quaint lunch spots in the burbs: starlings and orchid cafe

Luckily my lifestyle is such that while I am still a working girl, I am able to ‘do lunch’ with some of the friends that are not. 

These two spots are lovely little restaurants to meet a friend for lunch when trekking around the mountain to the  Southern Suburbs.

STARLINGS

It’s a wildly popular little spot to meet for breakfast, tea or lunch on Belvedere Road Claremont. 

An old Victorian cottage has been converted into an eatery, decorated shabby chic, it feels homely and comforting. On a warm day you can sit outside, otherwise there are multiple little nooks and crannies inside to get cozy.

The cakes and quiches are freshly made and the lunch menu consist of a few daily specials, a selection of salads, sandwiches and wraps.

They do a lovely tea ceremony with a clear teapot on a burner and an egg timer for the perfect brew. It makes you wonder why all tea pots are not glass and ensures your second cup is not ice cold as is usually the case. 

I love attention to detail like that, it makes you feel special.

Their trained barista’s whip up a fab cup of coffee too.

We had the tart of the day which was mushroom and feta, served with a small side salad and for R40. I think great value.

It’s advisable to book as they can get quite busy:

Starlings, 94 Belvedere Road, Claremont  tel: 021 6716875

ORCHID CAFE

Neatly nestled at the back of Chelsea Butik on Wolfe street in Wynberg Chelsea, is the very delightful Orchid cafe.

Open for Breakfast and Lunch, the food is really good.  Quality ingredients, lovingly home made and nicely presented.  What more do you want served with a good friend and a good gossip.

The type of things you will find on the menu, which changes regularly are: a hot tart of the day, salmon or parma ham on sweetcorn blini, risotto, a hearty soup with toast, salads and gourmet sandwiches.

They also do two fantastic burgers:  the lamb mince burger with mature cheddar, crispy bacon and a home made tomato chilli jam and cucumber pickle, and the free range chicken breast burger with caramelised onion, real mayonnaise and emmenthal.  Both served on a homemade bun.

I look forward to going back.