From the first moment of walking into their open-plan garden, Café Paradiso boasts a classy ambience and stays true to its rustic and antique roots. Raymond, the manager, is very friendly and is more than happy to chat about the history of the café and show guests around. Café Paradiso opened 25 years ago; the building was previously an old house that was renovated and turned into the space it is today. In keeping with the times, the Madame Zingara group bought the restaurant over four years ago and added their quirky touch to the décor and menu.
As you enter, there is a typical restaurant seating arrangement, with a vintage wine room to the right. What people don’t know is that all of their bread, pizza, butter, sauces and spices are made and grown on site, and the majority of other menu items are locally sourced. There is a bakery in the back that doubles as a “play” area for children to go and bake their own bread or make their own pizza. The meal specials change weekly, ranging from pastas and fish to steaks. There is also a delicious winter buffet from Monday to Friday, 12h00 – 14h30 at R68 per plate.
They have a breakfast, lunch and dinner menu that all have their own little touches. It’s the attention to detail that makes every meal special. They are open from 09h00 till 22h00, Monday through Saturday and on Sunday they close at 14h30. The breakfast is served until 10h00, with options such as truffled black mushroom with herbed goats cheese & rocket on home baked bread or banana French toast with bacon, berries, cream cheese and maple syrup – you can also get traditional bacon and eggs! In the evenings you can enjoy the view sipping on a cocktail outside on their patio, looking out over the garden in the front of the café. They are well known for a variety of cocktails – such as their Makers Mark Old Fashion and their Long Island Iced Tea.
As it is very popular with locals and tourists, it is important to make a booking before you arrive. In fact, it’s so popular that even some celebrities such as Denzel Washington and Sean Penn have been spotted there. It is clearly a Kloof street café worth visiting.
110 Kloof Street, Tamboerskloof