Ever since starting Tamlyn Amber Wanderlust – Travel Writing and Photography blog, my goal has been to support local businesses. When the pandemic hit, I redoubled my efforts to support local in a more tangible way. Through this, I have found some incredible homemade cakes and catering services that operate exclusively in the Mother City.
In this post, I share these excellent, local Cape Town-based home businesses, bakeries and catering services with you. In the hopes that they might offer something special for you and yours too.
The Value of Supporting Local
What started as consciously buying products from local companies (as opposed to generic imports from overseas), quickly snowballed into largely only supporting local businesses whenever I needed something new for myself or my home.
This was especially true for special occasions like birthdays, Easter or Christmas.
By now, it has become a new family tradition for me, too. (And one that I will continue one day if I have a family of my own.)
There is something truly special about ordering an exquisite homemade cake or treat box that I could never match myself as a home baker – and neither could the grocery stores, for that matter.
You pay more, yes – but you also receive higher quality goods and value for your money.
Plus, knowing an item has been created with personal love and passion by a small business owner makes it taste or feel even better. It really does.
It is rewarding, too, to know that I am helping someone’s dream or passion project too.
Meaningful Support for Local Cakes, Bakeries and Catering Services
Through my blog, I have learnt time and time again the value of support or someone believing in your art.
How much more keenly must one feel that as a business owner who relies on support and orders to pay their bills – or feed their family?
Above all, supporting local business has a wonderful ripple effect on our country’s economy too. Every time you choose local over international imports or companies, you are helping to keep our economy alive. (After being sorely battered by COVID-19 for two devastating years, it needs all the help it can get.)
You are helping to create business and jobs and giving someone the chance to be their own employer, to choose their own craft, work hours and business offerings.
You are doing good and giving back simply by shopping. How cool is that?
Best Local Cakes and Catering Services to Support in Cape Town
Here are some of my favourite local bakeries and catering offerings in the Mother City:
1) Tessa’s Bakery
For 25 years, Tessa lovingly baked from her home, creating heavenly cakes inspired by her love for her children.
Then, in 2012, she opened a shop and welcomed the public into her world of incredible cakes and treats.
Today, Tessa’s Bakery is one of the most famous and successful bakeries in Cape Town – and for very good reason!
In their physical- and online-stores, they sell a wide range of goodies – everything from vegan treats to savoury eats – but naturally, it is their bakes that, well, take the cake (quite literally).
Tessa’s Bakery creates glorious cake creations – from classics to custom cake orders that blow your mind.
Their cakes are made with layers of divine, rich buttercream and decadent sponges. Add to that, the most amazing cake toppers, fondant touches and more – and you have a visual, edible feast! 🙂
Cakes and other goodies vary in price – but generally, for their standard cake shop options, pricing ranges from R265 to R895.
Smaller treats and eats cost anywhere from R20 to R295.
Tessa’s also sells some bake-from-home goods (including decorating kits and bottled mixes) ranging from R150 – R295, price-wise.
Custom cake orders usually start at R950 but you can also provide your budget and Tessa’s will do their best to accommodate your custom order.
For custom cakes, it is best to correspond and start planning your cake order at least two weeks in advance – but one week’s notice is the bare minimum.
Also, keep in mind the bakery is closed on Sundays so any cake queries or orders sent through then are only looked at and responded to from Monday onwards.
Custom Cake Creations to Blow Your Mind
For my birthday in 2023, my partner surprised me with a stunning custom cake order – a cake replica of my ginger kitty. He supplied Tessa’s with the necessary specifications (down to the last pink toe bean) and a photo and they worked their magic.
This is honestly one of the best birthday gifts I have ever received in my life – and beyond that, easily one of the best cakes I have ever seen or tasted.
For my order, we opted for a Chocolate Cake with Oreo buttercream filling. It was magic in every bite!
After a week of cake feasting, this cake was still beautifully fresh (having been stored carefully in the fridge).
