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

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

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

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

The cafe is very modern with a large wooden table that runs down the middle of the store, which is where we sit while we await our massage appointment. The vibe is very chilled and people talk in hushed tones. The owner makes our Cappuccino and squeezes the Carrot/Apple Juice from very organic-looking produce. The coffee (Illy coffee) is one of the best cups we’ve had in Cape Town and the croissant compliments it perfectly! 

Wellbeing Cafe 
37 Palmer Road
Muizenberg, Cape Town
+27 21 788 9489

Must Try: Fresh Juice – R19 (US$1.90)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Low prices
• Organic

Cons:

• Difficult to find off main road
• Street parking is difficult to find
• No views

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

If you’re looking for a magical out-of-the-ordinary experience, go to the what the locals call the “milkwood forest” in Noordhoek. Just at the south end of Chapman’s Peak, the most scenic drive in Africa, follow the signs to Monkey Valley. A locals hangout, Coco Bean Cafe is a quiet, unassuming breakfast & lunch spot. The thousand year-old milkwood trees shade the outdoor patio and create a very cool calm atmosphere. Some of the tables have a view of Noordhoek Beach. 

They serve a great breakfast special and good espresso and you get great value for your money. Enjoy your meal on the patio overlooking the Noordhoek valley and beach. Explore the other great shops in the Red Herring Trading Yard or just watch the kids playing. If you decide to spend time here, please take care to respect the tranquility of this area. This forest is truly a hidden gem in the Cape and the locals wouldn’t take kindly to loud obnoxious behavior by insensitive tourists.

Coco Bean Cafe
Red Herring Trading Post
Beach Road
Noordhoek, Cape Town
+27 21 789-1320 

Best deal: Breakfast special – R

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Parking lot available
• Great view with lovely outdoor tables
• Low prices 

Cons:

• Difficult to find – off main road

The Meeting Place Restaurant started out as a deli/coffee shop that also sold unique, modern household goods on the second floor store. Located on the main road in Simon’s Town, they’ve now opened a beautiful restaurant downstairs that caters a full menu and a variety of regulars. Created by Olivia Gain, the simple white walls with a haphazard arrangement of frames and white furniture make it a very relaxed place to have breakfast, lunch or dinner.

The outdoor patio upstairs has a commanding view of the harbor across the street. After ordering, we browse through their housewares and dessert display for entertainment. For a light lunch, we order the Brie, Tomato & Basil Pesto Sandwich for R40 (US$4) and House Salad to share and two cappuccinos. The food is extremely light and natural, with a focus on coastal dishes such as fish cakes, mussels, linefish and seared tuna. They also do a great burger served with rustic chips and a towering club sandwich. With a great view, good service, scrumptious meals and a relaxed yet energetic ambiance, the Meeting Place seems to have it all.

The Meeting Place
98 St George’s Street
Simon’s Town, Cape Town
+27 21 786-5678

Best deal: Brie, Tomato and Basil Pesto Sandwich – R40 (US$4)

Pros:

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