The 20 Best Coffee Shops in Cape Town

South Africans are waking up and smelling the aroma of good coffee more than ever before. No longer settling for inky black espresso or that instant stuff being passed off as the real thing, local aficionados have a wealth of choice. New micro-roasters are joining the OG disruptors of the coffee scene, barista training programmes are sharing the knowhow, and coffee lovers are exploring the more complex pleasures of single-origin roasts, extracted for exactly 25 seconds (to create a layer of golden crema), and served with textured milk.

That said, the perfect cup of coffee is like a Rorschach Test – everybody comes at it with a different set of expectations and experiences (based on personal preferences and a whole bunch of other variables). We asked a group of Cape Town coffee lovers for their recommendations: our panel included chef Pete Goffe-Wood, radio presenter Sarah Jayne Magwala King, bartender Alecs Powrie, artist Michael Chandler, photographer Niel Bekker, and Vida e Caffè co-founder Brad Armitage.

Truth Coffee

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a Sherlock Holmes-era laboratory, where writhing machinery collides with industrial-chic decor. Welcome to Cape Town’s only steampunk coffee roastery. (For those unfamiliar with the term, steampunk is a science-fiction subgenre from an alternative history of the Victorian era). Co-founder David Donde says the concept was a natural choice, considering the relationship between coffee and steam. The shop’s centrepiece is a vintage roaster adorned with copper dispensers, gauges and contraptions which turn the piece into a functional kinetic sculpture – this gizmo alone is a landmark for any traveller. “It’s one of the original artisanal coffee spots in Cape Town,” says Pete Goffe-Wood. “Pukka coffee!”
The coffee Built around a 1940s cast-iron coffee roaster, Truth makes a clear statement about celebrating premium coffee. Not to be outdone by the eye-catching decor, the coffee is simply exquisite and keeps the crowds coming back. To fully appreciate the brew, try the full-bodied espresso before anything else – the Truth, ahem, is in the tasting.
The vibe Apart from the moody steampunk decor, there is a palpable cosmopolitan buzz, with local and digital nomad creatives sipping away at their ground nectar while plugging in to work. “Truth holds a special place in my heart,” says Sarah-Jayne Makwala King. “It’s where I signed my first publishing contract for Killing Karoline.”
The service Friendly, efficient and proficient. If time is on your side, grab a seat and take in the industrial spectacle, or get your to-go fix at the counter.
Good to know Flour Market, a few minutes away on Hope Street, is a bakery/coffee shop offshoot of Truth with the same excellent coffee and a fabulous pain au chocolat.
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 7am – 6pm
Sunday, 8am – 4pm
Contact 021 201 7000, cafe@truth.capetown
Where to find it 36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town
Book through DinePlan

Giovanni’s Deliworld

An authentic Italian deli with a buzzy communal coffee counter, here the baristas stand in the middle so you can perch on a stool and watch your coffee being made. The baristas know how regulars take their coffee (and, unlike in Italy, are perfectly tolerant of anyone ordering a cappuccino after breakfast).
The coffee Potent, like in Italy, and quite delicious. It’s Giovanni’s own 100% Arabica blend – which they have been using for the past 35 years – blending the finest beans from Brazil, Central America and Africa. It’s such an institution now that you can even get it in Nespresso-compatible capsules.
The vibe A total buzz, it’s constantly packed with regulars, in-the-know tourists and discerning food shoppers – the deli section is arguably the best-stocked in the city.
The service Good, which is extraordinary considering the roaring all-day trade at the cooked food and deli counters. After your coffee, stock up on prosciutto and Parmesan and other picnic goodies, and head to the park or the beach.
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 7.30am – 8pm
Contact 021 434 6893, giodeli@iafrica.com
Where to find it 103 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town

Rosetta

This artisanal Cape Town coffee brand celebrated turning 10 (back in 2020) by moving their flagship cafe from the Woodstock Exchange to a prime spot on the corner of Bree and Shortmarket streets facing the morning sun, with pavement tables too. “Rosetta is just perfectly positioned for watching the crowds pass by,” says Brad Armitage. The sophisticated crisp white, green marble and textured wood mix may have upped the aesthetics from their former black on black, but the coffee remains as phenomenal as ever.
The coffee Rosetta imports an exciting variety of seasonal, specialty-grade single-origin coffees from South and Central America, Africa and Asia, micro-roasting each one to best present its unique personality. Each day there is a choice of two single-origin coffees for your espresso or flat white. “They offer a rotating Progressive and Classic roast option, so you can be as adventurous or as comfortable and familiar as you like,” says Niel Bekker.
The vibe Besides the Bree Street buzz, purists will feel like they’ve died and gone to minimalist heaven. No fuss, just good coffee, a short menu of pastries and light meals, and an atmosphere of earnest appreciation for the beverage.
The service If you have the time (and you really should make some), let the knowledgeable and super-professional staff educate you on the perfect cup of coffee, and guide you on what beans to buy for your home brew.
Good to know They’ve recently opened a new larger-format cafe on Osborne Road in Claremont with a minimalist Scandi vibe.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm
Saturday, 8am – 4pm
Sunday, 8am – 2pm
Contact 021 447 4099, info@rosettaroastery.com
Where to find it 101 Bree Street, Cape Town

