Looking for the perfect café at which to enjoy a quick breakfast or lingering lunch? Whether you prefer a leafy table tucked away in the suburbs or a spot on a busy city sidewalk, we’ve saved you the search by compiling a list of great cafés in your area. For this list, we consulted the 2015 Eat Out 500, the top restaurant in South Africa featured in Eat Out magazine.

Café Mozart 37 (City Bowl)

Located on the bustling sidewalk of Church Street, Café Mozart is the perfect meeting place for a casual lunch with friends. Their small menu features simple crowd-pleasing dishes, including gourmet sandwiches and light lunches like soups, salads, chicken pie and fish and chips. Alternatively, pick your plate from their weekly buffet offered from 12pm to 2pm. They also offer a handful of breakfast options. The average main meal is R70.

Café Mozart 37. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

C’est la Vie (Kalk Bay)

This little Kalk Bay eatery bakes its artisanal breads and pastries from scratch and offers a variety of freshly squeezed juices to complement their breakfast and lunch selection. Order free-range scrambled eggs with freshly picked field mushrooms for breakfast, or peruse the lunch menu for a selection gourmet sandwiches or hearty favourites such as pork sausages with onion marmalade. The average main meal is R55.

Four & Twenty Café & Pantry (Wynberg)

This French-style café takes its cue from a Parisian patisserie, offering elaborate breakfasts, brunches and confections. A breakfast highlight is the French toast with roasted strawberry and rhubarb compote, rhubarb crème, rosewater-creamed honey and toasted almonds. Alternatively, try the local baked crotin wrapped in pancetta and topped with raspberries. The average main meal is R75 and corkage is R40.

Jason Bakery (City Bowl)

While it may be hipster grand central, Jason Bakery is a friendly, welcoming spot with a great selection of freshly baked artisan pastries, breakfasts and lunches. Their egg and chorizo tartlets and bacon croissants sell like hotcakes in the morning, while a variety of sandwiches crafted with carefully sourced meats and cheeses are a popular choice for lunch. Look out for their blackboard specials and their famous doughssant sold on Saturday mornings. The average main meal is R55 and corkage is R40.

Jason Bakery. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

My Basaar (City Bowl)

This spacious eatery is a hit among inner-city worker bees that frequent the spot for an early breakfast or hearty lunch. Highlights include the eggs, fried cherry tomatoes and rocket on toast; rump steak and chips; smoked salmon risotto; and rooibos cream cheese cake. They also host a daily buffet table spread. The average main meal is R88 and corkage is R30.

My Basaar. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Plant Café (Bo-Kaap)

This small yet welcoming space offers an innovative vegan menu that is anything but dull. Highlights include the spicy mushroom rice paper rolls that arrive with creamy avocado, nuts and two dipping sauces. For something sweet, try the raw cake or vegan cupcake with peanut butter icing. They also offer cold-pressed red and green juices served in tall, individual glass bottles and a selection of vegan products, including vegan mozzarella, mushroom biltong and takeaway desserts. The average main meal is R60.

Plant Cafe. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Sababa Kitchen & Deli (City Bowl)

This eatery serves interesting Middle Eastern and Mediterranean-inspired fare. Their buffet lunch options change frequently, but features proteins such as salmon, lamb knuckle, fish cakes, moussaka and chicken schnitzel alongside a selection of sides and salads. Their dessert buffet is also a treat, offering favourites such as chocolate brownies, baked cheesecake and orange Florentines. The average main meal is R68 and corkage is R40.

Tamboers Winkel (Tamboerskloof)

Owner Theo van Niekerk creates honest, homely food at this cosy breakfast and lunch venue. Inspired by the flavours of his grandmother’s kitchen, he cooks up hearty favourites including French toast with bacon, banana and honey; homemade chicken pie ‘n slaai; and free-range rotisserie chicken. Vegetarians are well catered for with a selection of creative seasonal salads and cheese platters. Make sure to check out their deli goodies and drop by for free wine tastings on Wednesday evenings. The average main meal is R60 and corkage is R30.

Tamboers Winkel. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

tashas (Constantia)

The standard tashas menu is complemented by signature dishes such as the quinoa salad with avo, fennel, pecans and duck breast served on polenta with a red wine and orange jus. Alternatively, peruse their large menu for sandwiches, wraps, pastas and salads. Treat yourself to waffles for dessert from the adjoining waffle house. The average main meal is R60 and corkage is R30.

tashas Constantia. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Truth Coffee (City Bowl)

Steampunk décor and signature coffee blends characterise this hipster café in Buitenkant Street. Breakfasts options include wild mushrooms on toast while the lunch menu features sandwiches, pizzas and a charcuterie platter, as well as burgers and a seared tuna steak with caper-lemon sauce. This venue stays open late on Fridays. The average main meal is R45 and corkage is R40.

Truth Coffee. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

For this list, we consulted the 2015 Eat Out 500, the top restaurant in South Africa featured in Eat Out magazine.