They say it’s the most important meal of the day, but no one said it had to be the most expensive. We scoured Jozi and Pretoria for restaurants with a selection of top-notch breakfasts that are good for your taste buds and your wallet. Get ready to dig in.

Johannesburg

Father (Rosebank Mall)

Every Joburger’s favourite hipster coffee shop has a nice little hot kitchen menu in addition to its already-famous baked goods section. Now, along with the best iced latte in the city, you can find a modest menu of delicious toasties at reasonable prices. A firm favourite is Father’s eggs and soldiers – two soft to medium free-range eggs served with buttered sourdough dippers for R49.

The interior at Father Coffee. Photo supplied.

Il Contadino (Parktown North)

James Diack’s newest corner café may be more famous for its wild boar ragù, but it also serves up some ridiculously good breakfasts, most of which cost just R75. Who could say no to oven-kissed tomatoes, golden eggs and chorizo mingling in a skillet and served with freshly baked bread? Every item on this menu is a winner, thanks to most of James’s ingredients coming from his mother’s farm in Magaliesburg.

The Il Contadino Breakfast Pizza. Photo courtesy of @thejoburgfoodie.

Paputzi’s (Linden)

A Jozi gem, Paputzi’s is an old house that was converted into an eatery. Walk through the house and you’ll discover a magical secret garden, a real sanctuary in the city, where you’ll find some unforgettable comfort food. Breakfast here is good old-fashioned home cooking and they even serve filter coffee from a pot.

 

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Service Station (Melville)

Getting salmon on your breakfast plate is always a delightful yet costly experience, even if it is salmon trout. That’s not the case at this Melville hillside institution that serves up breakfast until noon. You’ll find generous bits of salmon laced through a well-seasoned soft scramble and accompanied by perfectly crisp toast for a mere R88 – or, for R95, exchange the toast for a croissant instead. Service Station also has plenty of pancakes and omelettes, if you’re not in the mood for salmon.

Service Station. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Patisserie de Paris (Blairgowrie)

The Patisserie de Paris, opened on Bastille Day in 2013, shows off a passion for traditional French techniques of baking and cooking. It serves up pastries, hot breakfasts and there’s a French market that has an exclusive deli boutique with France’s finest cheeses and European meats on offer.

The Richmond Studio Café (Richmond)

If you haven’t visited The Richmond Studio Café, you’re missing out. This café is steeped in photography heritage, as the place is filled with cameras and famous pictures. Even the breakfasts are named after famous photographers. The mince on toast, called the Barnett Bros (R90), seems like a simple dish but has a great kick to it, and the melted sandwiches are just as good.

 

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State 5 (Greenside and Fourways)

State 5 has made a name for itself amongst coffee aficionados in and around Johannesburg. But coffee isn’t the only thing they’re good at. Go for eggs, oats or one of the many other large portions State 5 serves up at reasonable prices. (Those banting will find delicious options available too!)

 

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Tilt (Melville)

This tiny place only seats about 10 to 15 people and its menu is equally as small, but the food at this little David could take on a Goliath. The scrambled eggs on toast (R35), the overnight oats (R60) and the great coffee and hospitality have locals coming back week after week.

 

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Wing Republic (Braamfontein)

Tlhompho Mokoena’s popular pop-up restaurant finally found a permanent home on the streets of Braamfontein. Since opening, it has established itself as a firm favourite amongst students and party-goers alike. With prices like these, it’s not hard to guess why. The most expensive breakfast item on the menu is the #TWR Classic for R65, which comes with either a grilled chicken wing or sausage, two eggs, bacon, mushrooms, a tomato and baked beans.

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Pretoria

Afro-boer (Die Wilgers)

The café, just east of central Pretoria, is exceptionally unique and non-traditional. The ethos at this eatery is to slow down the pace completely. Eggs Benedict (R85) is on offer, but there are also innovative delights such as sweet-potato granola (R75) and a biltong, brie and avo omelette (R85). The baked oats (R45) comes with cream, whiskey, hazelnuts or raisins, berries and organic honey.

 

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Blos Café (Faerie Glen)

The view here is reason enough for a visit. (Or the amazing service, or even the lady who makes bouquets for you while you wait.) If you somehow need some more convincing, though, check out the varied breakfast menu. Go for the Blos omelette (R60), smashed avo on rye (R40) or a rolled oats and quinoa porridge bowl (R65) topped with all sorts of goodness. Whether you’re still banting or just want to get your fill of beetroot-and-ginger bread, Blos has everything you could need, with an occasional frikkadel thrown in. Also important: the menu features four different types of French toast, one of which is vegan.

Breakfast at Blos Cafe. Photo supplied.

Café Beyritz (Lynnwood Manor)

With over 15 hot dishes available for breakfast, you’re spoilt for choice at Café Beyritz. The Egyptian eggs (R69) are quite popular – poached eggs in dukkah and Japanese bread crumbs, served on grilled baby marrow ribbons with hollandaise sauce. Else opt for the banana bread Benedict (R79), which puts an unexpected spin on a classic.

 

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Grayz Coffee Shop and Eatery (Faerie Glen)

Grayz Coffee Shop and Eatery overlooks the Moreleta river, ponds and garden, making for a sociable spot to take in the most important meal of the day. The country atmosphere and vintage décor make you feel right at home. The menu is inspired by dishes from all over the world, including Asia, Mexico, Spain, America and Greece. There’s a breakfast lasagna (R78) on offer, comprising baked layers of potato slices, bacon, mushrooms, red pepper, egg, Napolitana sauce and cheese.

 

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Parrot’s (Menlyn Shopping Centre)

This family-friendly establishment has been serving up bargains for over 20 years and seems intent on continuing. No breakfast here will set you back more than R77. Options include a 120g steak with two fried eggs, three rashers of bacon, tomato and toast; and a hash breakfast with two eggs and two rashers of bacon.