A Local’s Guide to De Waterkant: Coffee, Cobblestones, & Life at Old Cape Quarter
Some neighbourhoods in Cape Town are made for fast-paced hustle. Others are made for lazy beach days. But De Waterkant? De Waterkant has its own rhythm.
It’s the kind of place where morning flat whites turn into spontaneous rooftop catch-ups, where cobblestone streets lead to hidden micro-bakeries, and where the line between your living space and your neighbourhood completely disappears.
Whether you’re stepping into the city for a month or building a long-term life here, here is your insider guide to living, sipping, and finding your people in De Waterkant, along with how our newest living space, Neighbourgood Old Cape Quarter, fits right into the flow.
What makes De Waterkant feel so effortless?
Ask anyone who lives here, and they’ll tell you: De Waterkant just works. Tucked right below Signal Hill and adjacent to the vibrant, colourful streets of Bo-Kaap, it feels like a quiet European village dropped right into the middle of Cape Town.
It’s built on proximity. You don’t need an Uber to get your morning coffee, hit your daily workout, or grab groceries for the week. Everything is connected by walkable, tree-lined streets, making it a natural haven for remote workers, founders, digital nomads, and locals who value connected living over sitting in traffic.
The best cafes to visit in De Waterkant
The pulse of De Waterkant is driven by its café culture. Whether you’re looking to dive into deep focus on your laptop or meet up with a friend, here are our local go-tos right outside your doorstep:
1. Loading Bay
The Vibe: Scandinavian design meets farm-to-table breakfast bowls.
Why We Love It: Located right on Hudson Street, it’s a neighbourhood anchor for creative collisions, great specialty coffee, and organic lunches plus it is part of a bigger
Proximity: 1-minute walk from Old Cape Quarter.
2. Origin Coffee Roasting
The Vibe: South Africa’s specialty coffee pioneer.
Why We Love It: An industrial, multi-room sanctuary for real coffee purists. Perfect for quiet morning catch-ups or deep-dive work sessions.
Proximity: 1-minute walk (right next door on Hudson Street).
3. Ground Art Caffe
The Vibe: Quiet, intimate, and creative.
Why We Love It: A micro-gallery café serving boutique espresso alongside rotating local artwork. Grab a quiet corner, read, and take in the slow rhythm.
Proximity: 1-minute walk (just around the corner on Strand Street).
4. Bootlegger Coffee Company (Cape Quarter)
The Vibe: Energetic and reliable.
Why We Love It: Ideal for early risers needing a quick, high-quality brew before diving into daily meetings.
Proximity: Located right inside the Cape Quarter hub.
Stepping into Neighbourgood Old Cape Quarter
Neighbourgood Old Cape Quarter was built to echo the exact spirit of De Waterkant.
Anchored by an open-air heritage piazza, cobblestone features, and lush planted terraces, the property feels less like an apartment block and more like a community village. Inside, contemporary urban design meets heritage charm: warm Oggie timber flooring, double-glazed floor-to-ceiling glass, custom kitchens, and private balconies overlooking Signal Hill and the colourful rooftops of the neighbourhood.
Apartment Terrace at Neighbourgood Old Cape Quarter
One city, many doors: Living at Old Cape Quarter
Staying here isn't just about high design or pretty finishes. It’s about having a sense of place.
At Neighbourgood, your apartment is just the start. When you’re at Old Cape Quarter, you step into a whole city-wide ecosystem:
Seamless Apartment Living: Fully furnished 1- and 2-bedroom apartments featuring high-speed Wi-Fi, utilities, 24/7 security, and regular cleaning, giving you total independence in your own private sanctuary.
Private Balcony Retreats: Unwind on your own private balcony overlooking Signal Hill and the tree-lined streets below.
Connected Workspace Access: Need to drop into focus mode or jump on a call? Every stay includes access to Neighbourgood Cape Quarter Workspace, located just across the street inside the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Centre.
Built-in Community: Tap into regular community events and networking activations hosted right across the road at the workspace and at our locations across Cape Town, bringing good people together naturally.
Wellness at Your Doorstep: Walk out to boutique hot yoga at Yoga Life, training sessions at Motley Crew CrossFit, or organic grocery shopping inside the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Yes. De Waterkant is widely considered one of Cape Town’s safest and most pedestrian-friendly areas, backed by active private security patrols and continuous street-level activity.
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Apartments come fully furnished with sleek finishes, modern kitchens, private balconies, high-speed Wi-Fi, 24/7 security, utilities, and built-in access to Neighbourgood community events and workspace locations.
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Old Cape Quarter is a 5-minute walk to Bo-Kaap, 10 minutes to the Cape Town CBD, 15 minutes to the V&A Waterfront, and a 20-minute drive to Cape Town International Airport.
Ready to find your flow in De Waterkant?
Explore stays at Neighbourgood Old Cape Quarter
