Editor LauraWhen you are perplexed about the best breakfast in Johannesburg, a traditional al fresco braai is an absolute must when visiting South Africa, both for the delicious food and the unique cultural experience it offers visitors. Follow it up with a custard-filled pastry (melktert) and a naturally sweet bottle of Amarula (liqueur) if you want a little gin and tonic to finish.
The city of Johannesburg is a foodie’s dream, with a wide variety of restaurants, bistros, and coffee shops. Given the importance of a good breakfast, we’ve compiled a list of some of our favorite spots around town.
We’re afraid we won’t be able to get to every one of them this time. There are so many options for a good breakfast in Johannesburg that you’ll be overwhelmed by the selection, but here are the best we can come up with.
Top 10 Best Breakfast In Johannesburg
Salvation Cafe, Milpark
This cafe is best known for its brunch and breakfast offerings. Breakfast burritos, eggs benedict, and creamy scrambled eggs are just a few of the delectable options on the extensive menu at this restaurant.
Contact number: 011 482 7795
Address: 44 Stanley Avenue, Milpark, Johannesburg, 2092.
Post, Johannesburg Central
One of the best things about Post is that it serves breakfast all day, so you can stop by whenever the mood strikes. Their Nutella flapjacks have received rave reviews from customers. Chickpeas with spicy pickled tomatoes and fresh salsa are served on ciabatta at this restaurant, making it the best vegetarian breakfast I’ve ever had. Whether or not there is an egg involved.
Contact number: 072 248 2078
Address: 70 Juta Street, Johannesburg Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2001, South Africa
Tashas, Rosebank
Located in Rosebank’s bustling center, Tashas is a popular meeting place for locals. A hummus toastie and poached eggs with tomatoes, avocado, chives, and rocket are two of our favorites on the menu. It’s hard to find a better combination of food and atmosphere than this.
Address: Shop No. G28, The Zone Oxford Road, Rosebank Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2196, South Africa
Contact number: 011 447 7972
Fresh Earth, Greenstone
One of my all-time favorite cafes, to say the least. This is a stunning location with delectable cuisine to match it. At the restaurant, you can eat a vegetarian meal or go shopping at the trendy Earth Store.
Address: 103 Komatie Street, Emmarentia Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2195, South Africa
Contact number: 011 646 4404
The Whippet Coffee, Linden
A more fashionable location is not to be found anywhere else. They serve a nutritious breakfast that includes a wide variety of vegetarian options. The papaya bowl is a delicious option. Poached eggs are also a specialty. They have a wide variety of coffees, so you’re guaranteed to have an enjoyable experience and a party in your mouth if you pair your meal with one of them.
Address: 34 7th Street, Linden Randburg, Gauteng, 2104, South Africa.
Contact number: 061 512 1373
Fat Zebra, Linden
Here you’ll find delicious food and helpful service; it’s a great spot! You can start your day off right on the patio with a delicious breakfast! Have a few pancakes and the Oom Stan’s Boerewors, which is a specialty of theirs.
Address: 71 7th St, Cnr 3rd Ave, Linden, Gauteng, South Africa
Contact number: 082 469 5757
Parkhurst
It’s time for breakfast! Why not try the breakfast basket? Be warned: the basket is entirely composed of toasted bread. Several options are available, including poached eggs and bacon, salmon, or tomatoes as toppings. In addition to that, there’s cake on the menu. Have a piece of cake with your morning coffee. For breakfast, you can eat cake if you want.
Address: 37 4th Avenue, Parkhurst Sandton, Gauteng, 2193, South Africa
Contact number: 011 788 6286
Voodoo Lily Cafe, Birdhaven
Voodoo Lily Cafe’s menu and Birdhaven’s tranquil surroundings make for a winning combination for breakfast. For the little ones, there’s a nearby park where they can run around and burn off some energy.
Address: St Andrew St & Wrenrose Ave, Birdhaven, Johannesburg, 2196
Contact number: 0114426965
Patisserie De Paris
The food at this French bakery is so delicious that it’ll make your heart ache. To get your day off to a good start, stop by for a hearty breakfast. Poached eggs with mushrooms and potatoes are a tasty combination.
