Brews & Bites
The Old Ducky French Café Brings French Flair and Family Legacy to Fourways
A Culinary Comeback Worth Quacking About
There’s a quiet hum of anticipation in Pineslopes, Fourways. Locals have begun whispering about a French-inspired restaurant that has opened its doors, one that carries with it a story of legacy, mastery, and a pinch of familial magic. It’s called The Old Ducky French Café, and it’s far more than just a new spot for croissants and cappuccinos. It’s the rebirth of a culinary dynasty.
Behind the restaurant stand Freda and Marina Appelbaum, a mother-in-law and daughter-in-law team whose combined experience in the kitchen and the front of house spans nearly half a century. Between Freda’s award-winning tenure at the legendary Le Canard and Marina’s refined hospitality background, including her time at the 5-star Ritz Hotel in Mayfair, London, the pair have created a space that blends old-school French elegance with Johannesburg’s contemporary energy.
The Tale of Two Duckies
Marina calls herself the “young ducky,” running the floor with warmth and grace, while Freda, the “old ducky,” reigns supreme in the kitchen, albeit with a twinkle in her eye and an apron full of wisdom. The duo’s story reads like a love letter to good food and even better company.
For those who dined at Le Canard between 1987 and 2013, Freda’s return to the stove feels almost poetic. She was Africa’s first Disciple of Escoffier, an honour reserved for culinary greats who carry forward the traditions of Auguste Escoffier himself. Her cooking once drew global icons: Nelson Mandela, Kofi Annan, Quincy Jones, Bill Gates, and even Danish royalty. Yet, ask Freda about fame, and she’ll wave it away; to her, every guest is a VIP, whether a world leader or neighbourhood regular.
Marina, meanwhile, grew up immersed in the clatter and charm of her family’s Three Sisters Café in Hillbrow, one of Joburg’s most iconic eateries of its time. After studying abroad and working with British royalty at The Ritz, she returned home to open multiple restaurants, later turning her attention to social impact work and education. Now, she’s returned to her first love: hospitality.
The Food: French Soul, Jozi Heart
Walk into The Old Ducky and you’re greeted by the comforting scent of butter, coffee, and something unmistakably French: warmth. The menu is a vibrant mix of provincial classics and modern French fare, all made from scratch with the kind of care that can’t be rushed.
Breakfasts begin with Croissants de France, imported and baked fresh daily. There’s the indulgent Eggs Royale topped with creamy Hollandaise and Norwegian salmon, French Toast with caramelised walnuts, and even the playful Turkish Egg Bowl for those craving something lighter.
Lunches and dinners glide from rustic comfort to fine dining artistry. Favourites include Freda’s signature Le Canard Duck Breast, crisped with honey and served with an orange and Grand Marnier sauce, a nod to her Morningside legacy. The Beef Bourguignon, Duck & Cherry Pie, and Lamb Shank remind guests that French food, when done right, is both elegant and hearty.
Seafood lovers will find joy in the Crêpe aux Fruits de Mer, a delicate deconstructed crepe filled with prawns, calamari, and kingklip in a tomato beurre blanc, while the Seared Salmon with cucumber or goji berry sauce shows the menu’s lighter, modern side.
Image 1: Facebook/Old Ducky French Café
Drinks with a French Wink
The drinks list, or Carte des Boissons, is as thoughtful as the food. Guests can sip on a Fancy 75 (a gin and Champagne twist on the French 75), a crisp Pongracz Brut, or a deep glass of Fairview Chardonnay. There are handcrafted milkshakes, freshly pressed juices, and local craft beers, plus an extensive wine selection spanning both French imports and Cape estates.
Whether you’re here for brunch and bubbly or for a candlelit dinner and a perfectly prepared Crème Brûlée, The Old Ducky invites you to linger, sip, and savour.
Why Joburg Diners Are Falling for The Old Ducky
It’s easy to see why this place already feels like an instant classic. It isn’t just the French charm or the impeccable food. It’s the feeling of returning to a time when meals were events and service was an art form.
In Freda’s kitchen, nothing is rushed and nothing is reheated (the café proudly declares it doesn’t own a microwave). Every dish is cooked with precision, every plate a little act of devotion. And out front, Marina ensures that no guest leaves without feeling seen, cared for, and, in true French fashion, a little spoiled.
The Old Ducky French Café isn’t just a restaurant. It’s a conversation between generations, between France and South Africa, and between old-school grace and modern spirit.
And for Joburg food lovers, it’s the return of something the city has been missing: a restaurant with heart, heritage, and just the right amount of flair.
Also read: Gabriella’s Tea Room: A Whimsical High-Tea Experience in Parktown North
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Source: Old Ducky’s
Featured Image: Facebook/Old Ducky French Café
