Now I had no expectations of the Eastern Cape as the region does not have a stellar reputation but PE did prove me wrong. Its like a big city but its not a city (if that make sense :) ).
They have great restaurants and coffee shops where I spent my time before and in between surgeries. Below you will find some of the gems I enjoyed!
RAAK
RAAK is owned by artist Werner Lemmer. They opened their doors this year and they serve a great breakfast. It also looked as if it was a favourite for business lunches. His wife Anette runs the hair salon(Jig hair co) adjacent to the café. The space had a very modern and earthy feel to it with various art pieces that will draw your attention.
Service was great and the food arrived promptly. Breakfast prices range between R25-R55. A favourite of most customers at the café and the dish I enjoyed was the California croissant(R45) that is topped with egg, bacon and avo and drenched in hollandaise sauce. It was very rich but so delicious. Another dish I tried was the smoked salmon served with a potato rosti, 2 poached eggs, tomato relish and rocket(R55). A lighter breakfast option but just as enjoyable.
Be sure to also visit the sweet treat display. Chelsea buns, chocolate brownies and carrot cakes are available to tempt you.
Visit them at Newton Park, 27A Pickering street
Open Monday-Friday 07:00 - 15:00 and Saturday 08:00 - 13:00
Contact them at 083 609 8490
Rhubarb and lime
Rhubarb and lime was one of the prettiest coffee shops I visited in PE. Awesome quotes are written on the blackboard walls and bunting decorates the ceiling. I loved the retro look of this place. Adjacent to the coffee shop is a great boutique that cells beautiful jewellery and clothes. I bought three sets of earrings for only R39 each. They also had a few "moustache" items that I see are very popular this month :)
I loved them so much I visited twice. They have well priced breakfast and lunch options, free Wi-Fi and great coffee (Truth all the way from Cape Town) . I enjoyed their Asian salad for lunch one day. The sesame chicken was succulent and well spiced and was paired with juilian vegetables and a soy sauce. Some brownies and cake also looked alluring at each of my visits.
Open Monday - Friday 07:30 - 16:00 & Saturday 08:00 - 14:30
Contact them at 041 373 3186
Like them on Facebook
Bridge street brewery
What a vibey place! My boyfriend visited me one weekend and we went to the brewery a Friday afternoon. The place was packed and the beer and cocktails were flowing.
The boyfriend had the beer tasting that ranged from a stout to cider for R40. He's been trying for ages to get me into the whole beer drinking thing but I just cant stand it. We are heading to Europe in December and there the beer is apparently cheaper than water so I will have to start intense training soon :)
Their food options are actually way better than what you would expect from a brewery. Choose between cold and hot tapas, salads, burgers, steak, pizza and focaccias. We had the bread board and chose some cold tapas to go with it. A really affordable snack to enjoy with your beer. My glass of Spier Sauvignon Blanc was too acidic so I guess I got the bad bottle in the crate. I only realised afterwards that they served cocktails as they don't list them on their menu's so ladies that are some pink drinks you can enjoy.
Over weekends I would suggest you book a table as numerous people had to stand around and wait for one. Live music are also there over the weekends. Check out their Facebook page so see who performs the day you want to visit.
Visit them at Brickmakers Kloof, 1 Bridge street
More information on their website
Contact them at 041 581 0361 or reserve a table on their website.
Open Monday-Tuesday 11:00-01:00
Vovo Telo
I've previously posted about Vovo Telo here when I visited the V&A waterfront branch but the whole franchise had their start in the friendly city of PE. It's great to see the continuity that's carried through the branches. Vovo Telo is definitely one of the top spots in PE as it was packed every time I visited. It's also rated #1 on Tripadvisor.
We were there over brunch time so my mom enjoyed buttermilk hotcakes served with lemon zest, blueberries and mascarpone cheese(R47). How delicious does that sound! The blueberries and lemon zest are a great combination with the savoury hotcakes. I had a gourmet panini that consisted of boerenkaas cheese, pesto, rocket and marinated tomatoes(R36). All the dishes tasted amazing and were well priced. I must say my mom had the dish of the day! I still think about :)
Breakfast prices range between R35-R69.