The House of Machines

THoM, as it is affectionately known, is a custom-motorbike-building workshop and men’s apparel shop (yeah, you read right) by day and a hipster cocktail bar by night. And, somehow added to this eclectic mix, is a much-loved and sought-after café. “Staff are so welcoming and lovely, and the vibe is always buzzing, with good tunes in the background. It’s also a great spot to get some work done,” says Alecs Powrie.
The coffee The organic, shade-grown Honduran Arabica, dubbed Evil Twin, is THoM’s signature roast and a thing of earthy beauty. The medium-bodied roast is robust in flavour, allowing you to identify its distinctive bold finish even on your third flat white – the café’s most ordered cup.
The vibe The brainchild of Brad Armitage (co-founder of Vida e Caffè and Brewers&Union) clothing designer and petrolhead Paul van der Spuy (BlueCollarWhiteCollar) and custom-bike builder Drew Madacsi, THoM’s decor is as eclectic as its founders. With weathered wooden beams, exposed bricks and a bike theme throughout, the mash-up pays homage to a bygone era while remaining decidedly contemporary. It doesn’t get more nonconformist than a Speakeasy-themed space selling coffee, café racers, T-shirts and classic cocktails all under one dimly lit roof!
The service An air of boisterous camaraderie pervades the shop. The service is lively, a little hammed up during cocktail hour, yet always polished. And chaos (in a good way) hits with the live music sessions at night.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am – 2am
Saturday, 9am – 2am
Contact 021 426 1400, cpt@thehouseofmachines.com
Where to find it 84 Shortmarket Street, Cape Town

Deluxe Coffeeworks

What started off as a hole-in-the-wall coffee stop in Church Street has grown into a four-shop coffee company (plus three overseas) that still offers one of the most authentic coffee experiences in Cape Town.
The coffee Deluxe sources the most imaginative, unique and interesting blends of coffee from around the world (Tanzania, Burundi, Colombia, Uganda and more). Enjoy in-store or purchase a bag of beans or freshly ground coffee to take home. “I seldom, if ever, get out of my studio to meet a friend for a coffee. If I do want to see a pal, I invite them to my place,” says Michael Chandler. “I make Deluxe house blend in my own moka pot. I even take my coffee and pot to Europe when travelling!”
The vibe It’s a place for a perfectly brewed caffeine fix and a low key but cool neighbourhood vibe. The company’s roastery HQ has long since moved from Church Street to Paarden Eiland (where there’s a pared-back coffee shop too) – and at all the stores the focus is coffee. Don’t expect a food menu, or frills such as choc-chip cookies and “tame skinny lattes with wings” here; it’s all been stripped away in favour of good coffee.
The service The baristas are expertly trained in the art of roasting and coffee-making, and are always available to guide you through Deluxe’s range.
Contact 072 569 9579, judd@deluxecoffeeworks.co.za
Where to find it 171a Buitenkant Street, Cape Town
82 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
Metal Lane, 8 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town
6 Transvaal Street, Paarden Eiland, Cape Town

SALT

This small eatery, once the entrance way to the movie house, the Olympia Picture Palace, is now a chilled space with exposed brick walls, bar counter-like tables and views across the road to Kalk Bay Harbour. The atmosphere is cosy, friendly, relaxed, and buzzing from the moment it opens at 6am (it’s a favourite stop for cyclists); the R15 coffee before 9am (on weekdays) draws the early morning crowd, as do the delicious fresh pastries, almond croissants and pasteis de nata.
The coffee Staying true to the Kalk Bay scene, the baristas brew up Damn Fine Coffee, roasted just down the road by architect turned artist and coffee roaster, Robin Pollard, of Bob’s Bagel Café.
The vibe Laidback in Kalk Bay style with views over the road to the harbour, and the windows opening wide to a pavement counter, it’s a place regulars are happy to share tables (some are designated laptop-free, although there is wifi), a place where pets are welcome, and locals pop in day and night.
The service Cheerful and friendly staff (even early in the morning).
Opening times Monday – Sunday, 5.30am – 10.30pm (kitchen open 7am – 10pm)
Contact 063 019 8300, hello@saltkalkbay.co.za
Where to find it 136 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Heaven Coffee

