French Toast Coffee Café: Harties’ Movie-Set Eatery Where Paris Meets the Harties

A little Paris, a lot of charm

If you’ve ever dreamed of dining under the Eiffel Tower without booking a flight, French Toast Coffee Café in Hartbeespoort is the next best thing. Tucked away just over an hour from Johannesburg, this unique café isn’t just styled like a Parisian bistro; it was quite literally built as a movie set.

The café was created for the South African film French Toast and served as Café Alexandre in the movie. Now open to the public, it blends cinematic nostalgia with a real-life culinary experience that has Joburgers, tourists, and influencers all swooning.

From film set to full-time fantasy

Unlike most movie props that disappear after the credits roll, this one stayed. In fact, the café is a living, breathing part of the French Toast film, and it still feels like you’re stepping onto a working set.

The café includes a replica 12.5-metre Eiffel Tower, a love-lock bridge for sealing romantic promises, and an “I love you wall” inspired by the one in Montmartre. A portion of the building also houses an art gallery, another nod to its on-screen origins. It’s pure magic for day-trippers, couples, and families looking for something whimsical and out of the ordinary.

A menu that travels from Paris to Harties

The setting may steal the show, but the menu plays a strong supporting role. French Toast Coffee Café offers everything from hearty breakfasts and gourmet burgers to crêpes, croissants, and milkshakes with a cult following.

Highlights include:

• The Croque-Maman, a creamy twist on the classic croque monsieur

• Pain Doré, or French toast, served savoury or sweet

• Camembert and chutney burgers, decadent and Instagram-worthy

• Signature milkshakes, from peanut butter to bubblegum

Drinks range from espresso classics to mojitos and South African craft beers. The café even serves special desserts like cinnamon-apple crumble pie and a white chocolate cheesecake topped with berry compote.

And yes, it’s open seven days a week from 08:00 to 17:00, with the hot kitchen closing at 16:00.

Image 1: Facebook/Frenchtoast Koffie Kafee

The social media darling of Harties

On Instagram, it’s not just the Eiffel Tower drawing hearts; it’s the food. From strawberry milkshakes to heart-shaped toast, everything is photo-ready. TikTokers, meanwhile, have labelled it “the ultimate Gauteng day date” and “South Africa’s own Paris café.”

The vibe is playful and romantic, often soundtracked by laughter, cameras clicking, and the occasional live music act. Whether you’re locking a padlock on the bridge or tucking into chocolate-drizzled crêpes, it feels like a holiday.

Why locals keep coming back

For all its charm, French Toast Coffee Café is also surprisingly down to earth. Despite its film-set fame, prices remain accessible. Locals love the atmosphere as much as the eats, and many Joburgers have made it a go-to for birthdays, brunches, and weekend getaways.

In a region filled with beautiful views and busy tourist stops, this one manages to feel personal. Maybe it’s the fusion of fiction and reality, or maybe it’s the vanilla-baked cheesecake. Either way, it works.

Also read: Inside The City Beach Club: Joburg’s Rooftop Paradise That Feels Like a Coastal Getaway

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Source: French Toast Harties

Featured Image: Facebook/Frenchtoast Koffie Kafee