I ♥ Claremont because ...

Hi, I’m Stefani, a web­site designer from Cape Town, South Africa. I live in Claremont, which is in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town.

CLAREMONT IS BEST KNOWN FOR Cavendish Square and its prox­im­ity to the rugby and cricket sta­di­ums in Newlands. It is also well-known for its night­life, as many of Cape Town’s best loved bars and clubs call Claremont home. Also well-known for some of Cape Town’s best schools.
GET YOUR PICTURE TAKEN AT Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens, hug a tree or find an inter­est­ing indi­gen­ous flower and strike a pose.
THE BEST VIEW PICTURES can be taken from the top of Table Mountain.
OTHER HAPPY SNAPS CAN BE TAKEN at the cricket and rugby sta­di­ums in Newlands ...

WHEN THE WEATHER'S GOOD, I LIKE TO take my dog for a walk around the neigh­bour­hood. The moun­tain views, tree-lined roads, beau­ti­ful homes and gar­dens … a beau­ti­ful area for a walk.
WHEN THE WEATHER'S BAD, I LIKE TO meet a friend for cof­fee at Starlings. This cute cof­fee shop on Belvedere Road is pos­sibly Claremont’s best kept secret. They serve great break­fasts and lunches, the cof­fee is excel­lent and the décor rus­tic and eclectic, all of which entices one to stay for hours. The enclosed patio at the back is won­der­ful on winter days as the fire­place keeps you toasty and warm, while you watch the rain.

I THINK THE BEST TIME OF YEAR TO VISIT IS Autumn (March to May), because it’s not as hot as Summer, but the weather’s still good and many of the trees have changed to amber which is incred­ibly beautiful.

MY FAVOURITE BREAKFAST SPOTS IS Caféen, the French Toast with Bacon, Grilled Banana and Maple Syrup is sub­lime.
FOR LUNCH I sug­gest take out from Sake House, very reas­on­ably priced and their Rainbow Platter is great to share.
MY FAVOURITE RESTAURANT IS Home Bar & Restaurant, try the Espetada. It’s fant­astic, but if it doesn’t appeal to you, I hear rave reviews about the Seared Tuna and the Chicken Fajita. It’s quite an eclectic menu.
BEST LATE NIGHT SNACK from the 24 hour Woolworths at the Engen on Main Rd Claremont.
FOR A NIGHT OUT ON THE TOWN TRY Tiger Tiger and 91 on Main, both on Main Rd, or Oblivion Wine Bar and Home Bar, both in Harfield Village.
IF YOU WANT TO MEET LOCALS, GO TO Oblivion Wine Bar when the Springboks are play­ing. The mood is fest­ive (espe­cially if the Boks are win­ning) and with beers flow­ing, you’re sure to meet lots of lek­ker locals.

MY FAVOURITE THING TO DO WITH FRIENDS IS dan­cing on the tables at Oblivion Wine Bar till the wee hours of the morn­ing.
FOR SOME CULTURE I LIKE TO go to Theatre on the Bay (bit of a drive to Camps Bay) or the Baxter Theatre (a little closer to home). A con­cert at Kirstenbosch (just on our door­step) is a great option in Summer (Sundays only).
TO RELAX AND RESTORE MY SOUL, I LIKE TO take a walk in Cecilia Forest (5 minutes drive away, bor­der­ing Kirstenbosch). It’s an easy 25–45 minute walk along a path bordered by huge trees. Always reminds me how small my prob­lems are and the smell of the trees is very res­tor­at­ive.
MY FAVOURITE HIKE IS up Skeleton Gorge and down Nursery Ravine It’s a really tough one (thigh-burn on the way up and disco leg on the way down), that I usu­ally think I’m going to bail out of, but once you get to the top and you see the views, it’s all worth it. Seeing beach sand on the top of Table Mountain also blows my mind every time. There are easier ways up, for those that want the views without the pain.
MY FAVOURITE PEOPLE WATCHING SPOT IS the Neighbourgoods Market at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock. Possibly one of my favour­ite out­ings in gen­eral, though it’s get­ting a little too pop­u­lar now. Not a local secret any­more!
IF YOU'RE HERE IN November, join in the fun at the Harfield Carnival. This street fair is always a crowd pleaser.
MY FAVOURITE BUILDING IS Cavendish Square, for its huge array of shops … assum­ing I can’t say my home is my favour­ite

TRAVELLING WITH CHILDREN? A FUN OUTING IS The Barnyard Farmstall & Restaurant in nearby Tokai. The kids will play with each other and the farm anim­als and you can catch up with a good friend over cof­fee and cakes.
BEST CHEAP AND CHEERFUL OUTING IS a forest walk, only costs R2-R5 for the car guard who patrols the park­ing lot.
WHEN MONEY'S NO OBJECT, I LIKE TO treat myself to a spa day. The Vineyard Hotel has an excel­lent health spa with a range of mas­sages. Always leave feel­ing de-stressed.
THE MOST UNUSUAL THING I SEE HERE IS ducks on the side of the road. Blows my mind every time. A busy road and 2 or 3 ducks just hanging out on the lawned island between lanes!
MY FAVOURITE WEEKEND GETAWAY IS Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands. It’s just a 45 minute drive to the coun­try.
WHEN I WANT TO GIVE BACK TO THE COMMUNITY I buy a copy of the Big Issue. This magazine provides employ­ment for many home­less people.

I ♥ Claremont because of its park­like sur­round­ing, its green­ery (in Summer and Winter) and the Mountain stand­ing guard. The people are friendly and genuine.

Desirable Digits

Starlings +27 (0)21 671‑6875
Cafeen +27 (0)21 674‑6209
Sake House +27 (0)21 674‑7600
Home Bar & Restaurant +27 (0)21 683‑6066
Tiger Tiger +27 (0)21 683‑2220
91 On Main +27 (0)83 290‑2469
Oblivion Wine Bar+27 (0)21 671‑8522
Theatre on the Bay+27 (0)21 438‑3301
Baxter Theatre +27 (0)21 685‑7880
Neighbourgoods Market+27 (0)21 448‑1438
Barnyard Famstall +27 (0)21 712‑6934

Useful Links:
Claremont Attractions
Things to Do in Claremont
Claremont Accommodation
Cape Town Accommodation
Cape Town Hotels