Govinda's Weekend Cafe

17 St Andrews Rd, Rondebosch, Cape Town, 7700, South Africa
+27 62 331 0208
$$$ Cafe , Meditation center , Religious book store , Vegetarian restaurant , Yoga studio
(47 Reviews)
Price Range R 50–100

Govinda's Weekend Cafe in Rondebosch is a calm spot where food, spirituality, and community blend seamlessly. It’s more than your typical café—it combines a vegetarian restaurant, meditation center, yoga studio, and religious book store into one space. This makes it a place where locals often come not just to eat but to slow down and connect with a quieter side of Cape Town life.

The atmosphere here is relaxed and inviting, with options to sit indoors or enjoy the terrace when the weather allows. The peaceful vibe reflects its roots in the Hare Krishna movement, offering a unique setting that feels a bit like a calm island amidst the busyness of the neighborhood. People looking for a mindful break—whether after a yoga session or just a weekend stroll—will find it suits slower moments and reflective visits.

Food-wise, the menu leans heavily into sattvic, vegetarian Indian-style dishes prepared fresh daily. The paneer dishes, especially the creamy butter paneer and lightly spiced matar or palak paneer, are frequently praised for their softness and balanced flavors. The use of basmati rice and lentil dhal offers traditional comfort without feeling heavy or overpowering. Savory snacks like corn and paneer katchori or samosas find a good balance of flavor and texture, perfectly paired with the lighter curries.

Desserts such as shrikhand or chickpea fudge provide sweet endings that are distinct from the usual sugary overload—often enjoyed by those who appreciate subtle, artisanal touches. For vegan diners, there are thoughtful options like vegan marshmallows and vegetable-based curries that avoid excess oil and spice, keeping the meals feeling light and nourishing.

Visitors often note the warm and welcoming service, which matches the calm spirit of the place—a spot where you can sit back without feeling rushed. It’s not a busy, bustling café but rather a gentle community hub that works well for those interested in vegetarian cuisine with a spiritual twist, wellness, or simply a quiet weekend meal in a grounded setting.

The best times to visit are weekends or quiet afternoons when you can take full advantage of the terrace and soak in the calm surroundings. It’s a solid choice for those looking for a vegetarian or vegan meal with mindful preparation, especially if you appreciate meals that feel “pure” rather than heavily spiced or oily.

  • Location: tucked into the leafy St Andrews Rd area, easy to combine with a stroll around Rondebosch or a visit to local shops
  • Atmosphere: calm, relaxed, quietly spiritual
  • Audience: vegetarians, vegans, wellness seekers, local Hare Krishna community, and anyone after a peaceful meal away from the usual city café chaos
  • Menu highlights: butter paneer, koftas with chutney, and fresh basmati rice with dhal

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

Closed

Tuesday

Closed

Wednesday

Closed

Thursday

Closed

Friday

Closed

Saturday

10:30 AM - 04:00 PM

Sunday

10:30 AM - 04:00 PM

47 Reviews
Nataneya Lala

20 Dec 2025

Food prepared for Lord Krishna’s enjoyment, and you can taste the difference! I love the paneer - so soft and pillowy! And the desserts are amazing too - tried the vermicelli, srikhand, cheesecake and peppermint tart. Definitely for those with a higher taste

Afrika Lovers

05 Dec 2025

A wonderful experience with a vegan meal that felt so healthy that one really appreciated it extraordinarily. In the modern day and age where everything is overly fatty and overly spiced and seasoned the spinach with sweet potatoes and the brinjal curry with simple rice and dhal just cut through the noise. A plus was the little falafel ball on the side and also the atmosphere in the temple. There was a spiritual ceremony in process as we were there and just walking through the premises made you feel like you are actually in India.

Neal Murugan

25 Nov 2025

My first visit after having multiple friends reccomend it. Had the Dahl curry and beans and potato curry with rice. Such fresh and tasty food at such reasonable prices. We also had the delicous corn and cheese samosa's and peppermint crisp tart for dessert. The service was excellent and very friendly and warm. Will definitely be back for more visits in the future.

being brave

21 Oct 2025

most delicious, pure, sattvic vegetarian food in Cape Town :) and for less than your Indian Aunty could make it herself :) eat indoors or on the terrace in a calm, relaxed environment without having to worry about your belongings either! vegan options available all food here is violence free, especially yo cows .Thank you, Hari Krishna!

Melissa Naidoo

15 Oct 2025

Nice place to go to if you looking for a pure vegetarian place. The food is freshly prepared and delicious. We ordered take away this time. The paneer curry was so delicious, soft and fresh. Kofta balls in the tomato chutney was yummy as always. We also ordered the margherita pizza, it was freshly made and had a nice thin base. For the few times I have ordered pizza. It’s advised you phone and place the order as there isn’t really pizza on hand like the curry. We also ordered the carrot cake so nice and fresh. My favourite is the chocolate cupcakes with cream. It’s to die for I would highly recommend Govindas and definitely will be coming back

Ally Green

01 Oct 2025

5 July 2025 I ventured off in the rain for a takeaway, and I'll do it again and again. The place is like being invited into somebody's home, and the food is hearty. I asked whether they are a charity organisation, and they said yes, their devotees are currently in Khayelitsha handing out food to the hungry. They are so compassionate and are vegan and vegetarian only, with so many vegan options. When I paid I was not only receiving so much food, but I was also donating it all to charity which you won't find elsewhere. This is a genuine place that is here to serve the community. They are so friendly, positive, and loving people. Please do support!

Meheshree Pillay

25 Sep 2025

Govinda’s is only open on the weekends. We Came for a late Saturday lunch. Our order consisted of 5 orders of 1 curry + 1 roti @ R40 each; 1x combo plate of rice, dhal, 2 curries @ R80; 2x granadilla cheesecake @ R30; extra roti @ R8 each; Fanta @ R15. The volunteers who work here and serve the food are so kind and friendly. All the foods are vegetarian and they also have a frozen foods section. We had a wonderful afternoon here and the food was so tasty and wholesome. There is a wash basin and soap for your hands.

Melissa Govender

19 Sep 2025

Amazing, flavorful cuisine! A true feast for the heart if you are searching for tasty vegetarian soul food

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