Best Breakfast Spots in Cape Town
Grand Deli
Grand Deli Café on Long Street, Cape Town CBD
Best Breakfast Spots in Cape Town
Cape Town offers a diverse array of breakfast spots, and choosing where to start your morning is one of those decisions that genuinely shapes the rest of your day. Breakfast in Cape Town can include both traditional and modern options – from a full plate of crispy bacon and scrambled eggs to smoothie bowls topped with seasonal fruit and granola. The city’s café culture features diverse breakfast options, and cafés here are popular among locals and tourists alike, each one serving up its own version of what the most important meal of the day should look like.
Breakfast spots across the city cater to every craving, from hearty classics to healthy vegan options. Cape Town breakfast cafes often serve artisanal pastries and gourmet sandwiches alongside great coffee, and fresh ingredients are emphasised across the board. Casual dining cafes offer relaxed atmospheres for meals, often featuring eclectic decor and friendly vibes, with many being pet-friendly and welcoming. Coffee culture is an important aspect of Cape Town’s café scene – café culture here includes vibrant markets like Oranjezicht, neighbourhood delis, and stylish city centre spots all within walking distance of each other.
This blog post rounds up seven of the best breakfast spots in Cape Town, selected for their food, coffee, atmosphere, and the kind of morning they promise. These venues are recommended for their quality atmosphere and diverse menus. Cape Town cafés are suitable for quick bites and relaxed dining experiences alike, and casual dining is popular among locals and tourists in the city. Many casual dining spots serve all day breakfasts and brunch, and cafés in Cape Town often feature local art and unique decor that make each visit feel distinct.
How We Chose the Best Breakfast Spots in Cape Town
Every spot on this list was measured against the same set of criteria – the things that actually matter when you sit down for breakfast:
- Food quality and freshness: locally sourced ingredients, free-range eggs, artisan breads, produce that tastes like it was picked that morning
- Coffee quality and brewing: specialty roasts, clear origins, skilled baristas, alternative milk options
- Menu variety and dietary options: vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free – not as afterthoughts, but as proper dishes worth ordering
- Atmosphere and ambiance: décor, natural light, seating comfort, noise levels, indoor and outdoor options
- Location and accessibility: proximity to the city centre, public transport, parking, walkability
- Value for money: fair pricing, portion sizes, breakfast specials, combo offers
- Service quality and speed: friendly staff, consistency, how quickly your food arrives on a busy Saturday
- Local reputation and customer reviews: Google ratings, word of mouth, presence in local guides, social media visibility
No single café wins on every count. The ranking reflects where each spot excels and what trade-offs you might accept depending on your morning.
Top 7 Breakfast Spots in Cape Town
1. Grand Deli Café
Grand Deli Café sits at 38 Long Street in the city centre, right in the middle of Cape Town’s most energetic stretch of pavement. It is a café and deli built for everyday Cape Town moments – the kind of place where breakfast, brunch, and lunch all happen at their own pace, from 7am through to 9pm daily.
Why It Stands Out
Grand Deli Café offers all day breakfasts with a menu that runs the full morning and beyond. That flexibility matters in a city where tourists keep different schedules, office workers need a quick fix before 9am, and weekends tend to start slowly. The breakfast menu covers fresh café food – think eggs served however you like them, avo toast, toast with butter, cheese, and avocado combinations, and South African-inspired dishes alongside lighter bites. There are vegetarian-friendly options, gourmet sandwiches, burgers, salads, and sweet treats for those who want something beyond the savoury.
Best For
City workers looking for a reliable morning meal, tourists exploring Long Street, and anyone after a coffee meeting spot with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It works equally well as a favourite place for a solo breakfast or a catch-up with friends over brunch.
