern Gallery

Look for the door between Olympia and Salt, climb the steep flight of mosaiced stairs, ring the little cowbell at the gate at the top, and walk in to find a gorgeous, light-filled space that offers a joyous array of contemporary Southern African art, ceramics, textiles and jewellery: a visual feast rivalled only by this gallery’s magnificent harbour view. While Kalk Bay Modern features big works by big names such as William Kentridge, it’s also developed a huge “storehouse” of editioned prints with various print studios in South Africa. Look out for plates by Lisa Ringwood, ceramics by Leora Lewis, and artworks by Mary Visser, Simon Stone and up-and-coming Mongezi Ncaphayi. The carefully curated crafty artefacts and high-end curios make perfect gifts, too. Don’t leave without an intricately embroidered cushion from the Keiskamma Art Project in the Eastern Cape.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9.30am – 5pm
Contact 021 788 6571, kbmodern@iafrica.com
Where to find it 136 Main Road (above Olympia Cafe)

Miss Mrs & Friends

In a lovely old stone building you’ll find Miss Mrs & Friends. Before you pop in, have a chat with the flower seller outside – or better yet, buy one of her protea bunches. Inside, the shop is packed with various ranges of handmade South African products, from soaps and essential oils to quirky ceramics, wooden toys and leather craftwork. Look out for Titch’s beautifully made linen clothing and pick up a shweshwe or beaded dog collar, or a painted ceramic water bowl for Rover back home.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 072 140 9044, shop@missmrs.co.za
Where to find it 124 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Casa Boho

If you’re crazy for ceramics and homeware stores are your heaven on earth, then this well-curated lifestyle locale is right up your alley. You’ll find everything from locally crafted Mungo throws and towels, hand block-printed linen and tablecloths, 100% organic beauty products and handmade Moroccan lamps, to wool, jute and hemp rugs, contemporary ceramics, handmade kitchen products, and Marrakech-imported leather bags under one wonder-filled roof.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 021 788 2443, info@ohsoboho.co.za
Where to find it 108 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Soul Design

For luminous handmade jewellery, homeware and clothing with a nomadic spirit, where every piece is crafted by a team of artisans in Africa, make your way through Soul Design’s blush-pink door. Promising “a touch of bohemia, a feminine quality and a love of beauty”, this brand’s delicate designs combine classic styles with a warm core palette of soft shades and earthy tones. The result? A beautiful souvenir of your serendipitous, soulful day in Kalk Bay.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 9am – 4.30pm
Contact 076 527 8717, abi@souldesign.co.za
Where to find it 106 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

The Kalk Bay Co-op

A funky, collaborative space that will satisfy all of your shopping desires in a matter of footsteps, the Kalk Bay Co-Op features an expansive collection of clothing, arts and crafts, jewellery, homeware and much, much more from an ever-changing group of talented local designers. The individually curated sections make for easy browsing, and you’re sure to find something quirky, creative and completely unique.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 072 368 4589, coop1@kalkbaycoop.co.za
Where to find it 100 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Saint Siena

On the left-hand side of the station is a boutique that proudly supports South African creativity – from jewellery and ceramics, to unique fashion items, accessories and decor. There’s lots to peruse, but standout favourites are Yarnh Menswear’s fun shirts, Sitting Pretty’s boho-chic dresses, candle holders by Unearthed and beaded earrings by Aurora. Co-owners Chris Hoffman and Kirstin Sham set out to create a platform for local designers and artisans to show their work, and the result is more than just a retail store; it’s a creative community.
Opening times Daily, 9am – 5pm
Contact 076 330 6288, hello@saintsiena.co.za
Where to find it 77 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

ANPA Jewellery

Come to this flagship boutique for a collection of limited-edition silver jewellery designed by Andreas Betzold and Patrizia Litty, not to mention a bespoke design studio (for custom-made pieces) and an in-house smithing workshop. Andreas and Patrizia have collaborated for more than 20 years, and their unique work reflects their passion for gemstones and “a love for the unique and unusual”.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 10am – 5pm
Saturday, 10am – 3pm
Contact 021 788 9622, andreas@anpa.co.za
Where to find it 44 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Jane Valken

To the right of the train station, you’ll see some dresses fluttering in the breeze. This is the Jane Valken boutique, a Rajasthani fever dream of floaty dresses in vivid hues. With hand-loomed and cotton-silk fabrics designed by owners Sarah Jane and Cecil Bosman, and much of the stock printed and stitched in South Africa, each dress feels like a proudly local investment piece.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 9am – 5.30pm
Saturday, 9am – 6pm; Sunday, 9am to 5pm
Contact 021 180 0411, shop@janevalken.com
Where to find it Kalk Bay Train Station, Main Road, Kalk Bay

Mzuri Mamas

Right next door to Ohana Beach Cafe is Mzuri Mamas, a quirky gift and decor shop that’s simply brimming with locally sourced treasures and other fabulous finds. Look out for their stylish range of eco-friendly beach shorts, which are not only seamless, fast-drying and water-repellant, but also made from recycled plastic bottles.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 9am – 5pm
Sunday, 9am – 4pm
Contact 078 394 5162, kalkbay@mzurimamas.com
Where to find it 53 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Ink Box Art

As you stroll down the deliciously eclectic main drag, look out for a purple pillar on the mountainside of the road. It’s your cue to turn into Memory Lane, one of the quaintest, narrowest little alleyways you’ll ever have the pleasure of stumbling upon. There you’ll find Ink Box Art, a fresh, funky exhibition space that’s all about showcasing thought-provoking, proudly South African art that “pushes the boundaries of creativity”. There’s always something new to see, so make this a regular stop.
Opening times Monday – Thursday, 10am – 5pm
Friday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 083 449 4860, johan@inkbox.co.za
Where to find it 70 Main Road (entrance on Memory Lane)

Catacombes

Like most shops in Kalk Bay, this boho-boutique offers more than meets the eye. Located across the street from the train station, Catacombes puts the hippy into hipster – and vice versa – featuring individually inspired styles from around the world. Think antique Indian handbags, Mexican-print jeans, Peruvian pom-pom-adorned shoes, silk saris and Middle Eastern kaftan-inspired beachwear, displayed alongside locally made arts and crafts, evening dresses and handmade jewellery.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 9am – 5pm
Contact 021 788 8889, catacombes.kb@gmail.com
Where to find it 71 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

You might also be interested in:
The Ultimate Guide to False Bay
The Best Tidal Pools in Cape Town

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