Cape Quarter Shop A11 Dixon Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town Central, South Africa
Cuisine:
French
Good for:
Breakfast/Brunch, Doing Business, Entertaining Clients, Lunch, Reservations
La Petite Tarte
5 Visitor Photos +
Expert Review
La Petite Tarte is a small French treasure just on the perimeter of the old Cape Quarter Piazza (It’s across...
La Petite Tarte is a small French treasure just on the perimeter of the old Cape Quarter Piazza (It’s across Dixon Street from the Cape Quarter Lifestyle Village shopping center in Green Point. There are a lot of shopping opportunities and interesting galleries in this historic area, so La Petite Tarte is a nice place to stop for breakfast, lunch, or just a quick pick-me-up of cake and coffee.
La Petite Tarte’s croissants are rumored to be the real deal and among the best in town. The all-day breakfast menu looks very good, in particular, I’d like to give the soufflé omelette a try or, perhaps, the croque monsieur. I stopped in for a weekday lunch amid a stroll through the Cape Quarter. Even though it’s a French focused café, I couldn’t resist the old South African favorite, bobotie. It’s a Cape Malay inspired dish consisting of a baked meat and egg casserole with spicy and sweet elements contributed by plenty of spices and dried apricots and raisins and slivered almonds. It’s served with traditional yellow rice, sambal and chutney. I topped that off with a cappuccino and a slice of flourless orange and almond cake. Everything was very delicious and beautifully presented. The bobotie was baked into a single serving ramekin rather than being a slice out of a normal casserole, a very nice touch presentation wise.
The small restaurant is quaintly decorated, and with tables that spill out onto the balcony overlooking the cobblestone street, it feels very European. Service was excellent and very friendly. I had at least four different people checking on me throughout the meal. The highlight of the décor, besides cakes and pastries stacked everywhere, is an absolutely massive and stunning flower arrangement. La Petite Tarte is definitely worth a try if you’re in the area.
Expert Review
Ahh, La Petite Tarte, tucked away in Green Point. What a little gem. From the moment you step in, you...
Ahh, La Petite Tarte, tucked away in Green Point. What a little gem.
From the moment you step in, you realise this place is something special. It’s like stepping into a bistro on the outskirts of Paris. Attention to detail is everywhere, from furniture through to crockery.
Clearly it is well-supported by regulars; the owner mingles around and chats with everyone. But not only local regulars — the eavesdropper in me picked up that there were regulars from overseas on repeat visits to Cape Town and La Petite Tarte.
I arrived at about 2.30pm, well after lunchtime, and was lucky to get a table. The menu is limited in that ingredients are bought fresh and meals prepared fresh on order, so as the day wears on, the menu gets smaller as items are scratched off.
Given the heat in Cape Town at the time, I chose the smoked chicken and avocado salad. In due course my salad arrived and I got stuck in. I had no idea a salad was not always just a salad. Every component in the dish had its own flavour — the smoked chicken was perfect and tender, everything else, crisp and crunchy. The dressing was sublime. I cleared my plate, not a morsel left behind.
The ambiance was great. I was surrounded by animated conversation.
After my meal I went off to explore the cake counter. My eyes were locked onto the baked cheesecake, but alas, I was too full. I do however intend going back within a day or two, to get me some of that cheesecake.
La Petite Tarte is a real winner, with good service and excellent quality at a very very reasonable price.
When in Cape Town, be sure to stop by and see for yourself.