Khanya Mzongwana

Food
The delicious smells wafting out of La Coco C's kitchen will make you think twice about it only being 'a quick coffee stop'. The menu is a vegan's absolute dream come true, and a virtuous eater's treat for the week, with naughty-but-nice breakfasts like the cinnamon bun oats which already sounds incredible, crammed with crushed ginger biscuits, chocolate chips and cinnamon syrup. You'll struggle to look at oats the same way ever again. The pumpkin flapjacks are light as air and deliciously sweet and savoury, gluten free and served with some fresh seasonal fruit and almond butter.

For a bit of indulgence, you may want to add a few rashers of streaky bacon at extra cost. The French toast is a unanimous favorite amongst regulars - try the vegan option, a rooibos and orange infused bread with whipped coconut cream. Absolutely lovely. There's so much to be said merely about the breakfast options that one might forget theres a whole other world of variety waiting to be explored (and devoured).

There is a range of soul-warming bowl meals that'll make it very tough to pick just one. For a delicious, gluten-free lunch, the skinny lamb bowl comes highly recommended. With super- slow roasted lamb, quinoa, sweet heirloom carrots, steamed broccoli and served with lashings of homemade tzatziki, you won't want to go back to your desk after a lunch like that. The rainbow sandwich is famous not only for its Instagram-ready good looks, but also for it's mouth-watering and totally guilt-free vegan fillings; carrot, beetroot, red pepper, red cabbage, tomato, cucumber, sprouts, fresh butter lettuce and hummus sandwiched in between your choice of rye, tortilla wrap, panini or gluten free loaf.

Drinks
La Coco C boasts an impressive alcohol-free drinks menu, racked with gorgeous cold-pressed juice combinations, like the (black) magic: a juice of lemon, fresh spinach, kale, apple and cucumber and blackened with activated charcoal. Delicious, healthy and trés chic.

There is also a range of shots to give a boost where it's needed with a comprehensive explanation of the health benefits of each. If you're struggling to choose between a latte and a smoothie, try the coffee date, a smooth and tasty preparation of espresso, date, banana, vanilla extract, milk and ice. Utterly divine.

If you're in the mood for more of an afternoon tipple, their G&T menu packed with fresh, clean flavours should do the trick. For ultimate refreshment, the elderflower smash is a herbal meets floral gin lover's ideal situation with fresh thyme, elderflower, lemon and tonic. There are also a couple of cocktail classics available like the Pimm's No. 1 jug, which can be shared with a friend.

Service
The friendly waiters at La Coco C have an extensive knowledge on their menu, ingredients and health benefits of each. Seating time is a non-factor and staff shows not only enthusiasm for the product, but a deep passion for a new, holistic, simpler approach to eating better. It'a evident in the innovation displayed on their exciting and colourful menu. 'Picky eaters' will find themselves well looked after at La Coco C.

Ambience
Simply walking into La Coco C presents a treat on its own. The strikingly beautiful, simply furnished space has plenty of natural light pouring through its many large windows and pops of freshness and colour adorn the entire space in the form of brightly coloured textiles, plant-life and fresh flowers on display. This is one of the easiest spots to get comfortable in, with a chilled but very-much-alive ambience.

Best for...
Breakfasts and bites so delicious you wouldn’t even know they were vegan.

(2018)

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