When the mood is leisurely and friends are around, there are few things better than a relaxing brunch. However, this happy idyll can be rudely spoiled by bad food and shoddy service. It happens, even in tourist-friendly Cape Town.
But fear not! I’ve eaten breakfast and brunch from Table Bay to False Bay and even on Cape Point where the two oceans meet. The sparkling city offers a fabulous array of brunch venues, catering to every taste and preference. I highlight 10 of the best (plus several ace backups) to help you find your ideal spot for a memorable brunch experience.
Table of Contents
- 1 1. Best for All Day Brunch – Jarryds Brunch & Bistro, Sea Point
- 2 2. Best for Winelands – Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia, Constantia
- 3 3. Best for Coffee – Bootleggers, Cape Quarter, De Waterkant
- 4 4. Best for Coastal Vibe – Lekker, Kalk Bay
- 5 5. Best for French – Manna Epicure, Tamboerskloof
- 6 6. Best Hidden Gem – Starlings Cafe, Rondebosch
- 7 7. Best for Eggs in the City – Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room, CBD
- 8 8. Best Brunch In Camps Bay – Mantra Cafe, Camps Bay
- 9 9. Best in the Waterfront – Ginja, V&A Waterfront
- 10 10. Best for a Unique Setting – Our Local, Kloof Street
- 11 5 More Great Brunch Spots
- 12 FAQs
1. Best for All Day Brunch – Jarryds Brunch & Bistro, Sea Point
- Address: 90 Regent Rd, Sea Point, Cape Town (3.5 km from CBD)
- Prices: R85 – R165
- Opening hours: 7:30 am – 10 pm
Located in a covered courtyard in bustling Sea Point, Jarryds believes that brunch is an all-day affair.
You’re invited to ease into a speciality coffee roasted by Espresso Lab Microbrewers, one of the best roasteries in the city.
The innovative menu stresses seasonal and locally sourced ingredients, which makes for an awesome smoothie bowl. Jarryds Bruschetta is a creative serving of bacon or salmon, poached eggs, pesto, and avo salsa. It’s delicious, as is the spicy Huevos Rancheros. Burgers, salads, and pancakes are top-notch, too. On top of that, waffles have been recently introduced. Yum!
This Sea Point local is a happy place for those who enjoy variety and aren’t in a rush to grab a morning meal. Park for free on Beach Road and amble up to this fun bistro where you can sit inside or out.
Know that Jarryds doesn’t take reservations and gets busy on the weekends.
2. Best for Winelands – Jonkershuis at Groot Constantia, Constantia
- Location: Groot Constantia, Groot Constantia Road, Constantia, Cape Town (20 km from CBD)
- Prices: R75 – R190
- Hours: 8 am – 9 pm (breakfast ends at 11:30 am)
Jonkershouse is a gorgeous destination that you have to visit at least once. Approaching the historic Cape Dutch building through terraced vineyards and stately oaks you feel like you’ve been transported to Franschhoek, even Bordeaux.
Brunch can be enjoyed on the lawn, in the indoor restaurant, or in an attractive inner courtyard. Classics, like pastries, French toast, and the Farmer’s Breakfast, are all part of the fare. A superb smoked trout and egg croissant with cream cheese is surprisingly filling, leaving hardly any room for the tempting scones, jam, and cream.
Tip: Jonkershuis will arrange a curated picnic for you if you fancy setting down a blanket and dining al fresco in the rustic surroundings. Groot Constantia also offers tours and wine tastings.
3. Best for Coffee – Bootleggers, Cape Quarter, De Waterkant
- Address: Shop 45, The Cape Quarter, 27 Somerset Rd, De Waterkant, Cape Town (1.5 km from CBD)
- Prices: R80 – R150
- Opening hours: Mon-Fri:7 am – 6 pm; weekends: 8 am – 3 pm
As a lover of strong coffee, Bootleggers is my go-to. The brand has been voted best coffee in the Cape for three years running and their Americano is probably the strongest in town.
The company, which has multiple stores around the city, sources its beans from Central Africa and South America and operates a micro-roastery in Woodstock. Sustainability and rainforest protection are baked into their ethos. Whatever your Bootlegger beverage of choice, you can be assured of flavour and smooth intensity. Beans, coffee equipment, and accessories are available to buy on-site.
The food isn’t half bad either. I’m a sucker for the chicken and avo wrap. The burgers and toasties are also good.
The restaurant occupies a corner of a cobbled courtyard in Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village. It’s a great spot to chill under the umbrellas or to meet friends and people-watch.
De Waterkant, on the fringes of Cape Town CBD, is a lively tourist and LBGTQ area.
