Perched on trendy Bree Street is the newest addition to the CBD’s culinary offerings – The Ladder on 136. The art-studio-meets-café is serving up your favourite brew, daily bakes and light meals, all enjoyed with sun-drenched views of the buzzy city bowl.

Fast facts

Cost: R50 average main meal
Food type: Deli fare
Parking: On the street
Star ratings: Food and drinks: 3; Service: 3; Ambience: 3

Food

The breakfast offering isn’t ample but does cover the favourites: fresh fruit and muesli pots, toasted croissants, and toast with avocado or salmon and cream cheese.

View this post on Instagram

Colourful and fresh breakfast at The Ladder: avo on seed loaf toast with side salad and roasted nuts and seeds. #breakfast #goodmorning #avoontoast #healthybreakfast #coffeeshop #theladdercoffeeshop #breestreet #capetownfood #capetowneats

A post shared by The Ladder (@theladderon136) on Jan 30, 2020 at 11:58pm PST

For lunch, opt for a sandwich (the beetroot, cottage cheese and basil baguette is fantastic) or one of the filling gourmet pies. Served with a side salad, the moreish pies come in combinations like lamb and rosemary, Guinness steak and moreish roast vegetable and feta. There are also daily lunch specials.

View this post on Instagram

Our customers favourite lunch- roasted chicken, mayo, avo, roasted seeds and wild rocket baguette. We also have BLT baguette and vegetarian option of beetroot, cottage cheese and basil baguette. #food #instafood #gourmetbaguette #lunch #capetownfood #capetown #breestreet #theladderon136

A post shared by The Ladder (@theladderon136) on Feb 6, 2020 at 12:38am PST

For dessert, opt for one of the fresh-from-the-oven pastries or melt-in-the-mouth pasteis de nata.

Drinks

The menu of smoothies, speciality teas, refreshers and coffees is impressive. A favourite is the Strawsome Special smoothie with dragon fruit, strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, and red and black currants.

View this post on Instagram

It’s pasteis de nata and flat white kind of morning. #pasteisdenata #flatwhite #coffee #goodmorning #coffeeshop #theladdercoffeshop #breestreet #capetown #newcoffeeshop

A post shared by The Ladder (@theladderon136) on Jan 21, 2020 at 9:36pm PST

Service

Dedicated and individualised.

View this post on Instagram

May your day be happy and bright like these gorgeous sunflowers, delivered to The Ladder by a local flower seller this morning. Pictured here our always smiling head barista Debbie #goodmorning #goodmood #freshflowers #sunflowers #barista #coffeeshop #capetown #breestreet #theladdercoffeeshop #lovelocal

A post shared by The Ladder (@theladderon136) on Feb 20, 2020 at 12:09am PST

Ambience

The intimate, minimalist space features natural woods, ceramics and a neutral milky palette. Hand-stitched fabrics deck the walls. Have your lunch at the counter, bathed in light as you overlook buzzy Bree Street.

View this post on Instagram

Another beautiful day in Mother city and here, at The Ladder. Pictured here our current exhibition- gorgeous hand stitched fabrics called Suzanies, all the way from Uzbekistan, carefully selected by local collector Manina Baumann @maninabaumann Suzanies represent female power and creativity, ancient traditions and deep symbolism. Photo by @neverending_magic #art #embroidery #carpets #exhibition #femalepower #floral #interiorinspo #inspiration #moderninterior #coffeeshop #capetown #capetownart #breestreet

A post shared by The Ladder (@theladderon136) on Jan 23, 2020 at 10:48pm PST

Best for…

People-watching and work lunches.

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay for their meals in full. Read our full editorial policy here. 

Have you been to The Ladder? Remember to review your experience using our free app.