Review Roast Cafe - Johannesburg

Great food and fantastic location. We had an awesome waitress. 4 stars because I had to send my coffee back as the cup had a lipstick stain on it. She gladly replaced it.

I've recently visited Roast Cafe after ages and of course there was a new menu. Previously had delicious nachos presented so beautifully. This time I tried the vegan banana bread which was good but I found that it could do with a more bananas (maybe I'm just obsessed). Also the pavlova roulade cake was yum, had more than I should have. Would love to go to the comedy club sometime.

I LOVE the cakes at this place! Perfect place if you want to celebrate with friends or sit and have a cappuccino and do some work 👍🏻 One day I will try the comedy club

Location is beautiful. Staff friendly. Food was great.

This is a really cool and trendy spot that has live stand up comedy shows from time to time. It's easy to miss is though as you walk past, and it's a whole lot bigger than it looks like from the entrance. Even if it looks full, go inside, chances are there is seating available. Outdoor seating on the walkway is great for smokers and sun worshippers in winter. The coffee is fantastic, the cakes are just as awesome and the service is very much on song!

WHAT AN AWESOME PLACE! The food is always sensational. Everything we've ever eaten has been delicious! Our current favourite items are the Thai Fishcakes and the Pulled Pork Tacos. They make their fishcakes from scratch and serve them with an awesome salad and homemade salsa verde. It's what dreams are made of! And the tacos...YUM!!! In terms of the tacos... you have to try them to understand my love for them! The service is great! The coffee is incredible. It's real value for money. Do yourself a favour and visit ROAST!

The halloumi starter was amazing. The kind of amazing that the waiter could've slapped me and I'd still give this place 5 stars. The service was *very* attentive, and I like that they actually had a few vegan options. Good menu and nice vibe.

Good spot for early morning breakfast or coffee I had breakfast at Roast Cafe before the start of a conference. They're open early, making it convenient to have breakfast or coffee at the start of the day. The menu offers various options, including some healthier food. I had the mushroom scramble - mushrooms, scrambled eggs with toast. Service is friendly and efficient, with good quality food. Worth visiting when you're looking for a place for early morning meals or coffee

Had a really pleasant lunch here with two friends on heritage day. Prices definitely on the steep side, but food of a good quality! Fillet looked amazing and was according to my friend. Really enjoyed my arrabiata, and a friend's chicken bowl also looked great. Drink options lovely - would recommend the frozen nutella cappuccino! Ambience charming and bright on a summer's day.

Beautiful atmosphere and very friendly waiters/waitresses❤️

The cakes and cupcakes are amaaazing! Salted caramel cupcake is fantastic! Haven't tried their meals but there's a wide variety and they do cater for vegetarians.

The Place has wonderful food and even better service. The manager Keith is friendly and accommodating and aims to please where ever he can. Excellent experience

I'm so sad about roast not being around anymore. It was such a treat to go. The combination of the comedy show and the food made the whole experience such a fun night out!

Great Vegan options

Wow! Brilliant idea! The desserts are wonderful, try their baked cheesecake. Service is excellent. The waiters are brilliant and their plenty of them available. On sunny days great to sit outside and have your meal but decor and interior is beautifully done. Great food and service

Finally tried this place on weekend and I throughly enjoyed it! Tasty food, friendly staff and reasonably priced. I recommend trying the Iced Turmeric Latte, so tasty! We also had the chickpea mayo sandwich, grilled haloumi and zucchini fries, which was all so good. Will definitely be back :)

I'm often at Melrose Arch and have overlooked this place many times. We decided to try somewhere different and my word, was it fantastic! The staff were great and happy to accommodate us without a booking. Their menu is fantastic with something for everyone. Their prices are comparable to most other restaurants there, but the food was outstanding! Most delicious chicken pesto pasta ever!<br/>Definitely one of my new favourites!!

What an awesome meal at Roast cafe. Our dinner party shared margarita and Gorgonzola pizzas, nachos, zucchini fries, pulled pork sandwiches, halloumi starters, summer mama salad and much more. Everything was divine, fresh and beautifully presented. Unfortunately we only took two pics of the half eaten cake and the salad. The German chocolate cake was delectable

I tried your chicken mayo toast for breakfast. This was from Melrose Arch, it was divine. Thank you guys. I am full for the whole day. keep up

I love Roast cafe, the drinks the food, the show. This is really a must, a night to remember. We had so much fun, 🍾🍷🍹🍸🍻 and the cocktails are the best, and after the show have a lovely coffee and slice of 🍰 cake

I came here with a friend of mine one Friday night. The food was excellent. We decided to stay for the comedy night, which started off really well. Unfortunately our evening was ruined when a knife from the gallery above us fell and injured my friend quite badly. The waiter and the manager tried their best to address the situation. To avoid such hazardous incidents occurring again, I suggest that the seating arrangement in the gallery should be changed so that the customers underneath are safe.

Polite and very friendly staff! Food was delicious! Good coffee, even better cakes! Facilities are wonderful! Definitely top lunch spot! Loved it!

I was pleasantly surprised by this café, I truly wasn’t expecting food of such great quality with decent prices. <br/>I ordered the pulled pork sandwich on french bread, it was as succulent as a pork sandwich can get and my friends Italian chicken sandwich had the best fusion of flavors. <br/>I tried their frozen golden milk and I am sold! I initially wanted a turmeric latte and my friendly waiter suggested this gem of a drink.<br/>I will definitely be going back.

