The 11 best breakfast and brunch spots in Johannesburg

Cafe Billibi has long been one of Johannesburg East’s go-to breakfast spots, but its all-day offering deserves just as much attention.

Equal parts neighbourhood institution and polished café, Billibi blends warm service, relaxed bistro-style interiors, and a menu that captures modern Joburg dining perfectly, wholesome breakfasts, indulgent comfort food, and excellent coffee, all under one roof.

The breakfast menu is one of the best in the city, from the loaded Big Boy breakfast to seasonal specials like the BBQ pulled pork rosti topped with poached eggs. But lunch is where the café truly surprises.

The prawn and chorizo pasta is rich, smoky and deeply comforting, while the chorizo burger, layered with mozzarella and peri-peri mayo, is unapologetically indulgent in the best way.

Add a strong drinks menu of red cappuccinos, dirty chai lattes, smoothies and cocktails, and it’s easy to see why locals keep coming back.

Address: 85 Boeing Road E, Bedfordview

Njam is a cool, lekker restaurant located in Linden, one of the coolest neighbourhoods in the world.

It offers a wide variety of delicious options, perfect for breakfast or lunch. The meals are rich, fresh, and full of local flavour — making the eatery a true hidden gem. While it’s a favourite among locals, it also attracts food lovers from all over Jozi. The deli section offers freshly baked treats, and the eatery takes pride in producing many of its own ingredients. The breakfast menu features a range of delights such as freshly-made croissants, pies, breads, fudges, milk tarts, and brownies, as well as the popular Middle Eastern dish, shakshuka.

The brunch and lunch menu caters to both meat lovers and vegetarians. The roosterkoek and tomato smoor are absolutely delicious and highly recommended.

If you’re in the mood for something light, try one of their fresh salads — the roasted corn or lentil, broccoli and avocado. 

Njam, which is the Afrikaans word for tasty, truly lives up to its name.

Address: 3rd Ave &, 6th St, Linden, Randburg. 

Croft & Co is a beloved neighbourhood cafe, tucked away in Parkview on Tyrone Avenue. Before you even set foot in the door, you can feel that homegrown hospitality. They don’t take reservations and there’s usually a bit of a queue but the cafe sprawls way into the back with plenty of seating, so tables move fast and it’s worth the wait. It’s got a strong local following, with a gaggle of regulars who visit so frequently they’re practically part of the furniture. It’s a popular haunt for cyclists too, popping in for a bite and cup of coffee post-ride. The menu is varied and surprisingly affordable, with hefty portions at a fraction of the cost you’d pay elsewhere. Try the brisket eggs with a glass of fresh pineapple juice, then meander down the strip.

Address: Corner of Tyrone Avenue and Ennis Road, Parkview

Del Forno first opened its doors in 2000 and hasn’t looked back since. While they are better known for their Mediterranean-inspired lunches and dinners, they make a mean breakfast too, with ample options for both meat-lovers and vegetarians. You’ll be hard-pressed to choose when faced with options like the fried feta pesto eggs served on smashed avo toast, the Elvis French Toast – an indulgent classic with a decadent twist – or the peinirli, a flavourful Turkish-style breakfas with egg, feta, mozzarella, tomato and green peppers. Their full-bodied Bello coffee is a blend of South American, Central American and African beans. However, if you want to cut down on the caffeine, you can complement your breakfast with one of their deluxe hot chocolates, milkshakes or refreshing lemonades.

Address: Various across Johannesburg

PAUL in Melrose Arch is not just a patisserie, cafe or a restaurant - they're all three. Established in the 1800s in France, the restaurant opened in South Africa in the 1980s and has become a place where all the girls and boys go with their families or on a date to get their Francais fix in Johannesburg. The cafe and patisserie is one of those rare spots that actually cares about coffee - not only the quality of the beans but the roast and its preparation. Their menu features a selection of gourmet coffees which has earned them the title of being one of the major players in the coffee market in France. To put the cherry on top, every one of their teams opening a new branch are trained in France to deliver the authenticity that guaranteed the success of the very first PAUL.

