This delightfully original and quirky cafe is tucked into the equally delightful Duncan Yard complex in Hatfield, home to arty shops selling mohair carpets, artisanal jewelry, and Victorian antiques. There’s also a record label, Multiracial Records, and a French garden store, among others.

Papa’s fits right in, with its two resident chickens, tabletops made of funky custom tilework, and a whimsically decorated outdoor piazza where a burbling fountain takes center stage, and old bikes, buckets and other up-cycled detritus hang from the trees and line the brightly painted walls. In addition to the outdoor courtyard, there is an indoor bar area, and various reception rooms and nooks. The restaurant occupies quite a large chunk of the complex.

The sense of playfulness and whimsicality also infuses the menu, which is decorated with childlike drawings and comes attached to a clipboard via two metal binder rings. Surprisingly, the food lineup isn’t all that creative, but will not leave you hungry. Classics like oxtail potjie, battered hake and chips, pork ribs, and grilled calamari tubes are prepared with care and precision — and artfully served on extra-large dishware.

I went for breakfast, and enjoyed the hearty Papa’s Sun Riser, which comprises bacon, boerewors, eggs, grilled tomato, mushrooms, toast and coffee. All the major food groups on one plate! Other AM options include the three-egg omelette, the toasted bacon panini, and the savoury waffle (home-made with corn, roasted cherry tomatoes, caramelized onion and cream cheese). I will be sure to try this next time!

The service was fairly fast and very polite, though the main entrance area was deserted when we arrived and we initially thought the place was not open yet — the staff and other diners were all ensconced in the courtyard, which is accessed through various corridors. Prices are reasonable as well.

Papa’s is a lovely, unique place to have a meal, a coffee, a party, or even a wedding — they accommodate special events as well as walk-in diners.