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Empire Cafe
Review
About
Features
CUISINES
Cafe
Meal types
Breakfast, Lunch, Brunch
Special Diets
Vegetarian friendly, Vegan options, Gluten free options
FEATURES
Free Wifi
Outdoor Seating
Reservations
Seating
Serves Alcohol
Table Service
Takeout
Waterfront
Does this restaurant offer highchairs for toddlers?
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Hours
Open until 4:00 PM
Sunday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Monday
Closed
Tuesday
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Wednesday
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Thursday
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Friday
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Saturday
7:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Contribute
4.1
167 reviews
Excellent
81
Very good
53
Average
17
Poor
7
Terrible
9
Ken G
13 contributions
Dec 2024 • friends
I have lived in Sydney, New York, London, Paris and Rome. In terms of egg dishes these were simply the best breakfasts I have ever had. I was in Muizenberg for a month and ate there at least 10 times. First thing to say is that when you ask for your bacon crisp, it comes crisp. And they always ask how you want your eggs, hard, medium or soft. Mine always came perfectly soft as I had ordered. Their eggs Benedict were absolutely perfect served along with spinach and a great hollandaise. sauce. They do some eggs with Rösti, a tex-mex mince on toast. which comes with generous portions of avocado and sour cream. All really satisfying.
The staff are incredibly polite and friendly. They seem to be enjoying their work.. The proprietor Clayton, is super cool. He has cook books by Adria Ferran, and from some of our conversations I gather he has spend his time in ulta-high end restaurants, but has settled in this lovely cafe to become the maestro of the perfect breakfast.
Written January 12, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Laura
Seville60 contributions
May 2024 • couples
Empire Café is a great place to stop and have breakfast and or just a coffee and a snack. They also make warm plates, but we only had some cake and tea which was both delicious. The place has a nice vibe and the service was very friendly, although everything took quite a while to be ready. However, if you do not come in a hurry, this is the perfect place to stop. We came in May and it was a great place to warm up from the miserable weather outside.
Written July 17, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Louise v
2 contributions
Jun 2024 • couples
We love lunch at the Empire Café. Chef/owner Clayton makes the best Spaghetti Vongole that I have ever eaten. We discovered it one afternoon when another chef was there for lunch and told us to order it. We keep going back for it. Excellent top quality food prepared with great care. Very friendly and welcoming service. Buy some of their delicious crackers and cheese straws on your way out.
Written June 29, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Bobby F
1 contribution
Jan 2025 • couples
I ordered the chicken livers with two extra poached eggs.
I got one very small egg and one minute egg.
‘No problem, please just charge me for one’
Sorry we can’t do that. They’ll take it out of my tip.
Okay can I speak to the chef/owner/manager?
He’s busy
Okay call him, I’ll wait
Chef arrives and tells me he won’t change the price.
‘You can’t always get extra large eggs. If that’s the egg you got, that’s too bad’
The extra egg is only ZAR 10 but really, is that how you talk to customers?
They serve water in dirty glasses too.
Such a pity because the location is nice and the rest of the food was too.
I spend quite a lot of time in muizenberg in the winter and definitely wouldn’t go back.
Written January 5, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jburme559858
Hamburg4 contributions
Mar 2024 • couples
The best spot in Muizenberg for food and coffee. We had the fish of the day and seafood pasta. Both were great and perfect. The view upstairs in nice and the stuff is more than friendly.
The chef is speaking to the guest and recommended the freshest food.
Also the coffee has a high quality! Don’t go to Starbucks! ;)
We‘ll be back for a few times while our stay here. Thanx!
Written March 14, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
CliveV - The Galloping Glutton.
Cape Town Central470 contributions
Aug 2023 • friends
A few of us went to Empire Cafe for lunch.
The lentil pie and 'sauce' were really delicious, as was the steak pie, although the 'sauce' could have been better.
Their fresh fruit juices are just that, unlike a number of other establishments that offer fresh juice which tends to be from a can, and really enjoyable.
