In South Africa we have some pretty incredible breakfasts. We’ve got this guy, who makes bacon jam, we’ve got The Whippet’s poached egg in tempura batter with crispy bacon, and, because our artisan coffee market got off the ground before a big chain like Starbucks sewed up the market, SA’s got some world-class coffee, too. If you’re in search of the ultimate weekend brunch spot or working breakfast, look no further. Here’s our guide to getting a killer breakfast in the big cities and some notable countryside spots. (Remember to tell us about your favourites in the comments!)

Johannesburg

Corner Café and Bistro
Breakfast is served until noon, so this is a great spot for brunch. Offering everything from free-range eggs and bacon to smoked salmon, cottage cheese, avo, lettuce and tomato on a bagel, the industrial-looking space welcomes you for lazy weekend bites.

Gia’s on Montrose
The relaxed café is nestled in a garden nursery in Sandton – a great venue for a morning with the family. Hearty breakfasts include fluffy omelettes, croissants and eggs Benedict.

Gia’s on Montrose

Junipa’s
The bustling restaurant is a treat for a girls’ brunch. They have their own coffee roaster on the premises, which promises great cappuccinos and a gorgeous aroma in the air.

Love Food Kitchen, Café and Deli
A trendy foodie heaven. Try the bacon stack with ciabatta, cheddar, bacon, tomato relish and fried or scrambled eggs.

Moemas
The delicious menu includes sumptuous breakfasts such as spinach and feta crumpets with egg and bacon, and the health breakfast of fruit with granola, Greek yoghurt and honey.

The Pudding Shop
An intimate space with a garden and a relaxing ambience. Order anything and everything vegan, from breakfasts to desserts.

Junipa’s

salvationcafe
This is a down-to-earth café with a menu of fresh and honest foods like breakfasts of creamy basil mushrooms on toast or savoury French toast with halloumi, cherry tomatoes and pesto.

Vovo Telo
A great setting on a weekend morning with a cup of hot coffee and freshly baked breads and pastries.

The Whippet
This neighbourhood coffee spot serves simple breakfasts and delicious hearty breakfasts. The signature dish is a poached egg fried in tempura batter and served with crispy bacon.

Vovo Telo

Pretoria

Blos Café
A super spot for breakfast with the kids: they can run and play on the expansive lawns while you indulge in delicious fare. Try the traditional bacon and eggs brekkie or something more unconventional like the protein-filled whole-wheat quinoa bread with home-made biltong spread.

Carlton Café Delicious
This creative café serves breakfast on the sidewalk tables. Order something simple like anchovy toast or the house speciality of pap and biltong.

Café Beyritz
Reminiscent of a European bistro, this café serves hot breakfasts and other light breakfasts like fruit and yoghurt and granola.

Isabella’s Cake and Food Shop (Waterkloof)

Ginger and Fig
All ingredients are locally sourced and perfectly prepared. Breakfast includes a breakfast croissant with scrambled eggs and nitrate-free bacon and eggs Royale.

Isabella’s Cake and Food Shop (Waterkloof)
This is a beautiful patisserie-style spot for breakfast over the weekend. Choose from muffins, scones and toast and a range of egg dishes.

Tashas (Brooklyn)
It’s a franchise now, but tashas deserves to be dotted around the country. This is a great spot for a quick weekday breakfast, particularly the Breakfast Royale of poached eggs with asparagus spears or spinach, and a light, lemony Hollandaise.

Tashas (Brooklyn)

Mpumalanga and Free State

Coco C Restaurant and Chocolatier (Bloemfontein)
Dine on beautiful pastries and muffins from their patisserie menu. On Saturdays they have a breakfast buffet from 9am to noon.

Harrie’s Pancakes (Dullstroom)
When you want to indulge, there’s nothing like a pancake for breakfast. Choose from savoury or sweet pancakes from this tourist favourite.

Magnolia (White River)
Sit downstairs where it’s more relaxed and enjoy the likes of local trout and pastries.

Picnic (Bloemfontein)
A charming spot with a wide selection of fresh ingredients and good coffee.

Vida & Arte Café (Bloemfontein)
Guests can sit outside, almost on the pavement, as they would at a European café. Have a quick coffee or opt for a long breakfast or brunch.

Durban

Bellevue Café
Enjoy comfort food and some classics with a twist at this casual oasis. Try the creamy mushrooms, poached egg and parmesan on toasted ciabatta or the toast with fried eggs, bacon, roasted tomatoes and curry gravy.

Freedom Café
Grab a coffee and pastry or something more daring like zucchini fritters or a buttermilk pancake stack.

Remo’s (Umhlanga)
Remo’s is a great all-rounder café with breakfasts ranging from toasted sandwiches and filled croissants to eggs Benedict with parma ham, rocket and minted Hollandaise.