This little owner-run coffee shop wins for the most unexpected setting in town… hidden inside a church (the historic Central Methodist Mission) just off Greenmarket Square, where barista Mondli Mahamba serves up heavenly brews. Take a pew (literally) inside or take your coffee out to one of the pavement tables along the railings among leafy pot plants and watch the world go by.
The coffee Mondli completed the professional barista course at Origin Coffee Roasting and buys his beans from them and from Deluxe coffee, expertly pouring lattes, cappuccinos and flat whites.
The vibe It’s a quiet and peaceful refuge from the busy city streets where you can catch your breath with a flat white and a pastry.
The service Quick, thoughtful, friendly and kind, with a real community feeling.
Opening times Daily, 7am – 5pm
Contact 072 884 2057
Where to find it 38 Burg Street, Cape Town

Yebo Baba

A cheerful little coffee bar beside an art gallery on Loop Street, started by lone barista Mthethunzima Dlukwana, Yebo Baba has garnered a crowd of regulars for his quirky African-themed coffee roasts and relaxed, friendly style. “Great coffee and an awesome operator, Mthetho (Baba) has built a great little café. Stand at the bar Eurostyle for the best espresso in town,” says Brad Armitage.
The coffee Choose from two blends: Yebo Baba or Tokoloshe. And when you need a break from the caffeine rush try their Mystic Mesquite grown in the Karoo.
The vibe It’s small and friendly, but has expanded from the original hole in the wall layout to make space for tables along one wall, so you can plug in and work should you wish. Wander through to the gallery if you need some visual stimulation.
The service Mthetho is always behind the bar and serves you with a smile.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm
Saturday, 7am – 2pm
Contact 063 715 7053
Where to find it 61 Loop Street, Cape Town

Pauline’s

Sister to Sans Grocer, this Sea Point coffee shop started as a pop-up pavement hatch and has grown into part of the daily ritual for many locals. The intimate space looks out onto the busy Sea Point Main Road (perfect for watching the world go by) with a small, leafy, open-air courtyard area at the end that is pet-friendly. Pauline’s now has two more branches: the old gatehouse and chapel of a former convent building in Green Point next to the Goodman Gallery, with a tranquil courtyard shaded by oak trees. And a vibey new spot at Longkloof Studios, just off Kloof Street. All of them share the same focus on sustainably sourced coffee and simple, delicious eats. Their in-house-baked sourdough bread and fika buns are firm customer favourites.
The coffee A changing selection of specialist coffees, roasted in Cape Town in collaboration with Rosetta Roastery, and allowing you to choose between their Progressive and Classic roasts, depending on how adventurous you’re feeling that day. You can buy a bag of your favourite beans to take home too.
The vibe The Sea Point cafe is small with a limited amount of tables, but feels relaxed. There’s a fairly quick turnaround as locals continue on their way to a promenade perambulation after breakfast.
The service Friendly service with well-trained baristas who are happy to guide you through the daily coffee offerings.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm
Saturday, 8am – 3pm
Sunday, 8am – 2pm
Contact 021 205 4466
Where to find it 277 Main Road, Sea Point, Cape Town
Goodman Gallery, 37A Somerset Road, Green Point, Cape Town
Longkloof Studios, 4 Park Road, Gardens, Cape Town

Origin Coffee Roasting

A pioneer of the “coffee movement” in South Africa, Origin takes the art of coffee-roasting and making very seriously – they founded a barista academy that has now evolved into the African School of Coffee, offering professional barista training, and home appreciation courses too. In an old brick warehouse building in the heart of design-savvy De Waterkant, the flagship café is an essential stop for coffee aficionados in Cape Town and has a loyal following of locals. “Origin has been there since the very beginning of our specialty coffee scene, and still manages to somehow sit right at the top of the pyramid – that’s where we buy beans to take home,” says Niel Bekker.
The coffee The ever-changing list of 10 to 20 single-origin coffees from around the world is sourced ethically, and the beans are ground at Origin’s headquarters in Capricorn Park. They’re brewed with a huge range of methods, from expertly poured espresso to hand-poured methods such as Hario V60, Chemex, siphon, Aeropress, plunger, and even Turkish.  Look out for their seasonal house blend that changes to suit the weather. There’s a coffee-tasting experience too should you wish to explore beyond your usual favourites.
The vibe With cafe tables and delicious fresh pastries, breads and bagels baked on site, and a menu of easy breakfast and lunch options, Origin is always buzzing..
The service Knowledgeable, skilled baristas are well-versed in the coffees on offer. Talk to them to find the perfect cup for your coffee-drinking style.
Good to know They also stock a selection of fine loose-leaf teas from sister company Nigiro.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm
Saturday + Sunday, 8am – 3pm
Contact 021 421 1000, info@originroasting.co.za
Where to find it 28 Hudson Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town

