Bean Tree Cafe, Observatory

Updated: 25-01-2021

Update: 10 September 2020

Bean Tree Café at the Groote Schuur Spar in Observatory is open again and ready to serve you their delicious menu. Known as a great coffee shop and breakfast spot, Bean Tree also offers a succulent steak menu which includes BBQ or Masala basted Fillet steak or T-Bone, chops and ribs.

They have Salaah facilities and Wifi. Bean Tree is great for a quick meeting or hook-up with friends and family. Conveniently located with ample free and secure parking.

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The Bean Tree Café in Obs is a little hidden gem. Situated next to the Spar on Main Road Observatory, Also known as Groote Schuur Spar due to its proximity to the hospital, you could quite easily drive right passed it… but that would be a mistake. The entrance is right off the covered parking in front of the Spar. The smell of coffee will direct you even before your eyes catch sight of the outside seating. The inside is well lit, spacious and welcoming. We chose the comfy seats and a double table so junior had space to colour and draw. That kept him busy whilst we ordered. The staff were friendly and helpful and able to suggest some options from the rather comprehensive menu.

Breakfast is well catered for from Muesli and Yoghurt to flap jacks and French toast and the full house breakfast, omelettes and eggs benedict. There’s a small salad section, a starter menu with soup, chilli poppers and nachos. Light meals including masala steak sandwich, wraps, croissants, pizza and a selection of burgers. Note to self, we are going to need to return for a second round of tasters later in the day.

Today though was about breakfast, and we were not disappointed. Junior decided waffles and ice cream was a good breakfast choice. Don’t judge, sometimes you just have to go with the flow. I opted for the man’s choice, The Bean Tree Filler. Eggs, macon, sausage, mushrooms and tomato. Its tradition for me once a year on the morning after the Cycle Tour to replenish all that spent energy by having a large breakfast at a well known establishment. The bean Tree experience will be my choice for this from now on. The food was delicious, well done and more than adequate in size. D decided to have the scrambled eggs with flaked snoek and chilli. A good choice on its own but after tasting the Bean Tree Filler, the flavour was a little plain. Presentation was good and service quick. And then of course there was the coffee, which had been calling from the time we arrived. The latte and a cappuccino was our choice of poison and we were not disappointed.

Prices are reasonable. The 2 breakfasts, waffle and latte set us back R200. The burgers start at R59, 200g Steak Fillet at R149, even the mocktails were under R40 on average. The only downside of this café is its proximity to the carpark. The outside seating would have been quite pleasant despite the Astroturf, or maybe because of it… but you find yourself watching the cars as it shares the same space of the undercover parking. Once inside though, the car park right outside makes no difference. Open all week but closed on Sundays.

At this point sadly I must confess there was no space for the cakes in the display counter. I’m told the cheesecake is the bomb. Perhaps the next Cycle Tour is too far away to wait for our next visit to the Bean Tree in Obs.

Listed 10 September 2017