Kloof Nek Road in Cape Town
When looking at Cape Town city from Table Bay, one single road lies between the infamous Table Mountain and her accomplice, Lion’s Head. Kloof Nek Road was built way back in 1842 and even though it was primarily built for soldiers needing to travel to and fro from the lookout post for fresh supplies,
Kloof Nek Road has become one of the most important roads in Cape Town…
Kloof Nek Road’s origin lies in trendy and popular Kloof Street and is home to cafés, restaurants, bars, guesthouses and many other businesses that have been around for years.
As you walk up the hill out of Kloof Street, find Glen Avon Apartments at 4 Kloof Nek Road and right across the street; the quaint Villa Maria Residence (+2721 423 8136) at 1 Kloof Nek Road surrounded by a beautiful well-kept garden. Villa Maria Residence has been taking in female students since 1926 and offers single bedroom accommodation and comfortable living for those seeking to stay longer than the traditional backpacking experience.
As Kloof Nek Road makes a sharp turn to the left, see Jan Van Riebeek Primary School’s side entrance to their fields and parking area on the right and facing you..
at 8 Kloof Nek Road in a beautifully restored Cape Victorian home built in 1892, the Leeuwenvoet Guest House (+2721 424 1133).
Leeuwenvoet Guesthouse offers a premier, classic and standard bedroom option, all individually styled and furnished.
Next door to Leeuwenvoet Guest House you will find the Amber Tree Lodge (+2721 422 4126) at 10 Kloof Nek Road. This Backpackers offers a selection of dorm style accommodation ranging from rates for one person per night to family rooms with two single beds and a bunk bed per night. Other services include arranging Airport Transfers or Day Trips in Cape Town and more facilities include a lounge with DVD’s, free WIFI and lovely courtyard for sun and braai.
On the corner of the road’s sharp bend stands the old Kloof Nek Chapel/Villa Maria Convent (+2721 461 1167). Peacefully in the shade under large trees with remarkable views of Table Mountain, this little Chapel offers Mass on Sunday 07:30 or daily at 06:45 from Monday to Friday and 07:10 on Saturdays. Confession times only takes place on Fridays at 16:00 or 17:00.
At 5 Kloof Nek Road the Villa Maria Educare (+2721 423 8138) offers a pre-school program for children between the ages of 1 and 5 years. Children are provided with balanced meals and are introduced to extra-mural activities such as Monkeynastix, Playball, Rinico-Computers, Ballet and Kindermusiek.
Starting uphill again, the Christopher Moeller Art Gallery (+0721 422 1599 or for private viewing: +2783 312 3450) is found at no.7 Kloof Nek Road. This Gallery opened in 2007 but relocated to this lovely Victorian House in 2010.
The contemporary style art found at Christopher Moeller Art Gallery are all sourced locally and abroad…
The gallery also prides itself in high quality work and sustaining strong relationships between clients and artists. Gallery hours are 10:00 to 18:00 from Tuesday to Friday and 10:00 to 13:00 on Saturdays.
Across the street at 10a Kloof Nek Road, the soft in colour and soothing in style Homework Boutique Shop invites select shoppers inside. Stocking Indian Summer from Franschoek and Veranda from St. Francis Bay…
…the colour spectrum of white and pastel purples creates a space wherein one can admire beauty and feel free to dream in a daze of Jacaranda blossoms and Lavender sticks.
Neighbouring the peaceful atmosphere of Homework is Miller’s Thumb Restaurant (+2721 424 3838) in shocking orange and bright green. Established in 1995, this family restaurant run by husband Sollie and wife Jane offers a very tasty menu. A favourite among the Tamboerskloof locals is the catch of the day prepared in either a plainly grilled, Cajun, Moroccan or Malay style.
Cross the street to BEE Painters and Waterproofers (+2721 424 3565) at no.9 Kloof Nek Road. Having started their business in 1980, BEE Painters and Waterproofers have become leaders in their field specializing in domestic, commercial and industrial painting, roofing, waterproofing and floor coating.
At 11 Kloof Nek Road, Kyoto Garden Sushi is open for business from Monday to Saturday 17:30 to 23:00. Offering innovative and unique Japanese dishes that mainly consist out of Seafood, Sushi and Vegetarian options, Kyoto Garden Sushi challenges your taste buds in a very natural and clean way. One can also expect top quality wines and Japanese inspired cocktails with ingredients such as aromatic Green Tea, root ginger and fresh lime.
Next door to Kyoto Garden Sushi the long awaited Hallelujah will be opening in due time. The owner envisions a space that would feel like a drinks party, ‘an in between place’ that would continue drawing people to their exquisite food and chic vibe…
Crossing the road again, the final building on your left before reaching one-way New Church Street houses various different businesses. At no.14 Kloof Nek Road, Mooi Hair and Beauty Salon (+2721 423 6553) is owned and operated by two sisters.
