Visitors to South Africa are often surprised by how trendy and hip it is. Vibrant neighbourhoods in South Africa are not uncommon.
Contrary to perceptions of the country as a third world backwater, the major cities surprise with edgy neighbourhoods in South Africa that are at once trendy and innovative, pulling visitors with a mix of gentrification, authentic food experiences, markets, roof-top bars and sophisticated boutiques.
If inner-city vibe is an important part of your travel experience, then ….
head to these cool and spirited neighbourhoods in South Africa
In Durban
Station Drive Precinct
Hard to believe that Durbanโs Station Drive in Morningside was a no-go area only a few years ago. Now it hums with creativity and the cityโs trendiest residents have set up โshopโ here. Regarded as Durbanโs most hip and happening spot its fulcrum is a Sunday morning market – the Morning Trade Market.
The Design Factory is chock a block full of creatives, so much so that tenants are calling for more space, and the Foundry is serviced office and artisanal space (the space to create) that includes free coffee, a reception area, communal meeting spaces and outside balcony seating.
Highlights of Station Drive Precinct: craft beer brewery, coffee shops, restaurants, vintage clothing and boutiques, the Morning Trade market @ The Plant (artisanal, fresh and local).
Overnight: Choose from other Morningside accommodation options. There are lots of fabulous places to stay in Durban.
In Port Elizabeth
Richmond Hill
A bit like Melville (Johannesburg) crossed with Morningside (Durban) but smaller, cuter, and it makes our list of Richmond Hill makes the list of “coolest neighbourhoods in South Africa”ย for being perched up on a hill, with views out over the city. Youโll want to move there, and youโd be wise to for the Victorian-style homes (Richmond Hill claims itโs the largest historical residential area in the country) are soon going to be worth quite a bit more than were a couple of years ago as the neighbourhood slowly gentrifies (itโs been likened to Cape Townโs Sea Point for this reason). And thatโs before youโve begun to explore the restaurants and unique little shops on Stanley Street.
Highlights of Richmond Hill: the restaurants (most of which spill out onto the pavement), the coffee shops and the Richmond Hill Festival.
Overnight: Choose from other Richmond Hill accommodation options. There are lots of fabulous places to stay in Port Elizabeth.
In Johannesburg
Maboneng
As much as Melville and the Parks are vibrant neighbourhoods, they donโt quite have the same edginess as Maboneng Precinct, which calls itself the โheart and essenceโ of the city of Johannesburg. If you havenโt visited, then we insist that you do. Maboneng lies in a once abandoned neighbourhood on the eastern edge of the former CBD, a combination of retail stores, restaurants, residential, office and industrial spaces and entertainment venues.
Mabonengโs highlights: there is plenty to do here, including art walks on the streets, art galleries, Market on Main, the Bioscope (an independent movie cinema), umpteen restaurants, coffee shops and bars, an hotel or two, and a rooftop eco-cafe.
Overnight:Hallmark House because itโs central, easy to feel at home in, and close to everything youโre going to want to experience. Not happy – See other options for Accommodation in Johannesburg.
In Cape Town
Woodstock & the Biscuit Mill
The vibrant, multi-racial community of Woodstock has fast gentrified into a hipster suburb as designers and foodies moved their businesses into the area. Perfectly positioned on the lip of Cape Townโs inner city, lower Woodstock is a hive of activity at any time of the week, but particularly on Saturdays when the Neighbourgoods Market is on at the Biscuit Mill and you canโt find a parking space come hell or high water. The Old Biscuit Mill (literally a restored biscuit factory and surrounding buildings) considers itself a โvillageโ. The collection of designer stores, workshops, office space, restaurants and weekly market is a major drawcard and has functioned as a fulcrum to change in the neighbourhood.
Highlights of Woodstock: The Test Kitchen Restaurant (book miles in advance), a graffiti tour (40+ works of art by local & industry artists), craft beer (at least 3 breweries are based in the area), vintage furniture galore, cosy tea & coffee shops, vegan food experiences…more
Overnight: Browse other Cape Town accommodation. There are literally hudreds of cool options.
Kalk Bay
It was a toss up whether to include Observatory or Kalk Bay, but we selected Kalk Bay because itโs a totally different experience right on the other side of the bay from Woodstock. Kalk Bay has a popular little tidal pool lined with colourful wooden changing huts, a main road that on weekends is virtually inaccessible itโs so inundated with traffic, and lined with antique, bookstores, coffee shops, restaurants and cobbled side roads that are at once mysterious and quaint.
Highlights of Kalk Bay: Youโre spoiled for choice when it comes to eating here, but head to the harbour for fish & chips (Kalkyโs) for an experience more authentic, the Brass Bell (because itโs like the thing to do), Olympia Cafe (because you havenโt tasted ciabatta until youโve eaten theirs), Kalk Bay Modern Gallery (above Olympia) and Kalk Bay Books (because theyโre independent and deserve a punt).
Overnight: Stay in Kalk Bay at Overnight options for Kalk Bay?
