Get bowls deep at Cape Town’s new Bowls on Bree

Images: Lisa Wallace

Traditionally a gallery and event space, Upstairs on Bree has been given new purpose with the opening of Cape Town’s dedicated “bowl shop”, a poké bar-inspired concept eatery, but better! Fresh, healthy and incredibly delicious, Bowls on Bree offers three bowl variations – Buddha, Paleo and Poké.

Each bowl has been crafted with love and respect – for you, for the ingredients and for the planet. From the seasonally sourced produce to the 100% PLA biodegradable packaging, it’s all about honouring the supply chain: farmer to bowl. And, because all ingredients are seasonally selected, you can expect a changing menu. 

Try the “Trouter” paleo bowl, a groovy mix of seared tuna, roasted butternut, raw slaw (red cabbage, carrot, radish and kale), avocado, green beans and fresh mint and sesame seeds (R80). Vegans can enjoy one of four Buddha bowls – but I tried the “Caulipower”, a delicious mix of roasted turmeric cauliflower, edamame beans, pineapple raw slaw, avo and peanut sprinkle topped off with fresh coriander (R60). 

After choosing your bowl, select its base – Furikake sushi rice, brown rice, ancient grain mix, cauliflower rice or green leaves. Then a dressing (I went with cilantro and ginger but ask your host for their recommendation). For the hungry, you can choose to upsize your bowl for an extra R20, or choose from six add-ons (chilli, avo, tofu, lemon and herb chicken, tuna and trout). Local beers are available by the bottle, as is coconut water and still or sparkling water. I of course opted for coconut water – this lunch was power packed. The space is quite dark and unadorned, maybe in resemblance to the menu’s no fuss no frill philosophy. Guests sit at one main table, so it certainly isn’t your usual multi-tabled restaurant setting. If the thought of this freaks you out, you can order take-aways, OrderIn or UberEats; a definite for lazy cooks. 

I’m a big fan of a bowl of steaming multi-grain rice, thrown together with greens that need to be eaten and drenched in soya sauce. Bowl eating is so simple and healthy – and what a concept that it’s become the next health craze. Bowls on Bree is perhaps the best and most tasty selection in Cape Town: I vow to return again and again and tick all the vegan bowls off the list.