4. Best for Coastal Vibe – Lekker, Kalk Bay
- Address: 106 Main Rd, Fish Hoek, Cape Town (32 km from CBD)
- Prices: R80 – R130
- Opening hours: 6.30 am – 6 pm/8 pm
Cape Town’s coastal stretch, from Muizenberg to Simons Town, sports several decent coffee and breakfast cafes. Lekker in Kalk Bay is my favourite thanks to its seaside location, friendly hosts, and commitment to all that is fresh and healthy.
Lekker’s coffees and milkshakes are terrific. If you’re after more than a coffee and croissant, choose from delights such as fluffy flapjacks with streaky bacon, fresh paw paw layered on honeyed yoghurt granola, or mince toast with egg and cheddar.
If it’s closer to lunch than breakfast time, a bobotie and rice is a ‘lekker’ traditional Cape Town dish to savour. Lekker is fab in summer and cosy-warm in winter. It’s smallish, so it’s not ideal for parties larger than six.
While in the area, spend some time exploring the curio shops, small galleries, and other eateries of charming Kalk Bay. Sirocco Cafe is also worth checking out.
5. Best for French – Manna Epicure, Tamboerskloof
- Address: Cnr of Kloof Nek & Burnside Rd, Tamboerskloof, Cape Town (2.7 km from CBD)
- Prices: R50 – R150
- Opening hours: 8 am – 10 pm
Nestled at the foot of Kloof Nek Road – the drive that leads up to Table Mountain and the Cableway – is the delightful Manna Epicure. Look out for a white veranda designed around a handsome palm tree.
French owner Agnes and her team are warm and welcome hosts. Seat yourself alongside the sidewalk, on the veranda, or at a nicely appointed inside section. The look is all crisp whites and chic wood.
Tuck into a menu that promises South African influences with French flair. I can recommend the sandwich soupe a l’oignon (the taste of French onion soup with oozing cheese in a grilled artisan-bread sandwich). The brioche breakfast bake is tasty too.
Manna is fully attuned to vegetarian, vegan, and gluten gluten-free tastes.
In the immediate surroundings, you’ll find a cool green park, the Cloud 9 Hotel for blissful spa treatments, and The Power and The Glory sidewalk cafe.
Agnes knows her wines. So, if you’re not rushed, linger and enjoy a recommendation from the wine menu – a crisp Franschoek white perhaps, a perfect distillation of French and South African collaboration.
6. Best Hidden Gem – Starlings Cafe, Rondebosch
- Address: 94 Belvedere Road, Rondebosch, Cape Town (11 km from CBD)
- Prices: R60 – R120
- Opening hours: 7 am – 4 pm; closed Sunday
You know how restaurants are sometimes described as hidden gems? Starlings is literally that place. Thousands of people travel by this gem every week, not knowing that behind the perfectly manicured hedge is a charming cottage with cute nooks backing onto a leafy garden.
These days, there are enough people in the know to make Starlings a popular draw. You can’t reserve a table which sometimes means a short wait. But, it’s worth hanging around for the salmon eggs benedict alone. The perky coffee and fresh summer smoothies are further incentives.
Parking is available on the local street, but it can get busy during rush hours.
Tip: If there is a line at Starlings and the estimated wait time is too long, you could always push on to nearby Second Avenue which has a few breakfast spots. Banana Jam at the upper extends a Caribbean welcome from 11 am; the food is decent.
7. Best for Eggs in the City – Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room, CBD
- Address: 133 Bree Street, CBD, Cape Town
- Prices: R60 – R150
- Opening hours: From 7 am during the week; from 8 am on the weekends
This cool joint is located on Bree Street and exudes a trendy, city vibe.
Brunchtime includes several interesting egg options (and a lot more). The Hash Eggs – a medley of eggs, veggies, peppers, hollandaise, and bacon – is a treat. The cuppa joe here is a medium roast blend of Tanzanian, Ethiopian, and Brazilian beans.
Clarke’s sources local ingredients, makes virtually everything on-site and serves many vegetarian, lactose and gluten-free dishes.
Overall, this is a good inner-city hangout to grab brekkie or brunch and catch up with friends, or use the free wifi to work and hustle. Things get lively come evening time.
Note: Clarke’s doesn’t take cash.
If Clarke’s can’t accommodate you, Between Us is a wonderful alternative a short walk up Bree Street.
