Recent social media posts
01/06/2026
You spoke. We listened.
One of the most common requests weโve received recently has been for longer Saturdays. More time for breakfast, more time for lunch, more time for drinks, pizza and catching up with friends.
๐๐จ ๐ฐ๐โ๐ซ๐ ๐ก๐๐ฉ๐ฉ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ฌ๐๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ญ ๐๐๐ญ๐ฎ๐ซ๐๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ซ๐ฎ๐ง ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ.
To make sure we continue delivering the quality, cleanliness and attention to detail that we pride ourselves on, ๐๐จ๐ง๐๐๐ฒ๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐๐ฅ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐๐ญ ๐๐ฉ๐ฆ. The afternoon will be dedicated to deep cleaning, maintenance, planning and all the behind-the-scenes work that helps keep Cafe 1865 running smoothly.
Thank you for your feedback, your support and for helping us shape the cafรฉ into what it is today.
We look forward to spending a little more of your Saturdays with you.
28/05/2026
Yes, we are OPEN and fully operating โจ
We would like to update our guests regarding access to Cafe 1865.
Following recent road construction at the nearby intersection, we have been in direct communication with the local authorities and road contractors to clarify the best possible access routes.
Please be assured that ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐ฒ ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐๐ฅ ๐๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ง ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ฅ๐๐ซ ๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ก๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ๐ฌ. We are warm, ready, and looking forward to welcoming you as always.
๐๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐๐๐๐ฌ๐ฌ ๐ญ๐จ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ง๐จ๐ฐ ๐ฏ๐ข๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐ฆ๐ ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ ๐๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ข๐ง ๐๐ญ๐ซ๐๐๐ญ (๐๐ฌ ๐ข๐ง๐๐ข๐๐๐ญ๐๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐ฆ๐๐ฉ).
A clear โLocal Access to Cafe 1865โ sign will also be placed on Mountain Road later today to guide you more easily.
Thank you for your continued support and understanding.
18/05/2026
Our Winter 2026 Menu has arrived at Cafe 1865 โจ
This season brings comforting flavours, Eastern European touches and a few beautiful new additions across the menu.
Whatโs new?
โข Our Benedicts are now served on our signature Potato & Cheddar Waffles.
โข Two warming soups have joined the menu:
โ Traditional Eastern European Borsch
โ Fusion Butternut Soup with coconut cream, peanut and green chilli
โข Weโve added two beautiful new salads, including a traditional Russian Olivier Salad with our own twist.
โข Also new on the menu โ our Sweet Biltong Pizza.
To complete the season, our new cocktail menu is here.
Just like our kitchen, every cocktail is made using only fresh natural ingredients โ no artificial syrups, no premixes, no shortcuts.
Winter at Cafe 1865 is all about warmth, comfort and flavour made properly.
We canโt wait for you to try the new menu.
12/05/2026
The storm has passed, but the cozy season is just beginning at Cafe 1865 โจ
Inside itโs warm, glowing, and full of comfort โ our big pizza oven keeping the cafรฉ beautifully toasty, the fireplace ready on the veranda, hot coffee pouring, and comforting food coming out fresh all day.
Cold outside, warm inside โ just the way winter moments should feel.
And soon weโll be sharing our updated winter menu โ with all your favourites still there, alongside a few comforting seasonal touches to make the colder days feel even cozier.
07/05/2026
This Motherโs Day Sunday, weโll be treating every mum to a complimentary Mimosa made with J.C. Le Roux๏ฟผ and fresh orange juice from our wonderful partners and friends ๏ฟผ ๐๐ฅ
We are now fully booked for Sunday, but weโve kept space available for walk-ins throughout the morning and early afternoon. Weโre expecting a very busy day, so please note that weโll be serving until 2pm only, giving our team and our families the opportunity to celebrate the day as well ๐
And because one day simply didnโt feel enoughโฆ
Weโve decided to celebrate Motherโs Day for two days instead โจ
Every mum visiting us on Monday will also be welcomed with the same complimentary Mimosa โ because we know not everyone will manage to celebrate on Sunday itself, and every mother deserves to feel spoiled.
We canโt wait to celebrate with you ๐ธ
02/05/2026
On Monday, 4 May, weโll be closed โ giving our space a little refresh.
Weโre making a few changes to make it even more comfortable, beautiful, and enjoyable for you.
