Clutching sun faded towels and cloaked in floaty kaftans, the more adventurous residents of Kalk Bay make their daily pilgrimage down to the tidal pools that generously grace the False Bay coastline. Splashing in refreshingly cold sea water every morning could be the secret to the youth and vitality of the people in Kalk Bay, although perhaps it has something more to do with the mysterious atmosphere of abundance and relaxation that infuses its visitors.
Morning dips in the ocean are best followed by one of Cape Townโs best coffees at Cโest la Vie, an unpretentious French peasant style cafรฉ with their own tiny bakery on site or at Olympia Cafรฉ for a hearty deli breakfast with kippers and fluffy eggs. Grabbing a few supplies for the pantry from the charming Olympia Bakery is a ritual, before returning home.
Deriving its name from the word โkalkโ meaning โlime,โ the name was inspired by the 17th century Dutch residents of the village who used to extract lime from the sea shell deposits, used in construction. In later years the bay became known for its bountiful treasures as a fishing village and has remained a working harbour for fishing vessels ever since.
Making a living off the sea has always held some strange romantic connotation, coveted by writers and poets the world over, which, along with the beauty of the seaโs temper and the quaint cobbled street village, and would explain the attraction for the creative community.
World renowned artists, poets and writers living in Kalk Bay, have often openly admitted to its inspiring changeable atmosphere, as muse, but there are no ivory towers amongst the arty folk or anyone else here, as they flit unrecognisably from sea to soiree, resting in their summer sojourn or beloved family home in between!
Massive facelifts to the area, prompted by the impressive multimillion Rand โMajesticโ residential development, have given rise to a luxury book store, โKalk Bay Books,โ the exquisite โMajestic Spaโ and โKlipkantien,โ the gorgeous tapas venue overlooking the sea which hosts jazz evenings twice a week and is a Kalk Bay staple. Residents and holiday makerโs alike delight in the midsummer magic, dancing barefoot with glasses of wine in hand, under the heavy moon, as if a spell were cast upon them by the land itself. For to be a part of the essence of the village, is to be unravelled and freed, if only for an evening.
Shopping in Kalk Bay
For Capetonians, Kalk Bay has always been a weekend getaway, a place to shop, eat pistachio ice cream, overindulge on a seafood lunch, browse some more, take in a gingerbread martini and then return wearily to the city.
โKalk Bay Modernโ should be a must on any visitors top 10 list with its gorgeous gallery space set above the Olympia Cafรฉ. It houses local artists and designers unique pieces from cushions and leather bags through to โrawโ setees, art works, fabric, Persian rugs and more. โBlossom,โ a new addition to the Kalk Bay strip, believes vehemently in keeping the handmade pledge and stocks delightful handmade goodies harkening back to the days of hand crafted goods, crochet and knitted objects.
Newest kid on the block, โBeatnik Bazaarโ stocks retro, vintage and modern accent pieces for the home and only supports locally hand crafted designer soft furnishings, ceramics and gifts. โAardvark Galleryโ across the road from Beatnik Bazaar, is a large contemporary space with a mix of local hand crafted goods, sculptures, bronze, wood, art and something for everyoneโs taste.
โKalk Bay Trading Postโ and โRailway Houseโ have been fixtures in Kalk Bay for years, offering the curious visitor plenty of eye candy and unique pieces to feast their eyes on, from massive doors to marble baths, to original editions of famous comic books and tin toys. โJACKโs,โ or โJAPSโ is Jo-Anneโs antique carpets and kelims and is run from her home with a stunning showcase of the most beautiful antique Persian carpets you have ever laid eyes on.
โChinatownโ has moved round the corner and the place it left now belongs to three new stores, โFrankyโs,โ for vintage inspired fashion, โSkaโ for relaxed fashion and โSugarberry Trading,โ for antiques and art. โMythologyโ is the newest contender in the womenโs fashion stakes and is an exquisite showcase for local designers such as Miss Moneypenny and other gorgeous Goddess creations.
โIndia Janeโ is famed for their feminine dresses and vibey atmosphere created by their wonderful shop assistants, guaranteeing you need never leave empty handed! โCatacoombsโ specialise in ethereal dresses and womenโs wear, made with unique embellishments and lots of love while โMystic Roseโ will always have the perfect dress for that special occasion. โGypseyโ and โOh so Bohoโ offer Indian cotton garments and accessories, ideal for those searching for that perfect bohemian โKalk Bayโ look!
Eating and drinking in Kalk Bay
It seems asthough you could live for five years in Kalk Bay and still not have been to every restaurant, diner, coffee shop, fish shop or cocktail bar around. Favourites include โOlympia Cafรฉ,โ for breakfast and lunch, โBradโs Bistroโ for their famous lamb chops and relaxed seaside atmosphere, โThe Brass Bell,โ who have about 8 different venues within their one massive venue, all peering over the rocks and onto the water.
โSiroccoโ feels like a hidden piece of Portugal or Spain, with its outdoor al fresco dining area and fresh white aesthetics, making it the perfect lunch spot for fresh seafood and gourmet offerings. โPolanaโ and โHarbour Houseโ are located at the waters edge and are actually perched on the rocks. Visit both for the best evening youโll have in Kalk Bay!
โCape to Cubaโ is known for its Cuban aethetics, warm atmosphere and the best cocktails on the peninsula. โFiSHโ is the modern and sleek sushi, seafood, champagne and oysterโs haven nestled beautifully within the newly developed area of the village and โKlipkantienโ next door offers breakfasts, lunch and dinners in a tapas style, under a massive palm tree on a terrace, overlooking the sea.
โSatoriโsโ is a pizza and pasta venue with a difference, crowded and bustling even in the middle of storms in winter. โKalkyโsโ at the harbour is a โmust visitโ for a taste of authentic portuguese infused fresh fish and chips, served Kalk bay style, on the pier. On the St. James side of Kalk Bay, opposite Dalebrooke tidal pool, the sugary sweet coffee shop โCassia & Figgโ opened their doors in December and is the place to go for a light lunch and the English style โKalk Bay Pubโ just next to it offers gourmet pub grub and draft.
Reach it by train, car, and bicycle or on foot, but whatever you do, make sure you get there. Stay for a weekend or even just a day and youโll feel a new lease on life because this little seaside village will undoubtedly have charmed you. Perhaps you too will be dancing under the full moon before your day in Kalk Bay is through โฆ
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