Arts and culture event First Thursdays invites city art galleries, boutiques and restaurants to open their doors late for a socialising extravaganza on the first Thursday evening of each month. While true culture connoisseurs might prefer to admire art without a barrier four hipsters deep, for many it’s an opportunity to see and be seen, network, and, yes, score lots of free wine. It’s also a great chance to visit the city eateries that put on something a little different, from street-side barbecues and gourmet hotdogs to platters of brownies. Here’s our guide on where to grab a bite at First Thursdays in Cape Town. (See the map here.)

Snack at a crowded bar

It’s a hit-and-miss affair, but this is the most sociable way to bump into people you know or want to know. There’s always a hub of activity in the courtyard of Biergarten+Weinhaus (formerly &Union), which is protected by the elements during winter. The vibe on First Thursdays is “crazy mental” (their words), and you can order a selection of sausage rolls and burgers from their brief menu. Neighbouring Publik Wine Bar on Church Street usually serves slow-smoked barbecue (brisket or pulled pork buns) on First Thursdays, done either by The Southern Smoke or The Hog House, the new outfit of 2013 top-10 chef PJ Vadas. Then, across the road, there’s the always-heaving La Parada, with tapas like calamari and patatas bravas. Up on Buitengracht Street, El Camino is serving authentic Japanese oishii buns and sriracha cheese burgers with skinny fries.

Publik. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

At the top end of Bree Street, Mother’s Ruin Gin Bar offers a simple but tasty charcuterie board to soak up all those speciality spirits, and new hotspot Bacon on Bree promises to stay open until 9pm, serving all the bacon. Newly opened Culture Club Cheese is also offering a raclette to welcome the cooler weather in.

Tables spill out onto Bree Street.

On Loop Street, Skinny Legs & All is celebrating all things Mexican with mescal, pulled pork and spiced red-bean chilli, and fish tacos
by celebrity chef Neill Anthony. Amidst a knot of galleries down the cobbled section of Church Street (just off Long), Café Mozart usually offers fingers foods like cheese and brownies. We also hear that a café will be opening on the first floor of 99 Loop Gallery, one block up on the corner of Church and Loop.

Café Mozart 37. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

As First Thursdays have now extended up as far as Harrington Street, Lefty’s Dive Bar (great barbecue ribs and fried chicken ‘n waffles) and its upstairs neighbour, Downtown Ramen noodle bar, are more popular options.

Food trucks and street-side food

Bree Street’s Birds Café tends to serve “creative street food” for First Thursday devotees, depending on the weather. In the past they have sold Vietnamese duck spring rolls, but on Thursday 7 May you can look forward to beef bourguignon with bone marrow on sourdough rye toast. (If you’ve booked a table, you can kick up your heels inside and order from the à la carte menu.)

Birds Cafe. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Across the road, award-winning Chefs Warehouse has a little hole-in-the-wall sibling under the stairs, Street Food, which will stay open until about 9pm serving a handful of Asian dishes like pork belly or noodles.

Chefs Warehouse. Photo courtesy of the restaurant

Nearby Riebeek Square is usually contracted out by the city to food trucks, with Lotus and Grubbery appearing regularly. This was also the scene of our life-changing fried macaroni and cheese experience, courtesy of Cafeteria food truck. (Slices of pre-prepped mac and cheese are flipped in a pan of hot butter, and served with slow-cooked tomato sauce and crispy bacon. Regular mac and cheese will never be the same.) The stretch outside Clarke’s is also where you can find delicious – and very long – gourmet hotdogs on freshly baked pretzel rolls by Baguette Bicycle.

Sit down to dinner (booking essential)

First Thursdays are the only evenings that Beautifull Food at Youngblood is open for business. Food, live music and art adorning the walls of this triple-volume space bring all aspects of the arts together. Each First Thursday the menu offers something different, but staples include salmon burgers and homemade gnocchi with butter-sage sauce or roasted tomatoes with olives and basil.

If Long Street’s more your scene, Lola’s serves their usual bistro-style menu, plus some specials on the day. Royale Eatery and Royale Kitchen is always a winner for gourmet burgers and sweet potato fries: you can make reservations for the Royale Kitchen upstairs from 7pm, or wait for a table (first-come first-served) at the Royale Eatery downstairs if you’re there for after-work drinks. Masala Dosa offers aromatic Indian fare with giant dosas (the rice-and-lentil pancakes after which the restaurant is named); or, if you prefer some quick and tasty dim sum,

South China Dim Sum Bar . Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

is the place to go. We also hear that some gallerists dine around the corner at Haiku, away from the madding crowds.

Forage at a food market

The City Bowl Evening Market on Hope Street is open every Thursday evening from 4.30pm to 8.30pm, where food traders from in and around Cape Town gather to cook up a storm. For First Thursdays, the venue stays open a little later, with around 30 stalls offering a variety of freshly made meals and produce. There’s always a live band performing from 6pm to 8pm.

Enter the curry tunnel

If you’ve had your fill of pretentiousness, the Eastern Food Bazaar, playfully referred to as “the curry tunnel” in some circles, is a festive food hall with a plethora of very affordable Eastern food like Indian curries, stir-fries, falafels and incredible garlic-butter naan. Pass under the carved wooden doorway into a space filled with neon signs, happy feasting and the aromas of cooking food. Order and pay for your meal, wait in line to receive your tray, and find a spot at a communal table.

Heard of something cool and food-related for First Thursdays in Cape Town? Let us know in the comments section below and we’ll investigate.