Weโll be back on Tuesday 5th May with a fresh feel and a new twist.
Thank you for your understanding โ see you again very soon! ๐
28/04/2026
A new chapter on our walls begins tomorrow.
๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ฑ๐ก๐ข๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง ๐๐ก๐๐ง๐ ๐๐ฌ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ฒ ๐ญ๐ก๐ซ๐๐ ๐ฆ๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐ก๐ฌ โ each time bringing a stronger, more expressive selection. This new collection features even more paintings and sculpture, all carefully curated by for their depth, character, and presence.
Join us tomorrow 29 April at 15:00 for the official opening.
Meet the artists, feel the atmosphere, and enjoy a glass of wine with us.
See you at Cafe 1865.
26/04/2026
Today is the birthday of my business partner and dear friend, Geraldine ๐ค
I feel incredibly grateful that we found each other โ what we have is something truly special. The way we work together, understand each other, and build side by side is rare, and I never take it for granted.
Endlessly grateful to the white rabbit that somehow led us both to the same place at the same time โ and I have a feeling weโll keep following it, side by side, wherever it takes us next.
Hereโs to many more years of friendship, partnership, and shared success. May everything we create continue to grow into something extraordinary โจ
With love, Irina
20/04/2026
A new exhibition is on its way.
From 29 April, we welcome , introducing a fresh collection of artworks to our space.
If youโve had your eye on a piece from the current exhibition, this is your moment โ once it leaves our walls, it may not return.
We warmly invite you to join us on 29 April from 3pm to share a glass of wine and to meet the artists and sculptors behind the works, and to enjoy the afternoon with us.
We look forward to welcoming you.
09/04/2026
๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ โ ๐๐จ๐ง๐! ๐๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐ช๐ฎ๐จ๐ซ ๐๐ข๐๐๐ง๐๐ ๐๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐!
We are overjoyed to announce that ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ, every guest will be welcomed with a ๐ฆ๐ข๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ ๐จ๐ง ๐๐ซ๐ซ๐ข๐ฏ๐๐ฅ! ๐ฅ
Starting ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ, we are softly introducing alcoholic drinks at our bar. At this stage, around ๐๐% ๐จ๐ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ฏ๐๐ข๐ฅ๐๐๐ฅ๐, alongside beers including our featured ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฉ๐๐ซ ๐๐จ๐ ๐๐๐, and over the coming days weโll be adding the remaining selections.
We are excited to offer ๐๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ฉ๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง๐ฌ, which we are endlessly proud of. This includes ๐๐๐ฏ๐๐ซ๐ข๐๐ง ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ, ๐๐๐๐ซ๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐ง๐ ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐, and if you visit us in the coming days, even ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ซ will be available. Should it be well received, ๐๐ซ๐ข๐ฌ๐ก ๐๐๐๐ซ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ฅ๐ฅ ๐๐๐๐จ๐ฆ๐ ๐ ๐ฉ๐๐ซ๐ฆ๐๐ง๐๐ง๐ญ ๐๐๐๐ข๐ญ๐ข๐จ๐ง to our menu.
We canโt wait to see you enjoy your favourite drinks and company in our ๐๐๐๐ฎ๐ญ๐ข๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ ๐๐ซ๐๐๐ง, or cosy indoors around the ๐๐ข๐ซ๐๐ฉ๐ฅ๐๐๐๐ฌ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ฌ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐ญ๐๐ซ.
Thanks to the generous time we had to curate our wine list, weโve included the ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ญ ๐๐ฑ๐ช๐ฎ๐ข๐ฌ๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ง๐๐ฌ ๐๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐ฎ๐ง๐ง๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐ข๐ง๐๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐ฌ, many from wineries that have become dear friends, and weโre thrilled to share their creations with you.
Hereโs to sipping, sharing, and celebrating together โ ๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐ญ๐จ๐ฆ๐จ๐ซ๐ซ๐จ๐ฐ! ๐ฅ
03/04/2026
The only one keeping things refined this weekend?
Our White Rabbit.
โจWishing you a beautiful Easter weekend โจ
Weโre open daily โ youโre always welcome.
27/03/2026
Itโs us. Itโs you.
Itโs every smile, every plate, every moment in between.
Together, we turn ordinary days into something a little more special.
