The food is outstanding. I had the grilled hake it was cooked to perfection. My husband has the sirloin steak with honey, mustard sauce it was out of this world. I will definitely go back to this lovely place.
The food in this place is consistently good
I’ve been here a few times now and I’ve never been disappointed, the food is really tasty and they have the best cakes! I had their lamb shank and wow! Beautiful flavors and very well prepared .
Great food, awesome service. We've never been disappointed. Their chef is brilliant and it's always consistently impressive Love this place.
My friend and I had brunch here this morning and I am very pleasantly surprised. Initially I was sort of worried with the last two reviews being less than stellar especially when it came to service.
We had a cosy table in the corner with lots of beautiful views of Northcliff hill and the great sea of forrest of Berario.
Addressing the service, our waiter was on his A game and was very attentive. As for the food, I had the baked eggs in napolitana sauce. It was absolutely delicious and the napolitana sauce was sweet, tangy and chilli spiced. There were heaps of baby spinach leaves and prosciutto. If I would to order the dish again next time (and I’m sure there’s a next time) I would request the over-easy eggs to be softer as I can imagine the cutting into the runny yolk and that mixing into the napolitana sauce... drool.
My friend’s breakfast was also very nicely presented too. He had the junior breakfast which he substituted the toast for grilled halloumi.
We will most certainly be back!
MV Cafe is one of my favorite places to eat in Northcliff. The menu is perfect and caters for various tastes and no matter what the occasion the kitchen deliver yummy quality dishes. Big thumbs up to all the staff and owner who are always cheerful, helpful, close by and go the extra mile regardless of my request. Can honestly recommend MV Cafe for any meal any time of the day.
I’ve had only good experiences here. Menu is varied, both in terms of price options and food options. Portions are generous, ambience great and service prompt. A firm favorite.
I’ve had several enjoyable experiences at MV Café, in the Mountainview Centre (by the Woolies in Fairlands). Oftentimes when my family is in the mood for brunch over a weekend, we end up at the MV. I’ve mostly had breakfasts and light lunches - nothing fancy but well made. They do something called a MV Salad which is very satisfying even for this carnivore. Service is good and the place is comfortable. There’s a fair range of items on the menu, so there should be something to suit most tastes. The coffee is well made, which is important to me.
One of my favourite eateries. Good food with varied menu and special menus worth a try. friendly staff and management who are happy to change things to your specific requirements. Highly recommended.
What a brilliant little restaurant.... did not expect such amazing service or food when entering the shopping center... our waitress was absolutely outstanding and I regret not getting her name...
A culinary delight does not even come close to describing my Camembert and bacon... my man, who believes there should only be mozzarella and Gouda, raved about the full fresh flavor....
The burger has to take the lead in the burger challenge.... the patty was moist, brimming with flavor and cooked to perfection.... perfectly paired with bacon and cheese... the taste sensation doesn’t end there... even the tomatoes and lettuce was of the freshest quality, rounded off with a touch of sweet pickles... wow
Perfect setting and hospitality for a wonderful conversation with the best company in the world...
One of our favourite breakfast/brunch/lunch spots 😍
Food is always good! Waiters are friendly and efficient.
Cosy atmosphere, good use of space, bright and sunny.
I visited MV Cafe for Team breakfast last week I must say I was pleasantly surprised with the hidden spot just few minutes from my office .
The breakfast was alright .. Service was excellent I had great coffee so that counts for something 💛👌
Not a bad idea to pop in for breakfast if you Live or work un he area ...
Great suprise! The service is excellent and the food decent and well priced. a definite Sunday morning breakfast stop! We will come back for the deep fried camembert!
Great restaurants with a great menu and staff that are well trained. Love there coffee brand and selection of cakes. Well done to Management and staff for keeping a high standard.
Very impressed with the service from the minute they open the door for you till the minute you leave. Only tried the breakfast menu but everything was great quality and delicious. Will be back to try more
Wonderful family meal. The Lamb Shank was superb. The Ribs were outstanding. The Bacon Wrap was Delish...
