Cape Town
Cafeen, Wynberg
Cafeen is a quaint, hidden gem in Hartfield Village. Locals will refer to it as the best café around, because it’s certainly worth a visit even if you’re not from the area. Like all their cakes, the lemon meringue is superb.
La Belle, Constantia and Camps Bay
La Belle’s confectionery and cake offering is always overflowing with goodness. They really know how it’s done, and you can always count on the freshest, fluffiest and decadent of cakes and desserts. The lemon meringue comes as a singular serving tart, covered in mini dollops of meringue.
Company’s Garden Restaurant, CBD
There’s nothing quite like the blissfully peaceful space of the Company’s Garden restaurant. The dining area beneath the trees was practically made for tea and cake, and you can choose your sweet treats from the stacked confectionery table inside. Don’t miss the huge slice of lemon meringue pie that will set those cravings at bay instantly.
Vovo Telo, Steenberg and The V&A Waterfront
Known for all things baked, Vovo Telo will keep your tummy happy from breakfast to lunch to afternoon tea and cake. Their lemon meringue is served in singular portions and are somewhere between a cone and a tart. They have a tall smurf-like meringue topping and a generous filling of lemon custard.
Other areas
Meraki, Stellenbosch
Meraki is a little treasure in Stellenbosch that has just got better with age. The space is beautiful in pristine white with touches of colour in muted plums and greys. Their effortlessly chic style extends to their mini cake and tart creations of which features lemon meringue, adorned in blooms.
East Head Café, Knysna
Knysna’s famous café and restaurant with sweeping views of the lagoon and heads, also serves a mean lemon meringue. Its an ideal spot for families, with a childrens’ play area and a lot of outdoor seating. Keep in mind that they close at 3:30pm, so afternoon tea and tarts must be snuck in before then.
Johannebsurg
Salvation Café, Millpark
Is there anything that Salvation Café can’t do right? Not really. Their food is full of love and care which makes sure it’s consistently tasty whether it’s eggs Benedict or their orange ricotta tartlets. The same goes for their lemon meringue tarlets, which each have an exceptionally fluffy, mighty dollop of meringue, slightly toasted on its peaks.
Belle’s Blubird, Belle’s Clearwater and Belle’s On-the-go in Sandton
Belle’s is well known in the Gauteng area for perfectly pretty and equally delicious sweet treats, from cupcakes to eclairs to artisan bread and sandwiches. You can pre-order lemon meringue pies which are served in mini tart sizes or you can buy them from any of the outlets.
Durban
Old Town Italy, Umhlanga Rocks
Old Town Italy has earned a sterling reputation for all things gourmet, Italian and indulgent. Their sweet offering has made them famous with gelato in a conut, as well as their filled donuts. But their lemon meringue tarlets exceed all expectations. Enjoy them to go, or sit down at the restaurant and soak up the vibrant market-like atmosphere.
Ebb & Flo Café, Umhlanga Rocks
Situated in Gateway, Ebb & Flo is a wholesome café both in its attitude and approach to food. They support micro farming and seasonally sourced local produce, but the quality of the food speaks for itself. Their heavenly dessert and cake offering include mouth watering lemon meringue which you can order in slices.
Heidi’s Café, The Bluff
Heidi’s featured on our guide to hidden gems in the country, because they are extra special and because they are a little tucked away. They are well known for their cakes and confectionery which have seen many a birthday smile, but loyal customers will know of their famous lemon meringue pie with its crispy toasted top. It’s not always available so perhaps call ahead.
Port Elizabeth
Rhubarb and Lime Café, St Georges
Rhubarb and lime is an upmarket, café that serves all day breakfast, lunch and pastries. The space is retro chic inspired and set in a refurbished heritage home. Their mini lemon meringue tarts are superb – a zesty lemon filling encased in a crispy shell topped with slightly toasted meringue.
Life with Lemons, Walmer
Life with Lemons is a little coffee shop in the heart of Port Elizabeth. They offer breakfast all day, lunch, desserts and they also accommodate events like baby showers, kitchen teas etc. They serve homemade lemonade and generous slices of lemon meringue pie.
Savages
Savages is a gorgeous PE gem. Set in an old Victorian house, the restaurant is stylishly decorated and overlooks a lush garden. They serve classic lemon meringue tarts and they also do lemon meringue milkshakes!
Kaffeine Espresso Bar
Kaffeine is a café situated in the heart of Summerstrand and a stone throw away from Pollock beach. They provide both indoor and outdoor seating, on their deck that overlooks the blue waters. They serve breakfast, light meals, coffee of note and freshly baked goods of which their lemon meringue pie, with a thin shortbread base, stands out.
Pretoria
Old Town Italy, Menlyn Maine Shopping Centre
After gaining a serious following in Durban, Old Town Italy delighted Pretoria when they opened their doors. Just like the Durban branch, the space embodies the energy and aesthetic of an old food market, with shelves and fridges stacked with freshly prepared goods and perishables. There’s also a lot of seating so relax and enjoy a lemon meringue with a La Dolcé Vita espresso.
Anja’s Tea Garden, Zwavelpoort
Anja’s Tea Garden will teleport you into a whimsical fairy-like world. Set in a quaint, stone cottage that overlooks a mesmerizing old garden, this is the ideal place for tea with friends or family. They serve light home-cooked lunches and mouth-watering home bakes. Their decadent lemon meringue is especially noteworthy.
Have we missed your favourite lemon meringue? Email us or leave a comment below!
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