Decor & Dining: The Enigmatic Style of Kloof Street House

If your idea of a perfect evening involves beautiful interior styling, candlelit rooms, and a menu that matches the glamour of the surroundings, Kloof Street House is an absolute sanctuary. Tucked away from the pavement behind an enchanting, fairy-lit courtyard garden—marked by their iconic vintage entrance bicycle—this grand 1910 Victorian mansion in the Gardens area feels like stepping into a beautifully curated living editorial.

While it is celebrated for its eclectic brasserie-style dining, it is the restaurant’s jaw-dropping use of moody timber, antique curation, and lighting design that makes it an unforgettable masterclass in interior styling. If you love the design language here, you will also recognize the same moody, timber-heavy soul in its sister venue, Asoka.

Here is a look inside Cape Town's most atmospheric dining oasis—and how you can steal their decor secrets for your own home.

The Aesthetic: A Gatsby-Esque Journey in Wood

Inside beneath the traditional pressed ceilings, the house unfolds into a series of distinct dining rooms, each bursting with its own historic personality. The design language successfully blends old-world Victorian bones with a romantic, maximalist aesthetic:

• The Power of Dark Wood Paneling: The walls are heavily defined by deep, warm wooden paneling and dark-wood floors. While modern decor often trends toward stark white minimalism, this space proves that dark timber surfaces absorb light to create an instant sense of luxurious intimacy.

• The Velvet & Leather Balance: To soften the hard, structural lines of the wood and the massive overhead ceiling beams, the rooms are layered with plush texture. Think oversized burgundy Chesterfield leather couches, velvet-tasseled lampshades, and antique crystal chandeliers.

• Archival Charm: From a bar counter cleverly fronted with stacked vintage suitcases to the walls adorned with unique mirrors, every corner feels completely timeless.

The Feast: Tapas, Firelight, and Heavy Timbers

Dining here is a tactile experience. For the ultimate cozy setup, booking a spot in the candlelit Library Lounge next to a roaring brick fireplace is a must.

Sitting at their heavy, deeply patinated solid wood dining tables while the firelight plays across the natural grain completely elevates your meal. The food is intentionally designed for long conversations and shared feasting, mirroring the rich complexity of the wooden interiors.

A Few Menu Highlights to Try:

• To Start: The Wild Mushroom & Gorgonzola Arancini (served with aioli and pesto) is an absolute crowd-favorite starter.

• The Main Affair: Try the Chalmar Beef Fillet, which is uniquely served with a rich, smoked marrow bone butter.

• Sweet Ending: Do not skip the Salted Caramel Cheesecake paired with sweet lemon ice cream—it is legendary.

Decor Secrets: How to Bring the Look Home

If walking through Kloof Street House makes you want to overhaul your own dining room or living space, here are three styling rules you can easily steal from their design playbook:

1. Don't Fear Deep, Rich Stains

Don't be afraid to choose dark, sophisticated timber tones for your main statement pieces. A dining table crafted from dense hardwoods with a warm, dark finish—like smoked Oak or deep, gold-and-chocolate Kiaat—instantly grounds a room and gives it a high-end, established weight.

2. Layer Low-Level Lighting

Heavy wood furniture and dark walls don't mingle well with harsh overhead lighting. To make natural wood grain truly pop, rely on layers of ambient warmth. Mix table lamps with amber bulbs, pillar candles, and soft accent lighting to create that romantic, moody glow.

3. Mix the Smooth with the Rugged

The key to a cozy room is visual contrast. If you have a beautifully smooth, solid wood table top, pair it with textured dining chairs (like velvet or woven upholstery) and place a deep-pile vintage rug underneath to soften the space.

Location & Creating Your Dream Space

• Physical Address: 30 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town

• Operating Hours: Mondays: 11h00 till late | Tuesday – Sunday: 10h00 till late (Kitchen closes at 00h00)

If you find yourself falling in love with the robust, sophisticated charm of the solid timber pieces inside this Victorian oasis, we can help you create that exact feeling in your own home.

At Timber Furniture Designs, we handcraft heirloom-grade solid wood dining tables, custom servers, and library cabinetry designed to bring that timeless, rich organic warmth right into your everyday living space.

Google Maps Directions to Our Woodstock Studio:

Spend an evening gathering design inspiration on Kloof Street, then come visit our studio to choose your own raw hardwood slab and custom finish.

👉 Get Directions from Kloof Street House to Timber Furniture Designs