Service was beyond expectation. Thank you Moses 👊🏾
Dallace Rickson Jolly
+4.5
I asked (the delightful) waitron to bring me a salad of halloumi, artichokes, chickpeas, hummus and roasted vegetables (R79) and what was possibly one the best pastas I have ever eaten: linguine with prawns and fresh roasted rosa tomatoes in a creamy feta and tomato sauce flavoured with ouzo (R125). Usually any pasta dish that involves prawns ends up being more of a ‘spot the prawn’ game. I counted nine big, fat perfectly cooked prawns in the half of the pasta I did manage to eat before admitting defeat (and asking for a ‘doggy’ bag which my children fought over when I got home).
Because I had been soooo ambitious with my starter and main course, there really was not much space for dessert so I took dessert home: a slice each of red velvet and chocolate cake (they were out of orange blossom cake already that day).
I have been back a number of times for anything from coffee and cake to a light lunch with the kids - never been disappointed.
I've been to MV Cafe quite a few time and everytime it does not disappoint. On this occasion it was a table booked for 16 people and the service was so excellent, the waiter and waitress was always smiling and so attentive, food was delivered at a decent time and the quality was excellent as usual
Ok , the bad part - please bring meals at time same time to the table , very amateur mistake from the kitchen to send dishes at different times . The eggs in Napolitano sauce is gud , needed a little bit of chiile to lift the dish . The omlette was gud , had decent amount of filling . The coffee freezos were gud but the watermelon drink was tasteless . Overall a hit and miss today .
Chilled relaxed place, throughly enjoyed their salmon, avo and cottage cheese pancake. The service is not the fastest but food makes up for it.
A great casual restaurant for a decent breakfast, lunch or dinner. The menu really caters for all tastes; they have a well selected wine list, and even some clever cocktails.
The food is ALWAYS top-drawer and has never disappointed me.
I have only one criticism, and that is the inconsistency in the service; it is often very slow.
If you're not in a rush then I recommend it for a really enjoyable outing.
Superb restaurant serving a wide selection of delicious food. Friendly staff and well run kitchen guarantees a good meal out in Northcliff. Konichiwa.
Absolutely superb, an amazing experience the food, wine, staff I can not vault them on anything. Their hamburgers are to die for. the homemade Rum & Raisin Ice Cream is my all time favorite.
Popped into the place on a scorching hot Sunday morning. It's well ventilated with great views of Northcliff. The staff are really friendly and cater to unusual needs like bringing a giant jug of water and making sure it's always filled. Small but comprehensive breakfast menu that covers all 'breakfast' tastes. Their orange juice is absolutely delicious: Freshly squeezed almost tastes creamy. Colin was our waiter who checked up on us every couple of minutes. Nice and calm atmosphere, lots of families, elderly couples etc.
Went there for breakfast and had unbelievable French toast. Crispy bacon is my weakness and this place made it perfectly. Great coffee spot for one of those relaxing "read the paper" kind of days. The manager Pat is a great guy and always has a smile on his face. Keep it up!
Excelent breakfast. Very friendly service.
Generous portions but not too big. Loads if flavour and delegate details to every dish. Making it interesting.
Pleasantly surprised by our spur of the moment decision to stop in for a quick light lunch. A wonderful selection of salads. Loved the chicken liver and salmon salads. Grilled camerbert is also a real treat. Looking around, it seems all portions are as generous as the salads.
We stumbled upon MV Cafe whilst looking for a spot to grab a bite to eat driving around Northcliff.
The first thing i noticed was how spacious and open the whole restaurant is. Its got a really nice feel to it especially on a sunny afternoon. There are also a whole lot of unique decor features and they have some fun and quirky scribbles on the walls that catch the eye.
Their menu is very interesting, sporting all sorts of delicious meals. I ordered their Mexican Chicken Burger and my girlfriend tucked in to a Ham, Cheese and Tomato sandwich.
After placing my order and looking at the price, I figured I would be getting an average sized burger and a handful of fries.. what came out the kitchen was anything but. My beast of a burger crammed full of flavorsome toppings and accompanied by deliciously seasoned chips blew my expectations out of the water. It was super tasty and had such an awesome bite to it, screaming with Mexican flavour.
My girlfriends dish was also sizable and incredibly tasty. Although a Ham, Cheese and Tomato isn't the most glamorous meal, the health bread it came on and all the fillings were scrumptious and left her smiling.
