FOR A TIPPLE

LA COCO C

While the interior is sublime, it’s the food that makes the memories last. “As with all our cafés, each dish is made to order,” says Sasha Basson, one of the main brains in the restaurant group’s culinary team. As with all the other tashas locations, this one also features the Inspired Menu (with dishes specific to the particular tashas) and the Classic Menu (with dishes found at every other tashas too). The tashas Lynnwood Bridge Inspired Menu features light and bright dishes, reflective of brunching with friends in the garden and enjoying a table filled with decadent, fresh and healthy food.

Dishes that stood out for us include the homemade breakfast flatbread – filled with cheese and topped with crispy bacon and a fried egg – as well as the pana cotta pot, served with caramelised banana, peanut butter maple yoghurt and salted peanut, sunflower seed and pumpkin seed brittle. In addition, they also do lovely salads, with the Burrata Panzanella Salad being a definite favourite. (You have got to taste its chewy tomatoes and the red wine vinaigrette!)

And, what is a Pretoria restaurant without a burger? It’s a fact that tashas Lynnwood Bridge’s burgers (and pastas) are bound to have people queuing. H

Q @tashascafe

1 www.tashascafe.com

23 On Hazelwood

Nothing says Easter holiday quite like a proper brunch spot where families can spend quality time together. Based on the border of the Village’s buzz in Hazelwood, 23 on Hazelwood is the one place where quality of cuisine and good service never seems to dwindle. Their checkered black and white tiles, homy vibe and freshly baked pastries are enough to lure you in, and their coffee is sure to keep you there for much longer than anticipated. If you’re not sure what to have, we can highly recommend their Oatmeal Flapjacks, or their delightful Salmon Hash. 23 on Hazelwood is open seven days a week.

Q @23onhazelwood

AFRO-BOER

If croissants and cake are your thing, this is the place to be. Not that that is all they offer. In fact, their green smoothies seem to be rather popular among patrons, and their Avo on Rye is probably the most beautifully and decadently plated Avo on Rye you’ll find in Pretoria. You also can’t go wrong with their freshly baked scones, which are served with a divine lemon curd and cream. What we love most about Afro-Boer, though is its gardens. It’s undoubtedly the perfect spot for a family brunch.

Q @afroboer

Did you know that the popular La Coco C from the In Shere Shopping Centre in the East of Pretoria now also has a location in Waterkloof? This is unmistakably one of our favourite, healthy breakfast spots in the Jacaranda City, with a menu that is unlike most offered in the industry. Every item on the menu is good for your body, while also being tastefully and beautifully prepared. Their mission is to provide guests with an extraordinary health experience different to the norm, and they certainly succeed. The eatery also sells additional take-home items like yummy health rusks, made in-house.

Q @lacocofoodpurveyors

GEEK HOUSE EATERY

Apart from their impressive freshly baked and beautifully painted sourdough breads and possibly the best baker in Pretoria, the Geek House Eatery’s breakfast menu certainly does not disappoint. Choose between the Egghead Omelette, a Geek Yoghurt Fruit Bowl, their Bonjour French Toast, a Tower of Geek and more.

Q @geek_house_eatery

CULTURE CLUB

Whether you’re a wine snob or part of the cocktail clan, Culture Club’s got your back. In fact, at Culture Club, there’s always reason to celebrate and since specialist gin and tonics are their signature, you can’t go wrong here. It offers a viby atmosphere where young and old can indulge in their favourite streetside tipples, complemented with some of the best tapas in town.

Q @cultureclubtapas

MOO MOO, BROOKLYN MALL

It might be a restaurant that specialises in meat dishes, but Moo Moo is also known for their wine walls, with various world-class South African wines. Moo Moo at Brooklyn Mall is ideally located for families too, with the kiddies play area right next to it, which allows for parents to relax with a glass of wine while kids can play to their hearts’ content. On Sundays, there is normally also a talented artist who offers some laidback live music, making for a lovely drinks or dinner spot.

Q @moomooherd

Rockets Menlyn

Rockets Menlyn is located at Time Square in Menlyn and this is probably one of the main places where you’ll bump into the who’s who of Pretoria and beyond. In addition to its impressive champagne bar and lounge, you can expect to be wowed by the cuisine and the DJs they feature on a regular basis too. The restaurant is open to all ages, but Lolitas Bar won’t allow guys under 24 or girls under 21. No shorts after 18:00 and no slops, ever.

Q @rockets.menlyn

H&M HOME

If you’re looking to pretty up your home over the Easter season and beyond, H&M Home at Menlyn Park is currently one of our favourite décor shopping spots. H&M recently collaborated with artist and poet, Amber Vittoria, bringing bright and colourful scatters and other items into your home space. If you’re one for more muted colours, their muslin bed sets are to die for.

Q @hmhome

To Be Gift Boxes

Looking for a special gift for your mom for Mother’s Day? Actress Leandie du Randt and entrepreneur, Michelle du Randt have put their creative minds together and came up with To Be Gift Boxes, cultivating a culture of gifting and celebrating every aspect of life. Their gift boxes are beautifully packed for both men and women across South Africa, and what makes it even more special is that their Box of the Month always features the best new local products and brands on the market.

Q @tobegiftboxes

Pretoria Products

For Pretoria Products, community is everything. They are extremely proud of Pretoria’s people and its artistic community in particular. The shop celebrates their talents – from vendors passionate about creating 100% natural and recyclable products, to vendors wanting to infuse joy into others’ lives through the use of colour, there is something of everything. The products at this shop (and its market stalls) are unique and chances are that you won’t find it anywhere else.

Q @pretoria_products

BASKETLY

We’ve been fans of Basketly since forever. From small gifts like their tasselled keyrings, and short sea grass baskets perfect for decluttering, to pretty baskets for Easter eggs and the beautiful Hadley clutch bag to complete your look over the Easter holiday, they’ve got it all. They work with traditional weavers who produce the most beautiful on-trend products from 100% natural fibres and time-honoured techniques. Basketly delivers across South Africa, but their home will always be in Elarduspark, Pretoria. They now also have a New Zealand shop.

Q @basketly