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the Charles

African Bistro Breakfast Cape Malay European Mediterranean South African
RR

Attributes

  • Child Friendly
  • Outdoor Seating
  • Great Views
  • Fireplace
  • Reviewers' Choice 2022 - Top 100
  • Reviewers' Choice 2023 - Top 100

The Charles is one of De Waterkants most loved eateries. This could be credited to the waiters friendly welcomes, the baristas delicious coffees, or the chefs culinary delights or a combination of the lot that make the whole experience just perfect.

Reviews (369)

4.6 out of 5.0
Based on the past 12 months
Food 4.6
Value 4.5
Service 4.4
Ambience 4.7
  • Ronnie Dined: 2 weeks ago
    2.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 3.0
    Service 1.0
    Ambience 1.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 10 Mar 24
    Management is poor waiter had a bad attitude only thing going for them is the food and location. You paying top $ you would expect top service and better management without it the food is way overpriced not happy we won’t be back

  • Carlota Dined: 3 weeks ago
    4.3
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 3.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Sun 03 Mar 24
    Great atmosphere and tasty food

  • Fabian S. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 01 Mar 24
    The food and our dining experience were great. A couple more vegan options would make it even better. :-)

  • Torsten R. Dined: 4 weeks ago
    4.8
    Food 4.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Fri 01 Mar 24
    The best cafe in Cape Town

  • Martina Dined: 1 month ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Thu 22 Feb 24
    We ate the third time here. Gorgeous location. The bobotie is highly recommended !

  • Sheree S. Dined: 1 month ago
    5
    Food 5.0
    Value 5.0
    Service 5.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 19 Feb 24
    What a fabulous place to have breakfast on a Sunday morning........ everything was outstanding! The smashed avo on toast was delish and the omelette was brilliant! Great oat milk cappuccinos - their oat milk is the best I have had!!!

  • Arlene M. Dined: 1 month ago
    2.3
    Food 1.0
    Value 1.0
    Service 2.0
    Ambience 5.0

    Reviewed on: Mon 19 Feb 24
    SUCH a disappointment after countless visits to The Charles. Based off our recommendation, we brought friends for lunch on their 1 day in Cape Town and it was a major let down all around considering how many options we had to choose from in the area! After our orders were taken the first time, there was a gap in service then the waitress returned to say the burgers ordered were unavailable as there were no bread rolls. Then the chicken curry was to be served with sourdough instead of roti, there was no fish and no specials... After 45 minutes wait, and asking twice about our order, we were finally served cold chicken curry with cold rice, sourdough and drenched in a mountain of coconut chips attempting to mask the lack of content; risotto that more resembled puree baby food and the world's most disappointing babotie Lack of communication - Lack of attention from staff - lack of thought-process from the kitchen (there's a SPAR and Woollies 2 minutes away. If they had run out of roti or burger buns the better solution would have been to buy more, not serve COLD SOURDOUGH with a curry!) Hugh disappointment. We have experienced "niggles" before and always allowed for human error or genuine mistakes, but this was too too much. At every turn everything was terrible. And at the end of the meal not so much as a bottle of water was offered in recompense despite complaints & issues being communicated to multiple staff and the "supervisor" Would NOT recommend

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Opening Hours

  • Monday 07h00 - 16h00
  • Tuesday 07h00 - 16h00
  • Wednesday 07h00 - 21h00
  • Thursday 07h00 - 21h00
  • Friday 07h00 - 21h00
  • Saturday 07h00 - 16h00
  • Sunday 07h00 - 16h00