Ground Art Caffe

The art of good coffee (and it’s really good) comes with art to feast your eyes on at this De Waterkant gem. Exhibitions by local artists adorn the walls, while wood-fired pastries, panini, breakfasts and lunches lure you in to stay longer. Enjoy Table Mountain vistas from a pavement table over a game of backgammon, while your pets make themselves at home.
The coffee Ground Art have their own 100% African Arabica beans sourced and roasted by their dedicated artisan roaster. Top scoring beans and micro-roasting methods create a naturally sweet and fresh coffee that is skillfully poured by their expert baristas, who do a fine line in latte art too.
The vibe Small, friendly, flooded with natural daylight and art-lined, this is a neighbourhood gem of a breakfast spot beloved by locals (and international visitors too). The menu has a touch of Italian to it with a focus on fresh and healthy dishes and plenty of vegan and gluten-free options too. The usually calm minimalist space does a switch to buzzy micro gallery on First Thursdays and for exhibition openings, with crowds spilling out onto the pavement.
The service Welcoming, friendly and relaxed with the expert baristas getting creative with foam art (dogs, bears, flowers) on cappuccinos and latte, and beautifully presented fresh food.
Opening times Monday – Thursday, 7am – 3pm
Friday, 8am – 3pm
Saturday, 7.30am – 2pm
Sunday, 8am – 1pm
Contact 021 418 1331, info@groundartcaffe.co.za
Where to find it 160 Strand Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town

Espresso Lab Microroasters

A global name with a passion for experimentation and innovation, Espresso Lab’s first Cape Town microroastery and cafe at The Old Biscuit Mill opened in 2009, and was joined by a bakery-cafe in  De Waterkant in 2024, with a coffee ‘atelier’ upstairs. With state-of-the-art gadgets designed to create the perfect brew and single-origin beans sourced from all over the globe, “it’s the perfect place to go if you want to push your coffee boundaries,” says Alecs Powrie.
The coffee Green beans are sourced from sustainable, organic and equal-trade farms across the world and are roasted in small amounts to allow the unique balance of fruitiness, acidity and sweetness to shine. Single-origin and exotic variety coffees are available.
The vibe In Woodstock the lab-style decor and periodic table-style menu of coffees echoes the chemistry theme and the open-plan space allows you to watch the baristas at work. There’s outdoor seating too. The sleek new De Waterkant flagship cafe with its contemporary architectural style, natural light (and charging points at every table) has quickly been adopted for remote work and meetings, and the on-site bakery turns out an array of delicious pastries, focaccias and filled croissants.
The service Quick, friendly, efficient, knowledgeable – and always with a smile. “As an ex barista, I know I am safe in their hands no matter what they serve me. They are also so willing to explain and educate a guest and get them to try something new, and they’re kind and friendly from the second you walk in the door,” says Alecs.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 8am – 4pm
Saturday, 8am – 3pm
Contact 021 447 0845, info@espressolabmicroroasters.com 
Where to find it The Old Biscuit Mill, 375 Albert Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
8 De Smidt Street, De Waterkant, Cape Town

Secret Forest Cafe

Photo: David Cannan (left)

