Words: Lukas Loose

Where would the hipster, wearing nerd-glasses, a cardigan and black, skinny chinos go when he wants to have fun in Cape Town? Long Street? Too mainstream! Kloof Street? No, too passé. The answer is Bree Street. This place is literally the hipster’s paradise, filled with designer-bars, organic food restaurants and unique shops offering extraordinary clothes and crazy furniture. On a sunny Wednesday morning this hipster went to Bree Street to check out the coolest spots in this neck of the woods.

Are you hungry? Of course! Every good day starts with a good breakfast and after you have seen those bad cereal commercials you should be motivated enough to go to Jason Bakery! First of all, the owner of the place is called ‘Captain Bread’, which already tells you a lot about the place. As you enter, the hip and busy atmosphere welcomes you immediately. The interior design is very trendy, it consists of a lot of wood and some black elements such as the counter, behind which a wide range of freshly-prepared products attract your attention. Bread, baguettes, croissants and biscuits are waiting to be eaten. Here is an insider-tip: order the bacon croissant, it is absolutely delicious! You can taste this bakery’s passion in every bite and in every sip you take. This is what makes Jason Bakery one of the best breakfast places to go in the whole of Cape Town.

Every Thursday, from 17.00–22.00 there is ‘Pizza & Tunes’ night in Jason Bakery. You can enjoy the delicious pizza and listen to good music.Photo: Katharina Langseth

Every Thursday, from 17.00–22.00 there is ‘Pizza & Tunes’ night in Jason Bakery. You can enjoy the delicious pizza and listen to good music.Photo: Katharina Langseth

So you think you don’t need a new haircut? You do! And the only place to go for one is Barnet Fair Barber Shop. This old-school barber shop combines some of the best old traditions and new styles. ‘We cut the hair only when it is dry, because when it becomes wet the hair changes so you don’t really see how the haircut will look during the cutting process,’ said Phlip. ‘But unlike other barber shops, who only offer a limited number of classic haircuts, the client can have any hairstyle he wants,’ he went on. Barnet Fair opened in 2011. What is also interesting about this place is that the original founder discovered an old suitcase belonging to a barber from the UK. The suitcase was filled with photographs from World War II and the British barber, whose photographs now decorate the walls of the barber shop, was the inspiration for this unique place. Fitting to the old-school atmosphere they play music from the 50s and 60s in the shop. So sit down in one of their old barber chairs, enjoy your glass of beer or scotch and watch the professionals do their work.

The coolest barber shop in town: Barnet Fair.Photo: Katharina Langseth

This extraordinary shop offers a wide range of vintage clothing and toys for children. Starting off by selling her hand-made children toys every Saturday at the Old Biscuit Mill, Jodi Meiring went on to open her own store in Bree Street in April 2011. The variety of vintage clothing ranges from dresses and blouses to purses and sunglasses to jewellery and much more, all from collectors or specialised artisans. Every woman will rediscover her inner princess when she sees the pink children’s dresses, the owl-shaped pillows and the decorative vintage toys. This entire collection was designed and produced by Jodi herself and is crafted to perfection, showing a level of quality rarely found in toys. ‘There will also be a collection of vintage furniture soon,’ Jodi said. Rock Paper Scissors will offer you a unique shopping experience far away from mainstream.

Rock Paper Scissors is filled with curiosities of all different kinds. It is the place for vintage-lovers.Photo: Katharina Langseth

Bored of the plain old sweets and their bland flavours? Then come to Lady Cupcake! This brand new bakery offers a wide range of gourmet cupcakes. Shelley Kensley opened Lady Cupcake almost two years ago after making a bet with a friend who said that she cannot bake cupcakes which taste like a peanut butter jam sandwich. Obviously she won the bet and now she is finally in Bree Street! ‘We believe that food should be both inspirational and emotive, hence the cupcake, as it always triggers early childhood memories but can also be inspired by new experiences and flavours,’ said Shelley. She offers cupcakes that remind you of sandy beaches, cocktails and there is even her famous peanut butter and jam cupcake which takes you back to when you were a child, tucking into a peanut butter and jam sandwich with a glass of milk. ‘I have learned baking from my mother at the age of four, so many of my childhood-memories are connected to baking. Most of my inspiration comes from food around me and I am constantly trying to find new flavours to blend into a cupcake,’ she continued. For her cupcakes Shelley uses only the freshest ingredients, to the major part they consist of organic and free range products, which make her cupcakes unbelievably delicious!

‘Lady Cupcake’ presenting her creations in her brand new shop in Bree Street.Photo: Katharina Langseth