Maggie’s Café was opened last month by the former executive chef of Mondiall, Riaan Burger, and a former manager at the restaurant, Robert Fick, to create a social space for brunch, lunch, and leisurely after-work drinks and eats. Eat Out critic Lauren Josephs pops in for dinner at Green Point’s new kid on the block.

Food

The appealing starter menu offers three choices: spicy chicken wings with blue-cheese yoghurt, spring onions and fries; Cape crayfish mac ’n cheese balls with smoked tomato relish and parmesan; and salt-and-pepper calamari with wasabi lime aioli, chilli flakes, spring onion, mesclun leaves and lime.

Spicy chicken wings with blue-cheese yoghurt at Maggie’s. Photo courtesy of Lauren Josephs.

We opt for the first two. The wings are good in both portion and flavour – just the right amount of crunch on the outside, with a spicy kick once you bite into them – although I do long for a sweet and sticky basting. Excited to try the crayfish mac ’n cheese balls, which arrive beautifully golden-brown on the outside, I’m disappointed to find them cold in the centre. Thankfully, the smoked tomato relish distracts from this temperature mishap.

Cape crayfish mac ‘n cheese balls at Maggie’s. Photo courtesy of Lauren Josephs.

For mains we order slow-braised hoison-glazed pork belly and the beer-braised beef brisket grilled with smoky barbecue basting. The pork belly is flawless – caramelised on the outside and tender on the inside – whilst the brisket’s beautiful charred crust seems to come at the cost of a little moisture in the meat. Both mains are served with a simple green salad and chips, which seem out of place in this context.

Slow-braised hoison-glazed pork belly and chips at Maggie’s. Photo courtesy of Lauren Josephs.

For dessert there are two options: a don pedro and a cheese platter for two. Perhaps the sweet-ending section will flesh out after the team has settled in.

Maggie’s is still in its infancy, so the minor tweaks with the menu will no doubt be smoothed over soon.

Beer-braised beef brisket and chips at Maggie’s. Photo courtesy of Lauren Josephs.

Drinks

The wine list is quite extensive, with bottles ranging from R115 to R285. (They also sell bottles to take home with you.) If you’re in need of something stronger, take a look at the reasonably priced hard tack selection. Milkshakes are available in seven different flavours, and they also have fresh juice, coffee, tea, preserved juice and smoothies on the menu.

Service

Friendly, efficient and hospitable staff members attend to you from the moment of your arrival until you walk out the door. The restaurant is relatively quiet on the night we visit, which allows for great service.

Ambience

Maggie’s is very relaxed and cosy. The soft background music allows for good conversation while the earthy, chic décor makes you feel as if you’re dining in a garden. Drop-down lights and cleverly hung pot plants above your head add that whimsical touch.

A milkshake at Maggie’s. Photo courtesy of Lauren Josephs.

And

Pop in for breakfast or lunch, when the menu has more options. Maggie’s is not easily spotted from the main road, especially at night, so look out for the landmark of Gelato Mania next door.

Have you had a bite at Maggie’s in Sea Point? Tell us about it in a review.

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