Made with love โ always.
P.S. If youโre around this Easter, โ there are quite a few of them here ๐
07/03/2026
๐๐ฆ๐๐ซ๐ ๐๐ง๐๐ฒ ๐๐ฉ๐๐๐ญ๐!
Due to an unexpected water shortage in the area, ๐ฐ๐ ๐ฐ๐จ๐งโ๐ญ ๐๐ ๐ฌ๐๐ซ๐ฏ๐ข๐ง๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ ๐ฎ๐ง๐ญ๐ข๐ฅ ๐๐ฎ๐ซ๐ญ๐ก๐๐ซ ๐ง๐จ๐ญ๐ข๐๐.
But donโt worry โ weโre still happily making tea, food, and all our other drinks, and just a reminder: youโre welcome to bring your own alcohol while we wait for the municipality to fix the problem. ๐ทโ
We hope they sort it out quickly so we can get back to your regular coffee fix.
Thanks for your understanding โ weโll still keep you fed, happy, and cozy!
03/03/2026
๐๐ซ๐ญ. ๐
๐ฅ๐๐ฏ๐จ๐ฎ๐ซ. ๐๐ญ๐ฆ๐จ๐ฌ๐ฉ๐ก๐๐ซ๐.
At Cafe 1865, weโre delighted to collaborate with local artists, giving our beautiful historic house a fresh voice as a refined gallery space โ thoughtfully curated by , whose passion for creative vision brings every exhibition vividly to life.
Old walls meet new stories.Each quarter, a fresh collection is unveiled, with every piece hand-picked and available for you to take home.
From Somerset West locals to visitors seeking something truly special, thereโs no more elegant place in town to discover and purchase original art.
Come wander through inspiring works, lose yourself for a moment in creativity โ and let the experience linger.
While youโre here: enjoy a culinary journey of beautifully crafted dishes and beverages, all served against the unique charm of our historic home.
Where art and flavour blend seamlessly.
Feed your soul.
# followthewhiterabbit
26/02/2026
Big news from our kitchen ๐ฅ
Weโve made a little menu update after finally bringing one of our long-standing ideas to life โ Italian-style sandwiches Panuozzo baked straight from our wood-fired oven.
These are seriously generous in size and absolutely packed with filling. Warm, toasty, flavour-loaded and properly satisfying.
Now, a little note โ this kind of magic needs serious oven heat ๐ฅ So theyโll be available from around 9am, depending on when the oven reaches full temperature.
From tomorrow, we canโt wait for you to try them.
Come hungry.
24/02/2026
๐๐๐ซ๐ญ๐ง๐๐ซ๐ฌ๐ก๐ข๐ฉ ๐ข๐ฌ ๐ ๐ฉ๐จ๐ฐ๐๐ซ๐๐ฎ๐ฅ ๐ญ๐ก๐ข๐ง๐ .
Thereโs an old proverb that speaks of a single wheat shoot in a field โ if you try to break it, it snaps easily. But take a sheaf of wheat, and no matter how hard you try, it cannot be broken.
Collaboration works in the same way. Itโs about standing together, supporting each other, and following a shared philosophy. We are incredibly proud to be surrounded by businesses that share our values.
One of these wonderful businesses is Sitting in their beanbags, youโre not just entering a magical White Rabbit garden โ you also discover another dimension: one of pure relaxation.
We warmly invite you to come and experience it for yourself, and take a moment to unwind in the beanbags at Happy Sak.
โจ Together, we are stronger.
P.S. Donโt forget โ itโs completely pet-friendly, so your furry friends are very welcome too!
23/02/2026
This is not just pizza.
โ๏ธ Slow-fermented dough.
โ๏ธ Locally produced, carefully selected 00 flour.
โ๏ธ Hand-stretched (no rolling pins here).
โ๏ธ Blistered to perfection in our wood-fired oven.
Topped with our unique flavour combinations you wonโt find just anywhere.
And of course, a dip for the crust โ as it should be.
Our liquor licence is almost in place. In the meantime, feel free to bring your own โ weโll provide the full service.
Simple. Honest. Seriously good. ๐๐ฅ
17/02/2026
There are moments in business that feel far bigger than business.
One of our dearest regular guests, Michael, has been part of our journey for years. At eighty years young, he still hosts business meetings, supports education initiatives for children in the townships, and even celebrated his 80th birthday at our previous location.
