Lower Main Road in Observatory which links Albert Road in Woodstock with Main Road, has a fascinating character of her own, the magic of which is often missed when not on foot.

Situated in the Bohemian, Artistic and Student-vibe Southern Suburb of Cape Town called Observatory or “Obs”, Lower Main Road promises an interesting spectrum of businesses, restaurants & cafes along her pavements.

Lower Main Road in Observatory is home to 2 Bottle Stores, 3 Laundrettes, a staggering 31 Bars, Restaurants and Coffee Shops, 12 Printing/Design and Art Supplying shops, 8 Superettes/Take Aways, 5 Hair/Nail/Beauty Salons and 4 Internet Cafes…

Starting at the top of Lower Main Road where where she begins as a branch off Main Road,  you will find Millstock Cars situated on the right. On your left you’ll find the KFC Drive-Through and the first perpendicular road to it, is named Cranko. To the right a new developing complex Gateway to Observatory, houses three businesses on its ground floor namely; FRESH The Laundry [021 447 7337], Alison’s Nail Boutique [021 447 1181] and …Change Room Hair [021 447 4949]. 

Continuing to your right, The Wild Goose [021 447 6342] offers craft beers, sports TV, pub lunches and amazing Sunday roasts and across the street you will find Umtha ‘The Upstairs Shop’ selling jewellery and beads.

After crossing Norfolk Road, the Cyber Café [021 448 2582] at no.17 offers Internet, faxing, scanning, copying, printing, laminating and binding. (Also coffee at only R7!) Further on your left the Rainbow Salon [021 447 9279] specializes in hair, skin and nails.

Cross the road to your right and be drawn by the smell of baked goods and cake at the lovely Cocoa Cha Chi Coffee Shop [021 448 3637] and Cocoa Catering next door at no.24. Find free WIFI here.

For more free wifi hot spots and Internet cafes in Cape Town, go to our list of wifi hot spots.

Still on your right you will find Masque DVD Rental [021 447 5600] and on the corner Wafwako [www.wafwako.co.za] known for its Fashion and Deco Gallery. Just before crossing Sussex Road, Joy Macnab Properties [082 773 4066/ 079 269 1283] is situated on your right.

On the next corner, find Telemann [021 448 7134/68] who offers TV, VCR and Audio services, Aerial Installations, Domestic + Communal, Satellite Installations and Microwave Oven Repairs. At no.29 Lower Main Road, find Gavin Du Toit Properties [021 448 7508] and Abbeyfield SA offering remarkable housing solutions for older people at no.33. Also on your left is Rentware Computer Rentals as well as House of Fame Casting Agency [021 447 9459] at no.39, focussing on Film Courses, Locations and extras for TV ads, Movies and Catalogues.

Crossing the road, find Mooi Home Décor [mooihomedecor@gmail.com] and Obz-essions Restaurant & Courtyard [021 448 3049] on the corner. Go over Wrensch Road where the Colon Health Centre (Colonic Hydrotherapy) [021 448 5582] is situated above no.29C Lower Main Road, that houses Boutros Investments (Your Kirby Servicing Specialists) [021 448 8786] for Parts, Services, Repairs, and Consumables.

Cross the road to your left and go to the very popular Taste of Asia [021 447 1500] that offers delicious Sushi, Thai, Chinese and Korean Cuisine.

Between Bowden and Norwich Roads, a couple of businesses are found in what used to be pretty suburban houses. IT Alliance [www.italliance.co.za], Sharon Ball Properties [021 448 1550], Mark Clench Properties [021 447 0098] at no.57, Obs Tourist Accommodation at no.59 and at no.61 Rod Palmer Architect and KJP Architecture/Interiors.

The next block of businesses are door to door old style buildings…

On your right at no.65 Lower Main Road, Obz Music [083 735 2848 / obzmusic@gmail.com] does new and second hand music gear, guitar sales, guitar repairs, guitar lessons and even offer gig rehearsal space. Next door find Rob Riley (Fashion Store) [073 292 8475] and above the store Ange Stone Beauty Clinic & Hair Salon [079 627 8361]. Back on the ground floor find Revolution Records [072 769 8362] who deal with records, CD’s, DVD’s, sales and repairs to stereo equipment. In the same building find Ezithe Beni Braai Lounge (African Restaurant), The Lounge filled with pool tables, Groove Lounge at no.85 selling R5 Shooters, Morph Manufacturing at no.87 and finally the Sunshine Mini Market & Take Away at no.93 next to the Cozy Bar.

