Salt River Area Information

Salt River at a glance

Located near Table Bay and east of Cape Town's CBD, bordered by the nearby suburbs of Observatory, Woodstock and the City Bowl, lies the bustling suburb of Salt River; Once the industrial epicentre of Cape Town owing to its proximity to the heart of the city, Salt River is now teeming with businesses, residential properties, schools and is in proximity to several world-renowned attractions, including Signal Hill, the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden, the V&A Waterfront and the Cape Town International Convention Centre, all accessed via major motorways that connect to the entire city. Residential properties in Salt River include a broad mix of old Victorian semi-detached houses, modern apartment buildings and office blocks. Salt River is a multifaceted, culturally-diverse suburb that gives residents and visitors a taste of the Mother City, with a mix of people from all walks of life inhabiting the area, going about their daily routines and sharing their different cultures and hospitality.

Schools in the Area:

Schools in the area include:

• Cecil Road Primary School

Located at number 72 Cecil Road in Salt River, lies Cecil Road Primary School, a community-centred co-educational public primary school founded in 1937. Having over nine decades of experience, Cecil Road Primary prides itself on having been the home of several generations of learners, with many of the staff members, the current principal and even the school's medical doctor being proud former pupils. With the recent development of their new library in 2019, Cecil Road Primary hopes to improve the levels of literacy of its students furthering their academic education and broadening their English vocabulary. Cecil Road Primary School is the perfect place to send your child, ensuring that they receive the highest quality education that they deserve.

• Alpha School

Located just outside of Salt River along Victoria Walk in Woodstock, lies Alpha School, one of the forerunning private schools in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) research. Alpha School seeks to provide effective and affordable academic education and training for learners with the ASD condition within an inclusive educational system. With a strong foundation of approximately 40 staff members comprised of both professional and support staff - including psychologists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, educators, general assistants, class assistants and more; All members of staff are considered to be integral members of the team. At its core, Alpha School aims to deliver a holistic education programme that ranges from psychological support services and academic education to an array of co-curricular activities and essential therapies designed with the end goal of preparing learners to take their place among fully-functioning, successful and contributing members in modern society.

• Observatory Junior School

Located just outside of Salt River at Clifton Terrace in Observatory, lies the Observatory Junior School, which promotes a co-operative partnership between learners, staff, parents and the governing body to achieve its goals. Observatory Junior School endeavours foster a strong sense of community and provides its students with a broad, balanced academic curriculum that is constantly being evaluated and improved to deliver the finest quality of education. By promoting an eco-friendly environment and through providing the opportunities for learners to realise their full potential in all spheres of life, Observatory Junior School ultimately equips them with the necessary skills and values required to become capable and responsible citizens in the modern, multicultural society of today.

• Mountain Road Primary School

Set along the slopes of the iconic Table Mountain and located on the road that shares its name, lies the renowned Mountain Road Primary School, which seeks to instil in its students an ethos of lifelong learning and sound moral values. Mountain Road Primary is characterised by a warm, tight-knit community atmosphere where the staff are fully-committed to their vocation and students are eager to learn and attend classes. Mountain Road Primary seeks to deliver a holistic education that is of the highest quality, in an environment that is both supportive and safe. The staff at Mountain Road Primary attend regular workshops and courses thereby staying on top of the current education and development trends to ensure that learners are treated as individuals and by applying teaching methodologies that facilitate and support this ideology. Along with a strong academic curriculum, Mountain Road Primary offers a variety of extra and co-curricular activities designed to enrich the bodies and minds of its learners, catering to a range of different interests. At its core, Mountain Road Primary School is committed to excellence and strives to prepare its students to comfortably take their place in the modern society of today.

• Chapel Street Primary School

Located just outside of Salt River at number 101 Roger Street in Zonnebloem, lies Chapel Street Primary School, one of the oldest schools in South Africa. Chapel Street Primary is an English medium school that is comprised of two phases, including Foundation Phase (Grade R - Grade 3) and the combined Intermediate and Senior Phase (Grade 4 - 7) with each phase run by a head of department under whose leadership all academic activities are screened and organised. Chapel Street Primary follows and implements the national curriculum with the goal of developing each individual student to their maximum potential as a citizen of a democratic South Africa, creating students who are confident, independent, fully-literate and passionate about lifelong learning. The school also follows an inclusive education policy, meaning that it is able and dedicated to supporting learners who may suffer from any learning disabilities, with teaching staff attending developmental workshops each week to stay on top of new developments and relevant information relating to supporting struggling learners. Chapel Street Primary School is the perfect place to send your child, ensuring that they receive the best possible education that they deserve.