Overall this is a great spot, well priced with friendly service. I can guarantee you that you will be satisfied with your visit :)
Visit them at Richmond Hill, On the corner of Irvine and Raleigh street
Contact them at 041 585 5606
For more information visit their website
Salt
I heard some buzz around Salt so I was very keen to check it out. Unfortunately I don't know what the buzz is about. Their food is well priced and the drinks are cheap so I guess that is one reason but their food did not deliver at all. The burgers are served with those typical grey, tasteless patties that you receive at a sport event on a Saturday afternoon. On their menu it stated that the burger will be served with camembert and figs. I instead receive a patty smeared with fig jam.
The pizza topped with avocado and chorizo was nice. I would suggest to therefore visit them for drinks and maybe share a pizza.
The place has no ambience and numerous tables around us were irritated with the service.
So this one I would say go without any expectations.
Visit them at Richmond Hill, 30 Stanley Street
Contact them at 041 582 2402
Open Monday-Sunday 07:30-23:00
The Grind
I had to be in theatre very early one morning and they were open at 06:30. Huge tick in my book as I seriously needed the caffeine. I had a little faux pass here as I left with my take away coffee without paying. CRINGE. I don't know what happened but I realised it later in the morning. I returned lunch time to pay my dues and they were so friendly and totally understood.
The coffee was great and I would like to return to still try their menu of baked goods and sandwiches. The coffee and service already impressed me. Its a great café that spills out onto the sidewalk. Great spot to some and sit with your laptop if you ever need to.
Visit them at Richmond Hill, 24-26 Stanley street
Contact them at 041 582 2157
Open Monday to Friday 07:00 - 22:00, Saturday 08:00-22:00 and Sunday 08:00-15:00
Friendly Stranger
I only enjoyed a coffee here but their menu was very tempting. Any menu that says "Cake for breakfast is always a good idea" is a front runner in my book!
Breakfast will cost you between R25-R55 and you can choose between a chorizo breakfast tartlet, eggs benedict, French toast and a Spanish omelette... just to name a few.
My only concern was that I ordered a double Americano and what I received was a standard coffee. I asked them about this and they said that it is a double. I then don't want to know how their regular cups look like.
What really impressed me was how friendly all the staff were. PE really is "the friendly city". The décor of the café was awesome. A boat hung from the roof, they have awesome spots outside where you can relax and you can also leave a chalk message in their toilet wall! Look out for mine :)
Over the weekend there usually are live performances. So come and sit onthe deck, enjoy a beer and soak in the friendly vibe Friendly Stranger and PE has to offer.
Visit them at Upper valley road, 1 Bridge Street
Open Monday-Tuesday 07:00-16:00 & Wednesday-Saturday 07:00-22:00
Contact them at 074 911 9708
Like them on Facebook
Bocadillos
I was introduced to Bocadillos by my friend Anine the last week I spent in PE. We went there for their Monday night special of half price pizzas.
Well the first thing I noticed when I entered Bocadillos was their AMAZING cake and pastry display. From miniature pecanut tarts to cheesecakebrownies. Their cheesecake apparently is the best according to the guests at our table. So if you're not in the mood for food you will be spoilt here for choice in the sweet treat department.
The café is also decorated very stylish with beautiful mirrors and lights all around! There is enough seating inside and outside.
Now to get to the pizzas! They are more gourmet than your average pizzas you get everywhere. Anine for example enjoyed a lamb shank pizza. That was the most popular pizza at our table as well as the yummiest. (Normal price R79 - 1/2 price R40). I had a chorizo and jalapeno pizza.(Normal price R69 - 1/2 price R35) It was also very nice but the lambshank pizza will definitely be enjoyed next time I visit.
Visit them at Walmer, 42 6th Avenue
Open Monday - Stauray 07:30 - 21:30
Contact them at 041 581 1523
Like them on Facebook
What places in PE did I not get to ??? :)
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