There’s something of a renaissance taking place in Cape Town’s District Six. The area has a troubled past, but it remains a popular destination for lovers of art, culture and food, with theatres, restaurants and bars springing up along its streets. The Electric, a juice-slash-nut-milk-bar-slash-bakery, opened up in late February in all its sunshiney yellow glory. Founded by Janette de Villiers and her film company partner Debra Stubbs, lawyer David Anderson, and friend Steve Rohland, The Electric is not simply just another juice bar.

The clean, industrial space of The Electric, Cape Town’s new bar specialising in nut milks and juices. Photo supplied.

The restaurant took over the space formerly occupied by an auto-electric shop that burned down towards the end of 2015. Owner Janette de Villiers says she came up with the idea while overseas. “I spent some time in Berlin over a two-year period where my local was an amazing juice and nut milk bar,” she says. Upon moving back to Cape Town, she began to explore District Six, where she stumbled across the incredible location. “I happened to go past Cape Car Electric the day it burnt down,” she says. On a whim, she contacted the owner to ask what he was his plans were with the building. “He asked what I wanted to do and off the top of my head I said, ‘Open a juice bar’.” Just like that, The Electric was born.

The food menu currently on offer is concise. There are five items from the bakery, including avocado on toast, a Caprese-style sandwich, and a pastrami sandwich. The sugar-, gluten- and wheat-free bread is made in house using a mix of flaxseeds, linseeds, sesame and sunflower seeds. For those not avoiding the aforementioned, there is also a baguette on offer, supplied by a local bakery.

Some of the wholesome juices on offer at The Electric. Photo supplied.

In all likelihood, though, you’re here for the juices and house-made nut milks. “I’m passionate about nut milks,” Janette says. She spent a year working on the recipes and, as a result, the nut-milk menu is pretty comprehensive and exciting. Think nut-based drinks like walnut, maple and coconut oil; or almond milk and coconut oil with cinnamon, dates and vanilla. There are also six variations of pressed juices such as the pink (made with watermelon, basil, mint and lime) and the red (with beetroot, apple, lemon and ginger). Plus there’s a great selection of smoothies.

The space itself is a treat. The industrial building now has floor-to-ceiling windows. Exposed beams and brickwork, a stylish stenciled concrete floor, and designer furniture means this is definitely the place to be on a buzzy Saturday morning.

The Electric is currently open all day during the week for breakfasts and lunches, as well as for breakfast on Saturdays, but the plan is to open for events and pop-ups too. “As soon as summer arrives we are going to be staying open evenings, and we are planning on launching Cape Town’s best Sunday brunch by October.”

Now that’s some fighting talk!