Situated in trendy Waterkant, Loading Bay is a coffee-shop-turned-restaurant that prides itself on using only responsibly and sustainably sourced ingredients.

The bright and airy interior at Loading Bay. Photo supplied.

Fast facts

Cost: R98 average main course
Parking: Street parking is limited. Uber or park in Cape Quarter parking
Best for: Breakfast or lunch
Star ratings: Food and drinks: 4; Service: 5; Ambience: 4

Food

Breakfast options include a selection of muesli and porridge. The homemade sourdough bread is the perfect base for poached eggs. Order both, along with a selection of sides such as bacon, wild mushrooms or tomato relish. The breakfast bun is what breakfast dreams are made of: a buttery toasted brioche bun is filled with tomato-studded guacamole, mature cheddar cheese, crispy bacon and an oozy fried egg. All this is countered by the crunch of sweet beetroot and apple slaw.

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The heirloom rainbow breakfast (also just as delicious for lunch) is as interestingly colourful as it is flavourful. It’s a deliciously unexpected combination of rainbow beets, ginger and tomatoes with goat’s cheese and poached eggs. Also on offer is a selection of salads and burgers, as well as a side of their infamous truffle fries – dare I say, the best truffle fries in all of Cape Town.

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If you’re opting for a sweet pastry, there’s a choice between two: the cinnamon bun or the cardamom bun. They look similar and have similar textures; however, the cinnamon bun is more unapologetic about its flavour, whereas the cardamom bun’s flavour is a little too subtle.

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Drinks

A carefully curated list of teas is available. All coffees are roasted by Espresso Lab and are available in cold-brew options too. A selection of delicious iced coffees and teas are available and, if you’re a fan of sweet milky coffee, be sure to try the white ice. It’s refreshingly cold and creamy. All juices are cold pressed and freshly made, and each combination offers a boost or relief from ailment. Try the Gold Fresh, which is deliciously fruity with a satisfying tang.

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Service

The staff is friendly and efficient, always ready to offer you a ginger shot to kickstart your day. The service charge comes already added to your bill total, which saves you the trouble of having to work out an appropriate tip. It’s a lovely touch.

Ambience

The restaurant is decorated in a minimal style, with bench seating lining the wall and wooden chairs and tables filling the restaurant. The wooden bar is the focal point of the restaurant, decorated with pieces of driftwood. There’s also some outdoor seating on the deck, which is an ideal spot for those who enjoy people-watching.

The minimalist decor with wooden finishes at Loading Bay. Photo supplied.

And…

After your meal, head upstairs for a bit of shopping – a selection of men’s clothing and some Japanese crockery is on sale on the second level. The third level houses a selection of Aesop cosmetics for sample and sale.

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