If you think sustainable dining means dull salads in a boring setting, think again! The V&A Waterfront’s newest eatery, Pure Good Café, located on Marina Road and adjacent to Africa Padel, is shaking things up with an aesthetic you’ve probably never seen before.
Pure Good, founded by Shannon Smuts, has already made a name for itself, supplying corporates, schools, and events with sustainable food solutions designed to promote a healthy lifestyle. Now, they’re bringing all that good stuff into their new café, serving up wholesome food with a side of eco-friendly flair.
The cafe aims to continue the Pure Good legacy, building a strong foundation on sustainability, community empowerment and accessible wellness.
The Vision
The story began in 2023 when the V&A Waterfront asked Pure Good to take over an eco-structure that was built almost entirely from salvaged and repurposed materials.
When Shannon and her team visited the site, they immediately felt a connection. While the space needed serious work, their ideas began to flow as they explored every corner. The café has designed the space using only upcycled, second-hand, or landfill-bound items, all reimagined in a way that feels both clever and modern.
“We wanted the café to be practical and functional but still look fresh and modern.”
Two years on, the café is open, celebrating sustainability in every way, from its design and furnishings to its seasonal menu and educational initiatives.
Over 98% of the café is built using salvaged materials, making sustainability part of every detail. The striking mosaic counter, made from broken ceramics by local artist Mervin Gers, was created just days before launch during a hands-on session with friends and family. The furniture, designed by Wunders using office waste, and the ‘orphaned’ plants from Plantify, which would have otherwise been discarded, breathe new life into the space. Other thoughtful touches include floorboards reclaimed from the Old Clock Tower, an outdoor deck made from salvaged wood from Quay Four, and crockery sourced from Mervin Gers’ factory seconds.
Wellness and Cuisine
The café serves wholesome, affordable meals created from scratch using fresh produce sourced directly from Pure Good’s organic, regenerative farming partners. Enjoy everything from build-your-own protein-rich bowls, wraps and sandwiches. Sweet tooth lovers can tuck into guilt-free treats, coffee, and smoothies. Dishes are available in both full and half portions.
“From the structure to the menu to the food waste streams, we’re leading the charge on circular design, proving that sustainability and great food can go hand in hand,” Smuts explains.
The café’s kitchen also provides a training hub for young people from disadvantaged communities. The surrounding garden, nurtured in partnership with the non-profit organisation Grow SA and supported by the V&A Waterfront, feeds directly into the seasonal menu.
“Every cup of coffee and every bite of food supports a bigger mission for us. Whether it’s training the next generation of food entrepreneurs or reducing waste, we want every part of the experience to matter.
“We want people to walk in curious and walk out inspired,” adds Smuts.