The service at MV was really good while we were there. Our waiter was quick and friendly, and the food didn't take long to come at the kitchen.
I'd definitely recommend checking this place out if you're looking for a cool place to grab some great food for really decent prices.
MV cafe keeps me going back with the relaxed vibe, friendly efficient staff and good food.
I have only ever had breakfast at MV cafe but my firm favorites are the yoghurt , granola and mixed berries as well as the veg breakfast . I keep threatening to try one of their delectable cakes, but the generous portions leave little space for more food. I also love the range of fresh juices in particular the apple and ginger. I am not a coffee drinker , but my husband has on a few occasions commented on the good quality of the coffee.
Great spot for a delicious hearty lunch. They have a tempting cake table that greets you as you enter. The menu is huge with something for everyone.
An easy choice for breakfast, lunch or dinner with good service and tasty food served in generous portions. And the coffee is good 😀 We pop in often.
Great place to go for a group of friends wanting to catch up over some good food. The menu caters for a wide variety of tastes and preferences. Friendly service on top of it. I like that they have a specials board that changes every now and then. I have had quite a few dishes on the menu and have always walked out satisfied.
Friendly and warm atmosphere (thanks largely to the aesthetically pleasing decor) combined with good food. Would definitely head back if I am in the area.
Woke up with a craving for cake and coffee, which is unusual given my preference for white wine and sushi.
Smiling staff, hot cappucinos and of course an array of scrumptious cakes on offer at 7h30am..good way to start the day.
I had the red velvet cheesecake which hit the spot- moist,rich and not too sweet.
I love coming here for lunch as well and have never been dissatisfied with any of my choices. I particularly like sitting near the large windows watching the sun set, or out on the small deck. Definitely a solid choice if you are looking to eat out in this neck of the woods.
Lovely place for burgers and their chicken pie is awesome. My boyfriend and i come here often for quick lunches and on occasion for date night. Service is good and the food is basic but tasty.
Had early breakfast there on 3 occasions and must admit standards stay constant, waiters are attentive, quality of food is better than average and helpings are generous. Coffee is tasty and fresh juices are outstanding
Very impressed, the veg breakfast was really very nice as well as the traditional breakfast. The portions are more than substantial and fill you perfectly, additionally the food was very good, cooked well and fresh. Service however was a tad slow. Good breakfasts here! Love. Jambo.
My experience here was excellent. I met a friend here, who had already offered and received their drink, and within 2 minutes the waiter was there to take my order. I ordered the Cappuccino, which is huge and thoroughly delicious. Overall I was very very happy and will definitely visit again
My first time in MV Cafe and service started slow ... and I waited some time for my cappuccino. I then told the waitress ... where's my cappuccino? Why does it take so long? I'm a food critic and so far I'm not impressed.
Food however is really outstanding!!!!! Some of us had the French Toast with banana, bacon and syrup. It was a big portion for a good price. The one negative about this dish ... the syrup is thrown over the whole dish and it ended up being extremely sweet. I will suggest that they serve the syrup on the side.
The Vegetarian Breakfast with scrambled eggs, topped with a big Portobello mushroom, topped with spinach and Halloumi looked delicious!
My toasted sandwich with Chorizo, Mozzarella cheese, tomato chutney and basil was amazing!!!!! On the menu it doesn't say it's served with chips. Which it was. And it was utter delight!!!!!!!
A salmon open sandwich passed our table ... wow!!! That sandwich was massive and served with chips!!!
As you walk in there are cakes ... which I've completely missed. A Bar One cheesecake that has this chocolate sauce dripping over the edges, an Orange Blossom cake with rose petals on top and a caramel cheesecake. But I was strong and resisted them.
Until a big chocolate cake passed us ... with balls on top. A Ferrerro Rocher cake. Since it was fresh, it wasn't cut, so I couldn't see the inside. Waiting patiently for an hour or so, someone order a slice. I asked our waiter to see the inside of the cake ... I crumbled and ordered a slice.
It's chocolate sponge cake with layers of wafers and chocolate in-between. Deeeelish!!!!!!!
Really impressive food, so I'll have to visit again.
