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Here Are The Best Coffee Shops In South Africa

25 Of The Best Coffee Shops In South Africa

There’s no doubt about it, the coffee scene in South Africa is absolutely fierce right now. With a great selection of local roasters and bean suppliers to choose from, cafes have never had it better.

We looked to our audience for suggestions regarding their favourite coffee shops, as well as contributions from the Big 7 Travel editorial team. Online reviews, previous media coverage and notable blogs were also included in the overall rating. The result? One impressive list of the best coffee in South Africa.

Big 7 Travel has searched high and low for the country’s best coffee shops in 2019, from artisan roasters in Pretoria to stylish cafes in Cape Town. Are you ready for the best caffeine hits in the country?

Best Coffee Shops In South Africa, How do these rankings work?

1st. Vintage Coffee – Pretoria

1st. Vintage Coffee – Pretoria

With two funky location, Vintage Coffee never ever fails with their freshly roasted brews. Want to learn everything there is to know about coffee? You can volunteer about 4 hours a week (one shift) for 3 months and Vintage Coffee will teach you everything you need to know.



2nd. Kamili Coffee – Cape Town

2nd. Kamili Coffee – Cape Town

Kamili means ‘perfect’ in Swahili, so that tells you what to expect here. From picking, to roasting, to serving your daily cup of coffee, this place has a huge range of blends that really hit the spot.



3rd. The Grind Coffee Company – Johannesburg

3rd. The Grind Coffee Company – Johannesburg

The Grind has been serving up some superb coffee for over a decade now, so you can rest assured that they know what they’re doing. They also do an insanely Instagrammable waffle cone filled with their creamy brew.



4th. 4th Avenue Coffee Roasters – Parkhurst

4th. 4th Avenue Coffee Roasters – Parkhurst

This spot has roasting down to perfection. Their secret house blend of 100% Arabica creates a complex, full-bodied cup, which locals know as ‘Legendary Pink’. It’s roasted in a pink Diedrich roaster and the baristas know just how to serve it up.



5th. Bootlegger Coffee Company – Cape Town

5th. Bootlegger Coffee Company – Cape Town

Their stores are as visually appealing as can possibly be. They back up the sleek aesthetics with high quality brews. What more could you want from your local coffee store?



6th. The Larder – Claremont

6th. The Larder – Claremont

The Larder is an adorable cafe that does homemade, tasty breakfast treats (try the superfood banana bread!), but it’s their incredible coffee that really stands out. Ethically sourced from African beans, it’s rich and delicious.



7th. Four & Twenty – Chelsea Village, Wynberg

7th. Four & Twenty – Chelsea Village, Wynberg

Four & Twenty is a local favourite, just outside of Cape Town that does incredible coffee that’s just perfect for washing down one of their homebaked goods. It’s well worth the trip.



8th. Truth Coffee Roasting – Cape Town

8th. Truth Coffee Roasting – Cape Town

They’ve gained international coverage as one of the best coffee shops in the world. Walking into the building is an experience in itself and each coffee blend is better than the next.



9th. Rosetta – Cape Town

9th. Rosetta – Cape Town

On the go since 2010, this is a brilliant local coffee shop and roastery. You’ll find them in the suburb of Woodstock – their slick shop is design heaven.



10th. Bean Green Coffee Roastery – Durban

10th. Bean Green Coffee Roastery – Durban

Love simple, super coffee? This is the place for you. Bean Green Coffee stocks exclusively Ethiopian beans and have expert baristas. No frills, no fuss, just outstanding coffee.



11th. Urban Espress Coffee Co. – Port Elizabeth

11th. Urban Espress Coffee Co. – Port Elizabeth

Urban Espress has a real buzz about it, and it’s not all to do with the fantastic Guatemala and Ethiopia coffee. It’s a fun, welcoming cafe. While you’re there, don’t forget to take home some beans or even an Espresso machine for your home.



12th. The Blue Crane and the Butterfly -Stellenbosch

12th. The Blue Crane and the Butterfly -Stellenbosch

Stop by this charming family-owned coffee store for great home-roasted coffee imported from El Salvador. They roast their own beans and brew them instore in a variety of ways. This proves you don’t need to be in a big city for great coffee.



