A cosy bistro-bar serving all-day breakfast in the innercity.
American cook Julia Child famously said: “With enough butter, anything is good” – something sisters and owners of Butter, Aninke and Karien van Antwerpen, agree with wholeheartedly: butter does indeed make absolutely everything taste better. They go as far as to call butter the noblest of ingredients, saying it creates new textures, enhances flavours and adds complexity. So, why not create a whole menu around butter?
Well, that’s exactly what they did. And, it’s also the reason they named their quaint little daytime spot in Cape Town’s CBD after their favourite ingredient, and why everything here is made with butter or arrives at your table with a big dollop of it, and why the food on their menu quite literally melts in your mouth.
Finger-licking food
Whether you’re after breakfast, lunch or brunch cocktails, grab a seat – any time of the day – and take your pick. If you decide on the popular Hashbrown Stack: two poached eggs, bacon, avo, feta, peppadew and rocket – we speak from experience when we say you won’t leave a morsel. It happened to a specific teenage guest who luckily came hungry.
I enjoyed the Make Room For Mushroom – a hearty mushroom and Parmesan risotto – beautifully paired with a glass of white wine.
You can also be cheeky and pair the Butter White Russian cocktail (oat milk, Kahlua, vodka and espresso) or the Morning Mule (vodka, ginger, orange juice, lime) with classic comfort fare in the form of a homemade Butter Burger or the Burnt Butter Ravioli.
Vegans are catered for, too with the likes of the Healthy Cocoporridge (gluten free oats, quinoa, buckwheat, cinnamon, coconut milk, berry compote, banana, pear and almond butter) and Brent’s Bowl (zucchini linguini with slow-roasted tomatoes and homemade basil pesto).
I vouch for the delicious (and very substantial) homemade Butter Scone served with, er, butter, cream and homemade berry jam. Perfect as a mid-morning snack with a cup of iced coffee. Its consistency is perfect – firm enough not to crumble as you cut it and soft enough to, well, melt in your mouth with condiments piled on top.
Let the sun shine…
It’s easy to spot Butter tucked between Loop Street’s grey city buildings – its buttery-cream walls and open umbrellas are a ray of sunshine spilling across the sidewalk. It’s a busy spot, even on weekends when the city centre usually slows down.
Inside is light and bright too, and the look is fresh, simple and modern. Comfortable wooden tables and chairs provide seating, with snazzy minimalist light bulbs, lush potted plants and a few cute drawings on the walls creating a warm, friendly and easy-on-the-eye space. And, with its free wifi, Butter is a great spot for an out-of-the-office workday, too.
If you’re on your way home but don’t feel quite buttered up enough, grab a freshly baked bag of biscuits, brioche, buns or wraps – made in-store daily.
Opening times Tuesday – Friday, 8am – 3pm
Saturday, 9am – 3pm
Sunday, 9.30am – 2pm
Contact 082 853 1939, hello@butterallday.com
Address 70 Loop Street, Cape Town CBD
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