Kloof Street House is a brasserie-style restaurant and cocktail venue at 30 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa, set in a grand early-20th-century Victorian house at the foot of Kloof Street. Travellers come for candlelit rooms, eclectic period-inspired interiors, free-range and responsibly sourced dishes, cocktails beneath the trees, and the rare chance to spend an evening in a house where each room has its own mood.
What to Expect at Kloof Street House
This is a restaurant designed as a sequence of experiences rather than one open dining hall. Pressed ceilings, chandeliers, fireplaces and chesterfield couches set the tone indoors, while the suitcase-stacked bar and closely collected furniture reward a slow look around. The library lounge is the place to settle in on cooler Cape Town evenings; the dining rooms suit a date, a long supper or a celebratory group meal. Reservations are important, especially for dinner and weekend tables.
Outside, a fairy-lit garden shifts the atmosphere toward drinks and shared plates under mature trees. The kitchen follows a brasserie approach, with sharing dishes intended for the table alongside individual mains; its meat is free-range, grass-fed and responsibly sourced. Cocktails are central to the visit, whether as an aperitif before dinner or a garden order later in the evening. Sunday lunch adds live jazz, making it a notably different occasion from the more intimate candlelit dinner service.
- Victorian house setting: Explore a series of characterful dining rooms beneath original-style pressed ceilings.
- Suitcase-stacked bar: Order cocktails at the venue’s most recognizable interior feature.
- Garden tables: Dine or drink beneath trees and fairy lights on warm evenings.
- Library lounge and fireplaces: Choose a softer, warmer setting when Cape Town weather turns cool.
- Sunday live jazz: Pair a long lunch with scheduled live music.
Kloof Street House at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | 30 Kloof St, Gardens, Cape Town, 8005, South Africa |
| Neighborhood / Area | Gardens, at the lower end of Kloof Street, near the City Bowl |
| Operating Hours | Monday 11am–12am; Tuesday–Sunday 10am–12am. Confirm holiday and event hours before travelling. |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | No admission charge or tickets; food and drinks are paid separately. View current menus and reservations on the official website. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours for drinks and a meal; allow longer for Sunday lunch. |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | MyCiTi service on the Kloof Street/Kloof Nek corridor is the closest practical public-transport option. Street parking is limited; paid parking around Gardens Centre is a useful alternative. |
| Official Website / Phone | kloofstreethouse.co.za / +27 21 423 4413 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
For a quieter meal, book an early lunch or arrive near the opening of dinner service; later dinner slots and weekend evenings are the busiest. Make a reservation through the restaurant’s official website, and note a preference for the garden, library lounge or main dining room when booking, though individual tables cannot always be guaranteed. There is no entry ticket to buy. If Sunday jazz is the priority, reserve well ahead and confirm the day’s music schedule directly with the restaurant.
Kloof Street is easy to reach by taxi or ride-hailing from the City Bowl, and MyCiTi stops along the Kloof Street/Kloof Nek route are within walking distance. Drivers should not depend on finding a space directly outside; use nearby paid parking in the Gardens Centre area and walk over. This is a historic multi-room house with garden areas, changes in level and likely narrow internal circulation, rather than a purpose-built step-free venue; wheelchair users, stroller users and guests needing step-free access should call before booking to discuss the most suitable arrival and table. Within a 5–15 minute walk, browse the galleries and cafés of Kloof Street, visit the South African National Gallery in the Company’s Garden, or continue to the Iziko South African Museum.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Kloof Street House’s hours, and when is the best time to go?
It is listed as open Monday from 11am to midnight and Tuesday through Sunday from 10am to midnight. Early dinner is best for a more relaxed pace; book in advance for later evenings, weekends and Sunday jazz lunch.
Do I need tickets or reservations for Kloof Street House?
No ticket or admission fee applies: guests pay for food and drinks. Reservations are strongly recommended for meals, garden seating and peak dining periods. Use the official website or phone the restaurant for current availability.
How much time should I budget for a visit?
Plan 1.5 to 2.5 hours for cocktails and dinner. A leisurely Sunday lunch, especially with live jazz and shared dishes, can comfortably take two to three hours.
Is Kloof Street House suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Families are welcome, although the atmosphere is primarily geared toward long adult meals and evening drinks. The historic house has separate rooms, level changes and outdoor surfaces, so step-free access and space for prams or wheelchairs should be arranged with the restaurant before arrival.
When planning your Cape Town travel guide or browsing verified restaurants in Cape Town, pair this stop with standout local spots including One&Only Cape Town, Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village, COPA Restaurant, and Iziko South African Museum (0.3 km away).