• Queen's Park High School

Located on along Balfour Street in Woodstock lies the renowned Queen's Park High School, a pioneering and forward-thinking school that is determined to provide the finest quality education and personal development opportunities for all its students. With passionate and driven staff who are committed to their vocation and who go above and beyond to ensure their students are able to thrive in all spheres of life, both in and outside of the classroom. Queen's Park High School is a part of The Learning Trust, a multi-academy trust that aims to serve young people and to educate, enlighten and give them the expertise and confidence to succeed. Apart from a strong academic curriculum, Queen's Park High School also offers a robust and extensive extra-curricular programme that seeks to enrich the school day by providing opportunities for students to discover new interests, develop new and existing skills and make new friends; Some of these activities include archery, coding, rock band, taekwondo, robotics, rugby, tennis, fencing and many more. At its core, Queen's Park High School is a highly regarded academic institution that is committed to excellence and strives to prepare its students to comfortably take their place in the modern society of today.

• Dryden Street Primary School

Located along the street that shares its name in the heart of Salt River, lies Dryden Street Primary School. Dryden Street Primary is a valid, registered and prosperous school under the leadership of the Principal C.H. Joubert. For those looking for the ideal place to send your child and ensure they receive a top-quality education, look no further than Dryden Street Primary School.

Shopping Centres:

Salt River is situated close to several shopping centres in and around the area, including the Salt Circle Arcade, located just next to the Salt River circle and opposite the famed Old Biscuit Mill at number 374 Albert Road, Woodstock, is renowned as the ultimate convenience centre in the area. With a wide selection of stores that includes restaurants, a tattoo parlour, an art studio, an interior décor store, a vintage accessories store and even the trendy Kim/Gush fashion store that focuses on black clothing items and also won the 2012 Mercedes Benz Fashion Week Africa Young Designer of the Year Award. With rear-side parking for the busier hours, Salt Circle Arcade is definitely the place to spend some of your hard-earned money. A short drive away from Salt River set against the picturesque backdrop of Table Mountain with extensive views of the ocean lies the famed V&A (Victoria & Alfred) Waterfront, the oldest working harbour in the southern hemisphere and famed as one of Africa's most visited destinations, attracting a total of 24 million people each year. Catering to international and local visitors, the V&A Waterfront offers everything from residential and commercial property, including retail districts, hotels, extensive entertainment, dining and leisure facilities as well as tourism landmarks and heritage sights, among them the recently opened Zeitz Museum of Contemporary Art Africa (MOCAA) which hosts the world's largest collection of contemporary African art. The V&A Waterfront houses over 450 retail outlets ranging from jewellery, homeware and curios, leather goods, audio-visual equipment and fashion items, with stores including Partners Hair Design for men, YDE, Fabiani, Typo, Vans, Clicks, MAC (Makeup store) Exclusive Books, Dermalogica skincare store and many lively restaurants. The V&A Waterfront is South Africa's most popular premium shopping destination and guarantees something for everyone shopping in Cape Town, regardless of budget or taste.

Distance from Key Points:

Salt River is situated in proximity to several key locations, including a brief 1km drive to the nearby Salt River train station, which gives visitors and residents easy access to the rest of Cape Town and the CBD. The Cape Town International Airport is only a 13km drive (or Uber ride) from Salt River. 

Restaurants/Entertainment:

• Pahari African Restaurant

Located at number 121 Cecil Road in Salt River and believing that the concept of African Traditional food must be shared among food lovers all across the glove, Pahari African Restaurant offers up a unique African cuisine dining experience, effortlessly mixing tradition with a modern twist and special attention to detail. Pahari means "a place of pots" in the Shona native language and African culture, with the pots being made out of clay and designed to create the best flavours on the natural fire. Pahari's menu consists of an African dish that is based on Sadza (more commonly known as Pap) with everything else designed to complement and accompany it. Sadza is traditionally created from various types of millet, primarily maize, however brown rice or Rapoko (finger millet) can also be used. Sadza is then served with various types of relish, ranging from tripe with offals, ox trotters, free-range chicken, beef stew and the popular Mopane worms, commonly found in the forests of Matabeleland in Zimbabwe. Green vegetables are also added to every dish, coming either fried or done in peanut butter; The Pahari African Restaurant is a cultural experience that is not to be missed.

