Cape Town
Giovanni’s Deliworld, Green Point
Giovanni’s is an old gem of a deli, staying true to Italian culinary and coffee culture. If you visit often enough you will spot regulars standing at the counter sipping on espressos each morning or late afternoon – it’s a ritual for many, and an escape for those who long for a little European café experience. They offer a freshly prepared buffet each day with Italian classics like porcini risotto, veal Milanese and cold deli items like sliced Parma ham, artichokes and Burrata. The offering is endless and quality is impeccable. The shop also offers a huge variety of imported luxury non-perishables as well as fresh items like caviar. You can also pick up imported alcoholic items like Limoncello and Cipriani’s Bellini from Venice, as well as high-end champagnes. The compact shop is bursting with deliciousness and charm and will no doubt have you lingering and exploring the shelves for longer than intended.
Kleinsky’s Delicatessan, Sea Point
This is where to find the best bagels on the Sea Point strip. Kleinsky’s is themed around a quintessential New York Jewish deli selling traditional delicacies and great breakfasts. Order a bagel with a ‘schmear’ of your choice like sun-dried tomato and olive or the breakfast bagel filled with egg, bacon, cheese and tomato. They also make a classic New York baked cheesecake, traditional little Israeli pastries, Rugelach, as well as Blintzes, rolled pancakes with lemon cheese filling and fruit compote.
Smak, CBD
We rejoiced when a proper deli opened its doors on Bree Street, serving office workers with superior quality sandwiches filled with Italian cured meats and cheese. The deli and restaurant are run by owners, Katia Scherf and Devin Hogan, both trained chefs, who bring their youthful energy into their business. Their philosophy is based on simplicity and quality, which is why you’ll find uncomplicated lunch options on the menu, including fresh homemade pasta which you can see hanging on the wall as tagliatelle dries out.
The Olive Branch, Lifestyles on Kloof
The Olive Branch is a little over a year old but the last few months have seen rapid expansion in both its following and physical store. They don’t have a restaurant but they do serve coffee, and quite honestly they have the most impressive collection of deli items stacked on their shelves from all over the globe. Products are also arranged and categorised carefully, so you’ll find Asian items all together like miso and soya sauce. You could spend hours here searching through all the exotic items, and that French item you’ve been longing for ever since your supply from Paris ran out, well they will most likely have it! Also, they do incredible bread like their gluten-free millet flour loaf, as well as fresh dips and pâtés, cured meats, and much more.
Chardonnay Deli, Constantia
Chardonnay Deli combines the joys and wholesomeness of a farm stall, with the speciality offering of a deli. The rustic interior matches the green Constantia surroundings, as you explore the shelves and baskets stocked with fresh produce, preserves and other non-perishables to take home. They also have a lovely café that spills into a garden outside, where you can enjoy breakfast or lunch, with artisanal bread, quiches, granola and more, all homemade.
Saucisse Boutique Deli, The Old Biscuit Mill
Saucisse is a special little spot, with a lot of heart and soul. The owner, Amanda Lewis, intended to open a deli that draws on that intimate café and deli culture found in Italy and France, where owners know their regulars by name, as well as what they like to keep in their kitchen. She has since succeeded and serves wholesome food that sings of quality and is brimming with flavour. You can eat-in and enjoy their delicious brunch range, or take away gourmet sandwiches or wraps. You can also order ahead via their website and have your food ready for you when you arrive.
Foodbarn Deli, Noordhoek
Chef Franck Dangereux has made this Noordhoek spot famous with his genius cooking and insightful use of flavour and ingredients. The deli combines luxury food items with simple necessities, as well as a good wine selection and fresh produce. The deli coffee shop is open daily and is a lovely place for breakfast or brunch, and at night it turns into a lively tapas bar, with a vibrant atmosphere and a continuation of Franck’s delicious food.
Johannesburg
Westcliff Deli, Westcliff
Situated in the beautifully lush Westcliff area, this chic French-themed deli and café couldn’t have asked for a more ideal location. The plush, pristine interior is matched by equally refined food, that remains casual and simple. Enjoy breakfast or a gourmet sandwich or order one of their Chic-nics, which are pre-ordered picnic hampers to make outdoor excursions much simpler.
