On the N1 highway 10km south of Three Sisters

WHISTLING BRIDGE CAFÉ

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PHONE: 084 206 8536


“My vision is for the Whistling Bridge Cafe to be a relaxing and refreshing stop for travellers, providing an authentic local Karoo experience”

Kim Bahra has such a warm voice I made a mental note to plan my next N1 trip to include a stop at Whistling Bridge Café so that I could meet this welcoming owner in person. Kim was thrust into the café-cum-farm stall business when her parents passed away. “My husband Raj, our 5 kids, and I, were living in London at the time” she says, “but we were planning to return to assist my aging parents”.

Kim not only inherited the café, but also the working farm.

“I grew up here. I got married here, and I love being back” she says wistfully. “We farm with animals and alfalfa lucerne. We have a wonderful herd of Angora Goats I inherited from my dad. Goats are tricky to farm with but extremely rewarding and mohair is my passion!”

Kim Bahra, CHARGE CMO Elmien De Wet, and Gloria the goat.

Kim Bahra, CHARGE CMO Elmien de Wet, and Gloria the goat.

The Whistling Bridge Farm Stall offers locally and regionally sourced products, beeswax wraps, leather handbags, sheepskin slippers and Mohair socks, scarves, blankets, and jerseys.

“In the future I plan to offer Mohair products that will be made here on the farm, by women that we’ve trained using Mohair yarn from Angoras that are locally raised.”

She says with pride “I’m all about empowerment and providing economic and social support to local women and families.”

Kim is no stranger to catering. “In London I founded the Kensington Wedding Cake Company; besides wedding cakes, we did kids’ birthday cakes, novelty cakes … all sorts of tasty cakes” [Author’s note: My interview began late because Kim got distracted while decorating cupcakes!]

Whistling Bridge Café serves light lunches as well as breakfast with a roosterkoek rack that has customers returning again and again. “I’m installing a bigger kitchen with a wood-fired pizza oven, which is so exciting!” And of course, there are the cupcakes and other freshly baked treats. Kim is also immensely proud of their coffee offering “We source it from Mischu in Sea Point, AND it’s won awards. If you Google Best Coffee on the N1, Whistling Bridge is one of the stops that comes up. The Wanderlog website rates Whistling Bridge as follows: “The coffee is incredibly tasty … the food is really delicious”

The petting zoo is a big attraction for children, with silky alpacas, pygmy goats and angoras who love the attention. “I’ve made boards with their names and stories” she laughs “There’s Princess, Lupe, and Top-deck – because his body is brown and his face is white – and a whole lot more.”

Kim is looking forward to continuing the relationship with CHARGE.

“I am really excited about this, because I’m into sustainability she enthuses “and it will mean more feet into the business.” She is grateful for the extra visibility the charging station will provide and particularly for the added security it will bring “Then I’ll be able to stock wine” she giggles “no more worries about someone breaking in for a dop!”

Whistling Bridge is a welcoming space with an outside area for the kids to run around. The stoep offers a view of the old railway bridge, but there is cozy inside seating when it’s chilly. Just beyond the bridge stands an old Anglo Boer War blockhouse for those interested in history as well as those who want to stretch their legs.

There is certainly a lot for everyone to do at Whistling Bridge, and a lot more to look forward to as Kim continues building on the legacy of Claudette and Robert Jackson. Put it on your to-do list for your next N1 road trip: go meet the lady with the warm voice.

Future EV charging station, CHARGE N1 Three Sisters, will be located at Whistling Bridge Cafe.