The Power & The Glory — Restaurant in Gardens

Power and the Glory – A Cape Town Gem

Power and the Glory is a place that I find myself returning to time and time again. Whether I’m working on my laptop over a flat white (with oat milk. No almond, but still delicious every time) or stopping by for brunch, a glass of wine, or even one of their famous hot dogs, there’s something about this space that keeps me coming back.

The vibe is unbeatable. It’s effortlessly cool and relaxed, buzzing with life in the best way. The benches and shared tables encourage chats with your neighbors, and it’s the perfect spot for people-watching on Kloof Street. There’s a natural flow here, from a calm daytime cafe to an after-work bar once the doors open around 4 or 5, where the atmosphere shifts to that perfect post-office drinks hangout. It’s social, vibey, and feels like the heart of the neighborhood.

The Food

Let’s talk about the quiche. Honestly, the best quiche I’ve ever had. It’s vegetarian, with broccoli as the hero ingredient, and it’s nothing short of perfection. The filling is creamy and packed with flavor, and the crust is buttery, crisp, and perfectly flaky. It’s paired with a side salad loaded with crumbles of feta and a thick, punchy honey mustard dressing that’s both sharp and sweet. Together, it’s magic on a plate.

Then there’s their hot dog. It’s legendary for a reason. The sausage is huge, juicy, and has that perfect snap with every bite. It’s served on a soft yet crisp, chewy pretzel bun that elevates it to another level, and the classic toppings, tomato sauce and mustard, are generously applied without being messy. Every bite is pure, satisfying comfort food.

Whether you’re sipping on kombucha, coffee, or a glass of wine, Power and the Glory just gets it right. The staff are always friendly, the vibe is effortlessly welcoming, and the food is as satisfying as it is unpretentious. It’s the kind of place where you can spend hours, whether you’re working, people-watching, or catching up with friends. This spot has a piece of my heart, and I’ll keep coming back for the quiche, the hot dog, and...

If I could give zero stars, I would. Celebrating my birthday at Power and Glory was the worst mistake ever.

We met the managers three days before, confirmed everything — music, lights, dance floor, special area, and food orders. They promised us “do whatever you want.” But on the day? Total disaster. Staff knew nothing, the manager on duty kept saying no to everything, and every request was ignored.

We had 25–30 guests, food was supposed to be ready by 9 PM. It came an hour late, wasn’t enough, and when we asked for more, they said the kitchen was closed. Guests ended up waiting hungry while I was serving food myself, and one of my friends had to stand in the kitchen begging chefs to hurry.

Instead of celebrating, we spent the night arguing and waiting. The management is unprofessional, the staff is clueless, and their promises are nothing but lies.

⚠️ Never book this place for any occasion. Power and Glory ruined my birthday and I would never recommend...

Never in my life have I experienced what I experienced last night at this place. The two bartenders there (a bald girl and another girl) were incredibly rude to me while I was ordering drinks. Upon ordering a drink, one of them came to me and said "you have to say please". After my order, I went to the side of the bar to apologise for not saying please. The girl listening to me immediately interrupted me and said "you're wasting my time" only to walk away. I felt absolutely pathetic, and after being a bartender for four years myself in the industry, the way in which these two ladies were serving people but also acting was just completely out of line. Needless to say I will never be back, what an embarrassing and miserable situation.

Edit: although they reached out to me to get my number, they have not contacted me or made any effort to rectify...