Bakers are the back-bone of any society. A trade as old as time, bakeries still have their place in modern day life and form a crucial part of people’s weekly routine. Where would you be without your weekend sourdough or hump-day croissant? Sad and without joy, that’s where.

In Cape Town, we are lucky to have some of the best bakers and bakeries around. Our sourdough selection is off the charts and if you’re in the mood for French pâtisserie, you won’t have to look too far. Here are some of our favourite bakeries that are dotted all around the Mother City.

City Bowl & Atlantic Seaboard

Stop by one of these incredible establishments to grab a coffee and a pastry before your morning ‘prom’ walk.

Jason’s Bakery

Jason’s Bakery is a Cape Town institution and has been many Capetonians’ local morning stop for years. They keep it interesting with a new ‘Doughssant of the Month’ (no flavour gets repeated!) and are always adding limited bakes to their rotation. We recently tried their Blueberry Cinnamon Danish… let’s just say more than one was consumed.

83 Main Road, Green Point

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Schoon Bakery

SCHOON is the triple threat of bakeries — delicious pastries, breads and sweet treats. They also have branches in Kloof Street, Sea Point, Stellenbosch, Durbanville, Paarl and Somerset West. They make a mean pastéis de nata and their bread selection is fire.

Cnr Kloof & Rheede St, Gardens | 206 Main Road, Sea Point | The Point Mall, 76 Regent Road, Sea Point | 4 Church Street, Stellenbosch | 3 Bright Street, Somerset West | Laborie Centre Store 12, Main Road, Paarl | 6 Koelenhof Street, Van Riebeeckshof |

schoon.co.za | Instagram

Sweet Lionheart

If you’re looking for impeccably crafted statement cakes and on-trend bakes then look no further than Sweet Lionheart. Their retail offering at Makers Landing is an ever-changing showcase of innovation, from mouthwatering tray bakes to show-stopping cookies and, of course, their super popular mini cakes. We love that you can order certain items ahead, pay online, and simply pop in to collect. They are the place to go if you need a sweet treat for a special occasion or a spoil for you… just because.

Unit G08, Makers Landing, The Cruise Terminal, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town

sweetlionheart.com | Instagram

Bentley’s Bread Co.

A quintessential neighbourhood bakery, Bentleys Bread Co. specialises in bread and sweet treats. As you walk in, you’re hit with that inimitable smell of freshly baked pastries. Their bagels and burger buns are some of the best in town, so now you know where to go for your next #burgernight.

162 Main Road, Sea Point

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Coco Safar

Voted as producing one of the best croissants in the world by Food & Wine magazine, Coco Safar is hard to beat when it comes to these classic French pastries. Whether you go plain or more indulgent like their hazelnut or pistachio version, you won’t be disappointed. We’ve tried them all pretty much (quite a feat as there are quite a few) and we’ve decided that you can’t choose just one – let’s just say that the hazelnut version is definitely leading the pack.

Artem Centre, Sea Point Main Road

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Paris Cape Town

Paris Cape Town is the only authentic French patisserie in town that uses traditional, artisanal techniques with basic French ingredients. Experience the wonder and beauty of French pâtisserie — mille-feuille, tarte au citron, chocolate eclairs and  Paris-Brest. Picture perfect and delicious.

55 Main Road, Green Point

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The Bread Bar Café

We highly recommend The Bread Bar’s farm loaf and their brioche buns are out of this world. Yum!

Maker’s Landing, Cape Town Cruise Terminal

thebreadbarcafe.co.za | Instagram

Dinkel

Dinkel is a German bakery in the heart of Cape Town specialising in German speciality breads and rolls, as well as German cakes and confectionery. Definitely worth a visit if you’re looking for something a bit different.

91 Kloofnek Road, Gardens

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Oswald’s Bakery

Oswald’s is a family-run bakery specialising in sourdough bread and pastries. They have an incredible range of loaves — you’ll be able to try a new one every time you go!

29 Union Street, Gardens

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Grumpy & Runt Little Deli & Donuts

If you ever have a doughnut craving, Grumpy & Runt is where it’s at! This quaint vegan deli and bakery like to keep things quirky, fresh and scrumdiddlyumptious. They‘re mostly known for their irresistible doughnuts and have weekly flavour drops. Some doughnut flavours previously featured on their delicious line-up include lemon meringue, coffee buttercream & cheesecake, cannoli and oreo truffle to name but a few. Keep your eyes peeled on their social for more. They only do small-batch orders, so don’t wait to place those orders.

Dunkley Square, Cape Town

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South Yeaster

This family-run artisan bakery in Hout Bay has reinvigorated many people’s love for traditionally baked French pastries. Their pain au chocolat is unrivalled (in our opinion) and their sourdough is spectacular! South Yeaster Bakery is only open from Wednesday to Saturday, so get there while the goods are hot!

5 The Promenade, Hout Bay

southyeaster.co.za | Instagram

Southern Suburbs

Get your pastry fix, from Woodstock to Hout Bay.

Buns Bakery

Established in 2019 by Lauren Case, Buns Bakery serves fresh to order small-batch sweet treats. They have an entire vegan cake menu as well, so sweet treats for everyone! Their offerings change, so follow them on social media to see what’s on offer.

Unit B6 Salt Orchard, 14 Briar Road, Salt River | Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock

bunsbakery.co.za | Instagram

Four & Twenty

Located in Wynberg’s charming Chelsea Village, Four & Twenty has a selection of whimsical Parisian pastries. A great place for a brunch date. Enjoy any one of the amazing pastries from their selection and make sure you take something home for later too!

23 Wolfe Street, Wynberg

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Chardonnay Deli

Farmstall, deli, bakery and restaurant, Chardonnay Deli will match any mood you’re in. Their pastries never disappoint and neither do their freshly baked breads. If you live in the area, this is probably your local. A must-visit if you’re in Constantia.

87 Constantia Main Road, Constantia

chardonnaydeli.co.za | Instagram

Martin’s Bakery

A European-style bakery, Martin’s specialises in baked goods that are free from preservatives and baked using traditional methods. Owners, John and Teresa, pride themselves on creating a neighbourhood space that serves the community with delicious treats and pastries.

43 Main Road, Diep River

martinsbakery.co.za | Instagram

Proof Bakery

Proof Bakery is an artisanal bakery that specialises in breads and croissants made with stoneground flour. Some of their best sellers include almond croissants, beignets and chocolate mousse croissants.

Belvedere Square, Claremont

proofbakery.co.za | Instagram

Strand

Venturing out? Hit up these spots for the best bakes.

Pajamas + Jam Eatery

The female-run Pajamas + Jam Eatery in Strand is worth the drive if you live in Cape Town. They have an incredible menu that is updated often according to what is seasonally available. They have a plethora of sweet treats like cinnamon swirls, croissants, gourmet muffins and a selection of extraordinary cakes that will make your eyes pop. The whole space is a visual feast for the eyes, expect to explore and spend in their stunningly curated retail section. Also, expect to wait to be seated, there is always a queue of eager patrons.

32 Van Zyl Street, Strand

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West Coast

Trecastelli

Delicious Italian confectionery, freshly made every day. Think freshly baked cannoli, cannonata, ventaglio and profiteroles. You can order bulk for a special occasion or visit their restaurant in Tableview.

2 Porterfield Road, Tableview

trescatelli.co.za | Facebook