Recently, Michael introduced us to his grandson, Nic Johnson โ and what a beautiful story unfolded.
Nic now leads the familyโs fresh juice production , a business built on generations of care and dedication to the land. Michael showed us a photograph of Nic and his brother as little boys, helping on the farm and learning the craft from the very beginning. Today, Nic proudly carries that legacy forward.
The love, respect and strength within this family is deeply inspiring.
We are incredibly proud that the fresh juices we serve are sourced directly from their farm โ freshly pressed, full of sunshine, and rooted in family tradition.
For us, itโs never just about ingredients.
Itโs about people.
Itโs about stories.
Itโs about community.
11/02/2026
This Saturday, ๐๐๐ญ๐ก ๐
๐๐๐ซ๐ฎ๐๐ซ๐ฒ, weโre adding a little blush to the kitchen ๐
To ensure the very best service for all our guests โ and to create a truly special Valentineโs atmosphere โ weโll be serving a slightly curated menu from the kitchen:
๐ฅ ๐๐ข๐ง๐ค ๐๐ฅ๐ข๐ง๐ข๐ฌ (all fillings available)
๐ณ ๐๐ ๐ ๐ฌ ๐๐๐ง๐๐๐ข๐๐ญ ๐ฐ๐ข๐ญ๐ก ๐ ๐ฉ๐ข๐ง๐ค ๐ก๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐๐ง๐๐๐ข๐ฌ๐
๐ And yesโฆ weโll even attempt to turn our pizzas pink (wish us luck!)
All drinks, as always, will be available throughout the day.
We canโt wait to celebrate with you โ a little fun, a little romance, and a touch of pink in the air ๐
11/02/2026
Weโre delighted to share that our long-standing partners of over two years, ๐๐๐๐ค๐๐ซ๐๐ข ๐๐๐ค๐๐ซ๐ฒ, are now beautifully represented on our deli display.
Bรคckerei brings us what we can confidently call some of the finest sourdough bread โ 100% naturally leavened, from their loaves right through to their pastries. Their bread is delivered fresh every single morning, straight from the oven, ensuring the quality and flavour we truly believe in.
At the moment, youโll find:
โข Stoneground Sourdough
โข Sourdough Baguette
โข Sesame Almond Linseed โ an absolute standout, with a touch of rye and an exceptional depth of flavour
โข And, of course, their irresistible Cinnamon Rolls
As a daily dessert option, we also offer Bรคckereiโs much-loved Crumble Cakes, available in three flavours:
Almond, Apricot, and Blueberry.
Do pop in and pick up your fresh bread every day.
Pre-orders are very welcome โ simply let us know, and weโll make sure to bring in extra loaves for your convenience in our deli.
Please note: Bรคckerei Bakery is closed on Mondays, so their bread is not available on this day.
Freshly baked. Thoughtfully made. Just the way we love it.
10/02/2026
๐๐๐ ๐ข๐ฌ๐ญ๐๐ซ ๐จ๐ ๐๐จ๐๐๐๐ โ
Today weโre celebrating Brian โ someone you all know very well.
A barista who has been with us for almost two years and has truly become part of the rhythm of our restaurant.
Brian has that rare ability to combine quality with speed โ especially on our busiest days. Calm, focused, and quietly brilliant behind the machine.
And your favourite Raf coffee? Thatโs the magic of his hands.
Happy Birthday, Brian ๐
Weโre very lucky to have you with us.
04/02/2026
๐
๐จ๐ฅ๐ฅ๐จ๐ฐ ๐ญ๐ก๐ ๐๐ก๐ข๐ญ๐ ๐๐๐๐๐ข๐ญ
From our 14-slot parking lot to the amazing garden โ a little journey where the town fades and the magic begins.
Right at the entrance, our amazing Deli section welcomes you, featuring our partners: .co.za , โ perfect for discovering little delights along the way.
Step in, sip, taste, exploreโฆ and soon youโll find yourself in our sunlit garden.
Where every corner invites a moment of joy and calm.
Follow the path. Adventure awaits ๐ค
02/02/2026
Weโre excited to share a small update!