Mooi Hair and Beauty Salon offers blow dry, cutting, technical services, colouring and treatments such as facials, eyelash extensions, spray tan, hair removal, massages, hands, feet and tint. Relax in this beautiful environment and as they say…
“Great care is taken with the music and one can take comfort in the fact that no pan pipe or whale call will ever sound from the speakers. Rather, customers are greeted by Chanson française, jazz, or American classics.”
Right above Mooi Hair and Beauty Salon, World Wide Creative (+2786 193 2226) is a digital marketing agency offering strategy, development and ongoing marketing. World Wide Creative has been creating profitable online communities since 2003 and always aims to end up with communities of loyal customers. The last two businesses on the ground floor are Peter’s House (+2721 424 3451) and Tamboerskloof Pharmacy (+2721 424 4745). Peter’s House does home cooked meals, Bean There coffee, cakes, treats and Free WIHI. Expect specials such as Mac&Cheese Mondays, Quiz Night Tuesdays and Wednesday Hump Day…
…Peter’s House also does parties and will host special occasions in their “Mad Hatter meets Peter Rabbit interior”.
Another old building makes way for more flourishing businesses on the opposite side of the street. At no.13a Kloof Nek Road, the popular Lush Flowers is well known for their floral skills whether it be for fancy weddings or just a bouquet for a loved one. Next to Lush is the entrance to Rafiki’s Café (+2721 426 4731). Rafiki’s is situated on the first floor with a large balcony overlooking the unison of Kloof Nek Road, New Church Street, Upper Buitengracht Street and Burnside Roads. Rafiki’s was established in 2000 and is mostly known as a busy bar restaurant. Specials include Half Price Pizza on Mondays, Tuesday Burger Special, Mexican Wednesdays and Thursday Cocktail Half Price Special.
Below Rafiki’s is the ever popular The Power and the Glory (+2721 422 2108) also affectionately known as P&G. Open from Monday to Saturday 08:00 until late, the café’s kitchen closes at around 23:00 but the bar section, known as The Black Ram, still serves their craft beer and drinks until about 02:00 in the morning.
Expect delicious toasted sandwiches, homemade Beef&Milk stout pies and incredible hotdogs alongside great Deluxe coffee and Nutella cheesecake in the café.
As you turn the corner into the straight, steeper section of Kloof Nek Road, traffic picks up and so do the streets breaking away into nearby Tamboerskloof, Gardens and Higgovale suburbs.
Next to The Power and Glory and still beneath Rafiki’s, Kloof Nek Liquors (+2783 556 0405) is situated at no.15b Kloof Nek Road and open on Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 20:00 and Saturdays from 08:00 to 17:00. Next door in bright red, the Kloof Nek Grocer (+2721 424 6538) offers everything and anything until 23:00. Continue walking up this block to meet Joe Soap Laundromat and next door at 17b Kloof Nek Road, Tamboerskloof Video Hire (+2721 423 1924).
The last business on the left hand side before reaching Eaton Road is Patheodent Dental Health Care (+2721 423 5808). Following in the tracks of the other businesses, Patheodent is also situated in an old Cape Dutch style house.
Offering the latest technology and techniques, this team of dentists and oral hygienists have experience that transcends over decades of mastering the art, skill and science of dentistry.
Walking up along the right hand side of Kloof Nek Road from Burnside Road, Beleza Restaurant (+2721 426 4731) offers unique Italian and Portuguese style food. Specials include Beleza’s breakfast served until 18:00, chilli popper burger and wedges, chocolate pancakes, free WIFI and also half price cocktails between 14:00 and 17:00. Beleza is open from 08:30 to 23:00 Tuesday through Sunday and also houses a vintage clothing boutique named Lembranças that holds regular sales every month.
Before reaching Woodside Road on the right, find Laticia Nail and Skin care (+2721 424 2805) at 3 Elm Court, and then the popular Indian restaurant in pink, namely Maharajah (+2721 424 6607). Open for Lunch from Monday to Friday 12:00 to 15:30 and Dinner from Monday to Saturday 18:30 to 22:00…
Maharajah offers some of the best and most tasty curries in Cape Town…
At no.16b Kloof Nek Road, Hair Salon is co-owned by hair stylist Lameez who has been in the industry since 1998 and specializes in men and woman cuts, colour and fashionable bridal hair.
Continuing on your right, find Gilmour Hill Road, a block of flats at 18 Kloof Nek Road called Glatal Court and soon after you will see Belle Ombre Road. Turning to your left, yet another church appears on the corner of Kloof Nek Road and Upper Union Street.