Key Strengths
- Prime Long Street location in Cape Town CBD with strong walk-in accessibility
- All-day breakfast menu with fresh ingredients and local flavours
- Great coffee served from early morning, with enough reason to come back for a second coffee
- Welcoming atmosphere for locals and tourists, with friendly staff and a relaxed pace
- Price range of approximately ZAR 100–400 per person, balancing quality and value
Possible Limitations
- The city centre location can get crowded during peak hours
- Limited parking on Long Street – public transport or walking is often easier
2. Truth Coffee
Truth Coffee is Cape Town’s most internationally recognised café, housed in a steampunk-themed space on Buitenkant Street. It has been named the world’s best coffee shop by The Telegraph, and the reputation is earned through meticulous roasting, specialty beans, and a visual experience unlike any other café in the city.
Why It Stands Out
The steampunk décor – metal pipes, antique fixtures, industrial detailing – creates an atmosphere that is part museum, part café, and entirely memorable. But beyond the visuals, Truth’s coffee menu is genuinely exceptional, with single-origin options, house blends, and detailed tasting notes. Brunch runs until 4pm daily, featuring free-range eggs, artisanal bacon, and sourdough from Woodstock Bakery.
Best For
Coffee enthusiasts who care about roast profiles and brew methods, tourists looking for an Instagram-worthy breakfast experience, and anyone wanting a delicious morning anchored by world-class coffee.
Key Strengths
- World-renowned coffee roasting with clear bean origins and tasting notes
- Unique industrial atmosphere with strong visual identity
- Brunch menu that prioritises ingredient quality – free-range, grass-fed, locally sourced
Possible Limitations
- Can feel touristy and crowded, especially on weekends
- Higher price point than average cafés – specialty beans retail around R120 for 150g
3. Jason Bakery
Jason Bakery started in 2007 and has been a local favourite ever since, now operating from its green point location after the original Bree Street spot closed in 2020. The focus here is artisanal baking – slow-fermented sourdough, viennoiserie, and creative pastry combinations that draw queues on weekend mornings.
Why It Stands Out
Jason’s Bakery is known for its blueberry danishes and pastries, and the baking is genuinely exceptional. Croissants, doughssants, and seasonal specials arrive fresh daily. Jason’s Bakery also has vegetarian options like mushroom ragout on toast, proving that a bakery-first café can still deliver on savoury breakfast. Jason’s Bakery is known for its pastries and breakfast options that balance indulgence with quality ingredients.
Best For
Pastry lovers, special occasion breakfasts, and anyone visiting Green Point who wants fresh-baked food without pretension.
Key Strengths
- Famous almond croissants and creative pastries baked fresh daily
- Strong local reputation built over nearly two decades
- Pre-order system for weekend specials and large orders
Possible Limitations
- No reservations accepted, and waiting times during peak hours are common
- Limited seating – this is more of a quick stop than a long sit-down
4. Our Local
Our Local sits at 117 Kloof Street in Gardens, a converted mechanic’s workshop turned into one of Cape Town’s most photogenic cafés. With roughly 4.4 out of 5 from over 2,000 Google reviews, it has built a strong following since opening around 2019.
Why It Stands Out
Our Local features a garden-like interior with eclectic decor – hanging plants, vintage furniture, exposed brick, and natural light that makes every corner look considered. Our Local offers green shakshuka for breakfast, and the rest of the menu includes Arnold Benedict omelettes, avo toast, and smoothie bowls. Our Local also features a variety of tasty toasties on their menu, served alongside quality coffee with praised latte art. Our Local serves breakfast until 3:30pm daily, with the core breakfast menu available from 8am to 12pm.
Best For
Social media enthusiasts, creative professionals, and anyone planning a relaxed weekend brunch with friends.
Key Strengths
- Unique plant-filled interior design that photographs beautifully
- Quality coffee and creative breakfast dishes with Mediterranean influences
- Strong reputation across review platforms
Possible Limitations
- Service can slow down during busy periods – some reviews mention delays of up to 50 minutes
- Higher prices, with mains generally around ZAR 200–300 per person
5. Kloof Street House
Kloof Street House brings Victorian elegance to the breakfast table, set inside a heritage building with garden courtyards, chandeliers, and a sense of occasion that most cafés do not attempt. It is brunch as an event rather than a routine.
