French toast at Le Coco C in Pretoria. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

This new kid on the food scene in Pretoria promises to knock your socks off with their clever, creative and healthy menu. Alida Ryder reviews La Coco C.

Food

Owner Jeanine became famous in the market scene for her brownie and cookie mixes so it was a little surprising to see the menu at her establishment filled with cold pressed juices, gluten-free options and light breakfast and lunch dishes.

The breakfast menu includes acai bowls filled with fresh fruit and nuts, ripe avocado on rye toast, smoked trout and more. Feel free to add a free-range egg to add a boost of protein. The French toast with peanut paste and crispy bacon is simply delicious and a hearty, indulgent start to your day.

For lunch, expect delicious soups filled with wholegrains and vegetables, salads and creative sandwiches. The meatball sandwich with homemade marinara sauce and provolone is a must-try. The meatballs are a tad bland but the perfectly flavoured marinara sauce and creamy provolone more than make up for it. Served on their freshly baked ciabatta, it’s an awesome lunch option.

If you have a sweet tooth, make sure you leave space for one of Jeanine’s gluten-free brownies. Fudgy, dense and filled with nuts, they are better than most normal brownies – with none of the guilt. Other sweets to choose from are their delectable baked cheesecake and giant chocolate chip cookies. On the way out, grab a loaf of freshly baked bread and spend some time browsing the shelves. They stock a range of imported goodies and the most beautiful glass jars.

Drinks

A visit to La Coco C would be incomplete without trying one of their cold pressed juices. Their “Super” juice comes packed with more than 1kg of greens and will leave you positively glowing. The coffee is also excellent.

Decorated froth in Coffee at Le Coco C in Pretoria. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Service

The staff are full of smiles and very eager to help. Place your order at the counter and within minutes your juice or coffee will be at your table. The staff are knowledgeable about their menu and about where their products are sourced.

Ambience

This eatery has a lot of continental charm and is beautifully decorated with the perfect mix of industrial touches and comforting ones. Sit at the counter and watch the world go by.

Bottles of juice at Le Coco C in Pretoria. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

And…?

La Coco C is a much-needed addition to the food scene in the East of Pretoria where good food options are few and far between.

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

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