Cape Town's breakfast scene is one of the city's quiet delights. From bustling bistros on the Atlantic Seaboard to neighbourhood cafés steeped in history, there is a morning table to suit every mood, whether that means a leisurely brunch with an ocean view or a quick coffee and pastry before the day begins. This guide brings together some of the city's most loved breakfast destinations, each with its own character, menu and setting.
In this blog we cover…
- JARRYDS: a Sea Point bistro known for its lively brunch atmosphere and reimagined breakfast classics.
- Butter: a cosy all day breakfast spot built around comfort food and a homely feel.
- Jason Bakery: a Green Point institution famous for its pastries and baked goods.
- Our Local: a plant filled café set inside an antique store, ideal for a relaxed morning.
- Sonny and Irene: a stylish Sea Point restaurant offering an extensive breakfast menu.
- The Blue Café: a heritage café in Tamboerskloof with deep neighbourhood roots.
- Norfolk Deli: a community favourite for bakes, coffee and hearty breakfast rolls.
- Mantra Café: a Camps Bay café combining sweeping views with a contemporary breakfast menu.
JARRYDS, Sea Point
Tucked into the heart of Sea Point, JARRYDS is a Parisian-inspired bistro and vinyl lounge that has built its reputation on breakfast culture. Set within the glass-ceilinged courtyard of a boutique hotel, the space has a buzzy, sociable energy that makes it easy to while away a morning.
The menu ranges from a well-loved pancake stack and Turkish eggs to inventive takes on eggs Benedict, including a version with salmon cream cheese roulade and another with buttermilk fried chicken. Coffee is a strong focus, and for those settling in for the long haul, mimosas and cocktails are available as the morning drifts into afternoon.
Images: @jarryds_eatery on Instagram
Butter, City Centre & Sea Point
Butter has built its identity around a simple concept: butter and all day breakfast. Since opening on Loop Street in 2021, and with a second branch now open in Sea Point, the café has become known for a warm, homely atmosphere suited to a quick coffee or a full day of working and recharging.
Signature dishes include a hashbrown stack topped with poached eggs, avocado, bacon, feta and peppadews, alongside the popular avocado and poached egg on sourdough. The interior pairs raw industrial details, such as exposed pipes and concrete ceilings, with warm timber furniture and soft lighting for a relaxed, welcoming feel.
Images: @butterallday_ct on Instagram
Jason Bakery, Green Point
Housed in a Victorian era building on Green Point's main road, Jason Bakery is best known for its pastries, particularly its almond croissants. The bakery regularly experiments with new creations, so it is worth checking their latest offerings before a visit.
Beyond pastries, the menu includes heartier options such as mushroom ragout on toast, a flapjack stack and various Benedict combinations. The space combines dark, industrial features with warm timber counters and handwritten chalkboard menus, creating an atmosphere that feels both edgy and inviting.
Images: @jasonbakerycpt on Instagram
Our Local, City Centre
Set inside a converted antique store and nursery, Our Local offers one of Cape Town's most distinctive breakfast settings. Guests sit among hanging plants, vintage furniture and quirky decor, while enjoying a menu built around open toasts, a well known Arnold Bennett dish and shakshuka.
Reliable Wi-Fi and available plug points make the communal table a popular spot for those wanting to combine breakfast with a bit of work, and the space serves breakfast and lunch throughout the day, every day of the week.
Images: @our_local on Instagram
Sonny and Irene, Sea Point
Sonny and Irene brings a refined, contemporary edge to Sea Point's breakfast scene. The interior blends organic greens, soft pink and gold tones with marble, natural timber and Art Deco touches, creating one of the more visually striking dining rooms in the area.
As an all day dining restaurant, its breakfast menu is extensive, featuring eggs prepared in numerous styles and five different variations of eggs Benedict. French toast with white chocolate ganache and blueberries is another standout. The adjoining Pastry Bar offers a simpler option for those wanting a streetside coffee and something sweet.
Images: @sonnyandirene on Instagram
The Blue Café, Tamboerskloof
With roots stretching back to 1904, The Blue Café is one of Cape Town's most storied breakfast destinations. Having traded under several names over the decades, it now operates as a neighbourhood staple in Tamboerskloof, set against a backdrop of Table Mountain and surrounded by Victorian architecture.
The café places a strong emphasis on local ties, sourcing fresh produce from nearby residents. Breakfast options span classic bacon and eggs to creamy oats with stewed fruit, best paired with a fresh juice or coffee.
Images: @bluecafe_ on Instagram
Norfolk Deli, Sea Point
Norfolk Deli has earned its place as a community favourite thanks to its combination of excellent coffee, fresh bakes and a relaxed, sociable atmosphere. Popular breakfast items include bacon and egg croissants, frittatas and filled bagels, alongside indulgent treats such as the crookie, a hybrid of croissant and cookie dough.
The café's interior mixes industrial elements like exposed beams and concrete ceilings with lush greenery and a sunny outdoor patio, making it a pleasant stop after a walk along the promenade.
Images: @norfolk.deli on Instagram
Mantra Café, Camps Bay
Positioned at the heart of the Camps Bay strip, Mantra Café is known for its views as much as its food. Guests can choose between the open wooden deck overlooking the beach and palm trees, or the plant filled interior upstairs.
The breakfast menu offers contemporary spins on classics, including eggs Benedict, spelt flapjacks with bacon, and smoked salmon with poached egg on bruschetta. Open from 8am, the café caters to everything from an early breakfast to a leisurely late morning brunch.
Images: @mantracafe.za on Instagram
Start the Day Right
Whether staying for a relaxed weekend brunch or looking for a quick morning coffee, Cape Town's breakfast venues reflect the character of the neighbourhoods they call home. For those visiting the city and wanting to explore these spots at leisure, Nox Cape Town offers a range of holiday rentals across the Atlantic Seaboard, providing the perfect base from which to enjoy everything Cape Town's breakfast scene has to offer.
Frequently Asked Questions: Breakfast in Cape Town
What is the best area in Cape Town for breakfast?
Sea Point, Green Point and Camps Bay all offer strong breakfast options, with Sea Point in particular home to several of the city's most popular spots.
Are these breakfast spots suitable for working from a laptop?
Yes, several venues, including Our Local and Butter, offer reliable Wi-Fi and comfortable seating suited to a morning of work alongside breakfast.
Do any of these cafés offer views while dining?
Mantra Café in Camps Bay is particularly known for its ocean view, while JARRYDS and Sonny and Irene offer a lively, design led atmosphere in Sea Point.
Is booking required at these breakfast spots?
Some venues, particularly on weekends, can get busy, so it is advisable to check ahead or book where possible.
Which spot is best for a quick coffee and pastry?
Jason Bakery and Norfolk Deli are both well suited to a quicker visit, offering high-quality pastries and coffee for those on the move.