Allow me to introduce you to Paloma. Having not been to Mexico ourselves and, admittedly, being more familiar with tequila as a face-curling-get-drunk-quick shot at clubs (you want it, but you really, really don’t want it) we were hesitant. But the Paloma at Cabrito, Green Point’s tiny tequila bar, is pretty darn great. We had two.
The best combination of dimly lit Edison bulbs, a mosaic tiled bar area, wood panelled ceilings and relaxed ambience makes this a tried and tested hot spot on the Green Point strip.
Directly downstairs from Cape Town’s favourite Mexican joint, El Burro, Cabrito was opened by the same talented owners and is the perfect spot to have an aperitif before dinner, or a round or two after. After giving Paloma our nod of approval, we opted for what we like to call ‘a margarita without the sugar’: El Jimador silver tequila, lime juice and soda. If you don’t take sugar in your coffee, like your beer dark and bitter and shake your head at chocolate biscuits (but love a good Pavlova), this one’s for you.
Order local craft beer, from Darling to Triggerfish and CBC (available on tap) as well as Mexican inspired bar snacks. The flat screen TV (tonight displaying Liverpool versus Chelsea. Chelsea won. Sigh), it welcomes a relaxed urban crowd either hanging with friends or pre-matching before hitting the town. Distinctive in every way, Cabrito is hip without pretension, hot without omition. It gets remarkably busy; if you don’t mind standing for a chat outdoors or huddled round a bar table, you won’t leave disappointed.
Photographs Bernard Myburgh Words Lisa Wallace
bar, cabrito, cape town, city by mouth, el burro, featured, green point, mexican, nightlife, south africa, tequila
Ooh, I so want to go here! After a holiday in Mexico, I am hooked on tequila. It brings back all the happiness of family time, sunshine, laughter, love and good vibes. I’m excited that there is a place dedicated to making real margaritas – can’t way to try it.