Most of these bars are run very informally and the beauty of that is that they are best visited haphazardly & tried and tested until you find your favourite as you stroll this section of Lower Main Road at night. The loud music and trendy folk partying inside will assure you that there is indeed something going down in Obs…

Across the road you will see Artsource (Fine Art Suppliers) [021 4471325] at no.44 and at no.46 Framing Place [021 447 3988]. Also on your right is the Blue Marlin (Sushi Bar/Cocktail Bar) [021 447 2588] that offers Asian Cuisine and Take Away. Further on find Tamasha Photography, African@Axess (Internet Café) [021 447 2588] and at no.50 Lower Main Road, The Grow Shop SA (Hydroponic Specialists) [021 448 6194]. Wash-O-Matic (Laundry/Dry Cleaning) [021 447 6706] offers same-day-service. The last five businesses on this block include 58 on Lower Main (Bar) [072 118 3503], Illusions Bar [021 447 5277] at no.60, Florentine Cocktail Lounge & Bar [071 300 0375], Kilimanjaro Shop (Arts/Crafts/Curious) [073 235 2255] and the VIV Supermarket.

Facing each other on the corners of Trill Street and Lower Main Road are two quaint and unique coffee shops. Mango Ginger [021 448 2500] that also has her own bakery and Honey Bun [079 989 4930] with lovely open windows looking out onto the busy street…

This following section right up to Station Road is undoubtedly the busiest part of Lower Main Road in Observatory. Continuing on the left you’ll find one of Lower Main’s favourites, Mr Lin’s Sushi & Thai [021 447 1811] with the amazing special of R18 for ALL sushi plates on the sushi bar from 15:00 until 22:00.

Also find Instangu that deals in local fashion, antiques, arts, crafts, gifts, t-shirt printing and alternations. HipZone Free WIFI is found at the famous Obz Café [021 448 5555] at no.115 and further down at no.123 Desperados is well known for their Karoake Nights. At no.127 the popular Pancho’s Mexican Restaurant [021 447 4854] opens for Dinner on Tuesdays to Saturdays from 17:30 until late. Munro’s (2^nd Hand Shop) is at no.131, Obviouzly Armchair [021 460 0458] offers live music, open mic nights and comedy shows and finally on the corner of Station Road, the large Hardware store Hawkes & Findlay [021 447 2150].

Between Trill and Station Road on your right you will find the Observatory Bottle Store and a NedBank ATM. Next door is home to Komati Food Market [021 448 2130] and deals with dried fruit and nuts, organic products and freshly roasted nuts and coffee beans.

Bolo Bolo [082 557 3912] is an anarchist Info Shop and Vegan Coffee House, next to Mimi’s [021 447 3316] known as “The delicious Food Company”…

Further on your right is Image & Hair [021 447 4426/7], Conservation Framers (Graphic & Gift Shop) [021 447 3312] and one of Observatory’s biggest bars; Stones [021 447 3312] on the first floor. Below Stones a string of other businesses flourish in the busy sector. Find some chess players drinking a beer at Hello Sailor (Bistro) [021 447 0707], 

…and Chinese Take Aways at Linko Restaurant [021 447 6509] with all you can eat Buffet Hours!

The Web Internet Café [021 447 7234] is situated at no.90 Lower Main Road next to The Scrumpy Jack [021 448 8243] known as the home of the 1 litre beer mug. At no.96 you’ll find Hair Therapi [021 447 0950] and continuing on your right; Young Guns Tattoo & Piercing [072 390 9621], Rawson Properties [021 447 9890] and on the corner of Station Road, Green Light Trading [021 447 9890] who deals with car sales, car hire, tours, rooms and houses to rent.

Station Road is the only perpendicular road to Lower Main with traffic lights and also divides Lower Main Road in half.

Like the first section, this final stretch toward Albert Road still has unique interesting shops for the day walker, bars for exciting nightlife and various other independent businesses.

Continuing on your left you will find Trench Town Beer Garden [021 448 0516], Retro Shades [084 663 0846] at no.145 and the Wellness Foundation (Incorporating AIDS response) at no.153.  Cross Gordon Road for Ultra Event Technical Solutions [021 447 1451/2] at no.161 and on your right the Observatory Recreational Center [021 447 3690]. The last three businesses on your left before Collingwood Road are Model 7 Blue Bottle Liquors [021 448 4955], Kanias Catering who deals with catering equipment and servicing the home and restaurant industry. Finally, find Masa Buca aka “The Corner Bar” who claims to sell the best samoosas in town.

Crossing to the right a string of cute 2^nd hand and vintage shops make their appearance…

The first of which is Cardamom Monkey [071 994 9180] at no.114, Crespella (Coffee Shop) at no.116 that’s known for great pancakes, Zion Clothing [078 912 8918] and Vintage Bazaar (2^nd hand/vintage shop) at no.122B Lower Main Road. Glance to the right to see ECOBOX (eco-friendly moving solutions) [021 447 2044], but finish on the right at no.128 with Wendy’s Vintage Clothing [073 441 5306]. Further on find Wild Iris Nursery dealing with terracotta pots, compost, potting soil, as well as culinary, medical and indigenous herbs. Stonecast Concrete Projects (Garden/Kitchen/Bathroom) [021 447 8356] is on your left next to the Observatory Petrol Station and Shop at no.189 Lower Main Road.

