Our story
Two siblings.
One house.
A lot of coffee.
In 2023, Nurjahaan and Muhammad Zaakir Fakey did something a little strange: they opened a café inside a house on Henwood Road. No exterior sign. No shopfront. Just a front door, a sundeck, a bookshelf, and a cat named Humza who was already living there. People find us by pin, then by word of mouth.
Sunlit corners
The late-afternoon light is the whole point.
Around 3pm the sun cuts across the sundeck and paints everything gold — the plants, the coffee cups, the pages of whatever's on the bookshelf that week. Regulars know to arrive then. There are quieter corners on the couches inside if you'd rather work than be seen. Both are welcome.
"It's cosy. It's calm. It's made with love."
The bookshelf & Humza
Pull anything off the shelf while you wait. It's a community shelf — bring one, leave one, or just read here and put it back. As for Humza: he's the cat, and this was his house first. He'll probably decide whether you're allowed on his couch. If he lands on your table and cats aren't your thing, tell us and we'll move him along.
Milestones
13 June 2023
Cafe 61 registered. Nur and Zaakir open the door of the Windermere house for the first time.
2024
A quiet cult following builds — hidden gem reviews, regulars, the bookshelf fills up.
Today
Partnered with WeFeedSA. Every Venue 61 hire helps feed unemployed South Africans.