Chinchilla Rooftop Café & Bar, Camps Bay

Words: Crush | Photography: Hein van Tonder

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There are few places in Camps Bay that don’t boast an amazing view and the latest addition, Chinchilla Rooftop Café & Bar, is another great spot to take in the sunset and toast the good life. And a good life it is. It’s hard not to wax lyrical about expanses of pure white sand, aquamarine ocean and a vibe right out of an aspirational glossy magazine and as locals we need to take it all in. Soon winter will be heading our way and we’ll be longing for these summer days.

Catch the sunset at Chinchilla Rooftop Café & Bar

No one wants a good beach day end, so as the afternoon starts to wane and you find yourself looking for somewhere to kick back with a cocktail and a bite to eat, Chinchilla Rooftop Cafe & Bar is your spot.

The interior is stylishly yet comfortably kitted out – the slatted wooden beam roof provides shade, there is table seating, as well as plenty of comfortable loungers with bright pops of colour from scatter cushions. Long, draped curtains frame the view and the long solid wood bar counter provides plenty of extra seating. It’s a bit like hanging out on the deck of a very stylish friend’s home.

The crowd is a really eclectic mix – from sunburnt tourists to laid-back locals and those dressed to the nines for a night out (it just wouldn’t be Camps Bay without them).

The friendly hostesses will seat you and if you want to appreciate the view there is plenty of seating up front. If you’ve been languishing on the beach all day and want a little respite from the sun, you can be seated a bit further back.

The food at Chinchilla Rooftop Café & Bar

The café style menu is short and sweet but offers enough variety to suit most. There are casual sandwiches and salads, as well as light bites, mains and desserts. Standouts on the light bites menu were the beef carpaccio with a creamy and punchy mustard drizzle and the simple but tasty Caprese salad.

Mains include a choice of items such as a burger, fried monkfish goujons, mussels, steak bearnaise and tuna Niçoise, just to name a few. The food is served café style – uncomplicated and unfussy, which suits the casual environment and sand clad feet. (If you’re after a more upmarket dining experience, head downstairs to Bilboa). For dessert, we recommend the crème brûlée, it’s a knockout.

On Friday, Saturday and Sunday expect live music from resident DJ’s to enhance the beach party vibe.

The whole space is designed to create a chilled, laid-back but stylish experience and with the views, it’s bound to be the backdrop for many amazing summer Instagram pics (be sure to tag #chinchillamoments).