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

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

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

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

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

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

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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