A good cup of coffee can be a lifesaver in a café in one of the two major shopping centres in Namibia's capital Windhoek, especially after an exhausting shopping sortie in temperatures that exceed 35˚C.
Caffé Brazza is situated in the centre of Maerua Mall on the perimeter of Windhoek's CBD. The smell of freshly brewed coffee is irresistible, so we decide to settle down, rest our feet and let the world flow by. On the menu are a variety of tramezzini filled with a selection of vegetables, chicken or meat; panini; and light meals including soup, pasta and salads. Early birds can choose between a ‘hearty’ or a ‘healthy’ breakfast and for the sweet tooth there are croissants, muffins and scones with butter and cream and different preserves, as well as a selection of cakes and other desserts. Fresh fruit juices, like the frulato (fresh fruit blended with ice cream), are favourites in summer.
I order the Pollo Classic salad (grilled chicken breast served on a bed of lettuce, cucumber, tomato, avocado and fruit) and my companion the tramezzino with grilled chicken, peppadew, avocado and pesto. The food is delicious and to finish of the meal we have an excellent cup of coffee. Feeling invigorated, we are ready for our next adventure.
Opening times: Mon–Fri 7:00–18:00 Sat 8:00–14:00 Sun 9:00–13:00
On our way back to the car, laden with shopping, we pass dulcé café,
also in Maerua Mall, situated on a corner opposite the lift and
escalator. Like Caffé Brazza, it has an indoor/outdoor flow but the
décor is a lot lighter. You could say, South America meets Italy. As
it’s time for coffee again, we sit down and order an espresso with
cream and a cappuccino with froth and I can't resist the pancake filled
with chocolate. Yummy! While we wait, I browse through the menu. The
choice is excellent and what I see on the plates carried past our
table, makes my mouth water.
The breakfast section ranges from ‘healthy’ to omelettes, toasts (for
example scrambled egg and salmon on toast) and sandwich 'snackets'.
There is a wide variety of vegetarian dishes and you can also order
gluten-free bread with a low GI. For lunch you can choose between
tramezzini, the Dolce Deluxe Sandwich, stacks or Zorba's Grill,
different pastas, burgers, tortilla wraps and salads. There’s a 'Kidz'
menu, as well as cakes, muffins, scones and other sweets. Hot, cold and
alcoholic beverages round off your choice.
Opening times: Mon–Fri 7:30–16:30
Sat 7:00–15:00
Sun 8:00–13:00
The next day we stop at In's Wiener (Wernhil Shopping Centre) for lunch. “If something works, don't change it”, is the credo of the proprietor. One of the attractions here are the daily specials, a good plate of food priced very reasonably. In addition there are favourite dishes like Wiener Schnitzel; toasts and omelettes; in winter hearty soups; and in summer a variety of fresh salads. I love baked potatoes, so I order one filled with grilled vegetables and cheese and my companion orders avocado, brie, chicken and herbs on rye bread. As a starter we each have a big glass of freshly pressed carrot juice. The meal is delicious and we still have space for sweets. In’s Wiener’s home-baked cakes are excellent and if you like lemon meringue, order it – you can’t go wrong. Have it with a cup of coffee and you’ll go home feeling well satisfied.
Opening times: Mon–Fri 7:00–18:00 Sat 7:00–14:00 Sun 9:00–14:00