Address: 9 Mackay Avenue, Blairgowrie Johannesburg, Gauteng, 2194, South Africa
Contact number: 011 326 0913
Level Four, Rosebank
The food is excellent, but so is the setting. Have breakfast and then a cup of tea at the end of the day. You won’t regret it if you go out with your friends for a girls’ night.
Address: 54 Bath Avenue | 54 on Bath, Johannesburg 2196, South Africa
Contact number: 011 344 8442
Best Breakfast Food In South Africa
1. Biltong & droewors
Dry curing was used by the indigenous tribes of South Africa prior to the invention of refrigerators. Droewors (an air-dried sausage) and biltong (a thinly-sliced air-dried meat) are traditional snacks in South Africa.
The meat is marinated in vinegar, salt, sugar, and spices like coriander and pepper before being hung to dry.
The high protein and low-fat content of the final product make it highly sought after by health nuts. Biltong and droewors makers now use a variety of meats, including ostrich and wild boar, as well as seasonings like chili and garlic.
2. Boerewors
Sausage made from beef, pork or lamb, and spices is a traditional South African dish. As with Cumberland sausages, traditional Boerewors are cooked on a braai and served in a coiled form (barbecue). Boerewors is a combination of the Afrikaans and Dutch words Boer (farmer) and wors (sausage).
3. Cape Malay curry
Dutch and French colonists arrived in Cape Town in the 17th century, bringing with them spices and cooking methods from Indonesia, India, and Malaysia. Many of the aromatic spices used to flavor curries and stews in the region are still popular today because of their ability to enhance the flavor of local produce.
4. Malva pudding
Malva pudding is a baked sponge pudding made with apricot jam and served smothered in a hot cream sauce imported from the Netherlands. Served in many restaurants, this South African version of the British sticky toffee pudding is more commonly made at home on Sundays as a dessert for the family meal.
5. Chakalaka & pap
For every South African meal, Chakalaka and pap are a must-have. It is a vegetable dish that is often served cold and is made of onions and tomatoes, as well as peppers and carrots.
White corn maize is used in pap, which is similar to American grits and is a starchy dish. In addition to braaied (barbecued) meat, bread, salads, and stews, Chakalaka and pap are frequently served together as a side dish.
6. Braai/Shisa nyama
A traditional braai or shisa nyama (Zulu for “burn the meat”) is a must-try if you want to get a true taste of South African cuisine. Grilling meat over an open fire and selling it on the street was a common practice among butchers in the Johannesburg townships.
At the weekend, locals gather around the braais to cook and eat together. Take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy the music and the variety of meats on offer, which usually include beef, chicken, pork, lamb, and vors (sausages).
7. Bunny chow
Food markets in London are starting to carry Durban’s street food, which has gained popularity throughout South Africa. Immigrant Indians in Durban’s Natal neighborhood first served their coworkers stuffed bread loaves stuffed with spicy curry as a lunch option. Lentils and beans are common ingredients in vegetarian and vegan dishes alike.
8. Amarula Don Pedro
With the addition of South African Amarula, an indigenous marula fruit-based cream liqueur, this dessert-like cocktail is complete. Take a bottle of Amarula home from duty-free to make your own, or search everywhere!
9. Bobotie
In South Africa, the bobotie dish, which is now the national dish and served in many homes and restaurants, is thought to have been brought over by Asian settlers. Spices such as curry powder and herbs are added to minced meat before it is topped with an egg and milk mixture, then baked until set.
10. Melktert
Melktert, like the British custard tart or the Portuguese pasteis de nata, is a pastry case filled with milk, eggs, and sugar, which is usually thickened with flour. Traditionally, the finished tart is strewn with cinnamon powder. It’s served as a dessert in many bakeries and is a beloved local delicacy.
Conclusion
Thinking about the best breakfast in Johannesburg and all you need to know, we have listed a detailed stop-and-eat café and some South African delicacies you can order on your next visit.