Looking for a new breakfast or lunch spot in Cape Town’s CBD? Greg Landman reviews Gusto, a buzzy little courtyard restaurant in the heart of Gardens.

The food
If you must be healthy, try the wheat-and sugar-free granola with yoghurt and banana for breakfast, or go for broke with a bacon butty. Free-range eggs come poached, scrambled or fried with smoked salmon or goat’s cheese and harissa – all deliciously fresh – or go for yummy French toast with bacon, honey and banana. The daily buffet changes all the time and is available from 12 noon onwards. It could have an Indian influence, or perhaps Mediterranean or Turkish, but it’s always interesting. Sandwiches include irresistible chorizo with chimichurri sauce; bacon, brie and chutney; or gypsy ham with cheddar and English mustard.

Wine
There isn’t any wine, so take your own. There are plenty of other beverages, however, including great coffee and organic fruit juices.

Service
Friendly and smiling; snappy enough for the local business people who eat here.

Ambience
This charming, tiny courtyard in what used to be an old stable yard is always buzzy with the architects, magazine types and lawyers who work around here. Long wooden benches encourage a great feeling of bonhomie.

And…
Parking can be a bind, so park across the road. You can pay for your parking at Gusto no matter what the sign says.