Clay cafe, Hout Bay - Restaurant Reviews, Phone Number & Photos

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CUISINES

Cafe

Special Diets

Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options

Meals

Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch

FEATURES

Reservations, Outdoor Seating, Seating, Parking Available, Highchairs Available, Wheelchair Accessible, Table Service

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4.0

79 reviews

Excellent

23

Very good

36

Average

8

Poor

5

Terrible

7

Faedah

Cape Town179 contributions

Great family activity

Jan 2023 • family

Clay cafe is a regular hotpot for locals and make sure to book at least a week in advance on their website. The main seating area is more popular compared to the shed and other areas that are located outside, but under cover. The booking is usually for a 3-4 hour slot. The cost of the items to paint ranges from R80 upwards and together with a R45 fee to “fire” it in the oven, on average it could cost approximately R150 per person excluding meals and depending on the item you choose to paint. The brushes have all been replaced with synthetic white bristle brushes which significantly improves the painting experience. There are lots of activities to keep the kids busy ranging from jumping castles, trampoline tents, and a water stream. The items are usually ready for collection a few weeks later. You can check the status of your items by clicking on the link sent via email. Food is a bit pricey. They have a separate halaal menu and we ordered the pizza and the crust was a bit thin and dry. All in all an enjoyable experience for the entire family.

Written 1 February 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Herlecia S

2 contributions

My experience at the restaurant

Jul 2020 • none

atmosphere: very charming. such a delight for both kids and adults service: overall service was poor. the waiter took very ling to get to our table and even longer to serve our order food: the food was basic but satisfactory what would have me return is the atmosphere and activities awaiting families. Should this bad service persist, I would most definitely persuade my friends and family to to request this establishment

Written 30 July 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Laura's World

Johannesburg985 contributions

A fun day out all round, for the whole family!

Jan 2024 • friends

As anyone who knows me is well-aware, I have never been someone who has any natural talent as an artist. And that's the kind version. The good news and my vantage point walking into this experience was that because I already am aware that my artwork sucks, I really didn't feel the need to be precious over it, and could instead embrace the experience with ceramics for what it is (whilst enjoying some home-made style food and decent coffee). How it works? Choose from an array of unfired pottery pieces, colourful paints and tools and then spend a leisurely few hours painting in a relaxed environment with friends. Top tip: Patience is indeed a virtue, as items take up to 5 weeks to be fired and glazed (if you'd like to take them home that is).. ..Personally, I am not sure that my little starfish (aka Pearl), is going make it to the old family mantelpiece any time soon, but that doesn't mean that I didn't have a really enjoyable time all round. I'd recommend it!

Written 4 February 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Night Owl

1 contribution

Repeated bad experiences!

Dec 2020 • family

After our 1st time visiting Clay Cafe, we were duly informed that our items were ready for collection and drove all the way to Hout Bay just to have the staff unable to find half of our items when we arrived. After receiving the run around via email for a few additional weeks our items were eventually found at their Cape Town branch. However, Clay Cafe would not make up for their mistake and once again we had to drive to Hout Bay in order to receive them. We thought we would give Clay Cafe another chance but they managed to mess up once again. We booked a table for 7 (mostly kids as my wife is a teacher and wanted to spoil her students). The entire process was not explained to the children so that duty was left up to us to try and work out. I chose a jewellery holder to decorate for my wife as a gift. The lid fitted perfectly while I painted but after receiving it back from Clay Cafe, the lid did not fit at all and was too small, thus making the ENTIRE gift useless. We were also still within our time limit while painting but we were instructed to remove ourselves from our table during the middle of our session (while some of our party were still mid way through eating) in order for Clay Cafe to set up a birthday party as they had double booked their tables. We weren't allowed to relocate to a different table and decided to leave and went to pay the bill (with a generous tip for the staff). After confirming with the staff that the correct anount had been paid, we left the premises. However, 3 weeks later we were informed that we now miraculously still owed Clay Cafe money for our 2nd visit to them. However, as our party was mostly students we decided to pay the mystery fee to Clay Cafe so that the children could still receive their items (which we double checked on our previous visit that ALL finances had been paid). And once again we were given the run around via email. If this is the treatment that a business like Clay Cafe offers its customers, then I want nothing to do with them.

