Hot spots in Cape Town's East City

Going back to our roots.

Cape Town's East City precinct is where we opened PopUp Shop Shop's first office, back in 2014 - when it was still considered very fringe, and attracted only the brave, bold and curious. Ten years ago, you could easily find parking on Harrington Street. Not so much anymore.

Today, the East City has been revitalised as one of Cape Town's most distinctive neighbourhoods, compact in scale, but outsized in character, creativity and cool. Once dominated by warehouses, heritage buildings have been restored, and co-working spaces now sit alongside hotels, restaurants and independent retail. Somehow, it still holds onto a little of its off-beat character, and we hope it stays that way.

Some of our favourite stops in the East City:

Truth Coffee: with coffee as good as its interiors, how could you miss it? Doors open at 6:30am and trade goes on until late (10:00–11:00pm). It is always buzzing. Truth Coffee, with its steampunk aesthetic, has been named among the world's best coffee shops.

Hemporium: a multi-brand concept store and celebration of everything hemp. Beautifully built, and filled with products spanning skincare, nutrition, fashion and accessories, all made from this remarkable plant.

Just Like Papa: for the urban adventurer. Born out of a love of nature and an insatiable craving for adventure, Just Like Papa has been a Harrington Street fixture since 2016. Every product on their shelves has been tried and tested, from premium camping gear and handcrafted axes to outdoor clothing and wilderness accessories built to last a lifetime (and be handed down). This is the kind of place you stumble into and don't leave quickly.

The Lebanese Bakery: even if you're not hungry, go anyway. Fresh pita and hummus to take home, and lunches that are seriously out of this world.

Nude Foods: Cape Town's packaging-free grocery store. Perfect for stocking up on pantry essentials without the plastic guilt.

Plantify: an excellent selection of indoor plants and crafts. These plants just seem happier than most, and grow accordingly.

Innova Concept Store: we'll just say: drool. Innova Concept Store was conceived to show how world-class international design and brilliant local talent belong in the same room. The shelves carry some of the most iconic names in global furniture and lighting - HAY, Moooi, Arflex, Pedrali and New Works and Memphis Milano. The East City, it turns out, is exactly where they belong.

And that's just a small snippet of what's hot and happening in the district. The East City also delivers after-dark. From dive bars to wine bars, it's becoming one of Cape Town's most compelling destinations day or night.

What we noticed on our walkabout

On a recent visit, what struck us most was the genuinely diverse mix of people filling these streets: international tourists, creatives, influencers photographing their lunches, and everyday Capetonians going about their day. It's a neighbourhood that belongs to everyone, and you feel it.

We were invited to view a beautiful, large retail space here in a dream location and discovered a second opportunity while we were at it. In conversation with the current local tenants, one thing became clear: seasonality hits a little differently here. Peak trading season falls between July and August, driven by international visitors. Truth Coffee alone welcomes between 300 and 500 tourists through its doors each day.

Before you go - a few travel tips:

The East City is walkable and compact, centred around Harrington, Buitenkant and Roeland streets. Uber is your best friend for getting in and out, as parking has become considerably harder than it was a decade ago.

If you're a remote worker or digital nomad exploring the area, you're in luck. 84 Harrington is the tallest hemp building in the world - a 12-storey mixed use block constructed from hempcrete, and home to the Neighbourgood aparthotel with a co-working workspace on site, a pool deck and meeting rooms for Neighbourgood members and guests. It's a remarkable building by any measure.  

Roamwork at 50 Harrington Street is another excellent coworking option right in the thick of it. Roamwork has a strong community vibe and great access to everything the street has to offer.

For a deeper dive into the area's history and culture, the District Six Museum on Buitenkant Street is well worth an hour of your time.