At no.142 and no.144 you can find Create Hobby [andrea@createhobby.co.za] offering sewing and craft classes and next door, the Resolution Studios. Easi-print [021 448 4181] that does printing and photo-copying is situated at no.199 and across the street you’ll see the tinted windowed Blue Diamond Sports Bar. On the corner of the block find Fiona’s Take Away [021 447 5048] that not only sells gatsbys, burgers and sandwiches, but also prepaid electricity. When crossing the street, three businesses remain until you find Bishop Road.

On the right corner you can see the Magnet Theatre [www.magnettheatre.co.za] and on the left the Lion Corner Tavern [021 447 5113] offering a buy one get one free Pasta special from Tuesdays to Fridays.

You will also find the charming Queen of Tarts here at no.213.

Queen of Tarts [021 448 2420] make the prettiest cakes and cupcakes which can be pre-ordered for weddings, birthdays and celebrations of all kinds. They also run cupcake cooking class demonstrations

The Real Cheese incorporating Get Stuffed Enterprises [021 448 7984/8041/8063] is the first of many businesses on the left. Also find Imago Visual (Design/Photography/Print/Web Design) [021 447 6783] at no.219, the Cape Mental Health Volunteer & Public Education Department [021 447 6145] at no.223 next door to the Center for Environmental Rights, Rothko (Marketing/Design/PR) at no.225 and finally the Psychosocial Rehabilitation Center which forms part of the Cape Mental Health at no.227 and no.233 Lower Main Road. Continuing on your left, find the Eye Bank Foundation and at no.235 Observatory Backpackers [021 447 0861].

Further on find Two Tone Trade (Printing) [021 448 3414], Dolcé Bakery [021 448 3414] as well as X-ray Electro Service [021 447 1333] specializing in electric motor repairs and rewinding.  At no.243 Aromatic Apothecary [021 448 8774] offers therapeutic aromatherapy products. Richard Whitehouse Agencies is at no.245 and also on your left Tembeka [021 447 8130] specializing in promoting small businesses. SANMAR [www.sanmar.co.za] is situated at no.257 and at no.267, The Master Workshop [082 806 0183/072 944 9393].

Along the road also find Lunar Productions [021 802 5505] and Colour, Print & Design Factory [021 820 2254] that does textile, flag, banner, large format, digital and litho printing, signage and graphic design…

The section between Nelson Street en Scott Road make way for Liesel Trautman (Ceramics/Art) [073 275 9494], True Print [021 447 5623] that does screen printing, t-shirt, hoodies and overall design and manufacturing. On the right you will also find Observatory Animal Clinic [021 447 7203], Gripper (Industrial Automation & Pneumatic Equipment) [021 447 7203] and on the left at no.277 BASE Deliveries [021 448 7630] dealing with business, accessories, supplies and equipment deliveries.

On the right at no.170 Lower Main Road, The Artist’s Friend [021 447 3583] offers digital canvas printing, block mounts and artist’s canvasses. Also find Conrad Hicks Gallery (Birgit Hasenohrl Master Gold Smith) [www.conradhicks.com], the well known Gandalf’s (Bar/Club) [083 330 0700] and Kalam Construction [021 447 4104] on the left. Cross Cole Street for SOS Oil (Suppliers of Lubricants & Chemical Products) [021 448 5564] at no.307 and on your right R.M Store (Selling Halaal Products), Computer Repair & Sale (Microsoft Windows) [071 322 0127] and Car Seat Covers [021 447 8860].

Cross the road again to find Pamphlet Print House [021 447 7377] able to do printing, copying, laminating and designing labels and posters. At no.317 Audio Tech Cape (Auditory Architecture) [021 447 6400], Tamaris Trading at no.321, Lemeez Take Aways & Café (Halaal) [021 447 6784] at no.325 and just before Rochester Road, the Conscious Colour Gallery [082 711 0530].

On your way to Chatham Street, you will see Pie Creations at no.333, Quick Wash Clothing Center [021 447 2055], SK Superette, Adolf Lutumba Fashion [076 157 9422], L+B Scrap (Buying/Recycling Scrap) [021 447 3907], Nu-Brake&Clutch [021 447 9226], Antiques at no.232 and Guni Com Computer Village (Information Technology Specialists/IT Consultants) [021 448 9226]. Between Chatham Street and Kinsley Road, you will see Zeenat Café (Halaal), Al Kader’s (Motor Spares/Mini Hardware/Gas) [021 448 8625] and also QB Superette at no.260.

The last section of Lower Main Road from Kinsley Road to Goldsmith Road includes The Baobab on Lower Main (High Quality Affordable Accommodation) [082 818 4479] at no.377…

…SANZAF Home of Zakáh (SA National Zakah Fund) [021 448 2043], Special Tee [021 448 2043] that does T-shirts, promotional and corporate wear and The T-shirt Den (Supplier & Wholesaler) [021 448 1007]. On the final right corner of Lower Main Road joining Albert Street is Fargo Trading (Incense Sticks & Spices) and on the right Busy Corner Internet Café [021 447 9996].

Content: Ed Beukes