Brews & Bites

Bakehouse Waterfall Is the Euro-Style Café Jozi Didn’t Know It Needed

Published

3 months ago

June 13, 2025

Chiraag

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A local taste of Europe – flaky, creamy, and beautifully plated

There’s a quiet kind of magic happening at Bakehouse Waterfall. Nestled in the upmarket Waterfall precinct of Midrand, this European-style café feels as if it was lifted straight from the streets of Lisbon or Paris and dropped – graciously – into Johannesburg’s vibrant coffee scene.

But don’t mistake it for a pretentious pastry palace. Bakehouse is all about real food done right: fresh daily, served warm and golden, and best enjoyed slowly with a perfectly crafted cappuccino in hand.

Also read: Why Grumpy’s Café Feels Like Home in the Heart of Johannesburg

Classic café culture, done right

Step inside and you’re instantly greeted by the irresistible aroma of baking croissants and rich espresso. It’s a no-frills, all-flavour kind of place – where regulars come for the consistency, and newcomers quickly become converts.

The pastry counter is stacked with golden almond croissants, rich pain au chocolat, and classic ham & cheese bakes. Their bacon & egg croissant is a morning staple, while toasted sandwiches – from cheese and tomato to hickory ham – satisfy cravings any time of day.

For lighter fare, there are granola bowls, plain yoghurts with fresh fruit, and toast piled high with seasonal avo. It’s everything you need to fuel up – without the post-meal slump.

If savoury is your preference, don’t miss the rissoles – crumbed and crispy Portuguese-style pastries filled with prawn, chicken, or mince. Bite-sized and brilliant, they’re a local favourite.

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Image 1: Facebook/BakeHouse

Platters worth planning ahead for

Bakehouse isn’t just a café — it’s a low-key lifesaver for meetings, events, and last-minute hosting.

Their platter menu, available at both Waterfall and Hazelwood branches, is designed for maximum impact with minimum stress. Think mini beef or chicken pregos, bacon-wrapped halloumi, cocktail croissants, quiches, and meat skewers – all made to order and beautifully packaged.

Sweet options are just as tempting: mini custard slices, fruit skewers, brioche doughnuts in caramel, custard, or chocolate, and even mini pastéis de nata for that perfect Portuguese finish.

Orders require 48 hours’ notice, with a minimum of six per item (in multiples of six). Whether you’re planning a team brunch, birthday, or baby shower – Bakehouse has you covered.

Why locals keep coming back

Bakehouse may not be splashed across your social feed – but that’s part of its charm. It’s the kind of place people come back to, not just post about. It’s become a steady favourite in the community – not because it’s flashy, but because it’s genuinely good.

Social media quietly fills with photos of perfectly stacked platters and buttery croissants, while word of mouth does what algorithms never could. “The mini rissoles were a hit,” says one happy party host. “You can taste the quality,” adds another.

Final crumb

In a city that’s often in a rush, Bakehouse reminds us to slow down. To savour something warm, flaky, and handmade.

Whether you’re popping in for a takeaway croissant, sitting down for a midweek breakfast, or ordering platters for a special event, Bakehouse Waterfall delivers more than just food – it offers a taste of old-world café culture, right here in the heart of Gauteng.

And if you’re wondering whether it’s worth the drive? It absolutely is.