Katharine Pope

What started out in 2004 as a small-scale, family-run coffee roastery in the KZN Midlands has grown into a thriving coffee brand. But Terbodore’s cosy Franschhoek café is more than just a place to taste their coffee – the café-style food really is rather wonderful, too.

Food
The menu is unique and refined – a mix of tempting classics and fresh, healthy options. Take, for example the buttermilk-fried chicken and waffles. This usually heavy dish is given a lift thanks to house labneh, kale tabouleh and jewel-like pomegranate arils. The chicken, meanwhile, is beautifully crispy; the waffles light and fluffy.

The burger – basted in an Asian-inspired marinade, and topped with miso butter, aioli, pickled daikon, and crispy kale is another dish that is perfectly executed. The ciabatta ban, and golden, crunchy, twice-fried chips seal the deal.

Breakfast options are also available all day, and include warm chocolate and hazelnut oatmeat; beans on toast with tahini sauce, poached egg and roasted black beans and sourdough; and mushrooms on sourdough with onion and miso puree and a spinach Hollandaise.

For a sweet ending, look out for the treats in their glass-fronted cabinet – many of them vegan – or one of the luscious looking cakes. Think gluten-free carrot cake topped with figs and dried pineapple, or chocolate-and-date sponge with dark chocolate ganache – the Brooklyn Blackout cake.

Drinks
As you might expect, the coffee here is well-made and full of flavor. Try one of the single origin options or a tasting board if you’re a fundi. Else the red velvet latte – with beetroot, cocoa and ginger – is wonderfully warming and somehow manages to feel healthy while tasting like a gingerbread loaf. The café does not have a liquor license and corkage is not permitted.

Service
Relaxed and friendly.

Ambience
White walls, a vaulted ceiling and plenty of wood make this a light, bright space for lunch or breakfast. There’s a lovely big garden out back with a stream – perfect for summertime meals. The café is dog-friendly – provided Fido is on a leash – and also has the use of the neighbouring restaurant’s kiddies’ play area.

Best for...
Brunch with the kids – or with friends who have high standards for breakfast.

(2018)

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