Written by: Katrien Pienaar
This Easter long weekend, we’re taking you on a sweet and savoury crawl through Waterkloof, a curated taste tour of small stops, indulgences, and relaxed moments.
Whether you’re spending Easter with family visiting Pretoria, or simply looking for ideas to make the most of the long weekend, we’re taking you to Waterkloof with our curated taste crawl, a neighbourhood that will ensure your weekend is filled with unhurried mornings, good food, and indulgent stops along the way.
A curated crawl of Waterkloof’s best sweet and savoury stops
To kick off the long weekend, we head to MOKA Social Club, where you can watch Pretorians slowly come to life. It’s dog-friendly and made for social mornings, exactly what we’re leaning into. We’re ready to indulge, so it has to be the MOKA Signature pancakes, stacked high with streaky bacon, emmental, and maple syrup. Paired with one of their signature coffees, it sets the tone for the taste tour ahead.
Website: www.mokasocialclub.co.za
Instagram: @mokasocialclub
Next, we make our way to Jack Rabbit Chocolate Studio for a true Easter treat. And this isn’t just any chocolate, it’s world-class, right here in Pretoria. Inside, handcrafted creations line the shelves, each one more tempting than the next. For Easter, we’re eyeing their Caramel Crunch Egg and Milk Chocolate Crackle Egg, while the beautifully crafted chocolate bunnies feel almost too pretty to eat. Perfect for gifting, but definitely grab an extra one for yourself.
Website: www.jackrabbitchocolate.co.za
Instagram: @jackrabbit_chocolate
For lunch, we arrive at La Coco C Food Purveyors. Known for fresh, locally sourced ingredients and beautifully prepared dishes, the menu offers everything from comforting breakfasts to wholesome lunch bowls. Choosing is hard, but today we’re going for the pesto rump bowl (tender rump, orzo, seasonal greens, spiced pumpkin seed brittle, and parmesan shavings) or their famous chicken club sandwich. And for dessert, there’s a little secret: the birthday cake. Available only on Fridays and Saturdays, these limited cakes draw regulars who arrive early. If you’re lucky enough to get one of these hundreds-and-thousands-covered cakes, decide quickly: keep it all to yourself or share. Either way, it becomes a small, celebratory nod to the Easter weekend.
Website: www.foodpurveyors.co.za
Instagram: @lacococfoodpurveyors
As the day winds down, it’s time to get dressed up and settle into an evening of fine dining at Brasserie de Paris, set within the iconic Karl Jooste House. Whether you choose the à la carte menu or the six-course tasting menu, each dish is thoughtfully prepared with the finest ingredients. The experience is elevated by an expertly curated wine list, guided by an in-house sommelier who brings together both local and international selections.
Website: www.labrasseriedp.co.za
Instagram: @brasseriedeparis_pretoria
Once you’re ready to explore a little further, Waterkloof continues to impress. Start at Goddess Café Waterkloof, a much-loved pink café where every visit feels like a little celebration. We’re easing into the morning with the egg, bacon, and emmental breakfast quiche paired with a latte. That said, leaving without a slice of cake doesn’t feel right. The decision becomes a little harder here, are we choosing the red velvet cake, Persian spice cake, or pink velvet Turkish delight cake, or one of the others? With so many beautiful options, it’s almost impossible to choose just one.
Website: www.goddesscafe.co.za
Instagram: @goddesscafesa
From there, we head to Alice in Waterkloof, tucked inside the Garden Bleu Nursery. Whether you’re enjoying poke bowls, chicken, or butternut salad, this is where we take in the day. Later, a cup of tea or iced coffee with a slow walk through the garden paths rounds out a relaxed morning. With quiet corners and a calm atmosphere, you almost forget you’re still in Pretoria.
Website: www.aliceinwaterkloof.co.za
Instagram: @alice_in_waterkloof
For the final stop, we enjoy a wine tasting experience that feels like a piece of Cape Town right here in Waterkloof. The Tasting Room brings the weekend together beautifully. The experience goes beyond a traditional dinner with a rotating selection of wine farms to explore; over Easter, expect Flagstone Wines to feature.
Alongside the tasting, we choose boards and platters for dinner, featuring biltong tastings, charcuterie, olive oil and balsamic pairings, Mediterranean-style nibbles, and more. Dessert continues the indulgence with macarons, brownies, and nougat, as well as an Easter s’mores platter: Bakehouse hot cross buns served with toasted marshmallow fluff, whipped chocolate cheesecake cream, white chocolate, and fresh strawberries. Hot cross buns are usually reserved for the day itself, but why not indulge a little longer?
An Easter long weekend calls for slowing down, spending time with family, and enjoying the little moments in between. With so many stops to savour through Waterkloof, this is exactly what we’re doing. Are you joining us?