• Sepial's Kitchen

Located at number A1 Salt Orchard, Briar Road in Salt River, lies the quaint Sepial's Kitchen. The restaurant is small and intimate with beautiful minimally laid tables and an open-plan kitchen, meaning you can see and hear your food being prepared by Sepial and her skilled chefs. Service is informal and relaxed, due to the size of the restaurant, Sepial and her chefs also take the orders and serve the dishes and are more than happy to explain each dish on the menu with details regarding the intricate preparation. The restaurant is also vegan-friendly and will accommodate any dietary requirements. The menu is divided into two parts, the first consisting of the a la carte section which is recommended for lunch or a light dinner, the second consisting of two delicious dinner tasting menus that both include a complimentary welcome drink. Some of the menu favourites include the tasty homemade kimchi pancake, a thin, flavourful pancake with a chewy flavoursome texture. Next up is a Japanese omelette, with 10-minutes of preparation time, it comes rolled up in nori sheets, adding a mild fishy flavour and is also garnished with spring onion, giving much needed crunchy contrast to the dish. Chef Sepial's signature dish, known as a bibimbap, is both a visual masterpiece and a delight to the tastebuds, coming served in a deep bowl to show off the many components that the dish contains; The multigrain rice is tender with a nutty flavour and served with vibrant vegetables and succulent beef - marinated in a rich soy sauce, everything is then coated with a chilli dressing that packs a bite, turning the bibimbap into both a textural and flavourful creation. Next up, the slow-cooked spicy pork comes plated up in a beautiful imported Japanese bowl and is then served with a nutty lavender-hued multigrain rice. The alternative pork option, the delicious pork belly, is a flavour combination of sweet, salty, spicy and tender all in one and is a complete delight to eat. The dessert menu is small and contains two options, a granita served with cold brew coffee, bean syrup and even a mini matcha mochi or a piece of the decadent cake of the day. In the line of beverages, Sepial's Kitchen serves a delectable selection of homemade iced teas, flavours include jasmine & orange, lemongrass & pair, melon and rooibos and the unique popcorn flavour; Other cold brew coffees and soft drinks are also available. For those looking to pick up the talent for Asian cooking, Sepial's Kitchen offers Saturday cooking workshops, with the first Saturday of every month being a course on Kimchi.

• The Taproom at The Devil's Peak Brewery

Located at number 150 Cecil Road in Salt River, lies The Taproom - an upmarket warehouse-converted restaurant where ale lovers can enjoy a decadent craft beer and some tasty treats amidst the rich aromas of yeast, hops and malt, Cape Town beer culture doesn't get much better than this. Speaking of beer, The Tap Room serves up a fine selection of English, American and Belgian-style favourites, available on tap or in packs of four - these include the Devil's Peak First Light Golden Ale, King's Block IPA, Silvertree Saison and Woodhead Amber Ale. For those either residing in or passing through the Salt River area, the Taproom at Devil's Peak Brewery is a hidden gem that is not to be missed. 

Special Attractions:

• The Old Biscuit Mill & Neighbourgoods Market

Located just outside of Salt River at number 375 Albert Road in Woodstock, lies the famed Old Biscuit Mill, a dynamic community in the heart of Woodstock, where talented professionals gather to collaborate, share and display their passions. The Old Biscuit Mill is open 6 days a week and houses a range of designer stores, restaurants, food stalls, workshops, office spaces and an inspiring line-up of day and night-markets, productions and festivals. Every Saturday from 9 AM - 2 PM, The popular 'Neighbourgoods Market' is held at The Old Biscuit Mill and attracts even more local designers, artisans and foodies to the marketplace. Having taken the market scene in Cape Town by storm over a decade ago, the Neighbourgoods Market is must for all those visiting Cape Town and the Old Biscuit Mill.