Deliciously filling, good-value vegetarian fare

Cafe: Nooka Address: 20 Roeland Street Phone: 021 461 0691 Hours: Monday through Saturday, 8am to midnight Dish eaten: Omelette Sandwich Price: R35

ANTOINETTE ISAMA

TUCKED along Roeland Street, Nooka opened earlier this month as a coffee shop with vegetarian food available until late.

One can see and feel Nooka’s “bespoke”-meets-urban flair through the decor and the curated world music that plays through the speakers. I caught myself nodding my head to the beat a few times, hoping no one was watching.

With the exposed brick, shades of grey from the walls and furniture, and the pops of colour through the geometric light fixtures, plywood panelling and plants, the open space gave one room to spread out to eat – or even work.

I’m no vegetarian, so I took eating breakfast without my go-to bacon or sausage as a challenge. Keeping it simple with their classic omelette sandwich, it surprised me how filling it was at R35. After eating half of it with a small Americano at R16, I had to take the rest with me to work to munch on later.

In-between the freshly-baked bread were layers of two eggs, cream cheese, mixed greens, sliced cucumber, and tomatoes with a small side of crunchy sweet potato chips.

Breakfast sandwiches can be hit-ormiss (let alone meatless ones), but this one was well worth it. One component didn’t overpower the other, and the hint of basil aioli that I got with each bite made it even more enjoyable. The coffee that accompanied my sandwich and the friendly service I received showed me that this cafe pays attention to detail and quality of customer experience.

It would be best to sit and enjoy your food at Nooka, but takeaways are also available. There are plenty more healthy fare on their menu that caught my eye, so I will make my way back there soon. antoinette.isama@inl.co.za Twitter:@AntoinetteIsama

LAYERS: The classic omelette sandwich at Nooka.