Posted on: September 7th, 2009 RLThe Ultimate Café for Cake

The following question and replies are thanks to Rizanne Montagu.

The QUESTION:

Hi there,
Great website! Finally a place to get an honest opinion. I hate wasting money by falling for the glossy pictures establishments put up online or in mags only to arrive at said venue to find the opposite.

Can you help?:
I have been hunting for THE ULTIMATE café to have cake at.
The criteria is:
- Best chocolate cake in Cape Town
- Authentic café experience
- Nice interior – something in the lines of the Melissa’s or Queen of tarts type design.
- Relaxed

Please advise if you can.

Next on the list.. The ultimate high tea (Besides Mount Nelson)..

The ANSWER:

Wow. I have to admit, you had us stumped with this one! Despite the amount of time we spend in cafés, none of us are really cake people. Never the less, we had a challenge, and we wanted to deliver!

So, after our survey, and chatting to a few close friends and confidants, the options are (in no particular order);

- Charlies Bakery, CBD
- Knead in Wembley Square, Gardens
- Carmello’s on Kloof Street, Gardens
- Cassis Bakery, Newlands
- Miss K on Main Road, Green Point

Unfortunately there are pros and cons for each location, but Miss K in Green Point gets my ultimate vote. I was there on the weekend and the vibe was great! The interiors are beautiful, but still have a relaxed, casual feel. Service is good, and the cakes delicious. (As a side note, I would also recommend their breakfasts.)

Miss K Food Café/ Shop 1 / Winston Place / 65 Main Road / Green Point / Tel: 021 439 9559 / www.missk.co.za

Otherwise, if it’s the chocolate you’re after, I can also recommend these restaurants. They each have incredible chocolate desserts, and well worth testing out. (Again, in no particular order)

- 95 Keerom / Carne - the Chocolate Soufflé
- Beluga Restaurant - the Chocolate Truffle Cake and the White Chocolate Beignet (oh yes baby!)
- Sevruga Restaurant - the Chocolate Fondant and the Chocolate Bombe available on their new Spring Menu

Mmmm….. enjoy!

The REPLY

Thank you so much for the huge effort in answering my question. Really appreciated. In the mean time I have also been scouting, here is what I thought:

- Winner: Melissa’s - Best chocolate cake in, possibly, the world (pecan chock). Kloof street branch is nice for something quiet, but if you want a more bustling vibe Waterfront is great. The interior and décor is lovely, with small round café style table’s and chairs + a great big rectangular wooden table in the centre of the store with every latest issue magazine possible. Not unusual to see solo patrons enjoying a slice of cake and a good read around the table. The rest of the food is also great. For something not too intimate, this store takes the vote.
- Runner-up: Miss K definitely.
- Charlies - According to friends, these are the best cup cakes you will ever find. Next on list to try.
- Limno’s bakeries - Their cakes and baked goods are of the best in CT. Anyone that has not been should definitely go. However they really need to update their “look” and décor as is very, very, stale.
- Knead in Muizenberg - is app also the new “in” spot for a weekend sandwich.
- Olimpia Café, Kalk Bay – best croissants
- Coimbra Bakery, Kenilworth – best brownies, ever. Don’t sit down though, the service is shocking, buy your goods and have at home.
- Josephine’s, Loop street – In terms of concept and interior this store is probably the best – they have couches! - but the location is bad and there is no vibe what so ever, and no cake, only pastry type goods. A real pity, this has the potential to be a winner if only…
- Myatt, waterfront. Don’t believe all the hype. The interior is amazing, but no vibe and the prices are ridiculous.
- The One&Only app is serving a High Tea that comes highly recommendable
- Tibetian Tea house. Recommended by a friend, have not made a visit as yet.

Thanks so much. I will be following the A-Z progress on your website!! I am going to Cape to Cuba in Long Street on Thursday, despite the bad reviews, I’m interested to see what I will find!

5 Responses to “The Ultimate Café for Cake”

1. RL Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 10:54 am

   We have to agree with your Limno’s assessment. They make great cakes, but the interiors are so “old”. Unfortunately their service also leaves a lot to be desired. It really is a pity.

2. Candy Says:
   September 7th, 2009 at 1:18 pm

   For a stylish special cake/coffee experience, you MUST also try Cafe Max in Waterkant Street - next to Ceclia&Boyd. Owner Anna makes the most unbelievably delicious cupcakes and cakes - all beautifully presented and definitely rivals Charly’s! The decor is simply gorgeous and Anna is always on hand with a smile (hence she has so many regulars). Lunches are sublime as well. visit http://www.cafemax.co.za for details and the new Saturday morning De Waterkant market for yummy treats. Enjoy

3. Jenna Roberts Says:
   September 10th, 2009 at 11:29 am

   Wow, i completely agree with Candy - Cafe Max is definitely the best place to go for the ultimate coffee/cake experience.
   Great service, chilled yet sophisticated ambience and cake to die for. The best cappuchinos and Croissant bread & butter pudding with chunks of belgian chocolate! Yum. Ended up buying all their cupcakes for a birthday (the packaging alone made it worthwhile)
   We ended up there last Saturday so also got to see the new organic market held accross the terrace - such a vibe and a lot of fun!

4. 2 for 1 Buffet at Miss K | Eating Alphabetically Says:
   August 13th, 2010 at 9:08 am

   [...] forget to read our comments on The Best Cafe for Cake, featuring Miss [...]

5. Julie Says:
   November 3rd, 2011 at 9:11 am

   Although it is not a coffee shop or restaurant, Chef Sam’s made-to-order cakes are not only beautiful and one-of-a-kind, they are super delicious too… especially the chocolate cake and cupcakes! Yummmmm.
   Best place in the Northern suburbs of Cape Town!

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