Poppyseed Co, a small, female-owned and family-orientated restaurant, has opened on Montpelier Road in Morningside, Durban. The restaurant is situated in an old Berea house that has been open planned, offering a light, simply decorated, and airy atmosphere. Customers can relax in the shade of the front verandah or sit at tables and sofas inside. The back of the restaurant features a coffee station and cake counter, as well as a small verandah overlooking a garden that is now a children's play area.

The restaurant offers a variety of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options, including a breakfast plate with eggs, lamb sausage, and avocado, as well as a Mexican waffle with chives and corn. Customers can also opt for bagels or omelettes. The menu features dishes such as mushroom Benedict, Turkish eggs with labneh, and a masala steak with eggs and chips. The restaurant's website describes it as a place rooted in the heart of Durban, born from a deep love for flavours, fresh ingredients, and great coffee.

The reviewer and their companion visited Poppyseed Co for breakfast and were welcomed warmly by their waitress. They ordered a cappuccino, which was described as pleasant and mellow, and a mushroom Benedict, which was enjoyable but could have benefited from a more generous pouring of Hollandaise sauce. The reviewer also ordered a Dubai French Toast, which was served with pistachio cream, kunafa, and milk chocolate, although the kunafa was described as a "mean sprinkle" rather than a layer.

In addition to Poppyseed Co, the reviewer also visited the Elangeni Maharani Hotel, where they enjoyed a breakfast featuring a concept called "breakfast bunny chow." The hotel bakes its own mini loaves, which can be stuffed with a variety of fillings, including scrambled eggs, bacon, and mushrooms. The reviewer described the breakfast as "really truly excellent" and enjoyed the idea of eating a bunny chow for breakfast.

The Elangeni Maharani Hotel offers a range of breakfast options, including fresh fruit and juices, a cheese platter, and a charcuterie platter. The reviewer was treated to a dessert featuring a Magnum ice cream chopped up and spread over a buttery croissant, which they described as a fun idea. The hotel's breakfast options also include a veritable feast of regular breakfast items.

Poppyseed Co's menu features a range of dishes, including salads and light meals, such as an Indian potato sandwich, and lunch options like falafel or lamb wraps. The restaurant's coffee is also a focus, with a cappuccino described as having a bit of latter art to make it interesting. The reviewer gave the food at Poppyseed Co a rating of 2 ½, while the service and ambience received a rating of 3.

Overall, Poppyseed Co offers a varied breakfast menu with a focus on fresh ingredients and great coffee. While some dishes, such as the mushroom Benedict, were enjoyable but not perfect, the restaurant's atmosphere and service were welcoming. The Elangeni Maharani Hotel's breakfast bunny chow concept is also a unique and enjoyable idea that is worth trying.

Key points

  • Poppyseed Co offers a range of breakfast, brunch, and lunch options in a welcoming atmosphere.

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SaharaWire Newsroom
SaharaWire

Reporting for SaharaWire from the Nairobi bureau.