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RATINGS
Food
Service
Value
Atmosphere

Details

PRICE RANGE
US$42 - US$185
CUISINES
Cafe, Grill
Special Diets
Vegetarian Friendly, Vegan Options, Gluten Free Options
View all details
meals, features
Reviews (88)
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86 results
Traveller rating
33
27
17
4
5
Traveller type
Time of year
LanguageEnglish
Traveller rating
33
27
17
4
5
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Reviewed 27 November 2022 via mobile

1 definitely a miss Breakfast came cold after a long wait . The place was not busy . Sunnyside eggs went back an came well done. Food had no flavor . Not a good experience.

Date of visit: November 2022
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 30 December 2021

Slow serve and barely any enthusiasm from staff. The music is so loud that you cannot talk to people at the table.

Date of visit: December 2021
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 11 April 2021 via mobile

They open at 08.00, they say. Not so much. At 08.30 the tables and chairs were not out, and staff were arriving in dribs and drabs. The floor got brushed around us with a large broom. Tables dragged around noisily. Noise: nice music but way...too loud, and then the coffee grinder is mindblowing, like a jumbo jet taking off, it totally stops any conversation. The food was OK, and our waiter was attentive, but the overall experience was not good. No more early breakfasts at Essence.More

Date of visit: April 2021
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 22 December 2019 via mobile

We enjoyed ourselves, the food was great and the waiter was the best We will definetly come back for more.

Date of visit: December 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 July 2019 via mobile

Lovely decor but sadly the service does not match up! Waited really long for any attention and then waited even longer for our food to arrive, and then, if possible, even longer to try settle our bill! We only had cake and tea but it...wasn't anything extra special and the Cafe was very noisy so, all in all, not the greatest experience.More

Date of visit: June 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 27 March 2019 via mobile

I held my partners 30th Birthday celebration at Essence and the service that we received was remarkable. Steven, the owner, knew exactly how to put me at ease and went out of his way to assist me with what ever I needed. The staff were...one step ahead the entire evening, served amazing food, were full of smiles and were eager to attend to all the guests requests. I am so thankful for the Essence team for making the celebration so much more special where I could focus on those being hosted in such a relaxed environment. You have outdone yourselves Essence team!More

Date of visit: March 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SteveF1195, Owner at Essence Cafe & Grill, responded to this reviewResponded 28 March 2019

Thank you for the great review and for celebrating your birthday with us Sherri.

Reviewed 21 March 2019 via mobile

Lovely food. I highly recommend the Falafel breakfast. Each element of the breakfast tasted like they were cooked with care. The flavours were fantastic. A solid 5/5 for that breakfast dish.

Date of visit: March 2019
Helpful?3  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 20 March 2019 via mobile

Essence has a rustic look with ancient items in different corners of the restaurant. The waitors are very pleasant and the food is absolutely superb. I loved every bite of my starters and my mains. In addition I had an ice coffee which was strong...and delicious. Definitely my new go to place.More

Date of visit: March 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 5 January 2019

I like the homely, relaxed atmosphere at this restaurant. The food was sumptuous and fresh. Oir waitress was very friendly and knowledgeable. It was impressive that there was only a private party hosted there but it wasn't intrusive to the other diners

Date of visit: January 2019
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 28 December 2018 via mobile

I visited this venue twice with family over the festive season. We were looking for a café that was open, that serves healthier meal options and has good coffee. The first visit was with my mom and a second time with the whole family. We...really enjoyed the crispy calamari salad on both occasions! It was delicious, good value, fresh and healthy. Would definitely recommend this venue!More

Date of visit: December 2018
Helpful?1  
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 26 December 2018 via mobile

We went to Essence Cafe for lunch. I had a crispy calamari salad. Most of salad was leaves with calamari that was fried covered with flour. Unfortunately the flour was still raw. The service was great.

Date of visit: December 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 16 November 2018 via mobile

Had dinner here with friends day before a cycling race , we ordered pasta and it was divine, loved it. The atmosphere in the restuarant was awesome, great ambiance . It was a cold evening and the heaters made us forget the miserable weather outside...:-) Our waiter was also awesome 👌🏾More

Date of visit: October 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 7 November 2018

The ambiance is appreciated for a rainy, there is fire glowing. Lots of servers around. Don't ask for a glass of water, it takes longer than a drink to arrive. The harvest table has a wide selection of good food. It would be appreciated that...when there is food on the harvest table, it be kept hot. Why serve it then?? A good place to eat at, be there at 12 and line up for lunch for hot food.More

Date of visit: November 2018
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This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 6 November 2018

I can recommend the calamari. It was tende and served with a delicious sauce. The harvest table had a wonderful selection of various dishes to chose from.

Date of visit: November 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Reviewed 2 November 2018 via mobile

Essence cafe has a good warm and welcoming feel to it. It has good food that is reasonably priced, however the service is slow and the waiters are not friendly. You have to wait a long time to get the attention of a waiter and...then he did not even bother to return. Really dissapointing service.More

Date of visit: October 2018
Helpful?
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
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Essence Cafe & Grill, Pietermaritzburg - Menu, Prices & Restaurant Reviews - Tripadvisor

Frequently Asked Questions about Essence Cafe & Grill

Yes, Essence Cafe & Grill offers takeaway services.

Essence Cafe & Grill is rated accordingly in the following categories by Tripadvisor travellers:
  • Food: 4
  • Service: 4
  • Value: 4
  • Atmosphere: 4