Isabella Leslie-Miller
+3.5
Went there with my mom for a quick coffee. They didn't have some beverage menu items, which was a bit frustrating, but the staff seemed friendly and welcoming. The ambience is fantastic - I would definitely go back for lunch or dinner sometime.
June 21 brunch: First time in Johannesburg with wife and kid. We were to go to Woolworths at Mountain View shopping centre and since we were hungry, decided on this place. It was Father's day and the place was booked. However, the manager seeing that the kid was getting agitated, managed something and gave us a table. He also gave us a table near the window/ balcony and since it was cold, the morning sun was welcome. We ordered for the toast chicken mayo, toasted cheese sandwich and Fritatta. The cheese sandwich was crisp and my daughter enjoyed it. The toasted chicken mayo was also nice. Fritatta was the egg ommlette with feta cheese, mushrooms and tomato. It was well made though a bit oily. Extra for the service and consideration on a busy day.
VERY VERY NICE IT IS A MUST FOR BREAKFAST! Pleasant clean nice view!
Food well presented and tasty.
Freshly squeezed fruit juices - pear and watermelon fantastic.
Service good.
Really a divine hidden lil Gem. Love this place the food is top quality and service is beyond excellent. I had an amazing breakfast this morning. They put up with my fussy order..delivered exactly what I wanted. Went with a huge crowd every single persons food was perfect. Great menue and management. Gotta go taste 4 yourself
I have some friends who eat here often and we've joined them a couple of times. The menu is varied with some interesting options and everything is always well presented and top quality.
Open, bright, relaxing spot to grab something when you're hungry.
We've come here occasionally for brunch after Sunday yoga and it's always a treat. The staff is friendly although not the most attentive. The food arrives quickly (I know because I was always starving) but the bill took quite a while to arrive.
The dishes are always well presented, looks colorful and appetizing. The sandwiches may seem a little pricey at first, but they are HUGE and delicious so definitely worth the money. The veggies are fresh and the chips are crispy. I haven't been here in the evening but this is definitely a great lunch spot!
Bottomline: Yep, I'll come back for sure :)
Pros: big portion size, good food
Cons: the waiter can be quite confused when it comes to payment options..
First time at this place and I love it! The view of Northcliff is beautiful and the coffee is spot on, only downside was that I waited a long time for it but is worth every minute. I had the french toast and it was sooo good will definitely eat it again. The menu of the place is perfect for lunch breakfast and dinner and the cakes looks so good! Will definitely eat there again!
Lovely outdoor/indoor setting, the freshly squeezed juices are great for a hot summers day. We didn't eat, but popped in for ice cream and coffee.
We have been to this restaurant a couple of times as we really enjoy the location and the mediterranean flavours. The food is always well presented and tastes great. Overall the food has always been good to very good with menu items that are a bit different to the the standard dishes you find all over the place. Recently I ordered a vegetarian breakfast which was easily one of the tastiest breakfasts I've had in a long time. Service initially was a problem but that seems to have been sorted out now. With good food, good location, reasonable prices and friendly efficient service, you are sure to have a very enjoyable dining experience.
Tasty vegetarian breakfast. It's rare to find a place where the presentation and taste are on par. Best thing very near home Will certainly visit again . UPDATE : 3 Years later still the best meal in town. It has become my regular spot.
Cláudia Monica Rodrigues
+3.5
Conveniently situated just off busy 14th Ave, this restaurant offers a magnificent view of Northcliff when seated outside.
Lovely, inviting decor. A large variety of cakes on offer. A menu that allows one to pop in for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Management is friendly and attentive. Have yet to be disappointed here.
MV cafe is a stunning spot a friend of mine introduced me to and somewhere I have gone back to a few times. This past weekend I tried their hake and mash with garlic butter sauce and wanted to lick my plate clean. Definitely more-some! Friendly staff, great service, happy faces and tummys all around.
What a great place. Expect about R 400 for two people. The food was good and the staff is friendly. Also its a beautiful restaurant. Decor is impressive. You get a 5 out of 5 from me.
MV Cafe saved my bacon last week when I was let down by Papachinos Radiokop. I pre booked tables at the beginning of May for a breakfast beginning of June. On confirmation of the numbers three days prior to the date I was informed that the number was too big for them to cater for, they only took bookings of 24 max not 40.
Panic struck big time.