You could easily have fed a whole family or party on the cake so sizing and quantity are as generous as the quality of Tessa’s cakes.
Oh and the cake muse seemed to enjoy Tessa’s cake boxes immensely!
Custom cakes are available for collection at their Milpark Centre shop or you can arrange delivery. However, please note that exact delivery times cannot be assured.
I did not personally deal with Tessa’s for this amazing cake order but my partner assures me the shop is lovely, the staff are helpful and friendly and the whole cake ordering- and collection-process is effortless and pleasant.
Contact info:
For more information or to place an order, please visit Tessa’s Custom Cakes page or visit their website.
Alternatively, contact Tessa’s Bakery on +27 (021) 551 6107, order@tessasbakery.co.za
Based in:
Milnerton, Cape Town
2) Protea Picnics
Launched on 1 September 2021, Protea Picnics is a wonderful, Cape Town-based bespoke picnic company.
It is owned and run by Sally de Villiers. Sally is a talented cook, who has even authored her own cookbook called A Taste for Travel.
View this post on Instagram
Sally’s Protea Picnics specialises in lavish, yet affordable picnics, available for home enjoyment. (Or, for that matter, enjoying them anywhere you feel like picnicking!)
She offers a range of tasty savoury and sweet options. These combine to make up your specially packaged, caringly made picnic.
Pick Your Perfect Picnic
You get to pick your perfect picnic (for a reasonable per person fee).
Each picnic includes your choice of the following:
- Dip or pâté, served with homemade wholewheat bread
- Quiche or pastry
- Salad
- Main protein
- Something sweet
Picnics are themed from seafood-, vegetarian-, vegan- or meat-options so your dietary requirements and personal preferences are catered to.
Sally’s food is fresh, flavourful and beautifully set out in eco-friendly, cheerful packaging.
Every last item or food dish is carefully and thoughtfully created and served up for your enjoyment.
Picnics for Home Enjoyment and Special Occasions
Protea Picnics is based in Hout Bay so you can either collect directly from there or enjoy free delivery within a 20 km radius of Hout Bay.
(Further out, delivery fees vary accordingly – but Sally delivers to Cape Town suburbs.)
Protea Picnics is ideal for home picnics, family outings and special occasions.
I ordered from Protea Picnics in September 2021 as part of a special hosted wine pairing and I loved everything about this picnic experience.
The picnic spread was tasty, beautifully presented and filling for two people.
Futhermore, Sally was an absolute pleasure to correspond with from start to finish.
I will definitely support Sally’s business again for my picnic needs.
It is perfect for a picnic with friends, family, colleagues or loved ones. Plus, it saves on so much stress, time and planning!
All picnics must be ordered for a minimum of two people.
To confirm your order, EFT or proof of payment needs to be sent on the day.
Contact info:
For more information or to place an order, please visit Protea Picnics’ Instagram page.
Or contact Sally directly via Instagram DM – or Whatsapp: +27 (083) 504 2342.
Based in:
Hout Bay, Cape Town
3) Sweet Dreams Bakery
For my birthday in 2022, I decided to order another custom cake and it was such a special thing in the end!
For the past year, I had been eyeing Robyn-Ashley Savage’s incredible home bakery, Sweet Dreams on Instagram. Every week, her gorgeous looking cakes and cookies had me salivating behind my screen.
So, as my birthday approached, I knew I had to finally place an order with her – and I am so glad I did!
View this post on Instagram
Robyn-Ashley is a capable, talented home baker of note. Her recipes and love of baking are inspired by days spent in the kitchen baking with her late grandma, who she fondly refers to as Lovey.
Robyn-Ashley’s passion, baking skills and creativity are easy to see in her stunning designs – but even more keenly experienced and tasted through the wholesome goodness in every bite.
Sweet Dreams are Indeed Made of This…
Born out of 2020 lockdown – the year the world stood still – Robyn-Ashley has created an incredible baking business in Sweet Dreams Bakery.
Her bakery offers everything from cakes, cookies, cupcakes, cookie cakes, brownie trays and more.
