Cape Town
Bootlegger’s, various branches
Bootlegger’s have gained serious momentum and popularity over the last year in Cape Town’s coffee scene. They have made sure that their food matches their coffee in terms of superior quality and great flavour, and with that they have a variety of baked goods made fresh daily. Next time you stop for a coffee, make sure you grab one of their classic chocolate brownies, topped with nuts and a drizzle of chocolate icing.
Starlings Café, Claremont
Starlings is Claremont’s darling café spot for so many reasons: the quaint garden setting, the support of ethical farming and free-range philosophies, and the accommodating, friendly and warm service. Their breakfasts are highly regarded, as are their baked goods which includes traditional chocolate brownies.
Lazari, Vredehoek
The Vredehoek favourite is famous for their baked sweet treats. Many will know of their pink white chocolate cupcakes and their heavenly millionaire shortbread, but don’t forget their killer cream cheese chocolate brownie. It’s everything you want in a brownie: dense, moist, toasted crusty top, with the added layer of cream cheese that subtly breaks the sweetness.
Melissa’s, various branches
Melissa’s is a household name across the country and their signature brownies can be found in most of their branches. The brownies are chunky and get denser towards the centre, and have that crispy top. They are an absolute classic and won’t disappoint with a cup of Melissa’s coffee or tea.
Ecco, Foreshore and Salt River
Ecco sits right in the business hub of the Foreshore where cafés are a lot more scarce. They have changing lunch specials, hearty breakfasts and Origin coffee but you cannot miss out on their decadent dark chocolate brownies. Their rich, moist consistency zaps the chocolate craving right away for R15. Check beforehand whether they have in stock as they are not available everyday.
Durban
Bike and Bean, Durban beach front
This lovely café celebrates the Durban promenade with a bike hire service, great coffee and tasty classic dishes. Brownies are taken very seriously here, which is why they are ordered in from Gosh Baking, who have earned themselves a really good reputation in the Durban area for their delectable chocolate brownies and other baked treats.
Antique Café, Windermere
As the name suggests, Antique Café is filled with character and quirk, situated in a conservatory that lies between two old Victorian houses. It’s a popular spot for brunch and tea with a selection of sweet treats, including their dark chocolate brownies, served with cream.
Mayfair Café, Durban North
A modern café with a simple approach and fuss-free setting, Mayfair is your quintessential neighbourhood café that serves many loyal customers. The food features classic wholesome dishes as well as a focus on freshly baked sweet treats. Don’t miss the varietal cake and confectionery display which includes their decadent brownies.
Johannesburg
Industry Bakery, Emmarentia
Industry offers an industrial setting with a wide array of cakes and baked goods on display and an open plan seating area that spills onto the pavement outside. You are totally spoilt for choice here, whether it be sweet or savoury. The brownies are a win made with 3 varieties of chocolate. They also serve ‘whities’ which are made from white chocolate.
The Patisserie, Illovo
Sweet treats and confectionery are of course the specialty here, and so The Patisserie takes the classic brownie to new heights. They serve red velvet cheesecake brownies and rocky road brownies for your utter indulgence.
Salvation Café, 44 Stanley
Salvation Café have featured regularly on our various guides, for their good, honest and consistent food. They excel with their home made cakes and sweet treats, which includes their staple Belgian chocolate brownie.
Motherland Coffee, Rosebank, Parktown and Dunkeld West
Motherland promotes the African coffee culture by reclaiming and reigniting coffee as an African tradition. They promote the ethical sourcing and farming of coffee within African borders, and aim to instill in coffee drinkers the importance of Africa as the origin of the coffee bean. They serve a variety of coffee blends as well as great baked goods including their classic brownies.
Pretoria
Carlton Café and Delicious, Menlyn Park
This Menlyn Park café is anything but ordinary. The café creates dishes with unique flavour combinations, that has allowed them to stand out, never being subject to a café cliche. Just like their imaginative savoury meals, the brownies don’t subscribe only to chocolate. A changing offering of brownies has seen brownies rolled in dukkah, red velvet brownies and orange and espresso brownies.
Pure Café, Colbyn
Pure Café embodies a food philosophy that follows principles of health and balance. This is why they offer both a regular brownie and a Banting one. The brownie featured on their daily menu is a dark chocolate and walnut brownie, and then they offer a Banting brownie as a special, with availability subject to change. Perhaps call or check their Facebook to find out what brownies are available the day you visit.
Blos Café, Faerie Glen
Blos is a truly unique eatery in the Pretoria area, with a setting that integrates into its natural surroundings. The deck feels like a tree house, and inside the decor merges the classic pub style with contemporary accents. Their brownie is a fudgy, triple chocolate dessert, served warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
Port Elizabeth
Rhubarb and Lime, St. Georges Park
A PE favourite, this quaint, and quirky café serves real honest food that keeps regulars coming time and time again. Known for their classic, scrumptious all day breakfasts and freshly baked goods, their brownies earn them a stamp of approval too. Dense, moist and full bodied chocolate, the brownie will knock those cravings at once.
Angelo’s Café, Walmer
One of three branches, Angelo’s calls themselves Afri-Italian, integrating Italian food with local and loved cuisine. The modern space enables fluidity between the inside and outside, with warm light streaming into the restaurant and seating also offered on a deck outside. A classic chocolate brownie with whipped cream or ice cream is on the dessert menu.
The Copper Café, Overbaakens
This lovely café opened its doors last year, and over the months have proved themselves a staple in PE’s brunch and lunch scene. The space is elegant, yet simple with a peaceful atmosphere and quality food. Try out the brownies from the cake counter with a Truth coffee.
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Have we left anywhere out? Let us know where to buy your favourite brownie in the comment section below.