Cape Town
Dapper Coffee Co., CBD
Set inside a vintage car showroom, Dapper is run by a husband and wife duo that transformed the long time vacant space towards the end of Bree. The amalgamation of food and pristine, luxury cars somehow works so well. Their all-day breakfast menu is a long one with Pancakes, fruit and muesli and a build-your-own section.
Loading Bay, De Waterkant
This is the ideal brunch spot, with fresh juices, Kombucha and a breakfast menu served until 12 pm. The Sunday brunch menu goes on until closing time. This place is always packed on weekends so get there early. Try the Wild mushroom ragout or Avocado on toast.
Open Door, Constantia
If you feel like taking things up a notch, Open Door is exquisite for a weekend brunch. The menu is on another level with toasted brioche French toast, bacon and egg waffles, and homemade granola.
The Blue Café, Tamboerskloof
This cute neighbourhood spot is lovely for a sunny day outside. They have high quality ingredients in their dishes and the croissants are one of the best.
Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room, CBD
A go-to brunch spot for many city dwellers, Clarkes serves breakfast all day, offering a quitessential American diner experience. On the menu there’s items like hash eggs, Huevos Rancheros and croissant French Toast to name a few. They also offer brunch cocktails like Bloody Mary and Mimosas.
Wholesome, CBD
Clarke’s younger sibling restaurant, Wholesome, stays true to its name serving simple, honest food, that hits the spot every time. With that same understated coolness embodied in Clarkes, Wholesome offers colourful salads, mammoth breakfasts and open toasties. Recommendation: the kimchi eggs bowl.
Bootlegger Coffee Co, Various branches
With so many branches across Cape Town, Bootleggers has earned their reputation through good coffee and consistency. Coffee was the initial driving force, and still is, but as time went on, Bootleggers has become increasingly known for their indulgent breakfasts. On weekends, branches like Bakoven, heave with diners after dishes like buttermilk flapjacks, eggs Benedict, and poached eggs on potato rostis.
Four & Twenty, Wynberg
A Food24 favourite and one of the few places that draws Captonians from near and far for brunch, because it’s worth the extra drive time, Four & Twenty never fails to please. The young chefs behind the scenes create memorable brunch and lunch dishes, with inventive flavouring and colourful plating. Their cake and baked goods selection is also out of this world so make sure you save space.
Jason Bakery, CBD
Quite possibly Cape Town’s most popular bakery, keeping us forever checking out their instagram page to see what the latest creation is. Jasons is known for their over-the-top and sensationally delicious savoury and sweet baked goods, fitting for any brunch occasion. Things to look out for are the mini croissant varieties, the Saturday doussant of the week, the classic filled croissants and the breakfast menu with various egg dishes like the croissant Croque Madame.
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Kleinsky‘s, Sea Point
A cute New York-style café serving some of the best bagels in town. They get very full on weekends so try arrive early. Order the breakfast bagel or the Benedict latkes.
Joburg
Pablo Eggs-Go-Bar, Melville
There’s nothing quite like eggs done right, whether it’s that perfectly poached egg or soft scrambled, it’s not an easy task to get them absolutely perfect. Pablo Eggs-Go-Bar successfully take on the challenge serving eggs exactly as ordered, and in serious variety. The menu has a Middle Eastern flair with dishes like red shakshuka and Yementi flatbread with boiled eggs and Israeli salad. Also check out the Boozy Brunch menu with cocktails served from 10 am.
The Whippet, Linden
A trendy little spot in Linden that serves great coffee in a relaxed environment. It’s a café that celebrates the heart and soul of Joburg and they serve breakfast until 12 pm, so it’s perfect for that weekend lie in.
Post Breakfast Lunch, Braamfontein
Situated in the happening part of town, Post Breakfast Lunch focuses on locally sourced, sustainable ingredients and good coffee. Their menu features simple breakfast and lunch items like flapjacks and filled sandwiches, with a wholesome and honest approach to food, making sure every ingredient is carefully sourced.
Salvation Café, 44 Stanley
Situated at the quaint 44 Stanley, they serve just about any breakfast you desire until 11:45 am. Eggs Benedict, American pancakes, breakfast burritos, you name it. If you miss the cut off, enjoy one of their freshly baked cakes or a gourmet sandwich.
Grand Central Cafe, Melrose Arch
An ode to New York and its vibrancy, Grand Central acts as a meeting ground for friends and colleagues. They serve classic breakfasts like a full English, right up until 12:30 pm, as well as toasties and tramezinnis.
