HomeOur story
Your home away from home since 1972
The Portuguese Embassy
The name has been around since 1972, though no one can tell you exactly when the doors first opened.
What they will tell you is that Vasco’s is proudly one of the oldest running pubs in Cape Town, said to be the third oldest. A loyal following in the Portuguese community earned it the nickname “The Portuguese Embassy”, but anyone is welcome, as long as your attitude doesn’t stink like a vrot vis.
Vasco’s kept a men only policy until 2000, when women were finally allowed in. That never deterred the more determined ladies, who dressed up as men for a night out here. The regulars ranged from fishermen and quantity surveyors to corporate executives, and when they stepped through the door, all titles fell away.
The bar counter is still its original yellow Formica, and Jorge’s famous Catemba, Tassenberg and Coke poured in a draught glass, is still poured by the litre.
The building
Built from rocks retrieved from the old quarry nearby, now known as Strand Street, this iconic pub is like no other. With its opaque yellow stipple glass and black tiled flooring, Vasco’s has stuck to its roots in the fast-growing, trendy district of Green Point.
After changing hands a few times, Vasco’s settled with Bryn Ressel as sole owner. Bryn extended it by taking the space right opposite the bar and improved the two venues upstairs, which are available for functions. He has brought the old and the new together within the beloved Vasco’s walls.
Come in for a relaxing draught. We treat everyone like family, and you will feel the history, and the garlic, dripping from the walls.
A glossary for our foreign visitors
Vrot vis
- Rotten, smelly fish.
Tassenberg
- A favourite, very well-priced dry red wine.
Gees
- Spirit. You bring the gees, we have the beer and the grub.
Jol
- A party. The ultimate jol will always be had here.
In 30 years I have never had a poor meal at Vasco. My friends and both local and international are always suitably impressed. The waitress has been there so long she’s part if the furniture, no disrespect! The original portion of the restaurant dates way back with tons of memorabilia . Wonderful to hear LM radio being broadcast. This really takes me to my youth. Only negative comment would be that it’s becoming somewhat overpriced.
We arrived at 2pm to try and find a place to watch the world cup rugby. It was already full. The owner had a table for his family. He asked us to join them. It was an amazing evening, spent with wonderful people. Thank you my son Josh and I will always remember this.