Where to find the best brunch this weekend

Even eggs on toast becomes an experience at these gems.

By Jade Taylor Cooke

Whichever culture invented brunch, we owe them a debt of gratitude. Is there anything better than sleeping in, then whiling away a few hours over perfect eggs, good coffee and, if you’re in the mood, a mimosa or two? It’s no wonder our Neighbourhood Gems nominations were filled with the country’s best spots for doing exactly that. Here are five of our favourites from that list.

Afro-Boer
The Willows, Pretoria

A spirited celebration of slow food and baked goods, Afro-Boer is the pride of Pretoria’s brunch scene. The breakfast menu leans proudly South African with the likes of melkkos, poached guavas, plaasbrood French toast, and the Boere Boepie (eggs, putu pap, kaaiings, boerewors, tomato and sheba sauce). The lush garden setting makes it easy to settle in and stay a while. The best part? It’s practically mandatory to take one of the delicious cakes home for afternoon tea.

Brioche Food and Coffee
Walmer, Gqeberha

The “bread basket of Walmer” has earned its nickname with a serious devotion to all things baked and delicious. But before that, there’s the coffee. It’s so good that even big-city types have been known to rate it, plus there are many flavours to choose from. You’ll be spoilt for choice when it’s time to choose something to eat – bagels, mosbolletjies, croissants – if it’s baked, you’ll find it here. The friendly service is the icing on the cake.

The Station Bistro
Hermanus

Simon Watt-Pringle’s all-day café and deli is set inside Hermanus’s old station building (which, incidentally, never saw a single train, as local officials decided in the early 1900s that connecting Hermanus to the Overberg’s steam train service would detract from the charm of this seaside village). Simon’s haute-cuisine credentials translate into a creative brunch experience that Capetonians will happily drive 120km to sink their teeth into. We suggest the Tokyo Benedict (a sushi-rice rösti, mushrooms, poached eggs, baby spinach, sweet-soy Hollandaise and sesame furikake) or the Bishop’s Mum brunch potato bun, with creamy scrambled eggs and smoked trout.

The Whippet
Linden, Randburg

A true neighbourhood café, The Whippet is a love letter to Linden’s creative spirit and peach-farming heritage. It’s a beautiful community meeting point – often complete with a dog snoozing under the table – but it’s the inventive breakfasts that really set it apart. Think buttermilk-chicken eggs Benedict, bobotie omelettes and lovingly crafted fry-ups, alongside excellent coffee.

The Press Club
Salta Sibaya, Umdloti

With sweeping ocean views, a terrace and a generous kids’ play area, The Press Club has all the ingredients for a relaxed family brunch. Order the Durban Eggs (an homage to The Press Club’s original city location sandwiched between the offices of the Natal Mercury and Daily News): two eggs served on home-made toast, with a rich butter bean-and-potato curry gravy, topped with chips and crispy bacon. Regular curry nights and Sunday roasts make it a neighbourhood institution beyond brunch.