Went here for breakfast on my last day in Johannesburg. They provide outdoor and indoor dining, we opted to sit outside because the weather was so nice that day. There were 4 of us so we ordered:<br/>1. Caprese Omelette <br/>2. Omega Boost <br/>3. Fruit Bowl<br/><br/>Caprese Omelette and Omega boost both come with side of bread, you can choose between rye, white or brown bread. Eggs were moist, smoked salmon was pretty good and fresh.  <br/><br/>For drinks, try their freshly squeezed orange & pineapple juice, which was so refreshing! Their iced roiboos latte was pretty good too!

I stopped by Roast Cafe not too long ago, which is located at a vibey spot in Melrose Arch.However, I thought the cakes we had ordered was average and so was the milkshakes.The service wasn’t great either, my overall experience was disappointing.

Food fantastic as always. However the one thing that ruined the experience nor only for my table but for other patrons was the fact that smoking is permitted outside, why, in this this day, would any establishment allow this?!?! One table of guests moved away from the smokers while the rest of the patrons had to eat their breakfast in a cloud of smoke. Come on Roast Cafe, this is 2018, be considerate and health conscience. Smokers should not be able to pollute and ruin the experience.

I just love this place. The staff are friendly and inviting. The food is fresh and delicious. They have the best pizza in Joburg!<br/> I ordered the Gorgonzola pizza #heaven!<br/> The salads are absolutely awesome too! My friend ordered the Green Machine and it was sensational. We also treated ourselves to cocktails. I had a cosmo and it was the best I’ve had in a long time! No pre-mix here! And boy did it pack a punch! <br/>I will be back!

We had just come to this restaurant from the one next door. So I saw the cakes as we were walking by and decided to order a slice of chocolate cake and a Virgin strawberry daiquiri. The nice young waiter took my order and walked away without asking my friend what she wanted to have. We laughed about it and called another waitress. She took my friends order and told our original waiter the order. Her white hot chocolate arrived and she wasn’t happy about how watery it was. We waited for her cake and it was evident it wasn’t coming. We called the waiter and he said he did not know she too ordered cake and apologized. At this point we were both not happy with the service. She ended up not finishing the cake. Later on we got a different waiter and he was fantastic but it was too late coz we were done ordering and we were already disappointed. Not sure I would recommend this place but I’d like to return for the comedy one day in the future.

A really bright menu.<br/>Friendly staff.<br/>Awesome tasty food.<br/>Excellent ambience.<br/>The prices were reasonable.<br/>Loved every minute, will definitely be back!<br/>🌟🌟🌟🌟

After a long week, I was craving a sugary pick me up. Roast’s creation of “black velvet” totally hit the mark! This establishment definitely has the yummiest and most decadent cakes in Joburg! You won’t be disappointed 😁 I absolutely love the background music too!

I was rather disappointed - maybe we expected too much. Breakfast ...We found the noise levels high from staff and management and the portions very small for what you pay. Two cherry tomatoes is the max portion you will receive - to me rather leave them off. I am also not convinced that they used fresh smashed avo - it had that grey pastey colour and tasted like the long lasting avo. We had to ask for breakfast menus at 1100 and there was definitely reluctance from staff. Lastly a real big frustration of mine - no milk jugs they wanted to take one off our table to give to someone else while we were still using it. Please can Restuarant just invest in enough milk jugs.<br/>I will not be back in a hurry.😒

Food: One of best pizzas I've had. The ribs were tasty but very very dry. One of the best places for a cocktail, I love the wide range and how delicious they all are! Their pina colada is one of the best I've had, definitely worth a trip there. Also had the rainbow cake and the black velvet Oreo cake and they exceeded my expectations.<br/>Service: The service was really great, we had a very pleasant and attentive waiter.<br/>Ambience: The best!! The combination of food and comedy is amazing.<br/><br/>I keep coming back to this place because I cannot get over how tasty their meals and cocktails are. What a gem!

Had a beautiful lunch with great Johannesburg weather. Food was a perfect addition to the bridal lunch. Tacos, Avon chicken delicious food and grear service from Roy.

Must have the classic American burger! As for the cakes, you need to make your way over there to treat your tastebuds. My favourite is the Black Forest cheescake. Great staff, splendid vibe for a day outings.

Just attempted to have breakfast here. Firstly we waited 35 minutes for a toasted cheese and another 10 minutes for French toast. The manager refused to cancel the order even though we had to leave and had waited long enough. The manager was absolutely rude and dismissive. Utterly disappointed in the service!

I was there last Sunday 17th November.<br/>We had the Haloumi and Baby Marrow Strips for starters, they were average.<br/>As for the mains they were were so average, we had 2 fried Hake, where the batter was so thick and Hake was tough.<br/>My friend asked the about the beef sandwiches that she saw your internet page and the waiter said they don't make that anymore. So they had they the Hamburgers which completely tasteless and they served them with French Fries instead Hand Cut Chips.<br/>I definitely won't be visiting the Roast Cafe any time soon.

