With all the trappings of an artisanal bakery minus the pretentiousness, The Glenwood Bakery in Durban keeps customers coming back for more, says Tracy Gielink.

Food

The Glenwood Bakery. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Adam Robinson hung up his chef whites to pursue his love affair with bread – and he’s really committed: he personally makes it daily. Breakfast is a simple pastry affair, although on weekends the repertoire includes eggs Benedict and eggs royale. Uncomplicated lunch offerings showcase artisan breads and change according to mood and season. You could stumble upon ciabatta topped with goat’s cheese, roasted tomato, olives and rocket; a baguette with coppa ham, avo and butter lettuce, or a hot dog with a twist – a boudin blanc sausage on a mini ciabatta). And then there’s Adam’s range of ice cream made the old-fashioned way in flavours from choc mint to ruby grapefruit sorbet. Monday is pizza night, when you can choose from a margherita, veg or meat option and load it up with your own selection of extra toppings.

The doors to yeasty goodness. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

Drinks

Daytime dining means great coffee (with beans from neighbouring roasteries), homemade ice tea, freshly squeezed juices and Spanish hot chocolate. They are not licenced, but on Monday nights you can bring along your own wine and glasses.

Service

Despite a small staff complement, service is fast and personal. The open-plan interior means that diners can watch their food and drinks being made to order. A handwritten docket is placed on the table with a note asking you to settle up at the till.

Ambience

Double-volume windows bathe the rustic bakery in natural light, and counters set up along these windows offer a vantage point from which to view the neighbourhood. Alternatively, pull up a chair at the central communal table and peruse the wall-mounted chalkboard menus. It’s a working bakery, so expect shelves of bread and bags of stoneground flour lying on pallets on the floor. Forage in the bookshelf for recipe books to read or board games to play.

Bread at Glenwood Bakery. Photo courtesy of the restaurant.

And…

Bread sells out fast, but you can make a prior reservation to ensure you don’t go home empty-handed.

Have you been to The Glenwood Bakery? Share your experience (and tell us if the bread’s really that good) by writing a quick review.