Why It Stands Out
The setting does most of the work – a restored Victorian house with lush outdoor areas and interiors that mix antique charm with contemporary style. Kloof Street House offers a vegetarian breakfast with avocado toast alongside more indulgent options. Live jazz on Sunday afternoons adds another layer to the experience.
Best For
Special occasions, romantic breakfasts, high tea, and anyone who wants their morning meal to feel like something worth dressing for.
Key Strengths
- Beautiful Victorian architecture and garden courtyards
- Upscale brunch offerings with polished service
- Sunday jazz sessions that make lingering feel intentional
Possible Limitations
- Higher price point for breakfast – this is a treat, not an everyday stop
- Not pet-friendly
6. Clarke’s Dining Room
Clarke’s Bar and Dining Room has been a bree street fixture since 2011, founded by Lyndall Maunder with a focus on in-house baking, careful sourcing, and creative café food. The style leans Scandinavian-bistro: clean, warm, and quietly confident.
Why It Stands Out
Clarke’s Dining Room offers all-day breakfast until 9:30pm, which is one of the longest breakfast windows in the city. The egg preparations are a highlight – fire eggs baked in tomato-chickpea stew, egg sandwiches with bacon and avocado, and a dozen other variations. Clarkes Dining Room offers a breakfast menu with gourmet sandwiches, with many items made in-house including breads, pickles, and sauces. Clarkes offers breakfast specials for R55 on weekdays, making it one of the best value options in the CBD.
Best For
Creative breakfast lovers, central city dining, and business meetings where good food matters more than formality.
Key Strengths
- Extensive egg preparations and creative menu with in-house baking
- Central bree street location with strong walk-in traffic
- Excellent value with weekday specials and a balance of healthy and indulgent options
Possible Limitations
- Cashless payments only – bring your card
- Limited pet-friendly seating, and the space is compact during peak hours
7. The Blue Café
The Blue Café has been open since 1903 in Tamboerskloof, making it one of Cape Town’s oldest continuously operating cafés. Known locally as “Die Blou Kafee,” it was restored to its historic blue colour in 2014 and trades on relationships with the neighbourhood that stretch back generations.
Why It Stands Out
The Blue Café has been serving customers since 1903, and that kind of continuity creates an atmosphere you cannot manufacture. The Blue Café has homemade pastries and cakes available alongside a deli menu of breakfast staples and pantry items. Produce comes from Tamboerskloof residents – local sourcing in the most literal sense.
Best For
History enthusiasts, traditional breakfast lovers, and anyone who wants a local neighbourhood café experience away from the busier tourist strips.
Key Strengths
- Over a century of Cape Town café history and authentic neighbourhood roots
- Homemade pastries and locally sourced products
- Genuine community atmosphere with outdoor seating
Possible Limitations
- More traditional menu – fewer bold innovations compared to newer spots
- Located outside the immediate CBD core, which may not suit centrally based visitors
Quick Comparison of the Best Breakfast Spots
| Café | Best For | Price Range | Breakfast Hours |
| Grand Deli Café | Convenient city centre breakfast and all-day dining | ZAR 100–400 | 7am–9pm |
| Truth Coffee | Exceptional coffee and unique atmosphere | Higher bracket | Until 4pm |
| Jason Bakery | Artisanal pastries and creative breakfast items | Mid-range | Morning hours |
| Our Local | Instagram-worthy plant-filled ambiance | ZAR 200–300 | 8am–3:30pm |
| Kloof Street House | Elegant Victorian brunch experiences | Higher bracket | Morning–afternoon |
| Clarke’s Dining Room | Creative egg dishes and modern café style | From R55 specials | Until 9:30pm |
| The Blue Café | Historic charm and traditional café culture | Mid-range | Morning–evening |
Beyond these seven, Cape Town’s breakfast scene extends much further. Oranjezicht Market offers brunch every Saturday and Sunday, along with chocolate-covered strawberries and pasteis de nata. Coco Safar is known for its exceptional croissants and pastries, including churro-flavored croissants with caramel sauce. Honest Chocolate Cafe features salted caramel and chocolate tart for those with a sweeter morning palate. New York Bagel offers 13 types of bagels, while Kleinsky’s serves popular smoked salmon and pastrami bagels. Butter serves gourmet sandwiches with a focus on butter-based ingredients, and Butter offers an all-day breakfast menu featuring butter-based dishes alongside a variety of vegetarian-friendly breakfast options. Jarryds serves all-day breakfast until 6pm daily at 90 Regent Road in sea point, and Jarryds is famous for its viral pancake stacks and themed plates. Cafés like Jarryds serve breakfast all day in Cape Town. Maggy Lou’s is an all-day café serving breakfast options, and Florentin features a vegetarian melitzana with hummus and olives. Butter serves a unique all-day menu focused on butter-based dishes.
