While the über-trendy Biscuit Mill has put Woodstock firmly on the foodie map, it’s well worth exploring the nooks and crannies of this up-and-coming suburb on the edge of the Mother City’s CBD.

Superette (218 Albert Road, 021 802 5525)

From the organisers of the oh-so-trendy Neighbourgoods Market comes (perhaps unsurprisingly) the hippest eatery in Woodstock. A loveable mix of retro homeliness and achingly cool are-we-in-Scandinavia furniture sets the scene perfectly for the rustic, authentic food served with a healthy dollop of creativity.

A breakfast menu that includes much-loved ‘egg and soldiers’ is scribbled on white tiles behind the ‘70s-style kitchen counter, where a small crew beaver away creating fresh fruit juices and top-notch coffee. For lunch the pork belly sandwich is your best bet. In the small deli the bread is organic sourdough; the muffins scream freshly baked; and old-style rose geranium cordial magically leaps into your basket. Make this your first stop

The Kitchen (111 Sir Lowry Road, 021 462 2201)

It’s impossible not to love this quirky restaurant: a low counter down one side, a cornucopia of salads, pastries and home-bakes on the other… and the ever-smiling Karen Dudley in the middle.

Karen is the life and soul of The Kitchen, and her passion for all things palatable shines through. Come lunchtime, this tiny diner is packed with locals tucking into plates piled high with gourmet salads (they make over a dozen each day), or a ‘Love Sandwich’ served on artisanal bread… a steal at R40.

The décor is halfway between your granny’s house and Wonderland, with mad-hatter sandwich-makers and quirky kitchen memorabilia filling every nook and cranny. Simply delightful.

Bread (The Bromwell, 250 Albert Road, 021 447 4730)

This is firmly an eatery in two parts: on one side, a deli offers baskets piled high with the artisanal breads and decadent pastries baked on-site each morning, while local wines and imported goodies fill the shelves alongside.

Around the corner, tables spill out of the cool high-ceilinged restaurant onto a sexy patio overlooking not-so-sexy Albert Road. It’s a popular venue for mid-week meetings over coffee, but this spot really comes alive on Sundays when all-day breakfasts and live jazz over lunch lure the Lexus-drivers back into lower Woodstock. The good coffee alone makes it worth a visit.

La Bottega dello spuntino (Buchanan Square, 160 Sir Lowry Road, 021 461 9731)
The balcony at La Bottega is a great place to escape the taxis and touts of Sir Lowry Road, and this casual Italian-focused eatery is perfect for Friday afternoon drinks. The menu has a small selection of paninis, and good pasta sauces splashed over penne, but the real treat here is the aperitivo menu served after 3pm. Think crunchy bruschetta, tuna carpaccio with arugula and misto arrosto.

There’s nothing fine dining about this spot, but for a laid-back early evening knees-up it’s a great option. There’s free Wi-Fi too.

Banks (77 Sir Lowry Road, 021 461 3190)

Passionate foodies should leave their wallets at home when paying a visit to this well-stocked kitchen supply store. The shop has been in the Bank family since it first opened in District Six in 1939, and today supplies both restaurants and home chefs with anything from sharpening steels to salad spinners. Need a pukka chef’s outfit or a bath-sized pasta pot? This is the place to come.

Chandani (85 Roodebloem Road, 021 447 7887)

Rajasthan comes to Roodebloem Road at this unfailingly good North Indian restaurant run by a husband-and-wife team. The prices aren’t shy, but the food happily stands up to the damage. Rich aromas of Rogan Josh and Paneer Bhurjee (a house speciality made with home-made cottage cheese) fill the cosy rooms of this old cottage, where dark wood and brass furnishings make for an intimate night out. For something less formal, there’s also a weigh-your-plate lunchtime buffet.

Fish4Africa (230 Victoria Road, 021 448 5258)

Finding fresh seafood in Cape Town isn’t as easy as you’d think, but you can save yourself a drive to the harbour with a quick stop at this family-owned fishie. It’s a no-frills spot, but you’re guaranteed to find a good selection of fresh fish straight from the Fish4Africa boats at Hout Bay. You can also get your hands on frozen prawns, mussels and crab. If you need a simple dessert to follow, the café next door makes excellent pasteis de nata!

Wild Organics (34 Salisbury Street, 084 448 1920)

Produce that’s local and seasonal, preferably free-range and often organic: that’s what you’ll find at this simple store in the Woodstock ‘burbs. They have a popular veggie-box delivery scheme, but here you can pick and choose from what’s in stock. Don’t miss the free-range chicken and pork, from Stellenbosch and Ashton respectively. Open Tuesday (12pm-4pm), Wednesday (3pm-6pm) and Friday (10am-4pm).

First published in Food&Home Entertaining; July 2011.

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