This place could have easily been a 5 for the food, which is brilliant. The service however is a 0. I went at a fairly quiet time on a late Sunday morning and my party was completely ignored for over half an hour until we called the manager. Pity really

The vibe on Friday nights is just great as it’s connected to a comedy club (we unfortunately didn’t know this and the tickets were fully sold). <br/>Nonetheless, the Christmas lights in our view and the marching bagpipes down the street was lovely. We had zucchini fries for a starter that were delicious and then had a crispy pancetta pizza with olives and mushrooms. I really enjoyed the pizza but other people at the table said the base could’ve been thinner. Our waiter was super friendly and attentive. Would love to go back and experience the comedy club! <br/><br/>

Even after having a great dinner - I ordered take-away ribs for that post night out lining... I should've got two racks because I can't enough of this meat falling off the bone deliciousness! Eat at Roast Cafe before the show or else you'll definitely choke while laughing! Awesome space. 

Perfect place for a light lunch . The freshness of the salad was just amazing .<br/>I thoroughly enjoyed my salmon salad with beetroot and avocado. My Sis had the Mexican salad it was also Devine ..<br/>We love it here 💛<br/>Service was good ... <br/>

This is by far my second home.Roast Cafe always gets it right..From food,drink,comedy,this team knows how to do the damn thing each and every time.<br/>I won't even start with their desserts freshly made...Let's just say I'll work harder at gym cz I will not allow myself to miss out on ending any of my meals off with one of their sweet treats.....<br/><br/>#Gusto...<br/><br/><br/>

19.09.2017 I was invited along with a few fellow foodies to come and try the new summer menu at Roast. It's been on my list ever since they opened and I haven't had a chance to go for a show yet.<br/><br/>I really like the setup of the place it wasn't at all how i expected it to look. The Cake display on the outside is amazing so many options to choose from and they all look divine. <br/><br/>They made one of the best Zuchini fries that I've had in a long time along with a tasty Basil Pesto Mayo. Since it was a hot "summers" afternoon, we got to indulge in 2 of their drinks. Pimms and Jalapeno Pineapple Margaritas - it has quite a bit of kick to it. <br/>It went down really well with the Pizzas - Chorizo / Onion Marmalade and Feta and the Chicken / Pepperdew Pesto / Avo and Peppers. <br/><br/>I also had the Italian Crumbed Chicken Sandwhich (Crumbed chicken, parsley, garlic, Parmesan cheese, parsley-mayo, red onion, lettuce & tomato)it's a huge and filling portion. <br/><br/>Fantastic service. Looking forward to going back again and enjoy some laugh therapy. <br/><br/>

Decided to pop into Roast Cafe for coffee one Sunday afternoon. It was a toss up between Paul and Roast Cafe with them being right next door to each other. I chose Roast Cafe as I had never been there before and I'm glad I did.<br/><br/>The restaurant was very quiet so the service was pretty quick. I'm sure the vibe is even better when it's busy. To drink, I ordered the Italian Hot Chocolate, which is basically Nutella and steamed milk topped with whipped cream - quite sweet but oh so delicious! As we walked towards Roast Cafe while deciding where to go, I noticed the biggest, most delicious-looking custard millefeuille I had ever seen and that had me sold. It was probably one of the best I've ever had and I would go back just for that.<br/><br/>All in all, a great coffee spot. I would love to go back and try some of the other stuff on the menu.

Great selection of cakes. They really do taste as good as they look. We had the coffee cake and no regrets. Thanks to the wonderful staff for the great service. The decor is also pretty cool.

We went to Roast for a team lunch, it had such a nice vibe sitting out on the pavement, our waiter was entertaining, and all the staff were very friendly. The beef & chicken burgers were delicious! we did wait a little for our meals, but maybe it just felt that way because we were starving! I'll definitely be back for a meal and some comedy.

Very good service, quick response and attentive from the staff. The S African bfast was really big ,fresh and tasty. I wil definitely come back.

Sadly this place has gone downhill. Fast. From being the highlight of melrose arch to this is quite sad. Ordered chai lattes today and hands down the worst chai latte I've ever had. Staff are also really not good with people.

I spent half the afternoon scouting for a coffee shop that closes late. Found this place but was bummed when I saw it closes at 19:00. After struggling to find Seattle Coffee in this Melrose maze, I walked past Roast Cafe and when I enquired, I was told they close at 20:00, it's the kitchen that closes at 19:00.<br/>It's located adjacent to Edgars, it's easy to find.<br/>They have a beautiful array of baked goods, it's quite difficult to make a decision.<br/>I chose the Black Velvet Oreo cake. Paired it with a bottle of Miller. Perfecto. Cake was scrumptious. Great service from our waiter - didn't get his name. Love the vibe and feel of the place and the extra touch of the tiny blankets is fantastic during the winter nights.<br/>I want to go back to try a few savoury foods.

They have the most delicious toasted sandwiches at this little gem of a cafe. Really wonderful food, nice vibe and fast, friendly service. Loved eating here and will deffinately be back for more.

If you're looking for a place you can enjoy with good company with amazing food, a great environment and a comedy show in the evenings, this is the place to go👌

Nice snacks and light eats. The cakes look good but I haven't tried them yet. We had lovely baskets with a variety of stuff. Also some some crazy watermelon drink - it literally came in a whole size watermelon. Super cool place.