View this post on Instagram
Her cookie menu has earned legendary status on Instagram and in the Mother City. And honestly, when you see her chunky cookies shared online, you understand why.
I also love her fun names like The OG, Jason DeRolo and Kinder Kookies. This adds a sense of playfulness to this eating extraordinaire.
Self-Taught – and Killing It
But I think what really inspires me about Robyn-Ashley is that she is the ultimate home baker and self-taught, kickass business owner.
More than that though, she goes the extra mile for her customers.
Not only did she personally deliver my birthday cake (for a small fee) – but she slaved away creating and baking this masterpiece on one of the hottest days of summer – and on her own birthday too.
It was one of the most beautiful, decadent and divine cakes too.
If you are keen to copy my order with Robyn-Ashley, ask her for a Mini Babe: Chocolate Fudge and Ganache cake, with a floral buttercream theme.
The theme’s design and colouring was a surprise but weirdly, she nailed my colour palette and taste perfectly. Even the flowers on top were so Tamlyn-y in nature.
It was the most special cake to enjoy with close friends, with some lovely tea, on my birthday. Honestly, this Sweet Dreams Mini Babe cake was the highlight of my birthday week.
To order a cake (or any of her other treats), direct message (DM) Robyn-Ashley’s Sweet Dreams Bakery. She is very responsive and efficient over DM.
View this post on Instagram
All orders are secured upon proof of payment.
Cake orders are quoted according to request.
She recommends placing cake orders at least five days in advance of your desired date but ideally, a week or two before the time.
For her other offerings, please DM her to order and check out her Menu, which is listed on the Instagram account’s Stories tab.
View this post on Instagram
Contact info:
For more information or to place an order, please visit the Sweet Dreams Bakery Instagram page and DM directly.
Based in:
Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
4) Nectar & Spice
This artisanal, boutique patisserie and intimate function venue, situated in a small shop in Rosenpark, Tygervalley, is the artful creation of Margaret Faasen.
I think this business officially launched in 2017 but I first became aware of it in 2019 and was instantly blown away by what I saw online.
Since then, and even right through lockdown, Margaret’s business – which she runs with a small team of staff – has continued to flourish.
In 2022, she launched a website with online orders available for collection, adding another element to the business.
Online orders are ready within a minimum of 48 hours from your order date.
Cookie Decorating Workshops for Added Fun
In addition to the delicious bakes and savoury goods you can find in her shop (open from Monday to Friday, 09:00 am – 17:30 pm), Margaret also offers fun cookie decorating workshops and celebration goodies for home enjoyment and special occasions.
View this post on Instagram
Her website has everything from luxurious artisanal cakes to mini cookie tubs, brownies, quiches and cupcakes available for order and collection in-store.
View this post on Instagram
The shop also has a daily array of goodies, as well as some lovely cookie cutters and other goods to help with your own home baking endeavours.
View this post on Instagram
I have been dying to try Margaret’s baked goodies for years now and finally did just that in June 2022 when we purchased one of her cookie tubs for a special event.
To say her cookies are works of art is an understatement – but they taste even more magical than they look!
View this post on Instagram
I can’t wait to sample more of Margaret’s goodies in time.
And I am definitely going to book a cookie decorating workshop in the future because they look like such fun!
Contact info:
To order, you can email Nectar & Spice directly via info@nectarandspice.co.za or order for collection via the website.
Alternatively, call +27 (071) 609 4238 during business hours for queries.
Based in:
Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
5) Designer Cakes by Cezanne
Situated in the Northern Suburbs, Cezanne has been successfully running her designer cake business for several years now.
Specialising in designer cakes, handmade sugar flowers, mini cakes and much more, Cezanne is a Durbanville-based wedding cake artist and designer – and a baker of note.
Not only are her wedding cakes and sugar flowers true works of art – but she is always trying new things, like her mini cakes, which are a smash hit in my opinion!