Written 3 February 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Debby Q

25 contributions

No longer worth it

Jan 2022 • none

We've been going to Clay Cafe over the years but it seems to no longer be able to cope with the volume of people it attracts. It took 7 weeks for our items to get fired after being told 3 weeks, then 5 weeks. The paints are watered down and streaked with other colours. The droppers are mostly broken, so when you squeeze them, they pop open and ruin your design. The waitering staff is disinterested and slow. The food is very nice. The cost is very high for what you get.

Written 25 February 2022

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Sherpa07160021883

Cape Town1 contribution

Best service

Jan 2024 • family

Clay Cafe Hout bay is absolutely 💯 amazing. From the time that I made the booking till we left the service was impeccable 👌 had a few friends come and join my daughters 7th birthday. Howard was such amazing water. The cake pizza and waffles were soo good. Definitely going back.

Written 14 January 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

DavidBo48

Cape Town Central231 contributions

Disappointing booking

Jul 2023 • family

My young granddaughter was excited about going to the Clay Cafe. Before leaving we phoned for a booking to be told no bookings it is first come first serve. We drove the 45 minutes to arrive and told no tables available only to count 7 empty tables. When queried were told those are for bookings. So I challenge the info given on the phone call to be told come back in 3 hours. One can imagine the disappointment this was for my young granddaughter. Then watched the manager trying to fit in other groups. Walked out annoyed with this inefficiency.

Written 4 July 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Trip35057149961

1 contribution

Bad service!

Sept 2024 • family

The employees were not friendly and took forever with our food as well as messing our orders up I will not be coming back!!

Written 24 September 2024

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anastacia W

1 contribution

Review

Oct 2023 • couples

I was unable to find and remove my previous review I was made aware that it was my mistake for completing the wrong email upon arrival, again food was good, staff was friendly.

Written 15 December 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Loveholidays14

London10 contributions

Cool Cafe in Hout Bay

Feb 2023 • family

Cool cafe - brilliant play area for kids including bouncy castle and adventure playground - delicious food - friendly staff - loads of fun even without painting pottery!

Written 15 February 2023

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Theanicicfamily

Belgrade3 contributions

TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE. DONT WASTE YOUR TIME! MOM OF SPECIAL NEEDS CHILD!!!!!

May 2021 • family

Today we went to Clay Cafe, to be told at the door they were fully booked. We decided to sit at a table which was booked only for 13h00. We were there at 12h00. We sat down, orderd some drinks, only to be told after, we cannot be served because we hadnt booked a table!!!! I have a special needs child who was so thirsty, but would not be served!!! I have never ever experienced such horrific service... I will be taking this matter further. Clay Cafe, you are such trash!!!

Written 2 May 2021

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

MauCreativeTravel

Hermanus39 contributions

Ideal Creative Celebratory Venue for Birthdays!

Sept 2019 • none

I often take my grandchildren to enjoy a time of creativity and fun. Adults love the challenge as well. Have been often, just love it!

Written 8 March 2020

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Anthea C

Johannesburg352 contributions

Creative team building

Dec 2019 • business

A creative outlet for all us worker bees as we celebrated our team building together. The place was a hive of activity, with staff still remaining attentive, being so busy the kitchen was taking a little longer to fill orders. The manager informed us and kept all updated on our orders which came out beautifully presented and drool worthy. A gorgeous and comfortable venue. Highly recommended for a large group - kids and adults alike. Looking so forward to collecting our creations in a few weeks time.

Written 13 December 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Cheryl T

Melkbosstrand466 contributions

Creative Christmas Function

Dec 2019 • business

A wonderful afternoon, unwinding and being creative, in whatever form it takes. Large, airy e environment, great food, efficient staff and overall great outing. Cant wait to collect our wares.

Written 6 December 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

India Smit

Cape Town6 contributions

Awesome place and so much fun!

Jan 2019 • none

I decided to add a few pieces to my plate collection and loved being able to add my unique touch! The day starts with picking your favourite clay pieces, along with fun colours and shapes which can be added to your pottery. It's a pretty therapeutic experience, too! I came here with some old uni friends and it was a great way to catch up. There's good wine and snacks among other yummy treats. I loved the venue the most though! It's nestled along the mountain and it feels so peaceful! What sucked was that the pottery room burnt down, so all the beautiful pottery pieces were destroyed. Absolutely heartbreaking and I hope the cafe is up and running again soon!

Written 3 December 2019

This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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