Their menu is amazing<br/>Friendly staff<br/>They make healthy food look and taste good<br/>Their burgers are out of this world and their rainbow cake is to die for! Reba Mokgoko

For a comedy club, I must say, they take their food seriously. I was quite impressed. A great mix of warm ambience, friendly service and warm meals. I thoroughly enjoyed the chai latte. There's also something about the simplicity of their meals. The value for money is the cherry on top for me.

I've been here once before on one of the comedy nights. From that I remember the food being good. Decided to have a lunch meeting there today and was not disappointed. Friendly service and definitely great food. I had the Roast Burger which was delicious, I also tasted the hake - grilled to perfection. <br/>Side note - you can exchange your car keys for a power bank if you need to charge. I think that's a great add on! Saved my life today

Outstanding service from the heart, happy and homely vibe, with a smile and much laughter. I doubt this will be experienced elsewhere! Cakes to die for and is locally made, ON SITE! The food is scrumptious with amazing flavour and HUGE portions. (I could only eat half of my Italian crumbed chicken). Absolutely love being here. Sip some cocktails, drink some wine, just enjoy and be free in the bustle of this gorgeous space.

We popped in here after a friend's wedding dress fitting, we just wanted to grab a coffee and chat a bit but then we decided to order some nachos as a snack. It was the smallest portion of nachos I had ever seen and especially at R90. When we ordered we said it was for the table, I would think that the waiter would at least have given an indication of the portion size since the nachos only come in one size. The red velvet cake saved them even though the frosting was too sweet. The service was neither here nor there but I cannot get over how small that nachos portion was.

Service is virtually non-existent. Took ages for our drinks to arrive. When ordering our food we asked what dips came with the focaccia bread, but our server seemed unsure. Took a while for a food to arrive – the dips that came with the focaccia were not what we were told they would be. The fact that the food was decent is the only reason that the rating is over a 1. After that, we were asked a couple of times if all was ok, but then … nothing. Tried to get someone’s attention to get a dessert menu … nothing. Tried to get someone’s attention to get the bill … nothing. Eventually we actually got up from our table and went to ask for our bill so that we could pay and leave, by then we were so irritated. And when paying, our server had the cheek to keep checking the total on the bill to see if we were adding in a tip!! It’s extremely rare, if ever that we don’t tip, but the fact that we were completely ignored, and had to go and find someone ourselves to go and pay cancelled that option out completely!!! No manager in evidence – maybe he/she was enjoying the comedy show inside. Not sure if the service is better for those who choose to sit inside the comedy club and watch the show, but if you’re thinking of opting for sitting outside, don’t bother!

The service was sad... clearly the only thing that makes you smile here is the comedians... <br/>The food wasn't bad but I thought my salad had far too much lettuce and the eggs were over cooked. <br/>There is an enjoyable atmosphere. <br/>Good place for a quick bite to eat but wouldn't be my first option

A great menu (tones of options and caters for vegetarians), great service and a lovely atmosphere. We will definitely be back in the future. Keep it up.

We had the nachos, beef ribs and zucchini fries. Unfortunately, the nachos were quite soggy and contained sweet corn which I didn't feel worked. The comedy acts were great, as was the atmosphere and and the ribs!

This Friday (03.02) I went for breakfast at Roast Cafe and I can only say one thing: best choice ever (best coffee. Best food. Best service) !!!! The service was excellent and my food was divine. I've ordered salmon scrambled eggs they were cooked to perfection , creamy and fulll of flavour!!! 😊😊😊

We popped in for dinner and a show, at the adjoining Goliath Comedy Club. On display in the cafe, were a delectable assortment of cakes and other pastries. Their breakfast offerings look good too, so I guess we need to visit again. Into the comedy club we went and ordered drinks and our food. Service was great and our orders arrived with enough time to savour every mouthful before the show started. Both the fillet and burger were delicious and the chips tasty too and nicely seasoned. Other discoveries - there is an indoor smoking room, you can hear the comedians in the loo and the evening's entertainment includes a live DJ while you finish your drinks. Now you know 😝... It was a great night out.

We went through for a show on the evening on the 7th Jan 2017. First time in a comedy show in SA. This place is an absolute gem and very welcome on what I feel is a bland Melrose Arch...particularly becauae it has such a distinctly South African flavour! Our welcome at the door was on point and we were seated in no time. Our waiter Themba was world class, attentive and helpful. The comedy, I found myself laughing the entire show and I have been accused of being a comedy snob. Worthwhile evening out, food delicious and reasonable. Congrats on the venue!

Having never been to a comedy club before my daughter decided to book and hold her 30th birthday and invited 20 friends to join her, all of which also hadn't been to a comedy club before.  Let's start at the beginning, service whilst waiting for the doors to open was excellent.  Waiters and waitresses friendly, cocktails, coffee's delicious.  Doors open at 19:00 and on entering into the club, tables beautifully laid out, ambiance warm and chic. Large variety of meals to choose from, all of which, were delicious.  The actual comedy show was excellent.  The cherry on the cake (pardon the pun) for the evening was the beautiful and decadent carrot and cheesecake birthday cake.  I can honestly say I have never tasted such a good birthday cake for a very long time.  I highly recommend anybody wanting a fun and friendly evening, with good food, drinks and classy entertainment, to go to the Goliath Comedy & Roast Club, you won't regret it.

