Eat Out critic Ashraf Booley reviews the latest addition to Cape Town’s growing list of health-bowl eateries, Bowls on Bree.

Fast facts

Serves: Poké bowls, buddha bowls and paleo bowls
Cost: Between R55 and R80 per standard bowl (upsize for R20 extra)
Best for: A flavour-packed, nutritious lunch
Parking: Walk if you’re nearby, or Uber
Star rating: Food 4, service 4, ambience 3

A poké bowl from Bowls on Bree. Photo by Michelle Parkin Photography.

Food

These moreish bowls are the quintessential summer food – a trend that is clearly coming with us into 2018. Swedish-born chef Erik Schäberg has kept the menu simple, starring solely poké, paleo and buddha bowls.

Each of the three bowl categories feature fresh, nutritious and seasonal ingredients. Think yellowfin tuna, trout, edamame beans, avocado, pineapple raw slaw, Japanese pickles, roasted beetroot, roasted turmeric cauliflower, sesame tuna tataki, free-range lemon-and-herb chicken, strawberries, and toasted almond flakes.

Start by choosing your own base, such as furikake (a dry Japanese seasoning) sushi rice, brown rice, ancient grain mix or cauliflower rice, or keep it simple and light with green leaves. Dressings include cilantro and ginger, creamy herb, soy and sesame, sriracha vinaigrette and tahini and dijon.

From the poké bowl options, the Prude Trout is an instant hit. This beaut is a mix of fresh rainbow trout dressed in a tart homemade ponzu dressing, edamame beans, mixed pickles, raw slaw, wakame, organic bean sprouts, crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, coriander and cucumber salad. It’s recommended with sushi rice as a base and soy and sesame as a dressing – a winning combo, if ever there was. It’s brimming with flavours that work harmoniously together and textures that delight the senses.

A paleo bowl from Bowls on Bree. Photo by Michelle Parkin Photography.

Another option from the paleo bowls is the Hot Chick. True to its name, it’s got a slight bite, which is offset by raw pineapple slaw. It also comes with roasted chilli chickpeas, spring onion, avocado, toasted sunflower seeds and micro herbs. It works well with ancient grain rice and sriracha vinaigrette for extra bite, if you’re so inclined.

Drinks

Only water – still, sparkling and coconut – is currently on offer at Bowls on Bree.

Service

Warm, friendly and attentive.

The gallery space in which Bows on Bree is situated. Photo supplied.

Ambience

The takeaway-style eatery is located at Upstairs on Bree, with its walls adorned with striking local artworks and a selection of succulents soaking up sunlight on the windowsills. Patrons are welcome to sit and enjoy their bowls at the large sharing table, but dishes are served ready to go if you’re on the run.

And…

Admire the artworks while you wait for your bowl of goodness.

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