9 of the Best Coffee Houses in Cape Town

If you’re visiting Cape Town, you may have heard that our coffee game is pretty strong. With a variety of options available, here you’ll find a list of top coffee shops that will give you that true cup of richly roasted, slow-brewed coffee. In no particular order, here are the top rated coffee houses in the Mother City:

Shift

This modern coffee shop is located on the V&A Waterfront canal and boasts gorgeous views towards the city. The service at Shift is attentive and efficient, with a well priced menu and delicious coffee. They know what makes a good coffee shop and they tick all the great coffee, epic location and delicious coffee boxes. If your hotel breakfast is lacking, head straight to Shift.

Espresso Lab

While many feel that making good coffee is an art, at Espresso Lab, coffee making is a finely-tuned scientific process.

The Lab’s coffee has Scandinavian influences and is unlike anything you’ll find anywhere else in Cape Town. This is not your usual coffee spot with your plain-jane latte, but rather a minimalist cafe offering a truly unique experience for your taste pallet.

• Where: The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock, Cape Town
• When: Mondays to Fridays: 8 am – 4 pm. Saturdays: 8 am to 3 pm.

Truth Coffee Shop

Paying homage to the history of this beloved drink, Truth Coffee Shop is fitted with steel pipes, old-school machinery, and Victorian-era furnishings.

With its hand-roasted coffee beans and rebel ways, Truth Coffee continues to be a favourite among locals and internationals alike. They’ve been presented Daily Telegraph’s “Best Coffee Shop in The World” award twice in a row.

• Where: 36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town
• When: Monday – Friday 7 am to 11:45 pm. Saturday: 8 am – 11:45 pm. Sunday: 8 am to 4 pm.

Origin Coffee

Hot on our list of the best coffee shops in Cape Town, Origin Coffee was one of the first top-quality coffee shops in the Mother City.

Located in a brick warehouse, inside the Origin Coffee’s cafe you’ll find a blend of industrial chic decor complimented by the rich aroma of coffee. Do some work amidst the vibey atmosphere, or enjoy a few laughs with a friend over an unforgettable coffee.

• Where: 28 Hudson St, De Waterkant, Cape Town, 8001
• When: Mon – Fri 7 am to 5 pm. Saturday 8 am to 3 pm. Sunday 8 am to 2 pm.

Tribe Coffee in Woodstock

Tribe Coffee offers coffee lovers some of the best coffee in Cape Town.

Not only is their roastery a journey through the world of coffee, but their cafe space is welcoming and inviting. Found in the hip Woodstock neighbourhood, Tribe Coffee offers its customers free parking (always a plus), free WiFi, and rich-tasting coffee.

• Where: The Woodstock Foundry, 160 Albert Rd, Woodstock
• When: Monday – Friday 7 am to 4 pm. Saturday 9 am to 2 pm.

Haas Coffee

Coffee shop, art gallery, advertising enterprise; Haas Collective has a lot going on inside its walls.

That doesn’t deflect from the quality of the coffee, though. With its stylish, artistic decor and friendly atmosphere, this restaurant offers the ideal spot for a break from your busy day.

• Where: 19 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town
• When: Monday – Friday 7 am to 5 pm. Weekends 8 am to 3 pm.

Rosetta Roastery

With a philosophy of “Coffees are Orchids, not Aspirins”, Rosetta creates the ultimate caffeine treat for your tastebuds.

The company’s two cafes are located perfectly. The original Woodstock branch offers a busy, yet welcoming atmosphere for digital nomads. While the V&A branch is situated close to the Zeitz MOCCA museum, making for an awesome stop while exploring.

• Where: Find Rosetta Roastery cafes in Woodstock and V&A Waterfront.
• When: Each branch has its own hours.

Bootlegger Coffee Company

Bootlegger has become a well-known coffee brand, with cafes all over the country.

Although they have multiple branches throughout Cape Town, each coffee shop manages to preserve its own personality and serve some of the best coffee in Cape Town.

The Kenilworth, and Seapoint branches are dog-friendly. Just don’t share your delicious drink with your pooch, or your pet insurance may need to be accessed! A bowl of water can easily be arranged.

• Where: Branches in Seapoint, Greenpoint, Cape Quarter, Salt River, Kennilworth, Claremont, Century City, Tokai, to name a few!
• When: Each branch has its own hours.

Deluxe Coffeeworks

Deluxe Coffeeworks coffee is supplied to many hotels and restaurants throughout the country, so you don’t need to be in Cape Town to try their amazing brew.

Thankfully, we Capetonians can get it directly from the source. The company has four branches in Cape Town, each with a laidback feel and undeniably tempting aromas in the air.

Pop in for a perfectly blended cup of coffee at any of their branches. You can also grab your own bag of beans or ground coffee to take home and give as a Christmas gift!

• Where: Buitenkant Street, Church Street, Kloof Street, Wale Street
• When: 7 am – 4 pm / 5 pm (depending on branch). Weekends differ according to each branch.

Round-up of Favourite Places for Coffee in Cape Town

Visiting any one of theses trendy coffee shops is one of the best things to do when exploring Cape Town. Capetonians are quite spoilt for choice when it comes to a really good cuppa joe. With trendy cafes and coffee trucks around almost every corner, we could argue that we have the best coffee in South Africa.

From the coffee connoisseur to the casual caffeine lover, there’s a coffee spot for every taste. So whether you’re running late for a meeting or simply looking for a place to meet with an old friend, give one of these top choices a try – you won’t be sorry!