Our Local Kloof Street — Restaurant in Gardens

Our Local

Our Local is one of those places that will quickly become your local spot. Sorry, I had to. Okay, enough joking around, let’s get into it.

Let me start with the atmosphere. This restaurant setting is like a garden greenroom mixed with some antique pieces that, if I’m not mistaken, are for sale. There are plants everywhere, and my favorite feature is the crazy long shared table in the middle of the restaurant, separated by plants between parties. Just beautiful. It is such a unique experience.

This spot is perfect to go with friends or solo. It is almost always buzzing. If you are going with friends, I can highly recommend making it a boozy brunch. Their cocktail menu is extensive. If you’re going solo, their coffee is immaculate, unless you want to drink alone. I’m not judging. Their WiFi is also great, although it gets really busy. If you’re like me, I feel too guilty taking up space to work on my laptop on a busy day. So, it is not the best spot to work from in peak season. Unless you’re unfazed by this, and to that, I wish I had your confidence.

As always, my order is a flat white with almond milk (R38, +R18 almond milk = R56, WHOA). Look, it’s good, but honestly, paying an extra R18 for almond milk? It should be great. It doesn’t have me doing backflips, as it should for that price. To think I could pay an extra R9 for a mimosa that might have me doing backflips afterwards… Anyway, sorry about that rant.

Let’s start with my favorite dish, the Green Shakshuka. Yes, untraditional but absolutely delicious. Silky, golden yolked poached eggs in lemony spinach, leeks, edamame, zucchini, and other greens, topped with creamy feta and served with sourdough toast. The vegetables are perfectly cooked, soft yet crunchy, and the feta adds just the right saltiness. That toast? Toasted and buttered to perfection. The combination of the buttery goodness with the soft yolks—heaven.

Next, the Healthy Vibes Bowl (R120). A lighter but indulgent option, with creamy Greek yoghurt, seasonal crisp fruit, gluten-free quinoa granola, berry compote, and honey on the side. The granola is the perfect balance of crunchy and chewy, and the berry compote is sweet-tart perfection. You might not even need the honey, but that’s your call.

Finally, the Osso Buco (R165). Slow-braised beef shin in tomato ragu on creamy mashed potatoes, finished with gremolata. The meat is fall-apart tender, and the mashed potatoes are fluffy and comforting. My only wish? More gremolata for extra zest to cut through the richness.

I love Our Local and wish I lived closer so it could truly become my local. The coffee price is steep, so I recommend going for a cocktail instead. This spot is perfect for a boozy brunch with friends, and the vibe is always buzzing. The staff are incredibly kind, and no matter how busy it gets, they always take the time to make you...

This was such a disappointment given how beautiful the place looked inside. I ordered an iced latte which was the worst drink I've ever ordered and the first one that I've returned for being so bad. It tasted like they just mixed a teaspoon of coffee and ice water and added some ice cubes along with a splash of milk. I tried adding sugar to the drink to make it drinkable but it was just an awful drink. When I explained to the waitress that the drink wasn't nice and that she can take it back, she seemed more concerned about whether I was going to pay for the drink (I literally took 3 sips because it was gross) rather than concerned about whether the drink had just been made incorrectly. She then asked me if it was my first time having an iced latte and told me that no other customer ever complained about the ice latte. This shocked me because it seemed irrelevant given that I very clearly showed that I was dissatisfied with the drink. The waitress then said her manager would come to speak to me about the drink but no one ever came. I had hoped the food would be better but my table waited over an hour for our meals and then had to wait an additional 10 minutes to eat because my meal was not brought out along with theirs. I ordered a well done burger but it was very far from well done. Given the length it took for them to cook our meals, I wasn't prepared to wait again for them to get my burger right. This was also not the last thing that bothered me about this place because their bathrooms lack privacy - what I mean by this is that you can practically see through the gaps of wood of the bathroom door. I was quite uncomfortable using the bathroom as someone was standing outside my door and appeared to be peering in before trying to open the very visibly locked door. Only to use the vacant toilet next to mine when I unlocked the door. My friends were quite weirded out by the bathroom as well and very disappointed with the speed of service. I will never eat here again and will actively discourage people from visiting this restaurant due to...

Walking into Our Local is like being wrapped in a warm, welcoming embrace – the kind only a cherished neighborhood haunt can offer. It's not just a place; it's a vibe, an ambiance that whispers 'you're exactly where you need to be'.

The design strikes a perfect balance between contemporary chic and homely comfort, a visual feast that's as comforting as the aromas wafting from the kitchen. It's clear that every corner, every detail has been curated with love and an eye for beauty.

The staff here take hospitality to new heights; they define what it means to feel 'at home'. Martin, in particular, deserves a shoutout. His accommodating nature didn't just meet our needs, it anticipated them, making us feel like regulars on our very first visit. He's not just a host; he's the kind of person who makes you look forward to coming back even before you've left.

And the food, oh, the food! It's like a symphony where every note is a flavor, and every dish is a movement. It's rare to find a place that serves not just great food, but greatness on a plate. Every bite is a reminder of why we gather around tables with friends and family, of the power of food to bring people together.

In Our Local, they've managed to capture that elusive essence of community and culinary delight. It's safe to say this won't be our last visit. In fact, it's just the beginning of what I predict will be a beautiful, delicious friendship. Definitely will come back again – and...