13th. Espresso Lab – Cape Town

13th. Espresso Lab – Cape Town

The passion for great coffee just oozes out of the folk who run this place. They control the entire process of the coffee being made and are great at sharing the story behind the beans on their social media channels.



14th. Colombo Coffee – Durban

14th. Colombo Coffee – Durban

One of the oldest Micro-Roasters in South Africa, Colombo Coffee sources the finest green coffee from growers in Africa, South & Central America and Indonesia. Whether you want a simply perfect espresso or a fancy Aeropress, you’ll find it all here.



15th. Father Coffee – Johannesburg

15th. Father Coffee – Johannesburg

They aim to serve the best coffee in Jozi from their two espresso bars in Rosebank and Braamfontein, and oh-boy are they absolutely killing it. Their signature blend changes slightly depending on the season, but is always rich and warm.



16th. Tribe Coffee Foundry – Cape Town

16th. Tribe Coffee Foundry – Cape Town

They focus on having a huge range of coffees from around the world that change often, as they seek out great new experiences for their customers. Their Woodstock cafe is a creative haven.



17th. Motherland Coffee Company – Johannesburg

17th. Motherland Coffee Company – Johannesburg

All of Motherland Coffee Co.’s coffees are specialty grade African single origin or blended coffees. Their speciality is an incredible Fairtrade certified blend of Rwandan and Ethiopian beans that goes down a treat. Coffee you can feel good about.



18th. Kaffeine Espresso Bar – Port Elizabeth

18th. Kaffeine Espresso Bar – Port Elizabeth

The lovely coffee shop has been around for over a decade and is a firm favourite among locals and visitors alike. Although they don’t roast their own coffee, their baristas are top class – even winning ‘best made cappuccino’ in the National Barista Championships.



19th. Been There Coffee Company – Cape Town

19th. Been There Coffee Company – Cape Town

A huge focus on fair trade coffee and sourcing their coffee locally to make a difference in their suppliers lives. Friendly, warm and fun place to spend time.



20th. Haas Coffee – Cape Town

20th. Haas Coffee – Cape Town

Part of a collective that focuses on coffee, art, design and even have their own advertising agency. As you’d expect, their branding and design is absolutely on point but that shouldn’t distract from the incredible coffee they serve up.



21st. +27 Cafe – Pretoria

21st. +27 Cafe – Pretoria

+27 Cafe does beautifully made coffees in a sleek and stylish setting – ideal for some Instagram snaps from South Africa. As well as creamy roasts that will fill any caffeine need, they also do delicious food, so pop in for lunch.



22nd. Meraki – Stellenbosch

22nd. Meraki – Stellenbosch

This picture-perfect eatery is passionate about supporting their community and the local businesses, so try to source their goods from as close by as possible. They get their fantastic coffee from Deluxe Coffeeworks, and it’s the very best of Brazilian, Guatemalan and Ethiopian hand selected coffee bean varieties.



23rd. Craft Coffee – Newtown, Johannesburg

23rd. Craft Coffee – Newtown, Johannesburg

With a combined 50 years experience in the coffee industry, from farming and processing all the way through to setting up and running of award winning coffee shops, you’re in safe hands here. Their beans are ethically and traceably sourced and roasted fresh daily.



24th. Dapper Coffee Co. – Cape Town

24th. Dapper Coffee Co. – Cape Town

Linked with a sports car dealership, Dapper Coffee Co. is one of the most unique coffee shops you’ll ever step foot into. They do steaming mugs of fresh coffee that tastes extra good considering the surroundings.



25th. Stereo Cafe – Bloemfontein

25th. Stereo Cafe – Bloemfontein

What started life as a small coffee stand at a market is now a beloved store that roasts seven single origin coffees and three coffees which make up their house espresso blend. When you visit Stereo Cafe, ask for James. He’s the owner, roasts the coffee, is a barista and all round coffee expert and will guide you in the right direction.

Why not check out the best burgers in South Africa and the most Instagrammable spots in South Africa?

Read our complete guide on how to spend the perfect 2 weeks in South Africa.



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