Observatory, Cape Town - Conference Venues Observatory Cape Town

Observatory - Cape Town Suburb

Cape Town Conferences > Cape Town > Observatory

Conference Venues in Observatory, Cape Town
River Club Conference Centre
Riverview Lodge Conference Venue

Observatory is a suburb in Cape Town, bordered by Mowbray to the south, and Salt River to the north. The name is derived from the location of the first Royal Observatory in the area at in 1820. This original site serves as the headquarters of the South African Astronomical Observatory, with an on-site museum exhibiting various historic instruments and telescopes.

Observatory has long had a vibrant entertainment scene, perhaps due to its high proportion of students. There are numerous restaurants, with a high turnover, but some long term stayers include Obz Cafe, Panchos, A Touch of Madness - Victorian Quaffery, and Ganesh. Other restaurants include 'Sushi Zone', a Korean restaurant offering sushi as well, and opposite this, a Thai restaurant. At the St. Peter's square mall, the usual mall restaurant chains are present. St. Peter's square is opposite Groote Schuur graveyard.

In Observatory itself, there are a number of bars. Roots, with a rastafarian theme, caters for younger people. Gandalf's, R.O.A.R and Gotham are further down the street but offer a more alternative vibe with music from Rock and Metal. Off Pepper Tree Square, a more middle aged haunt, A Touch of Madness, is to be found.

Observatory is on the east end of Cape Town and getting around is uncomplicated. The airport is easily accessible, as is the N2 and M3, and people here feel connected to Cape Town’s pulse. Shops line the main road through Observatory, and include book shops, costume hire, second-hand books, CDs and local businesses, with an emphasis on ‘artsy’.

Observatory's quaint, Victorian style, suburban cottages lie cheek by jowl and there isn't much room for gardens here but it is a popular haunt despite this with young families and trendy types. If it's an adrenaline rush you are after, the CityRock in Observatory is the largest climbing gym in South Africa with a 10 m lead wall and the Groote Schuur Hospital, where the first heart transplant took place and one of the major teaching hospitals in South Africa, is visible against the backdrop of Devil's Peak.

Cape Town Suburbs
Bantry Bay, Bellville, Bloubergrant, Bloubergstrand, Brackenfell, Camps Bay, Cape Town Central/City Bowl, Claremont, Constantia, Durbanville, Fish Hoek, Fresnaye, Gordon's Bay, Green Point, Hout Bay, Kenilworth, Lakeside, Melkbosstrand, Milnerton, Muizenberg, Newlands, Noordhoek, Observatory, Parow, Pinelands, Rondebosch, Sea Point, Simon's Town, Sir Lowry's Pass, Somerset West, Strand, Table View, Tokai, Tygerberg.

Map of Observatory