A Poundbury couple are bringing a touch of South African sunshine to town having opened new cafe Fables and Food.

Natasha and Francel Du Preez-Strauss opened Fables and Food in the former premises of Cafe on the Green, in Dinham Walk, Poundbury, earlier this month. 

Both from South Africa, they moved to the UK with their young daughter in 2021, in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, and settled in Poundbury having been keen to set up home in the south west.

Having previously run a cafe in Lamberts Bay, on the west coast of South Africa, opening a new business here in Poundbury has been a dream since they first moved to the area. 

The cafe has been given a cheerful makeover, with splashes of bright colour and plenty of indoor plants to compliment the public green space outside, which can also be enjoyed from the outdoor tables and chairs. 

Chef Francel and Natasha are serving up breakfast, brunch and lunch, with the menu including British favourites with a South African twist. 

Natasha said: "We didn't initially intend for the menu to be South African, maybe with a bit of influence but it has proved so popular we have doubled our South African offering since opening, but there really is something for everyone to enjoy."

Alongside muesli, scrambled eggs and mushrooms on toast on the breakfast menu, you can try the Mosbolletjie French toast – a traditional South African aniseed brioche-style bread, dipped in egg, fried and served with homemade berry compote and cream cheese – a favourite family recipe of Natasha and Francel's.

The lunch menu offers soup and pressed sandwiches, including slow roasted tomatoes and three cheeses; bacon, brie and chilli jam; and biltong – a South African dried, cured meat – with peppers and cream cheese. 

There is also a tasty lamb bowl featuring slow-roasted and deboned lamb ribs inspired by South African barbecue – or braii – with tzatziki, pickled red cabbage and flatbread. 

Special dietary requirements are also catered for, including vegetarian, vegan and gluten free.

A selection of hot and cold drinks are also on offer, including the 'Africano' (aka Americano), as well as a display fridge offering South African delicacies and more traditional cakes and treats, freshly baked and changing daily. 

Fables and Food is currently open from 8am to 4pm on Monday to Friday and from 9am to 2pm on Saturdays.

For more details, find them on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/fablesandfood