Brass Bell Restaurant and Pub, Kalk Bay

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Restaurant description

Did you know...

The original upstairs area of the Brass Bell which is now called the Main restaurant was opened in 1939 as the European Pavillion Tea Room. Today's downstairs area then housed the council's change rooms for the tidal pools. With beautiful Oregon pine tables, the scene is warm and inviting and built for comfort and ultimate relaxation. The perfect viewing station to absorb False Bay's panoramic water world. From here you can see past Seal Island, over Gordon's Bay and way up to into the Helderberg mountain range.

Frans Otten opened the Brass Bell restaurant in 1967 and built the Cabin Pub. It established itself as perhaps one of the most famous Bars in South Africa and since has certainly become an international land mark amongst locals as well as foreigners. It was honoured on the BBC travel network as 'one of the most unique and entertaining bars in the world' definitely worth travelling for. With its own authentic nautical charms, its ridiculous views and the fact that it is built over the sea and opens up onto the Kalk Bay railway station sets it apart from any other bar. Tony White bought the Brass Bell in 1981 and has been the owner ever since. He is the person responsible for the continuous upgrades and changes to the building and amenities.

During the 80's, the Bell, as it is known to locals, hosted some of South Africa's musical greats such as Johnny Clegg, Tribe after Tribe, Bright Blue, Robin Auld and Wendy Oldfield. The Bell recently hosted music events with artists such as Ard Mathews, Arno Carstens, Taxi Violence and many other famous original music bands and will continue to do so going forward.

Besides the Main Restaurant and Captain's Deck, there are four other dining areas that you can chose to have a meal in: the Cabin Bistro located in the upstairs section next to the Cabin Bar (smoking section); Waters Edge next to the tidal pools facing Muizenberg (non smoking) and the Bikini Deck and Bar, facing Kalk Bay harbour (smoking section). The theme is simple: 'Food, Fun, Sea and Sun' the tables as close to the sea as possibly be. On occasion, the Bikini Deck and Waters Edge get flooded by high tides - you simply can't get closer to the sea in the greater Cape Town areas. Perched spectacularly above these restaurants is the Pavillion dining area (non smoking). The food - Mediterranean gastro pub style, wood fired gourmet pizzas and an emphasis on all the sea can offer including perlemoen (farmed abalone). The Waters Edge and Bikini Deck are built for afternoons of idle banter, cold beers, wave and talent watching and scrummy food. Families are welcome in all non-smoking venues.

All these areas are available exclusively and lend themselves to all kinds of functions and private parties. Seating capacity ranges from 40 to 200 depending in which venue and table configuration.