They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and I could not agree more. These breakfast spots in KwaZulu Natal serve artisanal coffee, plates of decadent breakfast meals, and that relaxed KZN vibe. What’s almost better than an indulgent flapjack stack dripping in sticky syrup, is Durban’s warm tropical weather or the cool country air of the Drakensberg.
1. Sagewood Cafe, Pietermaritzburg
If you’ve joined the ever-growing group of ‘crazy plant people,’ then you might be in trouble when visiting Sagewood Cafe. You’ll need to walk through the Blackwoods Nursery brimming with all assortments of plants and flowers to get to the cafe.
A foodie’s paradise with a unique and delicious menu of breakfast items. If you’re more of a baked goods kind of person, their cake selection will have you salivating. This colourful, quirky, riverside cafe is the perfect Saturday morning breakfast spot.
- Location: Blackwood’s Home of Gardening Centre, 97 Chatterton Road, Pietermaritzburg
- Operating hours: Monday – Saturday | 8:00 – 16:00; Sunday | 8:00 – 15:00
- Website: sagewoodcafe.co.za
2. Bellevue Café
Bellevue Café / Facebook
Nestled behind the Delcairn Centre, Bellevue Café in Kloof is a hidden gem brimming with personality and flavor. With a menu curated by talented chef Brandon, the café offers an array of generous, delicious meals alongside expertly blended coffees by seasoned baristas and a quirky selection of fine wines, handpicked by owner Guy Cluver. Whether you’re in the mood for decadent pastries, wood-fired pizzas from a Pavesi oven, or indulgent pastas, Bellevue promises something for every palate. The vibrant atmosphere, filled with the joyful chatter of customers, makes it the perfect spot for a lively dining experience.
- Location:5 Bellevue Road, Kloof, South Africa
- Operating hours: Mon to Fri: 7am – 9pm | Sat: 8am to 9pm | Sun: 9am to 8pm
- Website: bellevuecafe.co.za
3. Foam
Whether you’ve chosen a smoothie, a simple avo on toast, or a decadent croissant, you’ll be eating your breakfast to the soundtrack of the ocean. This pet-friendly spot is situated almost on the beach and keeps going during loadshedding (a definite win).
Foam serves a delicious cup of coffee to enjoy with your breakfast, and the relaxed beach vibes will make you feel as though you are on holiday, rather than just out for breakfast.
- Location: 31 North Beach Road, Umdloti Beach, South Africa
- Operating hours: Monday – Sunday | 6:30 – 5:30
- Website: facebook.com/foamumdloti/
4. Neighbourhood Cafe
Picture: Neighbourhood Cafe
Within a boutique hotel in La Lucia lies a very Neighbourhood Cafe that serves an array of bagels, toasties, fry-ups, and fruity granola bowls. What makes this one of the best breakfast spots in KwaZulu Natal even better is that it has collaborated with its neighbour, Gatvol Coffee. Grab a skillfully-made creamy cappuccino, and then head to Neighbourhood Cafe for one of their delicious breakfast items.
- Location: 30 Braemar Avenue, La Lucia, Durban
- Operating hours: Tuesday – Sunday | 7:00 – 16:00
- Website: facebook.com/Neighbourhoodcafeandbar/
5. Beaver Creek
Picture: Beaver Creek
A trip to Beaver Creek must definitely be added to the itinerary if you’re ever in the South Coast. Not only will you be able to tuck into a delectable breakfast of your choice, but you will also be able to experience the coffee process from crop to cup through the tours they offer on the estate.
- Location: Beaver Creek Estate, Izingolweni Road, Port Edward
- Operating hours: Monday – Sunday | 8:00 – 16:00
- Website: beavercreek.co.za
6. Skyline
Skyline is a pet-friendly cafe with free fibre WiFi, made even better by its selection of pastries, baked goods, toasted sarmies, avocado on toast, bagels, smoothies, and more. It’s a trendy little cafe within Sage Centre in Salt Rock, always buzzing with friends catching up, families running in to buy the pre-school dropoff cup of coffee, and remote workers making use of the WiFi and relaxed atmosphere.
- Location: 1 Old Fort Road, Salt Rock
- Operating hours: Monday – Friday | 6:30 – 15:00; Saturday – Sunday | 6:30 – 12:00
- Website: Facebook page
7. Old Town Italy
Escape the country for a morning, or at least feel like you have, at Old Town Italy. This roadside restaurant serves a cracker of an egg’s benedict, scrumptious cronuts, and authentic Italian dishes. It’s not just about the food, as ‘here is where you truly experience the feeling of Old Town.
- Location: 39 Meridian Drive, Umhlanga Rocks, Durban
- Operating hours: Wednesday – Saturday | 07:00-21:00; Sunday – Tuesday | 07:00-17:00
- Website: oldtown.co.za
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