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Top bakeries in Cape Town
Results are in: Pastries, doughnuts, breads that locals love
Last updated: Tuesday, 23 April 2024
There’s nothing like freshly-baked bread with a knob of melting butter, or a flakey, golden croissant filled with chocolate. That’s why we asked our readers what’s the best bakery in their neighbourhood. There’s a coffee shop run by the deaf community, bread shop in Gugulethu, and a pet-friendly café in Kalk Bay (where you can get free croissants). Here are the best bakeries in Cape Town, according to locals.
MOST NOMINATED: DONNY’S
There’s nothing better than Donny’s koeksisters on a Sunday morning. So says reader Nadine De Mink and 20 others. The husband and wife team sells freshly-baked goods, from mini jam doughnuts to scones and savouries. They’ve even got their own house blend (Donny’s brew). A tip-off from Roxanne Wareley: Coffee between 6.30am and 8.30am gets you a free croissant.
Hours: Monday, 8am to 4pm; Tuesday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday, 8am to 4pm; Sunday, 8am to 2pm
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137 Main Road | Diep River | @donnys_bakery
DEAF-RUN COFFEE SHOP IN CLAREMONT
ILOVECOFFEE is the first, and only, coffee shop in South Africa run by the deaf and hard of hearing (HOH) community. “Apart from being an empowerment program, their bakery is incredible,” says Loiuse Lumb. Coffee, tarts, pastries, and fresh croissants are what locals keep coming back for. If you visit, ask the baristas how to sign your order.
Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 4pm
103 Garfield Road | Claremont | Cape Town | @ilovecoffeegroup | Image: ILOVECOFFEE
SEA POINT’S SWEETEST SECRET
Norfolk Deli is a friendly neighbourhood deli, where you can stock up on local goods like teas, oils, olives, fresh breads, precooked meals, and homemade soups. According to Deirdre Gregory, the café and deli is owned by “a lovely couple, serving scrummy food and a wonderful vibe.” Plus, you can try the viral cookie croissant.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm; Saturday, 8am to 3pm
6 Norfolk Road | Sea Point | Cape Town | @norfolk.deli | Image: Norfolk Deli
NEW DOUGHNUT FLAVOURS WEEKLY
This shop takes the classic doughnut and combines it with traditional desserts, nostalgic South African classics, and French pastries. Think rooibos custard filling and ginger snap cookie caramels. Elizabeth Mercer goes so far as to say it’s “the best donuts you’ll ever taste.” All of their doughnuts are vegan and every Monday, Grumpy and Runt releases their “flavour drop” on their Instagram.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 6pm; Saturday, 9am to 5pm; Sunday, 9am to 4pm
60 Corporation Street | Cape Town | @grumpyandrunt | Image: Grumpy and Runt
20-YEAR-OLD INSTITUTION
This popular joint in Kalk Bay has views of the ocean and specialty coffee, breads, and café eats. Olympia Café has been around for 20 years, and Tracy Lee Jacobs still calls it “a hidden gem with great coffee, fresh bakes and pastries.” Its bakery has a pet-friendly section, making it ideal to enjoy a post-walk cappuccino and takeaway pastry.
Hours: Daily, 7am to 10pm
134 Main Road | Kalk Bay | Cape Town | @olympia_cafe | Image: Olympia Café
OUR TEAM’S RECOMMENDATION IN SOMERSET WEST
Weirdough serves medialunas, an Argentinian pastry that's a mix between a brioche and a croissant, with many layers and a subtle hint of lemon and vanilla. There’s savoury and sweet options, from Nutella and custard to mozzarella and brie. You can sit down at the colourful tables and stools dotted throughout the store or just order a takeaway.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 7.30am to 3pm; Sundays, 7.30am to 12pm
Lions Square Shopping Center | Main Street | Somerset West | @weirdough_bakerysa | Image: Weirdough
ARTISAN SOURDOUGH BAKERY
Would you try sourdough brownies? South Yeaster, run by siblings Brode and Amber Gleeson, has it on the menu. They also make the best sourdough croissants, according to Marianne Marsch Van Dalsem and Amber Druian. Their menu changes monthly and has curious bakes like monkey buns (cinnamon & sugar croissant buns) and cruffins.
Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 8am to 4pm
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4 The Promenade | Hout Bay | Cape Town | @southyeaster
CROISSANTS “STRAIGHT FROM PARIS”
Tucked away in The Foodbarn at Noordhoek Farm Village is a delightful deli with sweet and savoury goods. Kathleen O’ Connor Thompson swears that its croissants will “take you straight to Paris.” The deli stocks breads, home-cooked frozen meals, pantry essentials, fresh coffee, and more.
Hours: Daily, 8am to 8pm
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Corner of Village Lane & Noordhoek Main Road | Cape Town | @deli_shop_foodbarn
GO-TO BAKERY IN HERMANUS
If you’re on the whale coast route, Charelle De Wet recommends that you must make a turn at Daans Bakery. “You won’t be disappointed by the big variety of sweet and savoury baked goods.” Olive sticks, potato loaf, and krentenbollen (Dutch raisin buns). The team rocks to a reggae rhythm in the early hours as they knead the dough.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am to 2pm; Saturday, 8am to 2pm
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16 Dirkie Uys Street | Hermanus | @daans_bakery
BIG BAY’S BEST BAKERY
Pâtisserie, confectionery, accessories and décor. This is the personalised experience you get at Bakhuijs (Bakehouse). Celesté Meyburgh simply cannot leave the bakery without getting a slice of each cake to share with family. “If I had to choose at gunpoint, I’d say their Gâteau Succès is my ultimate favourite.”
Hours: Monday, 11am to 6pm; Tuesday to Saturday, 9am to 6pm; Sunday, 9am to 3pm
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Seaside Village | Shop 24 Cnr Otto Du Plessis Drive | Cormorant Ave | Big Bay | @bakhuijsbigbay
MELT-IN-YOUR-MOUTH BUTTER BISCUITS
If you’re looking for something other than breads and pastries, try The Biscuitry. “Ginger biscuits, brownie cookies, rusks, and just everything” is what Debbie Van Wyk says you can expect. Every single biscuit is baked, iced, and packed by hand, in small batches. They can even deliver straight to your door.
Hours: Monday to Thursday, 9am to 5pm; Friday, 9am to 4pm
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Unit 2 | 3 Quantum Road | Firgrove Business Park | Cape Town | @thebiscuitry
TOWNSHIP BREAD SHOP
It’s the first of its kind in Gugulethu. Thembile’s Bread Shop has an amazing story of hope and great products, says Liza Du Toit Adlem. After suffering a stroke, Thembile Gcukumeni trained as a baker and opened Thembile's BreadShop where he bakes paninis, healthy bread, ciabatta bread in tins, French baguettes, cheese sticks, focaccia, scones, and Chelsea buns, all in a wood-fired oven.
Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm; Saturday, 8am to 2pm
76 Ny 21 Guguletu | Cape Town | 060 610 7514 | Image: Unpslash
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