We were told that their croissants were amazing, so we excitedly ordered 2 plain croissants for R10 each (US$1) and 2 cappuccinos. Freshly baked and crispy, the croissants very close to what we were so longingly looking for. The coffee was also excellent. During the breakfast hours, they also sell bacon or almond croissants, muffins and other pastries. For lunch, sandwiches and pies are available after 12:30 pm.

Jardine Bakery
185 Bree Street 
Cape Town
+27 21 424-5644

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Easy to find on main road with street parking
• Outdoor tables
• Low prices 

 Cons:

• No views
• No indoor seating

During the weekdays, the restaurant is fairly quiet for breakfast. We picked a table in the outdoor courtyard to soak up some morning sunshine. The menu was full of interesting items but we finally settled on the Grilled Asparagus & Poached Eggs for R52 (US$5.20) which was fresh and full of flavor. We also ordered the standard English Breakfast for R49 (US$4.90), a very generous portion and beautifully displayed. The prices are geared for tourists and may not be suited for the budget-conscious. However, Andiamo’s is a great place for a family gathering or special occasion.

Andiamo Deli Restaurant & Bar
Cape Quarter
72 Waterkant Street
Green Point, Cape Town
+27 21 421 3687
http://www.andiamo.co.za/ 

Must Try: Grilled Asparagus & Poached Eggs – R52 (US$5.20)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Lovely outdoor tables
• Average prices with some good deals
• Good family restaurant

Cons:

• Hard to find on back street
• Street parking may be difficult to find
• No views

This upscale restaurant on the main road in Camps Bay may seem intimidating with its sleek décor but is actually a gem of a breakfast place for the budget-conscious. We were there at 9:00am on a Saturday and got the best spot in the house. Our outdoor table closest to the sidewalk was on a raised platform and provided a commanding view of the beach. The crowd was fairly hip and trendy, mostly in the 30’s and 40’s, with some young families.

The breakfast menu was fairly typical, with the usual variety to cater to every type of eater, as well as an espresso bar. Most of the items on the menu were priced between R40-R80 (US$4-$8). We both ordered the Vegetarian Omelette for R40 (US$4) which was both amazing and a bargain!  They make a great cappuccino and service came with a good attitude and smile.

Best deal: Vegetarian Omelette – R40 (US$4)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Easy to find on main road with street parking
• Great view of Camps Bay beach with lovely outdoor tables
• Average prices with some good deals

Paranga
The Promenade, Victoria Road
Camps Bay, Cape Town
+27 21 438-040
www.paranga.co.za

After a morning of surfing at Muizenberg, we always head across the parking lot to our favorite after-surf eatery.  Sharing an entrance with the Roxy store, their outdoor tables are usually full of people sitting in the sun. Bustling with a combination of tourists and local surfers of all ages, this is a great place to people-watch. Get there before late afternoon because the outdoor tables will be in shade.

Known for their artisan baked goods, their bakery sells over 20 different types of bread. Whether we’re in a hurry or staying for a long lunch, we usually order the parma ham (prosciutto) and cheese sandwich on a fresh-baked croissant for R25 (US$2.50). Other tasty items are the chicken pot pie (R20) and french fries (R10). They also have serve a great cup of cappuccino. Service is sometimes slow but the wait staff is very friendly and accommodating.

Best deal: Chicken Pot Pie – R20 (US$2)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Easy to find across from beach with parking lot
• Great view of Muizenberg Beach with lovely outdoor tables
• Low prices
• Good family restaurant

Knead Bakery
Surfer’s Corner, Beach Road
Muizenberg, Cape Town
+27 21 788-2909

]]> http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/knead-bakery-muizenberg/feed 0 http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/the-food-barn-noordhoek http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/the-food-barn-noordhoek#comments Tue, 24 Feb 2009 01:52:52 +0000 Inside Scoop Cape Town http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/?p=141 The Food Barn Deli is located at the far end of the Noordhoek Farm Village. With its large open kitchen and casual atmosphere, we felt like we’d walked into the middle of someone’s kitchen. The lunch specials were showcased on the counter tops, along with the fresh baked pastries, making it very tempting! They also [...]]]>

The Food Barn Deli is located at the far end of the Noordhoek Farm Village. With its large open kitchen and casual atmosphere, we felt like we’d walked into the middle of someone’s kitchen. The lunch specials were showcased on the counter tops, along with the fresh baked pastries, making it very tempting! They also have several aisles with farm store items, such as hand-made pasta, sauces, spices and other pre-packaged foods for sale.

Don’t order off the menu if you have a budget. Not being too hungry, we split one of their ham sandwiches made on their special French loaves, which was accompanied by a salad for R25 (US$2.50). For dessert, we also split a pastry (R15) and bought six fresh-baked croissants (R6 each) to go.

They have a great bookshop where you can browse books while you eat or wait. This is a great little place to stop for a quick lunch or grab a pre-made potpie to go.

Don’t confuse the Deli for the Food Barn Restaurant which is also located in the Noordhoek Farm Village, but on the other end (Reviewed in the New York Times and Time magazine- so the secret is out!). The restaurant is a slightly more formal affair for lunch or dinner – the food is delicious, beautifully prepared and not pretentious. Check their website for the restaurants opening hours and to make a booking.

