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

Their outdoor patio is a usually a little quieter and that is where we end up. We ordered a full order of Chicken Nachos for R64 (US$6.40), Chili Poppers (R29) and Margaritas and settled in for the evening. The nachos were so large that the four of us barely finished them and the poppers were spicy but tasty. There is a large assortment of appetizers and entrees ranging in price between R13 (US$1.30) for grilled prawns to R92 (US$9.20) for a fresh seafood platter.  Although it can be very loud at times, for the food and atmosphere, it’s worth a visit.

Buena Vista Social Cafe
81 Main Road
1st Floor Exhibition House
Greenpoint, Cape Town
+27 21 433 0611
http://www.buenavista.co.za/ 

Best deal: Half portion Nachos – R41 (US$4.10)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Easy to find on main road with street parking
• Lovely outdoor tables
• Average prices with some good deals

 Cons:

• Can be loud at times
• No views

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

Camel Rock Restaurant is the one and only restaurant in village of Scarborough. Owned and run by a local resident for the last 20+ years, it has remained unchanged since we were first there. The interior is simple and dining there is similar to having dinner at your parent’s friends’ house, cozy and comfortable. There is never a wait and the crowd is extremely laid back and unintimidating.

They serve an assortment of seafood dishes and usually have a fish special of the day.

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Easy to find on main road with parking lot
• Quiet location with lovely outdoor tables
• Average prices with some good deals
• Good family restaurant

 Cons:

• No views

Camel Rock Restaurant
264 Main Road
Scarborough
+27 21 780-1122

This is one of Simon’s Town’s best-kept secrets. Located at the south end of Simon’s Town and owned and run by a local Capetonian, Sophea Gallery is a spiritual art gallery with various forms of fine art, as well as a Tibetan teahouse offering “food for body and soul”. Their all-day menu consists of a variety of sweet and savory vegetarian dishes, including baked goods, soups, salads, stews and desserts. The prices are extremely competitive, starting at R17 (US$1.70) and capping at R50 (US$5).

We went in to browse their crafts and stayed for lunch when we smelled the delicious lunch being prepared. Being a cooler day in the Cape, we ordered the Gonga Thukpa Soup, a traditional vegetable soup with rice noodles (R35) and Sakarkhanda Ko Tarkari, a Nepalese sweet potato and pea curry served with rice, yogurt and chutney (R49). Don’t forget to try the traditional Tibetan Butter Tea, it is surprisingly fulfilling for the savory taste bud. The vibe is very laid back and the staff is exceptionally friendly – definitely a place we can come on a regular basis without breaking out budget.

Best deal: Gonga Thukpa Soup – R35 (US$3.50)

Must try: Tibetan butter tea R12 (US $1.20)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Easy to find on main road with street parking nearby
• Great view of False Bay with outdoor tables on sheltered verandah
• Low prices
• Vegetarian

Cons:

• No espresso

Sophea Gallery & Tibetan Teahouse
2 Harrington Road
Simon’s Town, 7975
+27 21 786-1544
www.sopheagallery.com

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/bacinis-pizzeria-city-center http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/bacinis-pizzeria-city-center#comments Wed, 04 Mar 2009 23:23:34 +0000 Inside Scoop Cape Town http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/?p=178 We have been coming to Bacinin’s for almost 10 years now with our good friends. Located in the Oranjezicht neighborhood, Bacini’s is a casual italian pizzeria that does pizza and salads very well. A favorite hangout for locals, Bacini’s is typically bustling on a weekend night, so make sure to make a reservation if you [...]]]> We have been coming to Bacinin’s for almost 10 years now with our good friends. Located in the Oranjezicht neighborhood, Bacini’s is a casual italian pizzeria that does pizza and salads very well. A favorite hangout for locals, Bacini’s is typically bustling on a weekend night, so make sure to make a reservation if you want to get in.

Our favorite is, of course, the Pizza for R65 (US6.50) – whatever you choose, you won’t be disappointed. The Chicken Salad for R65 (US$6.50) was surprisingly large and as far as salads go, probably the best one in town. You can even bring your own wine!

Bacini’s Pizzeria
177 Kloof Street
Gardens, Cape Town 
+27 21 423-6668 

Best deal: 10″ Pizza – R65 (US6.50)

Pros:

• Relaxed ambience
• Good service
• Easy to find on main road with street parking
• Lovely outdoor tables
• Average prices 
• Good family restaurant

 Cons:

• No views

 

]]> http://www.insidescoopcapetown.com/restaurants/bacinis-pizzeria-city-center/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