I went straight to MV Cafe who were friendly, unphased by the numbers and immediately showed where they would seat all 40 of us without even batting an eye. They could not have been more accommodating.
Day came and went without a hitch. All the guests were so impressed with the setting, the friendly staff, who gave us their undivided attention and especially the really good food. No problems what so ever.
Apart from our party there was a second birthday party of 25 being served as well as several other tables of happy customers.
Well done MV Cafe and Thank you again.
Great breakfasts well priced and good service the staff are always friendly. Its just around the corner from us so its a bit of a local too. I really enjoy the variety of quality dishes.
What a pleasant surprise! We went for a Sunday brunch and all 3 dishes were superb. The French toast with bacon and banana is a treat; the MV breakfast delicious and the Mince on toast the best ever. Good service, good value for money.
Katherine Rutherford
+4.5
Once again a fabulous meal in such a warm, comfortable atmosphere. Had the butternut panzerotti for the 1st time. Delicious! Our home away from home.
Love this little spot! We visit here frequently and are yet to have a negative experience. Management is excellent and the food menu offers something for everyone. Love the cheesy steak bun-filla. A lovely selection of fresh cakes always available. Ask for Moses to be your waiter - he does a good job.
MV cafe is certainly a little hidden gem in Jozi. It's a great, peaceful restaurant with an extensive menu. Have had a few meals here and they've all been brilliant. Management are attentive and friendly and staff are trained well. Pop in if you haven't and keep up the good work!
Had a awesome diner this evening from them, I got there was quickly seated and seen to got my order in spoke with my friend while waiting for our food environment was relaxed got our food quality warm and fresh, the taste of the food was amazing very satisfied with the service and quality of food definitely go back , only change I would like to see is the items that are vegetarian with a "V" next to it on the menu so it's easier to see the vegetarian options they have.
Gorgeous decor, ample portion sizes & fantastic service. I can highly recommend the grilled chicken, mozzarella & avo open sarmie that is drizzled in a pesto mayo. There are fab views of Northcliff if you sit inside to the right as you walk in. The kitchen is also open and visible which I liked. A glorious lunch time dining experience.
I just realised that I haven't written a review for this restaurant, which is an absolute travesty as it is one of my absolute favourite spots in Joburg. I've been for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and have been blown away by every one. It's spacious, light, clean, and tastefully decorated. The staff are super friendly and happy to help - the service isn't always the fastest, but the food is made fresh and it's definitely worth the wait!
Perhaps my favourite part of MV Cafe is that it fits every mood. Whether you're looking for breakfast with your mom, a chilled lunch with friends or a romantic dinner with someone special, you can't go wrong with MV. I highly recommend it!
The only reason I don't give MV Cafe a hither rating this time I visited is the price. I think it's a little over priced for what it is.
Don't get me wrong. The food is great and I had a great night.
One meal had wasabi mash in our but I didn't want that meal, but I wanted the mash with the steak. I was so charged R18 for the mash.
The mangager was attentive but my waiter needed a little more training. I always seem to get the trainees.
Update: I think the portion sizes have increased. Still not cheap but great food and they have a liquor license and charge R20 corkage.
I'm almost loathe to recommend this place because I don't want the secret to be out.
It's my 'neighborhood' restaurant and I haven't had a bad experience yet. The food is always so tasty - whether breakfast, steak, fish or a sandwich. It's comfortable and friendly and management is always on hand. Their menu is varied and the price is so right. I heart it.
MV Cafe is conveniently situated in a small shopping complex with easy access to the cafe. This is an ideal place to go for a nice meal or even just a coffee id you wish. The staff and manager were very friendly and took very good care of us. With its relaxed ambience, the cafe is an ideal choice to catch up with friends while having a light meal. I'll definitely visit again and try some breakfast or an early lunch!
Was great the first time we went. Been back a few times and so disappointed always get a cold breakfast. Going to give it a miss for a while. Such a pity could be really good.
MV Cafe is literally two minutes from my house. So I really did have high hopes for it. The first time I went there was for a breakfast and it was great. Large portion nice selections and overall a good meal. I have sampled a few of there breakfast since and I have enjoyed them all. The daily specials tend to be very good and the meat and fish have surprised me - fish is always something that i gauge a place on and there fish is good. Overall I think that MV has a lovely ambiance with good food, a menu selection that should leave everyone happy. Service has on occasion been a bit slow when they didn't expect to be as busy as they were and as such were a bit understaffed but even then a manager did come to apologies.