Roast Cafe is an awesome addition to the many restaurants in Melrose Arch. The outside seating area and funky chairs and table make this place rather trendy and offers a different type of dining experience to most of the other restaurants in the Arch.<br/><br/>The menu is quite diverse so everyone will be able to find something on the menu to suit their taste buds. <br/><br/>The salads are great and although I haven’t tried it, the Boerie Roll looks phenomenal!<br/><br/>One thing I can vouch for is that they serve up some of the most delicious cakes in Joburg and if I’m not mistaken they are baked by Roast team on site.<br/><br/>The coconut cake is one of the best slices of cakes I have ever had! I highly recommend it!<br/><br/>In addition to all the positives above you will also find your dining experience enhanced by a super friendly and efficient service/waiter team. For me this really adds to the whole overall experience.<br/><br/>I really like Roast Café and would definitely recommend it.

Stopped by for a cappuccino one morning when I was in the area. The espresso shot was well pulled with a rich crema. The ratio of froth to microtextured milk was perfect for a cappuccino. Temperature was appropriate. <br/><br/>The atmosphere here isn't particularly different from any other shopping mall based restaurant, but the staff are very friendly and the service was good. <br/><br/>I'm sure I'll come back and try the food one day.

Magical decor, atmosphere and presentation. <br/>Casual relaxing vibe of pavement dining. Focus on sweet delights.<br/>I had a really interesting and different milkshake as well as an Oreo cupcake. The latter was very dry and its visual appeal was greater than its oral one.<br/>My spouse and l each had a few coffees all of which were accompanied by a mini red velvet cupcakes.<br/>Service absolutely non existent. A few of the patrons were visibly irritated.<br/>Major downfall.

The menu choices are a little limited, but delicious nonetheless. The impressive array of cakes is inviting and so worth a visit, especially the pastry selection, like their mille feuille, the canno-nuts (cannelloni meets donut) and the filled donuts. YUM!

The beautiful sounds of live jazz drew us in. Its apparently a sunday thing,this is also the Goliath comedy club. Everything that came out of the kitchen looked delicious and portions were hearty. We opted for the chicken nanchos and a pizza, all good.Tea and cocktails followed and ended with a slice of mille feule. I loved the chill of this place and the set-up is chic and sofisticated. Will definitely be booking a comedy show soon.

Comedy and dinner and service was great. The comedy club is a great night out and I think most people would enjoy it. The setting and decor is quite modern. They have something for everybody on the menu even if you arent that hungry ! We ordered many different dishes for our table which we all shared and they were all great !! We ended off our evening with coffees and vanilla coconut cake ... Devine !! Will definitely go again.

Been wanting to try this place for a while due to the good reviews it has. I like the outside sidewalk setting which is perfect for Jhb summer days. Service is great, with waiters friendly and welcoming. The menu options are plentiful with something for everyone. Food is high quality, delicious and served with attention to detail. Even though the general passers-by are drawn by the cake display, this place is more than just about the enticing cake display. Definitely worth a meal or 2.

Such a fantastic concept that adds another entertainment element to the Melrose Arch offering. Visited for breakfast (brunch) after being impressed by the online menu and it didn't disappoint. The Scram-bowl with cream cheese and mushrooms was delicious. Highly recommend trying the butternut health bread.<br/><br/>G had the South African Fry Up which was generous and traditional to a tee. Paired with fantastic cappuccinos, we were very impressed.<br/><br/>Not only was the food excellent and left us planning to come back to work our way though the rest of the options, but the phrase "service with a smile" rung true throughout.<br/>

I absolutely loved visiting ROAST CAFE. Awesome vibe and delicious food that left me feeling full, happy and satisfied. There is loads to choose from on the big menu, even if you are vegetarian like me. I chose the butternut bread sandwich with grilled veggies and some cheese. I had no idea what to expect from butternut bread but it was delicious! I will definitely be going back for more 😁

I'm a huge fan of Mexican food, and in particular nachos. And Roast makes thee best nachos I've ever had.<br/><br/>They also have a huge range of yummy cakes and baked goods so it's a great coffee spot as well.

Went to this lovely bakery for a pre-birthday celebration with friends. Had tea presented in an ornate kettle and pale blue beautifully patterned teacup served with slices of lemon which offset the sweetness of the cake. We ordered different pieces of cheesecake, the bar one cheesecake was delicious, not too sweet with a delicious crumbly biscuit base and smooth filling. Perfect for a birthday treat! The burgers look delicious. We can't wait to return to enjoy the comedy nights with sangria!

We came here for some coffee when there was a big power outage in our area. They had generators, but informed us that they don't grind the coffee beans using their generator. I was somewhat disappointed that I couldn't get my caffeine fix, but they were very nice and offered us tea or hot chocolate instead.<br/><br/>I would definitely like to pop back in soon for that coffee and maybe also try some pastries.

The food at Roast was great I couldn't take my eyes off the pastries. <br/>My friend and I had the nachos and the wings&ribs combo! Love the ambiance too. <br/>

Just had a quick bite, scrambled eggs and toast. GENEROUS indeed, most places you have to order 2 extra eggs but not at the Roast cafe. Will definitely come for a proper meal and maybe catch a comedy show as well. Good looking place friendly staff. Thumbs up!!

Great place, I absolutely loved their cakes and coffee and in the evening they become a comedy cafe aswell. Was a great time. I highly recommend it.