The coffee was good as well.
Then owner Clayton, is always ready to help, and ready to sort out any hassles in the unlikely event that there may be some.
Written August 18, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
gwyneth v
Cooroy84 contributions
Sep 2022 • friends
Great atmosphere and so accommodating.
There were alot of us all female, conversation was lively.
We had a big table taking up a large area.
Started with coffee and cake zn hour later onto lunch.
Later still more coffees.
Never felt rushed or in the way.
Good service, friendly accommodating staff
Will go there again
Well presented hot delicious food.
All of us were happy with food and service
No complaints from waitress about separate bills.
I will be back
Written December 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Michelle J
Noordhoek36 contributions
Jan 2022 • family
In today’s world it’s Hard to believe that things only get better - Empire restaurant under new ownership only gets better.
The nostalgia iof the original Empire is respected and then some more. Love love love the new updated vibe, menu, chef’s flair and experience.
I have had the steak, eggs and chips 3 x this year already.
Smitten.
Treat yourselves.
FYI - the menu caters for non carnivores as well.
Written January 9, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ecsonza
Cape Town1807 contributions
Apr 2021 • family
Cross the rail track for a quieter spot at Muizenberg beach. Great Tribe coffee served here. We sat downstairs to enjoy afternoon treats. The chocolate triangle was good and the pastei de nade was something to write home about. The almond croissant was average - I was expecting a lighter pastry. Friendly service. Will definitely go back to try breakfast.
Written April 4, 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Jody D
Kimberley2 contributions
Nov 2022 • couples
Horrible Restaurant, not welcoming to people of colour.
Wasn't able to get a seat or even get acknowledged by the X3 waiters or even the barista in the 3mins we were there.
We rather left to go to The Shed which was WAY more welcoming.
I would never recommend anyone going there. Didn't even have the opportunity to look at the menu or taste the food.
Looks very inviting but I will never set foot there again.
Written November 18, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
declas
Harpenden15 contributions
Feb 2023 • none
I have recently discovered Empire Cafe. It is really lovely. Cosy, great atmosphere, amazing views and really good food and coffee!! Had lovely lemon meringue cheesecake and wonderful pasta lunch, and brilliant breakfasts.
Thank you will be coming back
Written March 7, 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
1Daubs1
Cape Town Central3 contributions
Feb 2020 • family
We visited Empire Cafe during loadshedding for breakfast. 1st time visit. Friendly staff. Prior to ordering we were not informed that the only coffee available was filter coffee that had been made and kept in a flask. The filter coffee was tasty enough though. Even though the table we sat down at was completely vacant, (they have long tables that can shared) the table was sticky and needed a wipe down. At bill time, they did not have a credit card machine that connects wirelessly. These machine are available and vital to all retailers during loadshedding. They arranged for us to make our EFT from home once the power returned. Hugely trusting, but not ideal.
Written February 9, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
lawrence l
1 contribution
Mar 2025 • friends
The Empire Cafe is one of a couple dozen restaurants that serve breakfast in Muizenberg Beach area. Today was my first visit and I’ll definitely return because it offered simple food very well prepared and sitting at a table looking out over the ocean was a peaceful easy feeling.
The bacon was delicious and cooked the way I ordered it, crispy. My scrambled eggs light and fluffy, the large Americano, a nice accompaniment. Several types of excellent bread are available. The price was very competitive to area establishments. Give this place a try!
Written March 18, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Campbell T
1 contribution
Aug 2024 • family
Great coffee, excellent and reasonable eats to go with it and just a lovely group of staff who treat you like family. The chocolate cruffins are to die for.
Written August 30, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Mark R
Cape Town Central3 contributions
Jul 2024 • family
Spoilt food (egg that was off), arrogant management. Unwilling to consider a patrons experience and unaware of simple experience dynamic. Great spot in the past, will be tough to be back.
Written July 5, 2024
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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