Bloem Street under the cover with Ed Beukes
Dissecting popular streets such as Long, Loop and Bree Street, Bloem Street in Cape Town’s CBD was next and is a real favourite among the locals. While drinking a flatwhite coffee the other morning, the winter sunlight slowly encouraged me to take off my jersey and take a walk along Bloem Street to see what I could find.
Bloem Street’s origin lies at the foot of the mountain in Lion Street and together with Bryant and Jordaan Street, they create a lovely residential area in the Bo-Kaap.
When Bloem Street crosses Buitengracht Street, she forms part of the popular city hub where most people choose to remain on foot and experience the real flavour of the city…
On the corner of Buitengracht and Bloem, you’ll find GWM SA (Great Wall Motors) [021 424 9601] who believes in supplying South Africans with quality, affordable vehicles utilizing the latest technologies. Continue down and find West Side Studios (City Centre Apartments) on your right before crossing New Church Street.
On your right you’ll find Boss Model Management [021 424 0224/021 423 6967] that was established in 1988 and still remains one of the top Modelling Agencies in Cape Town. Before reaching Bree Street, the quaint Café Frank [021 423 0360] offers wonderful healthy breakfasts and wholesome lunches. Expect fresh and honest ingredients throughout the menu as well as handpicked products and wines in the deli/grocer. Want to compare Cafe Frank with Jasons opposite?
After crossing Bree Street, a string of businesses fill the block on the left hand side of Bloem Street. Starting on the corner of Bree and Bloem, Jasons [021 424 5644] clientele populate the pavement attracted by the smell of fresh bread and pastries. Known as a bistro/deli, their blackboard menu is filled with gourmet sandwiches and changes every week. While sitting outside, enjoy a craft beer, bottle of wine or great cup of coffee (as I did before I started my venture).
The Hatch next to Jasons is actually part of the same business. This is the space where all the baking is done, and goods can also be purchased directly from the bakery. At 44 Bloem Street in bright orange, Vespa (Scooters) [021 426 4546] brings the street back to life.
If you love Cape Town, you’ll love to own a Vespa. Known for their style, quality, economy and performance, the Vespa Scooters are the cherry on the top for scooting around the streets of our mothercity…
Continue on your left and meet Elbeth Gillis (House of Bridal and Evening Couture) [021 423 2220]. Founded in 1997, Elbeth has emerged as one of Cape Town’s finest designers. Offering bridal and evening couture, her garments are said to embrace sophisticated style, subtle sensuality and uncompromising class.
Next door at 44A Bloem Street, Norick Interiors [021 424 7516] is known as one of the leading dealers in Chinese classical furniture, antiques, arts and accessories. Most of the items at Norick Interiors are sourced directly from suppliers in China, thus offering a variety of unique pieces.
Cross Loop Street and find the beautiful Sedgwick House on the left corner or visit Tommy’s Sports and Party Bar [082 563 9450] across the street at 179 Loop Street. Open from 12:00 in the afternoon until 04:00 in the morning, Tommy’s Sports and Party Bar makes lunch and dinner and offers different booze specials every night.
Next door at 21 Bloem Street you will encounter Milestone Studios [021 424 6000], which is one of Cape Town’s premier recording studios. Milestone Studios offer music recording, audio post-production for film and television commercials, ADR, ISDN, Source-Connect, Language Translation, Vintage analogue and cutting edge digital equipment.
Still on the right hand side of Bloem Street you will find the side entrance to 210 on Long Shopping Mall. Filling the shopping mall are clothing stores, a beauty salon, hair dresser, tattoo parlour, coffee shop and the famous Korean restaurant; Galbi [021 424 3030].
Galbi can be described as a fusion between Korean barbeque and South African braai. Each table features a small grill where diners can cook their own meat and enjoy a new and tasty experience.
Crossing back over Bloem Street, find Around About Cars (Car Hire) [021 422 4022] at number 20. Having been established in 1995, Around About Cars is known as one of Cape Town’s top car hire companies and is highly recommended by traveling institutions such as Lonely Planet and Rough Guide.
On the left corner of Long and Bloem Street two Restaurants make their appearance. Cappello [021 426 6006] is situated on the ground floor and right above this Italian Steakhouse is the fabulous F.east [021 424 5903] restaurant offering incredible Indian cuisine. Cappello states that the character of their restaurant is built on three pillars; Food, Passion and People. Offering an extensive main menu, cocktail menu and sushi menu, one is sure to find something that will satisfy your desire.
F.east on the other hand offers an exotic experience of tantalising Indian flavours and spices that draws the people in from Monday to Sunday 12:00 until 23:00.
As if Italian and Indian food isn’t enough, find Schawarma Express [073 029 1681] next to the famous Mexican Kitchen [072 257 4877/084 873 3734] at 13 Bloem Street. Schawarma Express originated in 2008 at the Stellenbosch Slow Food Market and has since also made name as a catering company offering their traditional schawarma; which is a mixture of turkey and lamb to their vegan friendly Falafel. Mexican Kitchen with their colourful exterior surprises you even more with a detailed interior and a delicious menu.
Don’t leave without tasting some nachos, drinking a frozen margarita and taking a picture of you wearing a broad rimmed sombrero!
Situated on the right hand corner of Long and Bloem Streets is Arirang Computeria (Internet Café) [021 426 5965] and right above the Internet café in the beautiful blue Victorian building you’ll find Blue Mountain Backpackers [021 424 9272]. Originating as a hotel in the earlier years, the Blue Mountain Backpackers offers furnished bedrooms, communal bathrooms, a self-catering kitchen next to a TV-lounge and dining room.
When one crosses the famous and trendy Long Street two shops on either side of Bloem Street keep you captured for a second longer. Skint (Clothing Store) [021 801 3536] on the right and on the left you can find the beautiful Still Life (Décor Store) [021 426 0143], which has survived the ever-changing and busy Long Street for 13 years.
Continuing down the narrow Bloem Street isle, an old historic building becomes the home to Keerom Street Chambers [021 426 1814] which also introduces the second last street cutting across Bloem Street. Keerom Street is synonym to law and suits and Keerom Street Chambers a legal directory of Law firms, attorneys and advocates practicing in South Africa.
Don’t miss the informal vendor selling a bite or something to drink on the corner of Keerom and Bloem Streets…
Finally walk down the last section of Bloem Street that ends in Queen Victoria Street, known as one of the borders to the Company Gardens. Situated on the two corners of Queen Victoria and Bloem Street is the Land Bank [021 487 9500] on the right and SASSA on the left.
And if there’s any more time to escape the busy city life, find a bench in the Company Gardens, take a bite of your Schawarma Take Away and contemplate on your walk down Bloem Street.