Not our first time here, but without fail EVERYTIME we visit, its an amazing experience. Had the Roast Burger with chips. Service always friendly and quick, but the meal itself was very tasty and a huge portion, definitely had my fill with the drinks flowing. Must also mention that whenever we go there, I always see something else that looks just as scrumptious as my meal! All i can say is that i have to go back to try the ribs and the sweets when i have a chance. Again awesome service!! and the comedy show on any given weekend is awesome. I'm definitely a customer for life!! :-)

​My Morning Roast<br/><br/>The Reviews on The Roast got me sitting down one morning for Breakfast. The Decor doesn't scream "WOW", i like the wall feature with the wines and the Cafe name on it. ​<br/><br/>​I went for the Frittata (Spicy Spanish Chorizo with peppers,mozzarella and rockets)​. ​T​he ​cast iron skillet​ presentation on a board feels like you in your own kitchen​,enticing indeed​. Fri​ttata​ is a nice option if like​ me, you really love eggs​.​ I felt it needed more ​Chorizo​​ for that extra spicy taste, nevertheless it was delicious so was the freshly baked panini bread <br/><br/>My sister​ had a salmon scramble​, again the presentation wins your appetite before you indulge. It looked very delicious. <br/><br/>​Coffee is Great and do try the rainbow cake ​<br/><br/>​We ​Left the Roast,​ very ​impressed and wanting to come back

Went to roast cafe this morning for coffee and breakfast with some friends. We were a table of atleast 8 people. There were no other customers in the store when we arrived. We had Pathetic service, then were overcharged for items we didn't even order. The staff then give you take aways in slow motion and give you attitude as if you doing them a favor. Definitely not a place to visit.

My first breakfast stop in Melrose.. the menu selection was quite limited and I would have liked to see a few more egg varieties on offer. Otherwise the service was good and it was lovely to be able to sit out on the pavement to get some fresh air. Melrose has quite a European feel to it, so it was a lovely morning out for a change of scenery. The food we did have was good and I loved their light coloured rye bread! <br/>They have comedy evenings a few nights a week in their indoor venue. I'd like to get back for a night of that sometime.

Not half bad. Nice atmosphere, modern and lively. Service was good, attentive and prompt. 140 characters review is a bit much, that's why I'm typing this so that I can get to the next screen.

This cafe is really confusing as it has a whole comedy club attached to it, so not the greatest ambiance. Came here for breakfast and was just underwhelmed from the onset. Menu was ok in terms of breakfast. I ordered something that was meant to have chorizo, but there wasn't much in there. The one positive thing was the staff and our server. I accidentally left my bank card and they kept it in a safe for me until I returned so that was great. Maybe I will try lunch next time.

Popped into Roast this afternoon for a quick bite.<br/>I had never seen this before. The cake display definately attracts ones attention. This is a comedy club at night time and I think the setting is fab . I ordered a chicken burger and cuppachino and was very impressed . Pricing was very reasonable And service very friendly and efficient. I will be back, and would love to check out the comedy as well<br/>One evening

I always order the same meal at Roast Cafe. Hot Cheesy Veg on Brioche bread. Soft and succulent. The attention to detail on the "wooden board" plate in on point. I don't think I can ever get tired of Roast Cafe. Keep it up!

The service is fantastic and all the waiters have beefing smiles-you feel at home there. Good also very good and the coffee is delicious. Would recommend going for breakfast but also their comedy shows on a thurs-sat nights are great fun-a good night out!

YUMMMMY!! This is the best spot for a nice lunch, the food is delicious and the decor is really trendy. The nachos were amazing! Better than most jozi Mexican restaurants. The chicken salad and veg burger were also amazing. If you are looking for a gorgeous delicious cake look no further! My new fave spot in JHB

Delicious cakes at this wonderful little spot. I had the decadent Black Velvet Cheesecake and was delighted. Cannot wait to return and sample the rest of their offerings!

Got a few take away cupcakes from here, the rainbow coloured icing, Ferraro and Oreo cupcakes. The icing was decent however the cakes in totality were absolutely dry. Quite disappointing at R25 per cupcake.

The roast cafe is well set up and simply divine! From the decor to the service, not forgetting the food. Everything is polished with a hint if playfulness thrown in for good measure😸 the service was impeccable- we walked in and were greeted with smiles, though the waitrons were all busy packing up, we were attended to immediately! We ordered a coffee, spiced chai and the ferrero cake- all of it was up to scratch even though we walked in at 19:10 and the place closed at 20:00! Super impressed👌👌

Roast Café’s modern décor and selection of cakes and pastries on display will definitely grab your attention. The Vietnamese chicken noodle salad had good flavour combinations, but my flat white was disappointingly too weak. Service was friendly and efficient.

In a phrase - "Surprisingly good!". The frittata is a must try, the brioche french toast too die for and the hot drinks (cappuccino and rooibos latte) really hit the spot. The custard slice was a tad too sweet and would have benefited from a lighter texture on the custard - But that's just me being really picky. <br/><br/>All of this complimented by friendly, unfussed service from the front-of-house team and super speedy service from the team in the kitchen. What more could you want on a chilly Saturday morning?<br/><br/>We were so impressed we decided to come back in the evening for the live comedy. Like the food and service; I'm sure this will not disappoint. Well done guys!