Best deal: Sandwich + Salad – R25 (US$2.50)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Parking lot
• Average prices with some good deals
• Good family restaurant

 Cons:

• No views or outdoor tables
• Difficult to find, not easily visible from parking lot

The Food Barn Deli
Noordhoek Farm Village
Village Lane
Noordhoek, Cape Town
+27 21 789-1390
www.thefoodbarn.co.za

]]> http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/the-food-barn-noordhoek/feed 0 http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/cape-farmhouse-restaurant-scarborough http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/cape-farmhouse-restaurant-scarborough#comments Fri, 13 Mar 2009 17:44:01 +0000 Inside Scoop Cape Town http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/?p=233 The Cape Farmhouse is one of our favorite breakfast spots around the south peninsula. Situated on a large farm at the base of Red Hill, the restaurant is housed in a 250 year-old farmhouse reminiscent of the old days. They serve a farm-style breakfast and a Moroccan-inspired lunch using fresh ingredients from the garden and home-made breads. On this Cape [...]]]>

The Cape Farmhouse is one of our favorite breakfast spots around the south peninsula. Situated on a large farm at the base of Red Hill, the restaurant is housed in a 250 year-old farmhouse reminiscent of the old days. They serve a farm-style breakfast and a Moroccan-inspired lunch using fresh ingredients from the garden and home-made breads.

On this Cape Town morning, it was warm enough to have our meal on the outside patio. For breakfast, the Three Egg Omelette of the day is usually packed full of yummy ingredients from the garden for R35 (US$3.50). For a lighter meal, order the freshly baked Muffins or Croissants which comes with cream and jam and is really a treat for R18 (US$1.80). They also serve a great cappuccino for R12 (US$1.20).  If you’re feeling adventurous, try the Samp and Sweet Potato Rosti, which is a potato casserole with veggies, pine nuts, feta and arugula for R59 (US$5.90). The service is usually quick and friendly.

Best deal: Three Egg Omelette – R35 (US$3.50)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Great outdoor tables
• Average prices with some good deals
• Good family restaurant

Cons:

• Difficult to find – consult map

Cape Farmhouse Restaurant
2 miles south of Scarborough
Junction M66 & M65
Scarborough, Cape Town
+27 21 780 1246
http://www.capefarmhouse.co.za

We sit at the outdoor tables on the patio with a view of the mountains and ocean beyond. The Blue Water Cafe offers a great selection for breakfast, including a farmer’s breakfast, eggs benedict, french toast, granola & yogurt and scones. They are known for their wood-fired oven-baked pizzas, so for lunch we order the Pizza alle Verdure for R57 (US$5.70) and the Organic Health Salad for R58.50 (US$5.85) which easily feeds two hungry people. Their dishes are prepared using organic and free range produce whenever possible which adds to the overall good feeling while you’re here.

Blue Water Cafe
Imhoff Farm, Kommetjie Road
Kommetjie, Cape Town 
+27 21 783 2007
http://www.bluewatercafe.co.za/

Best deal:

• Breakfast: French Toast – R35.50 (US$3.55)
• Lunch: Small Pizza Margerhita – R26 (US$2.60)                

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service but sometimes slow
• Easy to find on main road with parking lot
• Great view with lovely outdoor tables
• Average prices with some good deals
• Good family restaurant

Located on the quieter part of main road in Camps Bay, Primi Pomodoro is a great little breakfast spot with a view of the Camps Bay Beach. Trendy and modern, the young hip crowd converge on this well-priced but super-hip eating establishment that knows how to do Italian food the right way.

In the morning, come early to get an outdoor table, especially if the southeaster is not blowing and it’s a warm day. The patio sits high above the sidewalk and is bustling with groups of friends and family when we arrive. The breakfast menu has quite a large variety, ranging from a traditional English Breakfast, omelettes, eggs benedict and imported butter croissants.

We ordered the Urban Energy English Breakfast for R39 (US$3.90) for lack of creativity and it fills the void in our otherwise empty stomachs. For lunch and dinner, they offer a large sampling of italian fare ranging from salads, pasta, pizza, burgers and sandwiches. The staff is very young and energetic but tend to be rather inexperienced so just relax and enjoy it.

Best deal: Urban Energy English Breakfast – R39 (US$3.90)

Pros:

• Hip trendy ambience
• Easy to find on main road with street parking
• Great view with lovely outdoor tables
• Average prices with some good deals

Primi Pomodoro
18-21 Brighton Court Victoria Road
Camps Bay, Cape Town
+27 21 438-3120
www.primi-piatti.com

It’s hard to pin down a favorite here because the menu is constantly changing. Their bakery and coffee are fantastic, as well as the soups and salads but they are known for their incredible Deli Burger and Linefish. However, we stuck with the Pear, Parma Ham and Gorgonzola Salad for R62 (US$6.20) and Curried Butternut Soup for R25 (US$2.50) which was more than satisfying. Most of the items on the menu are priced between R10 – R80 (US$1 – $8), so you’re guaranteed to be delighted with the food and the bill. Although the cafe overlooks the Kalk Bay harbor, all eyes seem to turn inwards towards what’s going on inside.

Olympia Cafe
134 Main Road
Kalk Bay, Cape Town
+27 21 788-6396 

Must Try: Curried Butternut Soup – R25 (US$2.50)

Pros:

• Upbeat ambience
• Good service
• Easy to find on main road with street parking
• Great view of harbor
• Average prices with some good deals
• Good family restaurant

Cons:

The restaurant was fairly empty when we arrived so we chose a table at the open windows to do some people watching. We ordered the English Breakfast special for R20 (US$2), declined the coffee and ordered a cappuccino instead. The eggs came out as ordered, bacon was a little soft but overall the amount and quality of food was good to satisfy our appetite. The other breakfast special was the 3-egg omelet with feta, chorizo and peppers + coffee for R25 (US$2.50). The service was extremely quick and good. They also have free wi-fi.

Café Sofia 
60 Kloof Street
Gardens, Cape Town
+27 21 426-0801
http://www.cafesofia.co.za 

Best deal: English Breakfast + Coffee Special – R20 (US$2)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Easy to find on main road with street parking
• Good view of Table Mountain with tables near open windows
• Average prices with some good deals
• Good family restaurant