A Portas/The Shunting Yard

One of Johannesburg's original shops - 109 years old - A Portas offers great phyllo pastry and parma ham. But what's really unusual is that it doubles as a model train shop so while you sip your coffee, expect to overhear animated conversations about the latest model trains, railway bridges and dioramas. A Portas was started in 1896 by the owner George Lagoudis' great uncle. When train enthusiast Lagoudis took over in 1970, he expanded the shop to include The Shunting Yard, with shelves and shelves of model trains and associated paraphernalia. With his wife Areti, Lagoudis has created an ambience conducive to a good cup of coffee, stimulating chat and either a purchase of great deli or great trains.

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