One of the most memorable days in the Dutch Reformed Church’s history was when Sir Galbraith Lowry Cole, governor at the time, laid the cornerstone of the church in 1833 and was joined by a staggering 12 000 witnesses. The Tamboerskloof NG Church (+2721 424 5804) has a Sunday service in the morning at 10:00 and another service in the evening at 19:00.
Still walking on the left hand side of Kloof Nek Road, one can’t miss the pretty exterior of The Chocolate House at no.43.
Expect to find rows of truffles, creams, mousse, marzipans and liqueur chocolates in beautiful old styled cabinets…
On the right at no.22 Kloof Nek Road you can find general practitioner for Carecross Health, Dr SU Pierper (+2721 424 4257) and at no.24a De Villiers Koen Quantity Surveyors (+2721 423 0379).
Between Nicol Street and Camp Street, the St Barnabas Anglican Church (021 424 8940) at 45 Kloof Nek Road offer Sunday services, Sunday school, Cell/Home Groups, weekly prayer meetings and Alpha Courses. Also find Silvretta Aparments at 47 Kloof Nek Road and The Lions Guesthouse (+2782 808 0999) at no.49.
The Lions Guesthouse is a refurbished double-story Victorian house with Oregon floors and offers 6 bedrooms that can sleep up to 12 guests. DTSV and unlimited ADSL are included and guests can expect to kick up their feet and relax in the guesthouse’s private garden.
Crossing to the right find Hillendale Apartments at no.28 and Lindavilla Apartments at no.30 Kloof Nek Road before reaching Warren Street. Look left to see the broader De Lorentz Street that takes you back down to Kloof Street and on your right Maniella Apartments and public telephones on the corner of Hastings Street.
From Hastings Street to St. Michaels Road find the sport grounds of Tamboerskloof Primary School as well as ‘n red public Post box and a MyCity Bus stop. Situated at no.50 Kloof Nek Road are the attorneys at John Smith&Associates (+2721 422 4965) and at no.56 the Kloof Nek Road Cottage self-catering unit sleeping 4. The cottage is a two-bedroom, semi-detached Victorian cottage built in 1875 and nestled between the other houses, it boasts with a very special and vintage character and flavour.
On the left of Kloof Nek Road find Studio Online CC Advertising Adency (+2721 424 1477) and the turnoff into Derwent Road with a block of flats at no.73 called Stellenberg. At no.83 Kloof Nek Road, Philip Briel Art and Architecture (+2772 359 9176) is found with the beautiful backdrop of Table Mountain. Philip Briel graduated in Architecture from the University of Cape Town and also holds an M.Sc. in Sustainable Urban Development from the University of Oxford.
Crossing Kelvin Street, the Kloof Nek Superette (+2721 423 6268) is a convenience store that sells everything from bread to booze and ice cream to eye drops…
Situated right next to the superette at no.89 Kloof Nek Road is the Bodyworks Pilates Studio (+2772 428 4033) that offers classes and equipment sessions, focussing on the individual and taught by internationally qualified instructors. No.89 Kloof Nek Road is also where physiotherapist Heike Watson has established her practice. Appointments are 45 minutes long and the practice is open from Monday to Friday 08:00 to 18:00 and Saturdays from 08:00 to 12:00. Many services and conditions are treated here such as sport injuries, post-operative rehabilitation, dry needling, ultrasound and electrotherapy.
The last business in this beautiful building is found at 91 Kloof Nek Road. Dinkel German Bakery (+2721 424 3217).
Known to sell traditional 100% rye bread, dinkelbrot, plum, poppy and apple cake, tourists enjoy popping in here when on their way to enjoy a picnic on Signal Hill or Camps Bay…
Open from Monday to Friday 07:30 to 16:30 and Saturdays from 08:00 to 13:00. Timeless Toys is an online toyshop that specializes in wooden and educational pre-school toys and is situated alongside the Dinkel German Bakery.
Two streets namely Newport Street and Leeuwendal Crescent break away into Tamboerskloof on the left and Quarryhill on your right toward Lion’s Head and Signal Hill. Finally you will find Sugar and Spice Early Childhood Development Centre (+2721 423 9521) at no.95 Kloof Nek Road. Sugar and Spice began in 1987 and accept children from the ages of 18 months to 6 years.
As you continue up in Kloof Nek Road, what is left is a beautiful neighbourhood with stunning views overlooking Cape Town. Cotswold Avenue and Firdale Avenue take you into some of these areas, whereas Kloof Nek Road finally meets an intersection where 5 roads converge.
One can continue to Camps Bay, turn left to the Cableway or turn right to either Clifton of Lion’s Head. Don’t miss the Pipe Track Hiking Trail that also starts in Kloof Nek Road and leads you onto an easy walk on Table Mountain with views over Camps Bay which will undoubtedly leave you breathless, and make you understand why the early soldiers wanted a lookout post here.