March 2018
Just had the best hake and Mediterranean veg ever for R89!!!
July 2017
This restaurant goes from strength to strength. In my opinion, now clearly the best in Northcliff in terms of consistency, quality and value for money.
April 2016
Pleased to report that MV is back up to its good standards again and has a new manager. Apparently the previous manager decided to return to Europe which was probably the cause of the short dip in quality.
March 2016
Arrived at 8.30pm and asked the lovely front of house lady if they were still open (there were at least 3 occupied tables) and she said yes, no problem. Sat down and waited for a very reluctant waiter to amble up and tell me they are closing now. I insisted he call the lovely lady which he very reluctantly did. They must have had a long discussion because she eventually arrived ensuring me I could still order. The manager? No where to be seen, so I walked out and drove to J's Diner who assured me they would still be open when I got there (which they were). Another problem creeping in at MV is the waiters are constantly on their cel phones while they are on duty! Service is seriously deteriorating (again).
February 2016
Another excellent meal at MV Cafe. Friendly, efficient service, pleasant ambience and delicious Kingklip and chips for R120! Just wish the chips were homemade. I find myself returning to this restaurant at least once a week.
August 2015
Pleased to report a good experience again. Welcomed at the door, very good mini sirloin with tasty veg (R95), and small but reasonably priced wine list. Clearly depends on whether the senior manager is on duty or not.
July 2015
Not sure what's happening at this restaurant since the review below? They now have a liquor licence but on three occasions I have arrived to try them out and on one occasion was told at 20:20 by a friendly waitress that they were already closing but I could still come in only to be told by an aggressive waiter/acting manager that they were already closed. On the other two occasions they were already lights out and locked up by just after 20:00 (not Mondays either)! So, I've given up.
Previously
This is an interesting restaurant which is slowly becoming quite popular. It did not get off to a great start but has been steadily improving, particularly under the new manager. The design is modern but a little stark. I can never decide where I really want to sit because I like to see what is going on around me and how people are reacting to the food and the service and this is not easy to do with the existing table arrangements.
That said, the food is generally very good and excellent value for money (I did have one disappointing experience with the Pork chops, but will give them another go). I particularly like the good old hake and chips (or choice of mashed potatoes or vegetables). One side dish is always included but not advertised. Breakfasts are excellent.
The waiters are generally friendly and, under the new manager, becoming more attentive with each visit. No liquor licence is a plus as far as cost goes and being allowed to take your favourite bottle with you, but a bit of a nuisance if you pop in without having planned to do so, although the local Woolworths is on the same premises in case of emergency.
Fast becoming one of my regulars because of the food and the prices.
Great food! Great value for money as well. Recipe is simple but great tasting food.
I love the variety on the menu. Management are very involved and the staff are very attentive. The food are superb.
I thoroughly enjoy the friendly service and eagerness to impress. The food is delicious, beautiful and served in VERY generous portions! Gorgeous setting, great atmosphere. Definitely a new favourite!
What a wonderful dinner. If you want a healthy, good solid meal and at the same time gourmet food and excellent service,this is the place! Seating ok, good size tables so you don't feel you eating from your neighbors plate! Decor simple but effective! Ambiance perfect. Lots of families all having load and happy discussions but the noise I is not disturbing, in fact it gives perfect atmosphere for good conversation.
Starter: Cajun calamari to die for, chicken livers with a delicious source! Best Cajun calamari I had!
Mains: medium rare fillet, not basted as I don't like sweet stake, with herb butter and slices of Parmesan cheese. Wow!!!! Best stake in town! Side orders of sweet potato and carrot mash - wow!!!!, and crispy broccoli and colliflower, and green beans with almonds. This was a real meal! Everything was gourmet delicious but the sweet potato and carrot mash out of this world- must have that recipe!
And to top it all the service comes with a great big smile, no notepad and the matre d is just the perfect man for the job.
Goodness gracious, I can't find a thing to complain about! Maybe it's because I had the wife for company.
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