127 Bree Street, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Cuisine:
Contemporary
Good for:
Breakfast/Brunch
Birds Boutique Cafe
9 Visitor Photos +
REVIEWS
2 Reviews
127 Bree Street, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Expert Review
Located on busy Bree Street, Birds Café is modern, welcoming and features some beautiful country-style décor that will wow you!...
Located on busy Bree Street, Birds Café is modern, welcoming and features some beautiful country-style décor that will wow you! This is a very busy lunch spot and the perfect place for a delicious brunch with friends. Their daily lunch specials and daily desserts are a must-have when you dine at Birds Café. They also offer a great selection of teas and coffees. There are tables outside for warmer months, when you can sit on the side walk and watch the world go by as you enjoy some gourmet treats. Although I did find this restaurant quite expensive for the small portions they serve, I would definitely return with guests who are new to Cape Town. The atmosphere is truly unique and inviting!
For lunch, I enjoyed the Open Beef Burger with homemade bacon, mushrooms and mature cheese. This was one of their daily specials and definitely a stunning dish. The homemade bacon was great and I really enjoyed the crunchy onion rings. The open burger concept is modern and something I haven’t seen before but the burger was very small and came with no sides. I was left hungry but thoroughly enjoyed the flavours and incredible taste.
For dessert, I ordered the Pancakes with Nutella and Icing Sugar. The pancakes are served in twos and come with a variety of fillings. They were very well presented but also very simple and average. I wouldn’t recommend these if you’re peckish and looking for a filling treat.
With my dessert, I ordered the Green Leaf Ginger and Lemon tea. The green tea was served with a side of ginger and lemon, so you can create your own potency of each. I thought it was a brilliant idea and exactly what you want from a modern, high-priced café like Birds. Bravo!
Expert Review
Birds Café finds itself currently sitting in one of the coolest parts of Cape Town, between Church and Bree Streets...
Birds Café finds itself currently sitting in one of the coolest parts of Cape Town, between Church and Bree Streets opposite the mecca for free-range meat and craft beer. And naturally, the city’s trendiest hipsters convene in this zone. Sitting outside Birds Café in summer provides for plenty of beautiful-people watching opportunities.
Few people know that the café has been running for ten years, though not always at this venue. Gone are the crates for chairs from years ago, and the space is fitted with sleek wooden furniture. It’s plain, and simple. And it leaves all the talk to the food.
Organic, foraged, in-season, on point? That’s the food you can expect from chef-owners Leigh Trout and Kevin Mink who are there from morning until night most days of the week. Gluten free options are also available.
The Birds Nest salad is a popular lunch choice, and the pancakes (thin and light, with lots of lemon and a freshly squeezed juice) are a great option for brunch or quick meetings. Ordering a hot water comes with lemon, honey, and even ginger, with no judgments.
For dinner, I always opt for the fish on the menu. While fish can be a bit of a gamble at the best of restaurants (too dry, or worse, mushy), Birds seems to be consistent in their preparation whether its angelfish, trout, or kingklip – it’s always succulent with nicely crisped skin and served with in-season vegetables. The winter cauliflower soup with a piece of grilled salmon is a wonderful carb-free option that wins points for originality.
Lunch and brunch is usually filled to the brim – it’s a popular meeting spot too. No Wi-Fi is offered as yet, though.
Dinnertime can either be packed, or you can find yourself at the only other occupied table, so if you’re up for atmosphere and vibe, go over the weekend. Service, however, can be tardy at times.