The Provost Café in Port Alfred

Its my 2nd visit, & hands down my favourite stop in G-town. You can either dine in a renovated prison cell or out on the lawn next to the botanical gardens (recommended for a beautiful sunny day). They make the most amazing omelettes I could never have imagined. The staff are very friendly. Great concept

Cozy. Tasty. Super friendly service.

A must visit. A converted historical prison called a Panopticon which a type of institutional building designed by the English philosopher and social theorist Jeremy Bentham in the late 18th century. The concept of the design is to allow all (pan-inmates of an institution to be observed (-opticonby a single watchman without the inmates being able to tell whether or not they are being watched. Although it is physically impossible for the single watchman to observe all cells at once, the fact that the inmates cannot know when they are being watched means that all inmates must act as though they are watched at all times, effectively controlling their own behavior constantly. The name is alsoa reference to Panoptes from Greek mythology; he was a giant with a hundred eyes and thus was known to be a very effective watchman. An the cuppuchinos and short bread are excellent. Lovely spot to chat and chill. Service excellent . Enjoy

Good food and friendly staff

great service, great food, the staff is very nice . and theyre iced beverages are amazing

Relaxed environment. Attentive service. Good food.

Friendly service and good food

Absolutely love this coffee place. Very friendly service, very good coffee and delicious food.

A hidden Grahamstown gem

Set in the Olde Military Prison with "eight" prison cells (now private diners& a watch tower (now an Art Galleryto observe the cells. We ate breakfast in one of the cells!! This stunning building made of rock & wood is steeped in History & is a Monument. The entire building has been renovated & is set on the Campus of Rhodes University. The Staff (Rhodes University Studentswere superb!! I was totally impressed with my Vegan Hamburger & Cuppacino!!

Good service & food. Lovely outdoor venue

A quirky place with very friendly staff. Lovely refreshing drinks.

Excellent coffee, friendly staff, good food.

Such an interesting space & friendly service, with Botanical Gardens right there!

I enjoyed myself

A beautiful old military prison, now a cafe, great service from the owner himself, and well prepared food.

Beautiful old building that was built in 1838 as military prison but they used it now as a restaurant

Love the vibe!

Lovely ice coffee as always. Biggest blessing is the wind and the botanical gardens providing such an awesome backdrop....

Lovely coffee and panini. Even got to watch part of the Springbok vs Namibia game as the Barista had his laptop running. Thanks!

Lovely small place

Need I say more

Quite surreal to have coffee in a converted prison. But the most quaint establishment and delicious baked treats

Good coffee in the fresh air.

Amazing coffee and big biscuits 🍪

Very cute and cosy

Great place for coffee and snacks - historic prison turned coffee shop. Sit in the courtyard, outside under the trees (railway sleeper swings available), or grab your own cozy cell!

An okay coffee shop

Great historic place turned coffee shop. Grab something to drink, from smoothies to tea or a range of coffees. Snacks include customisable paninis, quiches and the wonderful "get-there-early-before-they-gone" croissants. Mostly done fresh on the premises. Former cells have been turned into secluded rooms that make good meeting places. One downside for me is the smoking-culture.

Good place to go for coffee and a snack. They have a simple food menu for a sandwich, smoothly, or snack. The little rooms are a bonus if youd like to huddle with friends.

Former prison turned into a coffee shop. Really good stop after a morning walk the swings are relaxing make a stop when you in the area.

Its fun and child friendly

Best place in grahamstown to get a cappuccino

Great coffee and cheerful ambience. In a prison.

I am not sure why this is still referred to as a museum? The Old Provost, which during settler days served as a military prison, is a quaint and cool coffee shop. This coffee shop has no waiters but the mere experience of ordering a cuppa and seeing and smelling the process of making the cup, whilst chatting with a friendly barista, is in itself a soothing experience. One has the choice of either sitting around tables in the court yard, a cool room upstairs or in the tiny cubicles which were once the cells housing the military convicts.

A historical building turned into a coffee shop. Nice food and coffee on Rhodes University campus.