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Cape Town’s Café Chiffon: picture-perfect and oh so delicious

March 14, 2023 (Last Updated: March 9, 2023)

If “picturesque” was a place, it would undoubtedly be Cafe Chiffon. From the quaint setting of the cobbled streets, elegant architecture and sidewalk boutiques that make up the Old Cape Quarter, to the bright yellow walls of its facade – and this is all before we even take a step inside.

Cafe Chiffon is more cozy than what you see on the many social media posts; the soft neutral tones, design details, natural light streaming in (a key ingredient to taking the perfect picture), and the large windows embrace you instantly.

Asian pop culture enthusiasts may revel in knowing that more often than not, your favourite K-pop songs will be playing in the background as you sink your teeth into arguably the fluffiest Asian-inspired desserts you’ve ever tasted before.

Owner and head chef Christine Hu, who grew up in China where cake shops are in abundance, said she noticed this gap in Cape Town’s cake market. She decided to open up this little gem, and, suffice it to say, Cafe Chiffon has been thriving ever since.

Take a look:

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We asked Christine the most difficult question for any sweet-tooth: “Which one is your favourite?” After much deliberation, she said her favourites are the tiramisu (which she designed herself) and the chiffon rolls.

For anyone who walks into the cafe for the first time, she says the Japanese cheesecake is an absolute must-try.

After trying it ourselves, we can completely understand why. It may be fluffier than the clouds we see in cartoon skies. It’s sweet but not overly sweet, so light that it melts in your mouth and the cream adds an idyllic finish to both the look and the taste.

If you’re yearning for fluffiness with distinctive flavours, the chiffon rolls are the ideal choice. The red velvet chiffon roll marries velvety goodness with the same airy texture that can be found in the Japanese cheesecake.

The melt-in-your-mouth Korean macarons could easily rival those made in the heart of France. The sweet embodiment of “crunchy on the outside and blissfully delicious on the inside”. The fillings are rich and soft as marshmallows and come in a variety of flavours.

Besides the picture-perfect desserts, the cafe also serves a variety of warm and cold drinks that are just as beautiful.

Specialty drinks include strawberry matcha lattes made with a strawberry puree; mango coconut sago drinks using coconut milk; jasmine fruit teas, passion fruit rooibos teas, berry jasmine macchiatos with decorative dehydrated strawberry bits and grapefruit/blueberry/kiwi fruit-ades made with homemade fruit jams and sparkling water.

Christine’s top two choices are the strawberry matcha latte and the berry jasmine macchiatos. So, of course, that’s what we tried. But honestly, whatever your drink of choice may be, it’s going to be a treat in itself.

In terms of pocket damage, Cafe Chiffon offers some of the prettiest desserts at some pretty affordable prices. The menu changes monthly, the service is prompt, and the ship is well run, which only adds to the list of reasons that keep people coming back – and we are definitely those people.