Husband and I went to Melrose Arch to pass the dreary Sunday afternoon and we ended up at Roast Cafe. First impressions were great - friendly service, the manager was very nice and helpful and the shop looks beautiful. I ordered a Chai Latte, husband ordered a Nutella Cappuccino. Chai latte was very average, Nutella cappuccino was a normal cappuccino with a spoon of Nutella in it that wasn't blended in or anything, but it was nice. After this point when it became evident that we weren't going to order food we were practically forgotten. We ordered a custard slice and 2 additional cappuccinos from a different waiter as our waitress sort of abandoned us. Husband said the custard slice was good but forgettable, cappuccinos was actually very nice. We asked for the bill, and waited for about 10-15 minutes for it (keep in mind, the shop was relatively quiet). We eventually got it and paid cash, again having to ask a different waiter to take it and organize for change. Our waitress returned with the change - in her hand a scrunched up R50 and coins - which she plopped on the table without much care. Our total bill was R139 and I always get slightly annoyed when a waiter brings change in such big denominations on a small bill - you feel obligated to give a disproportionate tip. Based on the shop and quality of cappuccinos I will be back, but based on the device from our waitress I would be hesitant.

Roast café is pretty cool...nice vibe, nice decor and excellent service from our waiter, William. Still keen to try the comedy club tho. Had the cucumber, Apple, mint and vodka slushie jug. Was delicious. Ate the Thai fish cakes which I really enjoyed. For dessert I had the Oreo canonut which I've heard so much about...the dough was really good but didn't enjoy the inner filling too much. All in all, I'll definitely return.

Such a lovely place with equally lovely people. I arrived at the Roast Cafe on a random Thursday at around 11:40. I really just wanted some fresh fruit and a coffee, nothing heavy. The only fruit option that was available on the menu was on the breakfast menu.<br/><br/>The waiter was so lovely and he organized that I get the seasonal fruit and homemade granola even though the breakfast service was already over. <br/><br/>I absolutely enjoyed this. The fruit was fresh, sweet and satisfying. I stayed on the the rest of the afternoon, making the cafe my office for the day. The coffee helped :-). I also scored an invite to the comedy show later on in the evening (it runs from Thursday to Saturday I believe). Such great fun, worth checking out.<br/><br/>I had invited a friend who had a roast cafe burger. He was absolutely impressed and boy likes his food. I had the Parmesan chips and I just couldn't comprehend how something as simple as chips could taste that good. <br/><br/>Certainly be camping here more often. <br/><br/>P.S. The rating is a 4,5 and not a 5 because my waiter would disappear on me but to be fair, I was there for most of the afternoon.<br/><br/>

All I can say is- YUM!<br/><br/>The cappuccinos really hit the spot! I'm a super coffee fan and I think I've found my new favorite coffee spot! Plus it comes with tiny moist red velvet cupcakes which is essentially a tiny bite of happiness, right? Winning! <br/><br/>I ordered the Mature cheddar, pancetta and mushrooms frittata- my first few bites were heavenly then I hit an exceptionally salty portion, possibly due to the salt not being evenly distributed. But that was the only downside to my meal. My husband ordered the pulled pork sandwich and he couldn't stop raving about it! <br/><br/>There's a huge selection of cakes on offer, it took us quite a while to decide what to have as everything looked so tasty. We decided on a m&m canonut filled with peanut butter to share. What a treat! Will definitely be back to try their cake selection next, obviously with some more tasty coffee.. <br/><br/>Staff, manager, baristas are all super friendly and the service was exceptional! Keep up the good job guys.

Blown away by the new summer menu at Roast Cafe in Melrose Arch – all stops have duly been pulled out!! I joined a group of foodies for a great meet up there a few days ago, and enjoyed everything I tried.<br/><br/>Well known for their amazing cakes, and of course adjoining the coolest comedy club in Jozi – Goliath Comedy Club – Roast Cafe has upped their game just in time for summer.<br/><br/>From frozen jugs of cocktails, to designer milkshakes and mouth watering desserts, the menu offers an amazing array of snacks from Nachos to Zuccini Fries and Jalapeno Poppers, Thai Hake Bites and more, you could make a meal out of the starters alone!<br/><br/>For mains the group enjoyed an amazing spread. My Rosemary Chicken was tasty and served with yummy roast veg – it was so big I took half of it home for lunch the next day.<br/><br/>The Boerie roll, Parmesan Fillet and Pizza’s were raved about, as were the Spicy Hoison Ribs and Linguine Gamberi also received great reviews.<br/><br/>Do yourself a favor and pop in – be it for a meal or a sweet treat – you won’t be disappointed.

I had a meeting in melrose and decided to come here prior to that. Let me keep this short and sweet! You guys need to try that cold chai latte kinda drink with a shot of espresso! Oh my god. I swear it was thee most amaZing experience for every chai lover! The taste of strong chai with that hint of coffee at the end. I was left craving for more! I dare you to try it ❤️

I've been wanting to come to Roast since I saw the first picture of their cannolli filled with different flavour creme pattiserie. <br/>The displays were super impressive and I thought they were very appealing. <br/>We sat down and ordered two crushed almond cannollis but were then told that they had run out. This seemed very strange for 11am on a Friday morning? I'm guessing they bake in the mornings which is why the fresh cannolli were not available? <br/>My friend settled for the oreo one and my mom ordered the coconut-cream version. <br/>The oreo version just tasted of plain vanilla and the pastry was quite stodgy. It did however look lovely.<br/>My brother ordered a chicken mayo sandwich which was delicious and I ordered some dry wors which was nice. <br/>My rooibos coconut latte did not taste of coconut at all but was a pleasant plain rooibos latte. <br/>The service was good and friendly. <br/>I'd come back to try some of their cakes which looked delicious and to try some of the savoury options on their menu.