Breezblock, Brixton
This place is still fairly new and is drenched in cool. They converted an old grocery into a 70s inspired, retro diner, that has a relaxed atmosphere. It’s a beautiful space with an abundance of sunlight that spills in through old floor to ceiling windows, and touches of pastel hues. The food is good too with simple, home-style dishes.
Pretoria
Lucky Bread, Brooklyn
This is a brunch haven because it’s all about artisanal freshly baked breads and treats, from sandwiches to pizza to incredible cakes. Lucky Bread is a morning ritual and you cannot go wrong here.
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Pure Café, Colbyn
A deli and restaurant, Pure Café serves good honest food and caters to your dietary requirements – they have a Banting and Paleo menu. Their dishes are original and beautifully presented. Brunch options include a breakfast pizza, Spanish frittata and Cinnamon French toast.
Afro-boer
They have a bunch of house rules, but if you stick to them, you’re good to go. Breads are baked daily and can be ordered or enjoyed with breakfast or lunch. It’s a lovely café that ties in classic South African food with a modern twist.
Life Grand Café, Waterkloof
If you’re up for a touch of opulence and a whole lot of style, then this large café is where you need to be. They have an extensive breakfast menu and its available until 12:30 pm. Each breakfast is given a name depending on your mood or taste like the lazy breakfast or the healthy breakfast.
Durban
Freedom Café, Greyville
Freedom Café is a well established Durban favourite. Its a quirky restaurant built in and around an industrial container under beautiful trees. The outdoor section is perfect for Durban’s warm weather and the inventive breakfast menu is a full of variety. Make sure you get your orders in before 11 am!
Antique Café, Morningside
Situated in the old Victorian Churchill House, this café sits next to a vintage clothing and antique store. Enjoy an indulgent brunch in an eclectic, old world space. Each dish shows Antique’s attention to detail and sheer love of food, with vibrant salads and indulgent breakfasts bursting with flavour and colourful fresh ingredients.
The Glenwood Bakery, Glenwood
This spot is widely regarded as one of the best bakeries in Durban, with a traditional and slow approach to the art of break-making. Stone ground handmade breads are slowly fermented first and then baked in a hearth oven. They keep things simple and do it right, focusing on Viennoiserie and poached eggs on weekdays and Eggs Royale and Eggs Benedict on weekends. Coffee is locally sourced from roasteries in the Glenwood area.
Parc Café, Glenwood
Right next to Glenwood Bakery sits this cute café with a totally different offering. Parc is down-to-earth and emanates that relaxed Durban culture. Their food caters to a variety of palates, with seasonal produce and dishes made from scratch. Brunch offerings include sweet potato cakes, French cinnamon loaf, truffled green asparagus and a quiche of the day with greens.
Bellevue Café, Kloof
A large venue with an old, industrial feel, Bellevue serves classic breakfast options until 11:30 am and thereafter great gourmet toasties.
Charlie’s, Morningside
The produce is fresher than fresh as well as organic. Breakfast options are super simple so if you’re after a classic bacon and eggs then this is the place. You’ll also find huge organic avos (when in season), smoked salmon and delicious cakes.
Port Elizabeth
Friendly Stranger, South End
Friendly Stranger is full of character and a much-loved spot by locals. The restaurant sits adjacent to a micro brewery and small art gallery, making the little complex a destination, and owes much of its appeal to the food and general good vibe. Food focuses on locally sourced ingredients with dishes like classic breakfasts, burgers, filled sandwiches and rustic pizzas.
Vovo Telo, Richmond Hill
The original Vovo Telo, where it all began, with it’s now widely respected bakery, is an ideal spot for brunch. Treat yourself to a freshly baked croissant with the classic jam and cheese combo, or go all out with a waffle. The breakfast menu will certainly spark some interest with dishes like the bacon and egg griddle stack and the pulled pork eggs Benedict.
Blue Waters Café, Summerstrand
Right on the coastline, next to the iconic pier, Blue Water’s offers a a little bit of everything from bacon and eggs to sushi, and one of the best views in the area. The breakfast menu features all the classics like Croque Madame, French toast and eggs Benedicts, served until 11 am. From 10 am they offer tapas and tramezzinis ideal for a more leisurely brunch.
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Bocadillo’s Bakery & Café on First and Bocadillo’s Bakery & Café on Sixth
Both branches take breakfast seriously with a great variety served every day of the week. The breakfast menu is sectioned into three parts including Healthy Start, Eggstatic and Speciality Breakfasts, which means you might have trouble deciding. And to add to the indecision, there’s a lovely lunch menu with wraps and burgers (at Sixth). Both restaurants offer charming outdoor seating areas for warm days and the occasional live music event.
If you normally cook your own brunch at home, what’s your favourite dish to make? TELL us in the comments below!