The Cape Town coffee scene is bursting at the seams and locals can now join barista courses and learn how to roast and prepare their perfect cup of coffee. There are many coffee spots in Cape Town that all offer something unique and we found it hard to narrow them down, but in the end we picked our top 10.
Haas
Haas Collective is situated in Buitenkant Street and offers a mix of collectables, antiques, a gallery and a coffee shop. Haas Collective sources some of the finest coffee blends from countries such as Brazil and Indonesia. What makes Haas so unique, apart from the art and collectables, is that they stock the world’s most expensive coffee, Kopi Luwak. This coffee is made from beans that have been eaten Asian Palm Chivets, a small mammal that inhabits forests, resulting in a mild and less bitter coffee.
YOURSTRULY
Situated in the city centre, Yourstruly offer a mix of gourmet sandwiches, homemade pizza, good coffee and art. At night it transforms into a vibey spot offering live music, locally crafted beers and good food. It is a perfect spot to enjoy a quiet night out or enjoy a couple of drinks before heading out for a night in the city.
Jason Bakery
Jason Bakery, situated on Bree Street, is always bustling with patrons looking for an early morning coffee or breakfast spot. The bakery is unpretentious and you can find most diners perched on the seats overlooking the street and mountain in the mornings. Jason Bakery serves Organic Single-Estate coffee imported from Nicaragua and it is recommended you take a double shot to get your morning started.
Espresso Lab Microroasters
At Espresso Lab Microroasters is equipped with state of the art tools designed to create the perfect cup of coffee. The beans are delivered unroasted and left in the capable hands of the roasters who prepare and roast the beans in small amounts.
Espresso Lab Microroasters is a must-visit for any coffee connoisseur who would like to learn more about the journey of coffee from unroasted bean to final product.
Bootlegger Coffee Company
Bootlegger Coffee Company is situated in Sea Point and imports coffee beans from countries all over the world including Guatemala and Costa Rica. Bootlegger roasts their beans daily resulting in a unique experience every time. Be sure to have a look at their menu as well for some of the freshest cuisine served daily.
The House of Machines
The House of Machine is a local coffee spot serving their signature Evil Twin blend of shade grown Honduran Arabica during the day and transforming the space into a cocktail bar by night. The service is excellent and friendly even in peak times. The House of Machines doubles up as a motorbike workshop and men’s clothing shop resulting in a mix of exposed bricks, wooden beams and a bike theme throughout the space.
Deluxe Coffee Works
With no wi-fi, snakcs or added extras, Deluxe Coffee Works focus on preparing the best cup of coffee in the city. The friendly baristas are trained in serving the perfect roast and can answer any question you might throw at them. You can enjoy some unique roasts at the bar counter or take a bag of beans home to make your own cup of coffee. The décor is minimalist industrial and it make you feel right at home when you take your first step inside.
Origin
Origin takes coffee roasting and making very seriously and even offers courses in the art of coffee brewing. Serving coffee, tea, breakfast and lunch, Origin is a good place to enjoy lunch while on a walking tour through Bo Kaap or De Waterkant. The beans are roasted and ground on site to ensure freshness and flavour and you can buy a bag to take home as well. The buyers behind Origin travel far and wide in Africa (Tanzania and Kenya) to the farmers who grow the beans and take time to learn from them as well.
Bean There
Serving fairtrade beans, Bean There opens at 7:30am on weekdays ensuring the city gets its daily dose of caffeine early. It has been said that the establishment in Wale Street serves some of the best coffee in Cape Town and with a flat white starting at R18 we love every aspect of Bean There. By hand selecting their beans when travelling to farms and roasting in small batches they ensure only excellent coffee is produced daily. Bean There caters for everyone and provides a creative space for meetings or walk ins wanting a good cup of coffee while overlooking the busy streets of Cape Town.
Truth
Truth makes a strong statement about applauding quality coffee prepared with love. It is clear why the Guardian has dubbed Truth ‘The World’s Coolest Café’ as soon as you set foot inside. The décor is steampunk and built around a 1940’s cast iron coffee roaster that is still used by Truth to roast their premium blends. This café takes roasting coffee seriously and one of their baristas was the 2008 South African Barista Champion. We recommend the full-bodied espresso to fully understand and taste the love and devotion that go into creating their coffee.
Source: ellerman.co.za