How to Choose the Right Breakfast Spot in Cape Town
Choose Based on Location and Convenience
If you are staying in the city centre or on Long Street, Grand Deli Café and Clarke’s are within easy walking distance. Truth Coffee is a short stroll from the bo kaap. For those based near camps bay or the camps bay strip, you might find yourself heading toward sea point or green point for spots like Jason Bakery. The kalk bay harbour area and kalk bay offer their own coastal breakfast experiences worth the drive. Consider parking availability – Long Street and bree street have limited options, so public transport or ride-hailing is often simpler. The cellars hohenort hotel area in Constantia is another direction entirely for those exploring further afield.
Choose Based on Atmosphere and Occasion
A solo morning with a book calls for somewhere quiet and comfortable. A brunch with friends needs space, energy, and a menu that covers everyone’s preferences. A business coffee meeting works best somewhere central with reliable service and a cool, professional atmosphere. Whether you prefer indoor warmth or outdoor seating, each spot on this list offers a different mood.
Choose Based on Menu and Dietary Needs
If you want french toast drizzled with syrup and served with fried banana or french banana, cream, and condensed milk, look for cafés with indulgent brunch menus. If you prefer poached eggs or eggs benedict – sometimes listed as eggs benny – with sautéed mushrooms and roasted tomatoes, Clarke’s and Grand Deli Café deliver. For a fried egg on toast with hash browns and streaky bacon, the traditional breakfast menu is your friend. Polenta pancakes and tomato smoor reflect South African-inspired flavours. For lighter options, many cafés serve breakfast bowls, fresh juices, freshly squeezed juice, orange juice, and smoothie bowls with granola and banana. Those wanting delicious breakfasts with croissants, tomato jam, and cream cheese will find options across the board. Green shakshuka is available at several spots including Our Local.
Which Breakfast Spot Is Best for You?
- Choose Grand Deli Café if you need a convenient city centre location with reliable all-day breakfast, great coffee, and a welcoming atmosphere that works for every kind of morning – whether it is a quick fix or a slow weekend meal
- Choose Truth Coffee if exceptional coffee quality and a unique, memorable restaurant atmosphere are your priorities
- Choose Jason Bakery if you are seeking artisanal pastries, delicious baked food, and creative breakfast dishes
- Choose Our Local if Instagram-worthy ambiance and trendy café culture appeal to you – it is a perfect spot for a weekend visit
- Choose Kloof Street House if you want an elegant, upscale breakfast experience with a garden setting
The important meal of the morning deserves the right setting. Cape Town delivers more options than most cities, and the best choice depends entirely on what kind of morning you are after.
Final Thoughts
Cape Town’s breakfast scene rewards those willing to explore – every neighbourhood, every street, every café has its own rhythm and character. From the heritage of The Blue Café to the steampunk drama of Truth Coffee, from the pastry perfection of Jason Bakery to the creative energy of Clarke’s and Our Local, this is a city where breakfast is never just a meal. It is a reason to get up, step out, and find your rest and your rhythm somewhere new.
Grand Deli Café at 38 Long Street offers a strong, all-round option for anyone looking for delicious food, great coffee, and the easy comfort of a café that is open from early morning into the evening. Whether it is your first visit to Cape Town or your hundredth, it is the kind of place that makes the city centre feel like a neighbourhood.
Walk in. Sit down. Start with coffee. See where the morning takes you.