Breakfast (and, at the weekend, brunch) is indeed the most important meal of the day for most Capetonians, who love nothing more than to start the morning with something lip-smackingly delicious, ideally shared with family or friends. From wholesome oats and healthy smoothie bowls to freshly-baked bagels, spicy Huevos Rancheros and sugary-sweet French Toast, all washed down with excellent coffee and perhaps a cheeky Mimosa or Bloody Mary, the options are sheer endless – but we’ve whittled it down to our absolute favourites.
Our Local
A wonderful antique store/greenhouse/café hybrid, this Kloof Street gem aims to bring people together around one table in an offbeat setting. Surrounded by lush foliage, you’ll feel like you’re sitting in a tropical garden while tucking into the likes of Arnold Bennett, Shakshuka, and speciality open toasts. There are always yummy cakes on display, too, and the coffee is sure to give you a morning boost. https://www.ourlocal.co.za/
Sonny and Irene
An Art Deco vision in dusty pink, velvet, timber, and marble, this is one of Cape Town’s prettiest dining spots in Sea Point. And while there’s a commendable all-day menu, it’s breakfast you’ll want to come for. The in-house bakery creates irresistible treats – resistance to the sweets and pastries trolley is futile, but you can follow it up with something from the Health, Classics, or Signature Eggs section. Service is also on point, and while an air of elegance prevails, Sonny and Irene is very child-friendly.
Pssst…In a hurry? The Pastry Bar next to the main restaurant offers fresh coffee and pastries to go. https://www.kovecollection.co.za/sonny-and-irene/
Bootlegger Bakoven
A local hotspot, South African coffee chain Bootlegger’s Bakoven outpost is close to many of our villas – making it a convenient option for an easy start to your day among Cape Town cyclists and neighbouring families. The coffee is strong and the all-day breakfast menu has something for everyone, from oats and eggs every which way, to thickly sliced banana bread and excellent toasties. Our tip: after breakfast, get another coffee to go and take a stroll along the Atlantic Seaboard to Camps Bay. https://www.bootlegger.coffee/
Jarryds
This vibey Sea Point café knows how to do breakfast and brunch right. From healthy oats and smoothie bowls to bagels, Turkish eggs and breakfast burgers, there’s something for every taste. Portions are huge, the coffee strong and fairtrade, and the Mimosas bottomless (if you so wish). Add contemporary interiors and super friendly staff, and it’s clear why this is one of Cape Town’s hottest breakfast destinations.
https://www.theamalfi.co.za/eat-drink
Jason Bakery
Jason Lilley’s carb heaven has reached almost cult-level status amongst Capetonians, and no wonder – the heavily inked, biker-mad ‘Captain Bread‘ (his Insta-name) really knows how to bake. His original bakery on Bree Street closed down in 2020, but the bigger Green Point store is still going strong. Jason’s Saturday Doughssant (his take on a Cronut) is legendary, as are the bacon croissants, and, well – just about everything else on the drool-worthy menu.
https://jasonbakery.com/
Ditto Ice Cream and Waffle House
Ice-cream for breakfast? Why yes, if it’s on top of a waffle. Even better, at Ditto, both ice-cream and waffle are 100% vegan. You can build your own, choosing a signature waffle, different ice cream flavours (think Choccy Orange and Brittle Gone Nuts) and toppings, or choose one of the ice-cream/waffles signature dishes, from Not Yo’ Notella to Better Than Biscoff. Oh, and there are creamy milkshakes, hot beverages, and other specials such as Friday morning cinnabuns, too. https://www.instagram.com/eatditto
Butter
Butter, glorious butter. At this all-day breakfast café in the CBD, everything is served with a generous dollop of it, making for a melt-in-your-mouth menu – quite literally. Simple buttered toast, buttery flapjacks, buttered banana bread…you get the picture. And what better time of day to try all this buttery goodness than actual breakfast? Oats, eggs, and more substantial dishes such as the buttermilk fried chicken Hot Buns are also on offer – all washed down with strong coffee. https://butterallday.com/
Kleinsky’s
Serving what many consider to be Cape Town’s best bagels (hand-rolled, slow-fermented overnight and boiled in malted water before baking), this Jewish-style deli in Sea Point brings a slice of New York to the Mother City. Hugely popular with locals, expect to queue at the weekend – but the salmon and cream cheese bagels and hot pastrami on rye are totally worth it. http://www.kleinskys.co.za/
Paris Cape Town
A recent addition to Cape Town’s thriving bakery scene, French owner Laurent Bazaudun’s café has brought Parisian savoir faire to Sea Point’s Main Road. Word about his mouth-watering pastries and baguettes spread fast, with many a French expat declaring his croissants to be the best this side of Paris. The patisserie opens at 7am and closes when the last pastry flies off the shelf – one for early risers.
