Kenilworth Area Information

Kenilworth at a glance

Located just below the railway line between the suburbs of Claremont and Wynberg, lies the leafy suburb of Kenilworth. With affordable, medium-sized properties complete with lush gardens, just south of Main Road and away from the mountain, Kenilworth is certainly a desired and sought-after location to reside in. The area is a central hub, brimming with activity, surrounded by numerous office blocks, residential properties and thriving retail outlets. The landmark Kenilworth Racecourse and Conservation Area, lies at the centre of the suburb, highlighting it as a pinnacle of natural beauty. 

Brief History of the Area: 

The story of Kenilworth can be traced right back to Lord Charles Somerset, Governor of the Cape Colony from 1814 to 1824, who resided on a farm in the upper part of Kenilworth. Following the construction of the train station and the racecourse in 1882, a large part of the area's natural landscape, numbering around 52 hectares of wetland was preserved and protected and is one of the largest stretches of natural vegetation in Cape Town's Southern Suburbs; Being considered to be the best example of Sand Fynbos in the Cape Peninsula, the conservation area was then identified as one of 35 core botanical sites in the entirety of South Africa. Kenilworth Racecourse is the oldest racecourse in South Africa and is also home to the famed Sun Met (formerly known as the J&B Met) a popular annual horse race dating back to 1883. In 1989 the conservation value of the racecourse was highlighted by Dr Clive McDowell, who placed large emphasis on the importance of the site's present natural vegetation and later between 1991 and 2005, CapeNature took over the role of management of the conservation area and by 2006 a management agreement was reached between CapeNature, Gold Circle and the City of Cape Town Biodiversity Management Branch, with the Kenilworth Race Course Association (KRCA) being formed as a result. Since then, the majority of alien vegetation has been forcibly removed, scheduled fires to promote growth and propagation of fynbos have regularly been implemented and the entire area has been rehabilitated to its former glory.

Schools in the Area:

Kenilworth boasts several reputable private schools, including Michael Oak Waldorf School, which aims to deliver an excellent education while simultaneously paying close attention to the emotional well-being and needs of its students. Another respectable school in the area would undoubtedly be Cedar House High School, which offers academic excellence and an advanced, IEB-structured academic curriculum as well as an enriching environment that seeks to celebrate the personal individuality of all its students. No matter where you eventually decide to send your child, they will receive the greatest quality education that they deserve.

Shopping Centres:

Kenilworth is positioned in proximity to both the award-winning Cavendish Square shopping centre and the long-established Kenilworth Centre shopping mall. Cavendish Square, a premier fashion destination, flaunts a premium selection of local and international brands alongside some of South Africa's most desired anchor tenants. The mall encompasses a total of 180 stores covering leisure, fashion and select services tailored to every customer need. The recently refurbished Kenilworth Centre offers shoppers a quality shopping experience that has evolved to serve the changing needs of its customers. With popular branded retailers like Woolworths, Checkers and Pick N Pay, the centre also offers a diverse range of speciality stores including Cock & Bull, King Cake and Fragrance Boutique. The revamped Food Court offers a spacious environment with many eateries and restaurants, delivering a sophisticated and dynamic shopping experience.

Distance from Key Points: 

Kenilworth is conveniently situated, providing residents and visitors easy access to several key locations, including a quick drive (or Uber ride) to the Cape Town International Airport, only 17km away. Kenilworth train station is also nearby and in relative walking distance for residents and visitors looking to travel to Cape Town's CBD via public transport.

Restaurants/Entertainment: 

Kenilworth offers a variety of different restaurants and cafés in the surrounding vicinity, including:

• Banana Jam Café

Situated at the very top of 2nd Avenue, lies the lively Banana Jam Café, which offers a delicious Caribbean-style menu that includes, pizzas, pasta, chilli poppers, chicken wings, as well as speciality dishes like their Rum Pork and Jerk Chicken Pasta. Banana Jam also offers a wide variety of craft beers and delightful half-priced cocktails served daily between 5 PM - 6 PM, a window of opportunity that is not to be missed. 

• Zapata Mexican Restaurant 

Marked as one of the most authentic restaurants of its kind in Cape Town, Zapata Mexican Restaurant, located in the quaint 2nd Avenue, offers up a revolutionised Mexican menu that is bursting with flavour. Staple menu items include: tortillas, quesadillas, chimichangas, burritos, chilli poppers, decadent frozen margaritas and of course, quality tequila. So whether you're new to Mexican food or an aficionado, Zapata Mexican Restaurant offers a vibrant, authentic Mexican dining experience to all of its patrons. 

• Brad's Grill 

With over three decades of experience, Brad's Grill, founded by Brad Steele "The Pepper Steak Man" serves up some of the best steaks in Cape Town. Brad's Grill only opens for evening service with a carnivorous menu that includes buffalo chicken wings, 200g skinny steak and 300g rump/sirloin. Brad's Grill also pairs its meals with a variety of light beers and wine or non-alcoholic beverages (for those opting not to drink). On the dessert menu, decadent apple-crumble, pecan nut pie and bread & butter pudding are sure to end your meal on a sweet note. With a casual atmosphere and friendly service, there is no better place in Cape Town to enjoy a steak than Brad's Grill.

With regards to nightlife and entertainment in the Kenilworth area, one could consider:

• Oblivion Wine Bar and Restaurant

No stay in Kenilworth would be complete without an evening spent at the renowned Oblivion Wine Bar and Restaurant - a warm, funky, European-style Wine Bar. The magnificent rooftop garden, open fires, board games and leather couches make for a perfect place to relax and chat with friends over a glass of wine. Oblivion also offers a variety of snacks, lunch and dinner cuisine from their home-cooked menu as well as many cocktails and shooters for those looking to party till late. 

Special Attractions:

• Kenilworth Racecourse and Conservation Area

The Kenilworth Racecourse is the oldest in South Africa and is also the home of the celebrated Sun Met (formerly known as the J&B Met) a popular annual horse race dating back to 1883. The left-handed Kenilworth Racecourse is unique in that it has 3 tracks, an old course that is 2700m in circumference with an additional 450m run-in, a comparatively newer course of 2800m with an additional 600m run-in and a separate 1200m straight course. Besides hosting world-famed racing events, the grounds are also home to the Kenilworth Racecourse Conservation Area (KRCA) a small yet valuable nature reserve that is situated within the racecourse itself, the 52-hectare area containing a minimum of 20 plant species threatened by extinction. Also located in the middle of the track is the South African equine quarantine station, where all horses bound for export are held. Kenilworth is also host to the annual summer horseracing season, dubbed the 'Summer of Champions' occurring over December and January, which includes many premier events including the L'Ormarins Queen's Plate, listed as one of the world's top five race days. All in all, an experience for residents and visitors worth staying in Kenilworth for alone.