Cavendish Square

Cavendish Square is a shopping mall on Dreyer Street in Claremont, in Cape Town's Southern Suburbs, South Africa, next to Claremont railway station. It is one of the main retail centres south of the city bowl and serves the surrounding residential suburbs of Claremont, Newlands and Kenilworth. The centre has a mix of department stores, fashion and shoe retailers, homeware shops, a large selection of South African and international clothing brands, bookshops, pharmacies, banks and a cinema. The emphasis is on mainstream fashion and homeware rather than African crafts, so authentic handmade goods are limited to a small number of specialist or gift stores, and visitors wanting crafts are better served by the markets in the city centre. Prices are fixed and bargaining is not practised. Cards are accepted in practically all stores. Foreign visitors can request a tax invoice for VAT refunds on qualifying purchases when departing the country. The atmosphere is that of a busy suburban mall, with crowds heaviest on Saturdays and in the weeks before holidays, and a calmer feel on weekday mornings. Eating options include a food court, coffee shops, fast-food chains and sit-down restaurants, and the surrounding Claremont area offers further cafes and restaurants. Trading hours are approximately 9AM to 7PM Monday to Saturday and 9AM to 5PM on Sunday, and visitors should confirm before going. The mall is easy to reach by suburban train or Uber and Bolt, and parking is available. It makes a practical stop for visitors staying in the Southern Suburbs or combining a trip to Kirstenbosch National Botanical Garden or the Constantia wine region with shopping.