Sokolic Property Group welcomes Galata Bakery & Coffee Shop to ‘The Grove’, South Point, Braamfontein.

by Marie-Lais Emond

The location couldn’t be better for Galata Bakery & Coffee – on Grove Square, bordered by popular and vibey establishments like Velo, 86 Public, The Immigrant and neighboring 'Once' Hotel.

The Turkish-style sit-in bakery is owned by Savas Daskan. Named for the northern shore of Istanbul that’s known for its medieval Galata Tower, this enchanting bakery, eatery and deli was Savas’s excuse to bring his family to Africa.

Business people and local students alike have already warmed to this style of eating and the very appealing prices for such fresh, aromatic wares. A filling breakfast feast for one, of menemen (spicy scrambled eggs) and gözleme (flatbread) with cheese, olives, tomato and honey costs but R50 – and that’s by far the most expensive option to start the day.

All breakfast orders are served with complimentary Turkish tea in gorgeous silverware on lavishly decorated trays. There is Turkish coffee too, plus other favourites.

Some delicious baked confections worth trying are the Galata tarts with lavish sweet-and-sour berry toppings supported by milk-tart bases; the baklava, of course, encrusted with pistachios; oat biscuits; big and small cheesecakes; chocolate cakes; and a madly popular rainbow cake. The ‘tiramisu’ here is a chocolate brownie, covered with biscuits and coffee.