Stretta Café
Late sleepers can still enjoy breakfast until 3pm. Try the breakfast panini with tomato salsa, crispy bacon, fried egg and wild rocket, or the frittata with marinated mushroom, feta, onion and chilli.

Stretta Café

The Midlands

Café Bloom
The drawcard is fresh, wholesome and ethnically sourced food in a lovely shabby-chic setting. Order the poached egg and spinach Florentine.

Cleopatra Mountain Farmhouse
This five-star lodge offers an intimate gourmet getaway with a three-course breakfast. They bake bread on site twice a day.

Cape Town

Bistro Sixteen82
Set amidst the vineyards at the foothills of the Steenberg Mountain, this elegant bistro boasts spectacular views across the Constantia Valley. Go for the eggs Benedict or anything with chef Brad Ball’s famous pork.

Dear Me
There’s a strong ethical focus on sourcing local ingredients, so expect beautiful eggs and bacon. The raw chia seed porridge keeps the health-conscious happy.

Dear Me

Hemelhuijs
The beautiful décor will inspire you for the day ahead while you munch on a seasonal and nostalgic menu. The menu changes regularly, but expect breakfasts like poached eggs with artichoke and Hollandaise or French toast with pecorino and home-made plum sauce.

Jason
Queue up alongside hipsters and businesspeople for your morning fix of coffee and buttery bacon croissants.

Hemelhuijs

The Kitchen
Dash in for a quick, healthy breakfast. There’s a great buzz here, and the walls display a charming crockery collection along with staple ingredients.

La Belle Café and Bakery
A stunning location for brunch under the oaks. The breakfast menu features dishes like a fresh fruit platter or ricotta hotcakes.

My Basaar
My Basaar is a cute neighbourhood spot in the central city with huge windows and an airy feel. The all-day breakfast menu includes flapjacks, croissants and traditional breakfasts.

My Basaar

Olympia Café and Deli
Fresh breads are baked in the bakery next door, making this a wonderful spot early in the morning. Order omelettes or scrambled eggs; those with a sweet tooth can enjoy flapjacks.

Sababa Kitchen and Deli
While it’s known for its buffet lunch table, Sababa also has good breakfasts. Enjoy herby scrambled eggs with bread and a selection of salads.

Starlings Coffee Shop
This southern suburbs café serves as a wonderful escape from the world. Order eggs Florentine or the breakfast salad.

tashas (Constantia)
Go for the extensive variety of croissants and omelettes, as well as the good range of healthy breakfasts – including the rolled oats with dried fruit, shredded coconut and freshly grated apple.

Winelands

Joostenberg Deli and Bistro
Expect to stay for five hours, from breakfast to lunch. Try an open sandwich or anything with pork.

Salmon Bar at The Yard
Making a nice change from all the serious Franschhoek food, this is a super spot for breakfast and excellent coffee. Try the breakfast bagel or lemon scrambled eggs.

Schoon de Companje
Breakfast at this artisan one-stop-shop includes exciting options like wild mushrooms on toast with sour cream and sage spread; croque madame with herb-smoked pork loin, mustardy béchamel, a poached egg and gruyere; and the roasted bone marrow on toast.

Schoon de Companje

Twist Some More
Go for a drive and while away a long morning. Order a wrap of smoked salmon trout, spring onion and chives, topped with citrus Hollandaise sauce and fresh avocado, or their ‘babalas’ breakfast.

Garden Route

East Head Café
Considered by some as the spot with the best view in Knysna, this café is a neighbourhood favourite for breakfast over the weekend, especially the Spring Tide breakfast that comes with a burger pattie.

Caffe Mario
The ambitious menu covers a spectrum, but your best bet is the Super Mario breakfast with spicy sausages. Watch the boats go by under the umbrellas or sit inside the cosy, aromatic interior of this picturesque waterfront venue.

Île de Païn
Try the brioche French toast with berry compote and mascarpone or the soft-poached eggs on toasted sourdough, served with crispy bacon. Stock up on fresh pastries and breads to take home, along with a cup of the best coffee and hot chocolate around. (Closed 6 May until 16 June 2014.)

Overberg

Bredasdorp Square
A family-owned restaurant with a tranquil veranda. Try the French toast croissant with bacon, honey and fried banana; or the spinach crumpets with smoked salmon.

Clarke of the Karoo
Hands-on service complements the chalkboard menu of Karoo classics, including beautifully presented breakfasts.

Clarke of the Karoo

Oak & Vigne
The go-to place for breakfast on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Order the Kitchen Sink omelette.

The Old Gaol on Church Square
A Swellendam institution with a good, café-style menu and home bakes. Sit down at one of the tables out on the deck. There’s a large garden to keep the children entertained.

Napier Farm Stall & Restaurant
A great spot to stretch your legs and have a relaxed breakfast. After your meal, browse the shelves and stock up on homemade preserves, breads and sweets to take home.