Get your caffeine fix at these incredible coffee shops

Coffee with yuzu and honeybush? How about a café under haystacks?

Last updated: Wednesday, 18 September 2024

With over 86 cafés in the city centre alone, local coffee lovers are absolutely spoilt for choice. Especially since so many are truly unique, special and curious. Like a café “tussen niks en nerens”, where you’re served under haystacks; a futuristic atelier with yuzu and honeybush coffee; and an institution that’s been voted the world’s best coffee shop three years in a row.

CURIOUS BREWS IN COOL BEAKERS: FUTURISTIC MUCH?

Futurism meets minimalism at Espresso Lab in De Waterkant, where curious coffee drinks are served in glass beakers. Like a Yuzu Sour (made with yuzu juice, honey, soda water and espresso foam) or Lekker Brew, a cold brew with honeybush, blood orange and rosemary aperitif. For sweet treats, there’s tiramisu cake rolls, cardamom buns and more at Espresso Lab in De Waterkant.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8am to 4pm

8 De Smidt Street | Green Point | @espressolabZA | Image: Espresso Lab

HEAVEN’S GOT GREAT COFFEE 

Heaven Coffee — founded by Mondli Mahamba, a previously-homeless man turned entrepreneur – is located at the entrance of the historic Central Methodist Mission on Greenmarket Square. You can step inside the church’s grand Gothic architecture and towering stained glass windows for coffee and a game of chess.

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am to 5pm

Caption: 38 Burg Street | Cape Town City Centre | @heavencoffeect | Image: Heaven Coffee

EMPOWERING THE DEAF COMMUNITY 

With 70% of its workforce being Deaf or hard of hearing, I Love Coffee provides specialist training for their staff. Their Claremont coffee shop has breakfast classics like eggs benedict, chile con carne, and even a variety of cocktails. Plus, you can learn how to order your coffee in sign language on their website.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 8:30am to 4pm

103 Garfield Road | Claremont | @ilovecoffeegroup | Image: I Love Coffee

COFFEE UNDER A HAYSTACK? 

“Tussen niks en nerens” — that’s the best way to describe Morale Coffee To Go. Morale is marked by haystacks along the R44 between Hermon and Wellington, and offers a truly unique space. Take in the mountain views while you enjoy anything from coffee and frozen drinks to breakfast buns and boerie rolls at Morale Coffee.

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 7am - 5pm

R44 | Between Hermon and Wellington  | @moralecoffeetogo | Image: Morale Coffee To Go

“BEST COFFEE IN CAPE TOWN” 

Located in the heart of Sea Point, mischu have won several awards like Best Coffee Shop in South Africa, Best Cappuccino and Best Espresso in Cape Town, and Best Coffee in Cape Town. Plus they open at 6:45am, making it a great spot for early morning risers, remote workers, and Promenade joggers. They also have a great R99 brunch special at mischu.

Hours: Monday to Saturday, 6:45am - 5:30pm; Sunday, 7:30am - 5pm

85A Regent Road | Sea Point | @mischucoffee | Image: mischu

INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED INSTITUTION 

Voted the world’s best coffee shop three years in a row by The Daily Telegraph, Truth Coffee Roastery is a Cape Town institution. It’s known for the steampunk aesthetic and gourmet home-roasted coffee. Truth Coffee also has professional and introductory barista classes, where they share their expert knowledge with coffee enthusiasts at every level. 

Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 7am - 10pm; Sunday, 8am - 4pm; Monday, 7am - 6pm

36 Buitenkant St | Cape Town City Centre | Image: @cookingwithairy

BECOMES A WINE BAR AT NIGHT

Vine & Dandy, which is just off of Kloof Street, offers fresh pastries, toasties, and pressed juices with your coffee. After 3pm, it transforms into a chic wine bar with small local labels like Cape Collective, Vinehugger, Ex Amino and more. And there’s always events going on, like live music on First Thursdays, at Vine & Dandy.

Hours: Monday, 7.30am to 3pm; Tuesday - Friday, 7.30am to 10pm; Saturday, 3pm to 10pm

7 Park Road | Gardens | @everythings_vine_and_dandy | Image: Vine & Dandy

RUN BY YOUTH WITH DISABILITIES

This French-style café, with the support of The Sluyter Foundation — a non-profit organisation supporting people with disabilities — is a training ground for disabled youth. With its lovely garden, vintage décor, and heart-warming story, it’s understandable why Only Specials is a local favourite.

Hours: Monday to Friday, 10am to 3pm

16 Dirkie Uys Street | Hermanus | @only_specials_cafe | Image: Only Specials Café

KHAYELITSHA-BORN ROASTERY 

Founder Sikelela Dibela turned his passion for coffee into a community hub with Siki’s Koffee in Khayelitsha, and now he's expanding the business with a branch at Cavendish Square Mall in Claremont. What began in his mom’s garage has grown into one of Khayelitsha’s premier coffee spots. So much so that Sikelela has even served coffee to Siya Kolisi. 

Hours: Monday to Friday, 7am to 5pm; Saturday, 8:30am to 3:30pm

First floor, Cavendish Square Mall | @sikis_koffee | Image: Siki's Koffee

SEE ROLLS ROYCES, JAGUARS & MORE 

Crankshaft Café, which you’ll find in Laude Classic Cars, is a must-visit for classic car enthusiasts. Laude specialises in classic British investment cars like Rolls Royce, Bentley, Jaguar, and Aston Martin. After you admire the cars, you can order menu items like The Jaguar (classic beef burger) or The Aston Omelette (with cheese, bacon and mushrooms). 

Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 5pm; Saturday, 8am to 12pm

 

 

 

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120a Buitengracht Street | Cape Town City Centre | @laudeclassiccars  | Image: Laude Classic Cars

ALCOHOL-FREE BAR & CINEMA, TOO 

This isn’t just a coffee shop: It’s also Cape Town’s first alcohol-free bar. Cloud Café is health conscious, and their cocktails are made with superfood ingredients. Even the coffee and sweet treats are made with coconut sugar and gluten-free ingredients.  And they have a cinema downstairs that shows meditation and breathwork documentaries.

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 8am to 5pm

Ground floor of The Old Foundry | Green Point | @cloud_cafe_zerobar | Image: Cloud Café

By Tamia Retief 

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