Friendly Service and Beautiful Products
What really stands out for me about Cezanne is how prompt, professional and friendly she is when you place an order with her.
We have ordered several times from Cezanne for important life changes and small celebrations – and each time, Cezanne has made the experience so welcoming and effortless. 🙂
Though, as they say, the proof is in the pudding – or, in this instance, in the mini cake!
Well, her mini cakes come beautifully packaged and decorated – and every time, Cezanne follows my instructions to a tee, while still using her own expertise and delicious flavours to create a magnificent piped creation.
Her minis are divine; we devour them in minutes every time we order one!
Best of all, her minis are perfect for 2-3 people sharing and they are great for special treats or celebrating special occasions, like engagements or Valentine’s Day.
Contact info:
For more information or to place a custom order, please contact Cezanne directly on: +27 (084) 556 2684.
Based in:
Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
6) Em & Me Cookies – (Cookies by Louise)
Inspired by Em (her daughter) and made by Louise, Em & Me Cookies specialise in the most beautifully decorated sugar cookies.
Louise runs her lovely cookie business from the Northern Suburbs and offers a range of cookie designs and creations.
She also often does cookie sets for special occasions, like Easter or Mother’s Day.
View this post on Instagram
Easter Treats from Em & Me Cookies
I wanted some special cookies for us for Easter 2023 and Louise’s cookies caught my eye on Facebook.
With their cutesy designs and affordable pricing, they were the ideal sets for us.
We bought one set of five (Easter bunny, chick designs and all included), as well as a fun DIY paint-your-own-cookies set.
To say we had fun is an understatement but Louise also made the whole experience easy, welcoming and lovely.
Not to mention her cookies taste incredible! I will definitely keep her in mind for all my future cookie needs – and so should you! 🙂
Contact info:
For more information or to place a custom order, please visit Louise’s Instagram page or contact her directly on: +27 (072) 545 6903.
Based in:
Northern Suburbs, Cape Town
7) Italy at Your Door
Carlotta, or Carli, Sabbalini is the founder and owner of Italy at Your Door – an Italian food service that brings a tasty slice of Italy to Cape Town in all the best ways!
The best part is that Carli uses her Nonna’s authentic recipes to produce a range of homemade Italian dishes – including her saucy lasagna (she even has a vegetarian option now) and divine tiramisù, which we sampled in June 2023 for my partner’s birthday.
Simply put: Not only does Carli sell a range of tasty dishes (and she even offers delivery at an added price) – but she also runs cooking classes and Italian dinner experiences that look like great fun. (Follow her social pages for news and updates on these throughout the year!)
Bringing Italy to Cape Town
Beyond that, innovative Carli also makes fun Italy at Your Door merch, including t-shirts and tote bags that playfully display catchy slogans like ‘Eat the Spaghetti to Forgetti your Regretti’.
Aside from her run-home business, merch and social food events, Carli also sells her goods at local markets and delis, including Blockmen Detil and Oranjezicht City Farm Market.
What I love about Carli’s food service is that it really feels homely in the best possible way. Her personalised, handwritten notes and business’s cheery packaging add an intimate touch to her deliveries and takeaway meals.
Beyond that – based on portion size alone – Carli’s cuisine is generous and hearty, leaving you full and content, yet still somehow dreaming of more…
For my partner’s special day, I ordered a Nonna tray of tiramisù (serves 9-10 people… hey, don’t judge!) and a beef lasagna for two.
The meals were delivered fresh on the agreed day, with all necessary packaging and cooking instructions provided – thus instantly alleviating the stress of birthday planning from me.
We enjoyed the beef lasagna on the eve of my partner’s birthday weekend – and, as for the tiru, well, let’s just say that we enjoyed it for several days thereafter and were both sorely disappointed when we finally reached the end. 🙂
We loved this food experience so much that we have already discussed sourcing more of Carli’s sweet dessert – and I cannot wait to try her other Italian dishes in time too!
As a final note, I would like to add that Carli is a delight to deal with: she’s efficient, responsive and so friendly. (I ordered over Instagram by sending her a DM.)
