The View at Chart Farm, a charming café on a rose farm in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, offers an appealing escape from the city – not to mention incredible scones.

Fast facts

Serves: Country-style café fare
Best for: Quiet, calm and leisurely breakfasts and lunches amongst the roses
Cost: The average meal is around R60
Star rating: Food and drinks 4, service 4, ambience 5

The egg-topped burger at The View at Chart Farm. Photo by Linda Scarborough.

The food

Breakfast options include the usual eggs-and-bacon numbers and a yoghurt ‘sundae’ option. You can also order filled croissants, and toasted sandwiches on deliciously dark wholewheat bread, which come with simple salads and crisps.

One of the salads at The View at Chart Farm. Photo by Linda Scarborough.

For lunch, choose from a neat menu of accessible, straightforward café fare such as a roasted-veggie wrap, cous-cous salad, quiche, chicken pie and a burger.

To end, the light and fluffy freshly baked scones with butter, jam and cheese are highly recommended (pinkies up!), or choose from the wide array of cakes and tarts on display.

Rock shandy at The View at Chart Farm. Photo by Linda Scarborough.

The drinks

A rare treat, the strawberry milkshake is made with real fruit pulp. The usual hot drinks are on offer, as well as SA ciders and beers, and a handful of wines including Villiera MCC in 375ml bottles.

Service

You are able to make bookings, but the restaurant also keeps tables open for walk-ins, so you can take a chance even on a busy Sunday morning. Staff are accommodating and professional.

Ambience

This is the real draw card. The View is located on Chart Farm, a working rose farm next to Wynberg Park, where you are invited to wander among the rows of blooms and pick roses to take home. (Priced per stem.) The views sweeping down into the lush valley and up over Constantia Nek are just gorgeous. Bougainvilleas, leafy trees and shrubbery surround the open deck, helping the umbrellas to provide coolness and shade. Seating inside the conservatory-style space is equally lovely.

There’s a reason the restaurant is called The View. Photo by Linda Scarborough.

And…

This is a good spot for small celebratory teas. Well-behaved pooches are also welcome.

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

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