Vibrant and bohemian, Kalk Bay is one of Cape Town’s most interesting and colourful seaside suburbs. There’s a pretty harbour utilized by the local fishing community who are hugely protective of their heritage. Their traditional fishing boats cast off before sunrise and are usually back by midday with their catch of snoek, yellowtail, red roman or calamari.
Cape Town’s longest running fish market is right here on the water’s edge and you can buy fresh fish straight off the wooden boats. Large Cape fur seals loll about waiting for tidbits and seagulls circle in the breeze. There are a few lovely seafood restaurants where big waves crash dramatically against the windows during winter storms. If you prefer your fish and chips in paper rather than plated, grab a meal from one of the popular take out joints and munch it on the pier – the views are stunning.
Away from the harbour, quaint cobbled streets and Georgian-style buildings fuse with a quirky jumble of stores. The main street is lined with trendy bistros, cafes, bars and restaurants, and funky clothing, bookstores, art galleries, bric-a-brac, jewellery and antique shops. A number of hillside guesthouses and self-catering homes offer amazing views of the bay and distant Hottentots Holland Mountain range.