So, if you’re Italian food fans like us, then Italy at Your Door is the answer.
Contact info:
For more information or to place an order, please visit Carli’s Instagram or Facebook.
Based in:
Cape Town
8) Mondvol Bakery
Andriette de la Harpe – a classically trained singer-turned-Masterchef South Africa-runner-up – is the mastermind behind Mondvol Cookies.
After she was retrenched during COVID, Andriette turned to baking, tapping into her childhood love of baking and cooking – and the rest is history!
Since then, she’s built up an incredible brand in Mondvol Bakery. Her bakery specialises in everything from gourmet, giant cookies and other baked goods to special occasion cakes, as well as merchandise and gifts.
Take a Joyful Bite of Mondvol Cookies
We were first able to try Mondvol cookies when Mondvol opened a pop-up stall at Tyger Valley Shopping Centre in September 2024.
To say this pop-up was a hit is an understatement – but, after purchasing a box of Mondvol’s cheerily designed cookie boxes, I can certainly see why.
With inventive flavours like Cape Spice, Nutella and even Melktert (Milktart), Mondvol cookies are to die for. And yes, they taste just as amazing as they look! (We bought a box during my second trimester of pregnancy and even with a raging appetite, I was bested after just one cookie. They are really substantial and worth every penny! :))
I also love the joyful design and motivational quotes that this brand lovingly works into their packaging. It’s like your daily shot of positivity, right alongside the delectable treats.
While the Mondvol studio is based in Durbanville, Cape Town, you can also order online via their shop.
I also love the fact that Mondvol has their own Mondvol Cookie Club (MCC), which gives members some fun discounts and early access to launches etc.
Contact info:
For more information or to place an order, please visit Mondvol’s website or find them on social media.
Based in:
Durbanville, Cape Town
9) Cake Me Happy
Cake Me Happy is a wonderful designer boutique cake business owned and run by Mareli, a trained pastry chef, who brings cake magic to life from Durbanville, Cape Town. Cake Me Happy prides themselves on using only the freshest ingredients and decorating their baked goods with passion.
And let me tell you: it shows. Mareli’s business runs like clockwork and she’s so efficient, professional and lovely to deal with but it’s her cakes that speak so highly of her baking talent.
We were fortunate enough to have Mareli make a custom maternity cake for us – and she really blew us away with the final result! It was so much more beautiful and magical than I could ever have imagined, even from the original concept/suggestion I gave her to work with.
Cake Perfection that Leaves You Beaming for Days
Cake Me Happy specialises in stunning occasion cakes, especially for weddings and other fond celebrations but also offers cupcakes and a selection of other sweet treats, such as macarons, lemon meringue and gooey chocolate brownies. (As an added bonus, you can also throw in some of their cake toppers to really make your cake(s) pop!)
My experience ordering from Cake Me Happy is nothing short of seamless and delightful. Everything was discussed and quoted well in advance and Mareli went out of her way (especially at the start of a busy wedding season) to create the most beautiful, custom Winnie the Pooh-themed cake for us.
It was the perfect addition to our maternity shoot and we enjoyed the cake for a few days later too, delighting in everything from the incredible decoration bits (like the plump honeybees) to the decadent but not-too-rich cookies-and-cream filling and delicious vanilla swiss meringue buttercream icing.
I can’t wait to support Cake Me Happy again for other special occasions; it’s safe to say she’s entirely won over my cake-loving heart! 🙂
Contact info: For more information or to place an order, please visit Cake Me Happy’s website or find them on social media.
Based in: Durbanville, Cape Town
Cakes and Catering in Cape Town
These are just a few of the greatest cakes and catering in Cape Town, offered by local businesses and small business owners.
In time, I hope to add other Mother City home bakeries and catering services to the list.
Are there any you can personally recommend I try next? 🙂
Disclaimer:
Please note: This post is in no way sponsored or hosted. I was a fully paying customer with each of the featured places.
About the Author