Address: Melrose Arch Shopping Centre, Melrose North

This cosy café on the corner of Jan Smuts Avenue, Rosebank, is inspired by the street-style cafes of Europe, from the tables and chairs on the sidewalk to the menu offerings. It features a dark green theme which creates a peaceful oasis just off the bustling street. The menu has a large focus on breakfast and brunch, offering breakfast bowls, smoothies and egg dishes galore. Do try the Turkish eggs and Mediterranean Shakshuka for breakfast with a difference. In a rush? Pick a ready-made toastie, tramezzini, wrap or baguette from the Grab and Go section. The coffee, served in green cups, is a Brazilian/Honduran blend with hazelnut and chocolate tones. Settle down inside with your laptop and you can work for hours without distractions.

Address: Jan Smuts Avenue, Rosebank

Behind a book shelf and the smell of fresh coffee brewing is a restaurant where you'll get the best red velvet cake you'll ever have, with generous portions and an amazing view. Olives and Plates started as a coffee shop and quickly grew into a Johannesburg staple for brunch. Their style of brunch means the menu is made for sharing and balanced flavours that gets your palate buzzing. A bite into an Olives and Plates dish will have you wondering how the chef did that... Their greatest accomplishment is bringing people together over good food made with the best produce. To top it off, their seasonal high teas have become a way to meet up with people who have a taste for the finer foods in life and lots to talk about.

Address: Hyde Park Corner Shopping Centre

If you can’t decide between buffet and à-la-carte, then breakfast at San Restaurant will oblige with the best of both worlds. The in-house restaurant of the prestigious Sandton Sun Hotel welcomes both hotel guests and day visitors. Locally sourced, seasonal ingredients are favoured here, and one can watch the chefs preparing them in the show kitchen. The expansive buffet spread consists of cold meats and fish, pastries, cheeses, cereals, fruits, salads, smoothies and more. The hot à la carte menu spans a wide selection, with both old favourites and unique dishes like the Jozi Benedict, which replaces the traditional English muffin with a vetkoek.

Tip: Enjoy your breakfast on the popular San Deck with a side of panoramic Sandton skyline views.

Address: Sandton Sun and Towers, Sandton

Back in 2005, a little cafe opened up in Atholl Square. Little did anyone know that that small, al-fresco breakfast spot would expand to over 20 branches, not just throughout South Africa but in the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom too. Tashas is here to stay, with a stack of staple menu items available at every branch and a small ‘Inspired By’ menu of special dishes to complement the surroundings of each particular cafe. Portions are always massive, crammed with fresh ingredients. No matter which branch you visit, it’s probably bustling with plenty of repeat customers and the staff are fantastic with kids. For something different while enjoying breakfast with friends, try the Citrus Sunrise. It tastes even better than it looks.

Address: Various locations around Johannesburg

Founded in 2016 as a micro-roastery and coffee bar in Bryanston, Manaka Coffee has since expanded to multiple locations. Their latest branch opened in Rand Steam Shopping Centre, a Johannesburg heritage site, which once thrived as a steam-powered laundry for aspiring gold miners. Patrons are seated in an airy glass-fronted area or al fresco under a majestic old pepper tree, surrounded by remnants of the laundry’s heyday. The all-day breakfast menu includes a wide variety of both classics and innovative dishes with a South African twist, like the breakfast burger, the spicy chicken liver croissant or the chili con carne with egg. The coffee is home-brewed with beans from Brazil, India, Ethiopia and Tanzania. End your meal on a sweet note with their selection of cakes.

Address: Napier Road, Richmond

Arbour Cafe is hidden in Birdhaven’s Wrenrose Court on Andrew Street and brunch in their French-inspired courtyard, decked out with fairy lights and plenty of lush foliage, lets you forget that you’re in the middle of the city. The quiet ambience is a welcome reprieve from the chaos of Joburg life, creating a serene setting to catch up with family and friends. Their menu is varied but they’re known for their galettes (gluten-free, buckwheat French pancakes), filled with fresh ingredients, and their rich, hearty omelettes. The salted caramel and apple crepe is worth saving space for and there are several options for treats for your dog, too. Book on a weekend for their L’Ormarins Bottomless Mimosa Brunch if you’re feeling decadent.

Address: Shop 6 Wrenrose Court, 64 St Andrew Street, Birdhaven