8. Best Brunch In Camps Bay – Mantra Cafe, Camps Bay
- Address: 43 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town (8 km from CBD)
- Prices: R125 – R225
- Opening hours: 8:30 am – 10:30 pm
No brunch list is complete without including Camps Bay. Mantra Cafe, located on this glitzy strip, is beautiful inside and out. The restaurant’s interior is a blend of cream, greens, and browns, with elegant light features and lovely plants. From your table, you’ll gaze upon a heavenly sweep of the white beach, palms, and sparkling blue ocean.
The menu bursts with health and wellness. How about a shot of apple, cranberry, buchu, probiotics, and alfalfa for a morning elixir? An appetising range of dishes offers something for everyone, from berry-rich grain granola to the full bacon, egg, and chipolata spread. Sophisticated touches shine through in the service and presentation.
Mantra Cafe isn’t the most affordable brunch in Cape Town but it’s a splurge well worth indulging. Trendy spots in magic locations often get complacent and let service and quality standards slip. However, Mantra does a good job of maintaining its deserved reputation.
If Victoria Road along the beach is packed, you can find parking on one of the residential streets and stroll to the beachfront past the tennis club.
9. Best in the Waterfront – Ginja, V&A Waterfront
- Address: On the Waterfront Pierhead, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town (3.4 km from CBD)
- Prices: R125 – R175
- Opening hours: 6:30 am – 11 pm
Located in the heart of the V&A Waterfront, Ginja is a scenic delight offering stunning views of Table Mountain and Table Bay.
A contemporary menu emphasises local ingredients and both South African and international flavours. The smoothies – Choco, Berry Breeze, and Mango Madness – are wow. For your meal, choose from a variety of cuisines and inspirations, from Turkish eggs to delicious salmon eggs benedict. The veggie burger and Wagyu beef burger are both decadent in their own way.
Aim for a window seat or take an outdoor table to fully soak in the views. In the winter months, outdoor heaters keep you toasty, while a fire blazes in the indoor hearth.
Ginja has a Sunday brunch special which includes a glass of wine or bubbly and live music. This will run you a pricey R395.
10. Best for a Unique Setting – Our Local, Kloof Street
- Address: 117 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town (2.2 km from CBD)
- Prices: R95 – R145
- Opening hours: 8 am – 4 pm; 11 pm on Thurs-Sat
Our Local on Kloof Street is a welcoming neighbourhood cafe housed inside a nursery and antique store. An airy space full of greenery and eclectic vintage furniture, it’s certainly one of the more charming and unique spots in Cape Town.
The restaurant’s centrepiece is a long communal table. Yet it doesn’t feel like a single table. Artfully arranged foliage, table adornments, and tasteful bric-a-brac somehow break it up. This gives you and your friends a sense of privacy while retaining the communal vibe. It’s rather special. There are also a bunch of tables around the periphery.
The food is wonderful and wholesome. Try the Shakshuka or Arnold Bennet. If you’re less peckish, enjoy a mushroom toastie.
Our Local’s custard-yellow frontage is a quirky splash of colour on vibrant Kloof Street. The street is one of the foremost foodie spots in Cape Town. If you plan to visit this Local gem, be sure to call ahead because it gets busy, especially on weekends.
5 More Great Brunch Spots
- Chart Farm Cafe, located above Wynberg Park, serves traditional, pleasing brunch fare together with magnificent views of the Constantia Valley. You can also pick roses on the farm. When arriving, just be careful as there are some shallow potholes on the short approach road to the restaurant.
- Tashas Constantia, at the heart of the buzzing Constantia social scene, delivers casual elegance in an indoor and outdoor setting. Expect a busy vibe and comfort food prepared with creative inspiration.
- Located in Noordhoek Farm Village, Foodbarn Cafe and Tapas brings you an array of delicious brunch dishes in a French-style country setting that feels a world removed (and is the perfect antidote to) the city bustle.
- Swan Cafe: Once voted among the 10 most Instagrammable cafes in the world, this fun French crêperie in the city specialises in perfect crêpes and gluten-free, savoury galettes.
- Egghead Diner updates a cool 70’s diner to bring you awesome pancakes, eggrolls, burgers, burritos, milkshakes, and tons more on vibey Kloof Street.
FAQs
What are the top brunch spots in Cape Town for plant-based meals?
Some of the best brunch spots in Cape Town serving plant-based food are Scheckter’s Raw, Nourish’d, The Sunshine Food Co., and Wild Eatery.
Are there good brunch venues in the Waterfront?
There are several good Waterfront breakfast and brunch venues, including Kauai, Tashas, Ginja, Mugg&Bean, The Yard, and Life Grand Cafe.
What is the average price range for brunch in Cape Town?
You can get a light, cold brunch with a drink for R100. A good hot brunch may cost around R180, including R30 – R40 for a beverage with a R20 tip.