MOO-Z Brothers, Sandringham
Moo-z combines a Kosher deli, café and bakery all into one, making for a dynamic eating experience and much variety. You’ll find an abundance of salads on display as well as cheese and cured meats either for eating-in or taking away, as well as loads of other meal options to take home like pasta sauces, pizzas and warm dishes like lasagna. On top of that, there is an impressive array of confectionery and cakes for your indulgence, or for a special occasion.
Deli One, Sandton
Deli One is a contemporary, stylish deli with a sleek, upscale interior neatly displaying a variety of lovely goods to take home. They have a daily freshly prepared deli counter with scrumptious salads, speciality vegetable dishes and mezze items. You can also sit-in and order from their extensive menu which includes all-day weekend brunch with dishes like angel hair pasta, eggs Benedict, Burger Italiano, and sweetcorn fritters to name a few.
Deli Store,
This is another Kosher deli and restaurant open both day and night. Food is prepared fresh each day in the exposed kitchen where diners can watch their dishes being made. The atmosphere is lively, warm and relaxed with regulars popping in each day for the hearty food. Food focuses on classic open sandwiches, a selection of gourmet burgers, grill options, fish, curries and pasta. There’s certainly something for everyone, and don’t miss out on the deli counter where you can pick and choose goodies to take home.
Durban
Old Town Italy, Umhlanga
These guys have featured many times on our restaurant guides for their doughnuts, chocolatey desserts and their lemon meringue pies. If you’ve ever visited you’ll know how incredible this deli is. If there was a deli capital of Durban, this would certainly be it. Taking the deli concept to new heights, Old Town Italy is like an Italian food market condensed into one enclosed space. You can buy you meats from the butcher stand, your cheese from the dairy counter, and buy your fresh produce from the overflowing baskets on display. There are loads of imported Italian non-perishables as well as beautiful crockery and accessories for the kitchen. There’s also a café and beautiful bar where you can enjoy the food on-site.
Continental, Butcher, Baker and Deli, Essenwood
Continental stays true to its name offering products, delicacies and meals from across the globe. You’ll find Indian specialities as well as Italian and local favourites. The shop is situated in a warehouse-type space with a huge variety of items, as well as a butchery and bakery section. Continental has been in the business since 1992, so they know a thing or two about quality food. The café offers shwarmas, pasta and their famous pies, and on Sundays there is a Bollywood breakfast buffet to indulge in.
Pretoria
Deli on Duncan, Hatfield
Deli on Duncan is one of Pretoria’s gems, with an idyllic courtyard for customers to relax in the open air and enjoy some of the delis comforting dishes. Each day there’s a chefs table on display filled with freshly baked goods like quiches and pies, which can be heated up and served. The menu also includes open sandwiches, toasted pitas and a section for the kids. Don’t miss the food items displayed on the shelves to take home with you, or to give as gifts.
La Terasse Rooftop Café & Deli
The deli part of this combination features traditional Moroccan goodies from spices to biscuits, gluten-free baked goods, olives, dukkah, locally produced Turkish delight and cordials. The whole rooftop is Moroccan-themed so stick around and enjoy some authentic food from the café which offers breakfast, lunch and high-tea, including Kefta Tagine and lovely Moroccan snack platters with various dips and pita.
Old Town Italy, Menlyn
Sibling deli and Italian food market to the Durban original, this branch of Old Town Italy is just as monumental and full of character as the Umhlanga branch. The owners have created a space that food lovers are drawn to on lazy weekend mornings, where diners flock for brunch and leave with delicious goodies to take home. Just like the original, you’ll find imported Italian non-perishables as well as fresh produce, cured meats and cheeses. The space has been stylishly designed with plush finishes and comfortable seating, in an expansive open plan layout, only fitting for an establishment of such prestige.
Do you have a favourite deli? Let us know where it is in the comments section below!
Save