With over 40 cafes in style capitals such as London, Paris, Milan, Dubai and Kuala Lumpur, South Africa’s capital city just welcomed the first opening of EL&N London cafe. The restaurant and lifestyle concept launched in April 2025 at Menlyn Maine and is already shaking up the city’s cafe scene.
EL&N London (short for Eat, Live & Nourish, and pronounced “Elan”) started in 2017 with a cafe in Mayfair and proudly bills itself as “the world’s most Instagrammable cafes.” Think bold British refinement with a touch of floral fancy. That doesnt mean they skimp on the food offering, though. Their menu of brunch favourites, fresh brews and mocktails continues to drive a strong army of regulars to the cafes. Here’s what you need to know.
What’s on the menu
From the kitchen, there’s an assortment of brunch dishes, supreme croissants, salads, sandwiches, and the most scrumptious selection of cakes, single-serve treats and cheesecakes. Main menu hits cover pizza straight from the onsite oven and specialist steak cuts, ranging from beautifully plated chicken breast to a hearty Tomahawk grilled to your liking. Pasta dishes and burgers, and desserts also feature on the list.
The cafe follows a non-alcoholic concept, so you can also enjoy a thoughtful curation of mocktails, speciality lattes, gourmet coffees, iced drinks, bubble teas and craft lemonades.
The atmosphere at EL&N London in Pretoria
The Pretoria outlet opens to a light-filled dining room that combines modern and chic finishes. Unlike the first few EL&N London cafes, the Pretoria venue follows a more contemporary and design-focused feel that gets a sense of what locals in the area need.
“This is one of the first locations globally to debut the EL&N London evolved store design, a more refined, contemporary interpretation of the brand’s unmistakable aesthetic,” says Scott Kleinschmidt, spokesperson and Head of Marketing for EL&N South Africa.
Stark, glossy tones contrast with the cutesy pastels for a more confident, grown-up profile. Serious enough for a business meeting, while still keeping that effortless atmosphere for brunch meetups. There’s a small outdoor seating section where you can bask in the bustling atmosphere of Menlyn Maine.
Get in touch
When: Sunday to Thursday, 7am to 9pm. Friday and Saturday, 7am to 10pm
Where: EL&N London Café, Shop 61c, Ext 2, Corner Corobay, Aramist Ave, Waterkloof Glen, Pretoria
Website: elnlondon.com/pages/south-africa
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