Hermanus is a holiday town and there is certainly no shortage of touristy restaurants along the water where visitors can enjoy a good breakfast. But if you want to go where the locals go in the morning, for a serious cup of coffee, conversation and an unbelievably good meal, Tulip Coffe Bar is the place.
Located on a quiet corner a few blocks from the sea, Tulip’s exterior is cheerfully painted blue, white and red, with a bold wooden sign announcing its name. The logo depicts a skull and crossbones but if you look closely you’ll see the crossed bones are actually crossed tulips. Walking inside the shop feels like walking into a private home, only with more tables and the pleasant sound of grinding espresso beans in the background.
Tulip owner Justin Dods is well known for his coffee, roasted on site, which he sells on weekends at the Hermanus Country Market. So it’s no surprise Tulip’s coffee is delicious. But the food at Tulip has to be one of Hermanus’ best kept secrets. Tulip chef Ann Leslie, who happens to be Justin Dods’ aunt, also happens to possess some very serious culinary prowess.
You can’t go wrong with anything on the Tulip food menu. But the zucchini, spinach and corn fritters topped with avo and scrambled egg will be enough to make even the most hard-core meat-eater’s taste buds explode. A better breakfast cannot be found anywhere in the Cape — especially not in an environment as charming and unpretentious as this one.
Tulip also serves lunch so you have no excuse to miss this superb establishment on your next trip to Hermanus.
Tulip Coffee Bar is at 14 Hope Street, Hermanus. Open 7:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Saturday. Closed Sunday. Call 083-605-5298 or email justindods@icloud.com.
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