If you are looking for the best hookah lounges in Cape Town, look no further.
Cape Town – the main hub of a rainbow nation. Naturally you can expect a variety of hookah smokers that socialise in different settings. In this article we’ll provide a breakdown on the main types of hookah lounges inspired from other parts of the world. Which will best suit you? And what determines this?
How we classify hookah lounges
The first main difference is that some shisha lounges serve food as an extra, while others are basically glorified restaurants that have shisha as a side. Don’t get me wrong, some establishments are perfectly 50/50 balanced – so you won’t have to worry about poor quality shisha where food is served, or vice versa!
Your choice will most probably end up being a result of your own cultural background, the general atmosphere you prefer, and the level of hookah experience you have: would you classify yourself as a casual smoker, regular smoker, or hookah enthusiast? This will rightfully dictate what type of hookah lounge you end up choosing.
For your convenience, we’ve marked each establishment as either “restaurant focussed” or “lounge focussed” and listed some important information that can be useful at each.
This list is by no means numerically ordered, but rather aims to elaborate on each type of establishment as well as which type of hookah smoker would enjoy these locations the most.
Our List of Best Hookah Lounges in Cape Town
Hide Hookah Lounge
This is a hookah lounge that really expresses city life and the fancy side of things – The Hide will certainly please the modern crowd. This classy showcase of hookah culture and modern Capetonian vibrancy is the ideal place to enjoy the highest quality shishas with like-minded individuals. Often referred to as a “fantastic, upscale hookah haven”
This is what Insta moments are made of – The Hide is often visited by local bloggers and photographers thanks to its solid array of quality hookah pipes and tobaccos, some of the best in the city.
Even more, The Hide combines traditional hookah culture with modern technology to provide each person with their totally unique hookah experience. Two especially strong points of this lounge worth mentioning are their atmosphere and their hookah mixes – the unique style and extreme attention to detail will provide an unparalleled lounge experience on your every return.
- Lounge focussed
- Address: 71 Waterkant Street
- Contact: 081 310 6949
Al Diwan Restaurant & Shisha Cafe
Traditional shisha at its finest. Al Diwan is known as the “original Cape Town based Middle-Eastern lounge”, and they’re open every day of the week!
Al Diwan is a traditional-styled shisha cafe with a restaurant to pair; famously known to be one of the best places that serve oriental food in Cape Town. Serving only certain items at certain times, guests will be delighted by a selection of shawarma, pizza, fried chicken with potatoes and burgers as well as a wide variety of drinks, and of course, quality hookah paraphernalia to complete the visit. Al Diwan is the perfect place to spend hours on end with friends!
- Restaurant focussed
- Takeaway available
- Address: 100 Main Rd, Sea Point
- Contact: 082 652 6623
The Hookup Lounge
Just as the name suggests, The Hookup Lounge is where locals and people of diverse cultures come to hook up; to socialise and to enjoy quality shishas.
You’ll be pleased to experience a mouthwatering restaurant and takeaway service that will have you second guessing the real reason you’re here – it’s really that good!
And if reviews are a sure way to tell where you’ll get your money’s worth, The Hookup Lounge is pretty much set in stone. Have a look at these 3 reviews that are swiftly pulled up alongside the restaurant name:
- “The food and shisha was absolutely delicious and worth every cent.”
- “Fantastic Service, great people and best shisha(oka) in town“
- “Great staff, smooth shisha pipes and a very chilled atmosphere”
- Restaurant focussed
- Address: 121 Ottery Rd, Wynberg, Cape Town
- Contact:021 768 0334
Sultan Sheesha
A local favourite, and for good reason; Sultan Sheesha simply has that luxurious and “lounge-like” feeling right as you walk in, and is supported by stylish, velvet Turkish decorations and super-aesthetic hookah pipes.
Drinkwise you’ll be able to select from a range of coffees, teas and mocktails while you watch this place fill up before your very eyes in minutes. Thanks to its prime location, Sultan shisha is perfect for lunches, dinners and late-night dinners in and around town.
You can expect a fully fitted bar, outside seating, upper floor booth-style seating and more!
- Lounge focused
- Address: 115 Kloof Street
- Contact: 021 565 0535
Damascus Restaurant
At the core of this beautifully charming establishment lies Syrian born chef Muhammad Modrek, whose mission it is to continuously expand his expertise crafted from influence from all parts of the Middle East.
The building is lined with traditional decorations while maintaining a very classy, modern look that fits its rightful location in Sea Point.
Well worth noting is the relaxed shisha lounge that can be enjoyed after a good meal (or whenever it suits you). Each meal is said to be prepared as an art piece; bursting with flavour, spices, fresh ingredients and love!
“Satisfaction accompanied by smoking leads to the ultimate Zen”
This is the vision Damascus Middle Eastern Shisha Lounge had when they got into the business.
Immerse yourself in a truly Syrian experience with delicious tea and coffee offerings – then enjoy your favourite shisha!
Arrive solo or bring your own company and choose from a delicious selection of flavours on offer.
- 50/50 Restaurant & Shisha
- Address: Mount Curtis, 307 Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town, 8005
- Contact: 081 757 3148
Shisha Hut West Coast Village
Shisha Hut is Cape Town’s newest place to eat, drink and enjoy fine Al Fakher shisha. They’re pub & bar focussed but have an impressive menu for those who arrive with an appetite.
Shisha Hut features a beautiful, stylish and modern open plan layout – perfect for an afternoon out with friends.
- Lounge focussed
- Address: 66 Kloof Street
- Contact: 021 206 0834
Arabian Nights Restaurant
Arabian Nights is a private-seating hookah bar and restaurant with tasty and affordable food, and reputably good shakes.
The establishment is centred around a grill lounge offering Indian, Pakistani, Moroccan and Seafood cuisines, making it a good option for those in search of traditional experiences. The atmosphere is casual and invites people to sit back and timeously enjoy the cuisine and hookah services on offer.
- Restaurant focussed
- Address: 105 Kromboom Rd, Cape Town
- Contact: 082 958 3419
Baghdad Cafe
This Whiskey bar serves over 230 different whiskey selections. Of course, you can enjoy your favourite shisha overlooking Long Street in Cape Town over a local drink menu.
Baghdad cafe is the usual go-to for a shisha spot around long street – decent drink prices and notable service for a place on long street during weekends.
This is the perfect representation of life in Cape Town CBD – semi formal and bustling with comfortable noise from the moment you walk in.
- Lounge focused
- No takeout
- Address: Corner of Bloem & Long Street 1st floor, CPT Central
- Contact: 073 669 3591
Others
-Misthom Lounge & Shisha Bar
- Lounge focused
- Address: 10A Parklands Main Rd, Parklands, Cape Town, 7441
- Contact: 079 070 6195 / 7195
-Beyti Middle Eastern Restaurant & Lounge
- Lounge focussed
- Address: 253 Main Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town
- Contact: 081 757 3148
And that wraps up our list of hookah lounges in Cape Town. We hope you enjoyed reading it and if we missed any that deserve to be on the list, let us know.
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