I had a frittata for brunch at Roast which was ok but missing ingredients as listed on the menu. And those small red velvet cupcakes that are not eaten by diners are thrown right back into the fresh batch that sits in the open by the till counter eeewwww

Desserts are really good. Delicious selection of cakes. They have a cross between a canoli and doughnut with custard filling. Good coffee and friendly staff.

Roast cafe is a pretty spot with cool decor and beautiful cakes on display at the front section that is fresh and airy with tables that spills onto the street- at the back is a comedy/ entertainment venue space with a different ambience. It was a hot day so ordered iced Rooibos cappuccinos and coffees for drinks. The food menu selection is okay- the usual fare. Hubby had the boerewors sliders and I had panko crusted prawns and zucchini fries. The zucchini fries were great, rest of the meal was just okay. May visit again to do coffee/ cocktails and cake or come through for a comedy night..

Heard about these 'awesome' canonut....came specially to try it one evening....what a disappointment....so dense and flavorless expect for the taste of the stale oil that they were fried in...left me feeling sick afterwards. I would not waste getting another one but there cakes are still worth a try....awesome red velvet cheesecake and the Ferraro rocher cake is also delicious. Would definitely return for the cakes. The service like the food is a bit hit and miss some of the waiters are very attentive and friendly others seem slightly rude

Unbelievable! Best food I've eaten in a long time. A absolute must 👍 try Rooibos and Peach slush and what a clever idea a canolnut...anyone been to Italy will know where this yum dessert stems from. Waiters are great. Atmosphere is perfect. Some nights enjoy comedy night as well...coming soon...thus we will be back!

I was excited to try this place out after the excited (and exciting) reviews I'd read, but I was pretty underwhelmed. The charcuterie board was lovely, as were the drinks (watermelon slushie ftw), but my nachos were way too rich, lacking freshness and balance - the whole slices of green chili didn't help. We also tried their increasingly famed canonut and felt pretty meh about it. Also, I originally wanted a cheese board but had to laugh when our waitress told me the cheeses were mozarella and cheddar. We didn't try any of other cakes because they just didn't really look particularly appetising; they were overcomplicated and silly-looking. All that being said, our waitress was great. I want to like Roast, but the place has an overall theme of quantity over quality that needs to be addressed.

Absolutely divine, I ended up driving here just set for a canonut ( yes an actual thing) it's a donut cannolli. And the most delightful, tasting in the world- to satisfy the chocolate addicts there's a chocolate filled mnm and for the people like me a toasted almond and custard. They also have a wide variety of drinks that will just have your mind lingering for choice.

Had a friend from Altanta with us and needed a place to have a quick breakfast at Melrose Arch. Been wanting to try Roast Cafe but completely forgot about it when I was at Melrose Arch. So was happy when we stumbled across the place. I wasn't too hungry so just had the Bee Sting for breakfast. The custard in the Bee Sting was silky smooth and yum. My husband had the bacon and egg breakfast and the scrambled eggs were fluffy and creamy. My friend had the health bowl which looked so fresh and tantalising. The pastries and cakes look so good and I can't wait to try them all when I go back. <br/>

Came through to Roast before heading out to Harties on Saturday. My wife had told me about this place so we decided to give it a try. I ordered the Bacon and Egg which is scrambled eggs, maple-glazed pancetta, mozarella and rocket served on a slice of rye toast. The scrambled eggs were delicious and creamy and were complimented fantastically by the saltiness of the pancetta. All in all a great put together dish. My friend ordered the health bowl which had a variety of fruit, yoghurt, and some homemade granola, there was a very generous helping of both fruit and yoghurt, and he was very pleased with the dish. My wife decided to head straight for the sweet stuff and ordered a bee-sting which wasnt the best she's had, but it sure was still nice.

We tried Roast Cafè for want of something new. The place is small but cute, however too brightly lit. They also aren't licensed to serve alcohol yet but that should change soon. The service was good and friendly. They have a nice list of warm and cold drinks - the Nutella cappuccino is amazing! The milkshakes were also a favourite on our table. <br/><br/>They don't have many vegetarian options but there are a few. To start we had the Parmesan fries, chilli poppers and zucchini fritters which were all good. For mains I had the veg burger and I loved it. The actual patty was soft and fresh, definitely recommend it. The nachos were enjoyed. We had two salads - sweet potato and the Vietnamese chicken noodle - which were yum but the portions were massive. <br/><br/>Overall, a cute place with a well priced menu and delicious food. The highlights were definitely the Nutella cappuccino and the veg burger. Looking forward to going back and trying the cakes.

Fantastic Cubano sandwich. Basically a place that takes huge pride in all their meals and turns out really tasty food that leaves you with a smile. Definitely one to go back to<br/><br/>July '16- Alas, the going back not so great. The Cubano as good as before but buying a lovely looking Rainbow Cake takeaway only to find it horribly stale and inedible is a major disappointment. No excuse for that guys #fail