I visited The Deli Social on a crisp Saturday morning with my family, and from the moment we arrived, it was clear this place was something special. We were seated in the courtyard with a beautiful view of the mountains — a peaceful start to the day, made even better when our friendly server quickly brought over steaming coffees to shake off the morning chill.
The menu isn’t huge, but it covers all the bases: breakfast classics, bagels, focaccia sandwiches, salads, and some really tempting baked goods behind the counter. I had a latte, which was great — smooth and well-balanced — and my matcha-loving companion was equally happy with her drink.
There were a couple of great-looking options, but eventually, I settled on the breakfast bagel, and wow, it was absolutely packed with flavour. Soft scrambled eggs, smoked bacon, sharp cheddar, a hit of chilli jam and a creamy smoked paprika Hollandaise, all served on a toasted everything-bagel from Kleinsky’s. It was rich, satisfying, and completely hit the spot, I was worried it might not fill me up, but it was massive. My companion had a vegetarian croissant Eggs Benny, which looked and tasted just as indulgent. The croissant itself was buttery, flaky, and clearly made with care.
Inside, there’s a small shop that’s hard to walk through without picking something up. Every time we passed a shelf, another treat found its way into our basket — local cheeses, jams, cakes, olive oils… The Deli Social does a great job of showcasing the flavours and small producers of the Cape.
But what really made the morning unforgettable was the service. Emile, working at the till, went above and beyond. He talked us through everything in the shop, from the incredible burnt Basque cheesecake, so nice we took a second slice, to a delicate cherry pie and the flaky white pain au chocolat. One of our party asked if they could buy some of the Emmental cheese they’d had with breakfast, but there wasn’t any on the shelf. So Emile disappeared into the kitchen and returned with slices packed up and ready to go. That kind of personal touch is rare — and so appreciated.
It’s been a long time since a spot wowed me like this with breakfast. The Deli Social is warm, generous and delicious. It’s the kind of place you want to return to again and again — and I probably will. It won’t be long before the rest of Cape Town catches on, so I’ll be making the most of it before the queues start snaking down the mountain.
The Deli Social
Where: 2 Dorman Way, Hout Bay, Cape Town
Open: Mon-Fri 8am-5pm; Sat-Sun 8am-4pm
Phone: 0637027119