Thanks to our growing and close collaborations with partners we truly admire โ Bรคckerei - German Artisan Sourdough, Babylonstoren and Waterkloof Winesโ weโve gently refined our menu. Nothing drastic has changed: your favourites are still very much in place, exactly as you know and love them.
The only adjustment for now is that weโve removed bubble tea, as weโre preparing space and focus for our upcoming alcoholic cocktails.
You may also notice a brand-new page in the menu: our Drinks Cabinet.
This selection will become available once the transfer of our liquor licence is finalised, which we expect to be completed in around a month.
In the meantime, you are very welcome to bring your own alcohol and enjoy it with us.
Until then, weโre very much looking forward to welcoming you, sharing what we do best, and continuing to build something special together.
As always โ thank you for being part of our journey.
01/02/2026
Weโve truly gone above and beyond to make this space just right โ and weโre proud to say, weโve done it.
There is only one small thing still in motion: due to recent changes in regulations, the transfer of our liquor licence will take a little longer than expected โ around another month.
๐
๐ซ๐จ๐ฆ ๐๐๐๐ง๐๐ฌ๐๐๐ฒ, we warmly welcome you to join us and enjoy your own wine or spirits.
Weโll take care of everything else: proper glassware, ice, buckets, boxes, full service โ and, of course, our familiar smiles and warm hospitality.
Our tables are set, the atmosphere is ready, and we canโt wait to have you with us.
Address
57 Lourensford Road
Somerset West
7130
If you're looking to visit Drama Street in Cape Town, here are some brief travel directions:
Public Transport:
1. Take a train or bus to Cape Town Station.
2. From Cape Town Station, head east on Strand Street.
3. Continue straight onto Adderley Street.
4. Turn left onto Wale Street and continue for about 1 km.
5. Turn right onto Buitengracht Street and continue for another 1 km.
6. Drama Street will be on your left.
Driving/Parking:
1. From the city center, head south on Adderley Street.
2. Continue straight onto Strand Street and drive for about 1 km.
3. Turn left onto Buitengracht Street and continue for another 1 km.
4. Drama Street will be on your left.
Parking options:
- There are paid parking lots available along Buitengracht Street and surrounding areas.
- Alternatively, you can look for street parking in the vicinity, but be sure to check for any parking restrictions or time limits.
Please note that these directions are provided as a general guide and it's always recommended to use GPS or a map service for more accurate navigation based on your starting point.
Opening Hours
| Monday |
08:00 - 17:00 |
| Tuesday |
08:00 - 17:00 |
| Wednesday |
08:00 - 17:00 |
| Thursday |
08:00 - 17:00 |
| Friday |
08:00 - 17:00 |
| Saturday |
08:00 - 14:00 |
| Sunday |
08:00 - 14:00 |
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What people say
Cafe_1865, located on Drama Street in Cape Town, is a hidden gem that offers an eclectic dining experience. This charming restaurant is the perfect place to start your day with a delicious breakfast or continue your culinary journey into lunch.
One of the highlights of Cafe_1865 is their Napoli style pizzas and Pinzas. These mouthwatering creations are sure to satisfy any pizza lover's cravings. And if you're looking for something healthy, they also offer a variety of smoothies made with fresh and organic ingredients.
Coffee enthusiasts will be delighted by the excellent coffee served at Cafe_1865. Whether you prefer a classic cappuccino or a trendy latte, their skilled baristas will ensure that you get your caffeine fix just the way you like it.
The ambiance at Cafe_1865 is cozy and inviting, making it the perfect spot for a romantic night out. They often host live music events featuring talented musicians like guitarist Steve Chadwick. So why not reserve your table and enjoy a night of soulful melodies while sipping on your favorite bottle of wine?
If you're looking to join the hospitality industry, Cafe_1865 might have exciting opportunities for you. They are currently hiring dedicated waiters/waitresses and skilled baristas. So if you have a flair for service or consider yourself a coffee maestro, don't hesitate to send them your resume.
Cafe_1865 is open from Monday to Thursday from 8am to 5pm, and on Fridays and Saturdays until 8pm or later. You can find them at the corner of Caledon and Drama streets in Somerset West.
Overall, Cafe_1865 offers an unforgettable dining experience with its diverse menu options, excellent coffee, live music events, and welcoming atmosphere. Whether you're starting your day with breakfast or enjoying a romantic evening out, this restaurant is definitely worth a visit when in Cape Town.