Situated on the edge of Tokai Forest, part of Table Mountain National Park, with perfect views of Constantiaberg, this little cafe (a 20-minute walk from the Tokai Lion’s Club car park) opened as a pop-up in the 2020 lockdown. It has since morphed into a fully fledged operation, offering good coffee (of course) and a delectable selection of cookies, cakes and breakfasts to dog-walkers, trail runners, horse-riders and mountain bikers. “What makes a stroll in the forest with your dogs even better? A midway treat and coffee of course, and these guys have nailed it,” says Alecs Powrie. “Hidden along the path, it feels like a reward for your walk.”
The coffee Expect a full barista-style offering – from flat whites to mochas – using ethically sourced beans from Deluxe Coffeeworks.
The vibe Talk about a lovely little hole in the wall! A line of outside tables, and tree stumps to perch on, spreads out each side of the counter and there’s generally a sociable gathering of four-legged patrons too. A chalkboard of breakfast dishes is all made from scratch using, wherever possible, local and organic ingredients, some of which are grown at Ibis House Farm, where the café is situated. There’s a new kids menu and a dogs menu… treat furry friends to a puppychino, a hot doglet or a pupcake.
The service “The staff are lovely and always happy to see you, and the vibe feels magical any time of day,” Alecs says.
Good to know No cash payments; only credit cards and Snapscan are accepted.
Opening times  Monday – Friday, 7.30am – 4.30pm
Saturday + Sunday, 7.30am – 4pm
Contact 066 130 1671, oliviahedley@gmail.com
Where to find it 34.0525770,18.4370070, Tokai Forest, Cape Town

Olympia Cafe

The sign that’s been hanging above the coffee station at Olympia forever says it all: “No self-discipline, no smoking, no split bills, no bullshit”. Kenneth, the co-owner, is proud of the fact that Olympia was the first to bring “good coffee” to the South Peninsula, as well as ciabatta bread. In fact, their cavernous bakery at the back has been crucial to their success. In 2010 they opened a takeaway shop next to the bakery, and now sell up to 200 loaves, 300 croissants and a whopping 800 coffees a day – but there are plenty of other baked treats to take away, too. On any given night, the café is packed with chipper customers, many of whom have been coming here for years (and ordering the linguine di mare, which is what you should do, too). Don’t expect frills and frippery; do expect love made visible.
The coffee The whole range from espresso and flat white to Americano made with Truth Coffee.
The vibe Bustling, loud, almost always busy and somewhat spontaneous (you can’t book a table but you can stand in line) with a chalkboard for the day’s menu, Olympia is a Kalk Bay institution that has barely changed in decades, where nobody stands on ceremony but all are welcome.
The service Friendly, interesting and sometimes downright hilarious, the staff manage a sense of humour however packed it gets.
Opening times Restaurant: Daily, 7am – 10pm (last orders at 9pm)
Bakery shop: Daily, 6.30am – 7pm
Contact 021 788 6396, info@olympiacafe.co.za
Where to find it 134 Main Road, Kalk Bay, Cape Town

Starlings Cafe

If you didn’t know it was there you’d drive right past… that’s part of the hidden-gem appeal of this long-standing Claremont favourite. In a Victorian home hidden behind a hedge on Belvedere Road, Starlings is a warm and hospitable café with high ceilings and wooden floors, but it’s the enclosed garden at the back (with slivers of mountain views) that calls on sunny mornings, whether for breakfast, coffee and cake or a leisurely lunch.
The coffee A well-crafted latte, cappuccino, espresso or flat white using Flatmountain beans and served in mismatched Le Creuset cups and saucers.
The vibe The decor is reminiscent of the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party – teapots hanging from trees, vintage books turned into light stands, an assortment of quirky, antique ornaments scattered throughout, and fresh flowers to greet you as you walk through the door. The fireplaces are lit in winter and you’ll find all sorts of nooks and well-spaced tables (both inside and out) to sink into for a work session or conversation.
The service It’s walk-ins only here, so you may have to wait for a table at busy times, but service is efficient and it’s a beautiful laidback space to hang out in.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am – 4pm
Saturday, 7am – 3pm (breakfast all day)
Contact 072 051 0491, starlingscafe@gmail.com
Where to find it 94 Belvedere Road, Claremont, Cape Town

Sikis Koffee

A coffee roastery and cafe based in the heart of Khayelitsha, Sikis Koffee Kafe is the starting point of many a township tour. Entrepreneur and barista Sikelela Dibela has created a vibrant social hub in the heart of the community serving quality African coffee. Converted from his mother’s garage, it’s a place where the local community and international visitors sit down together. His journey started at Vida e Caffè, where he worked his way up from washing dishes to training baristas in London. Inspired by international coffee culture, he returned to Khayeltisha to start his own roastery and now supplies custom roasts and blends to various Cape Town coffee shops, including Clarkes. Sikis also rents out top-of-the-range coffee machines to Cape Town businesses, with fresh beans supplied every week.
The coffee Sikelela expertly roasts beans from Ethiopia, Kenya and Burundi to create his signature blend.
The vibe The converted garage feels like a community hub with free wifi for creatives and entrepreneurs.
The service Friendly staff make each cup of coffee with care.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm
Saturday 8.30am – 3.30pm (Khayelitsha)
Contact 068 485 0032, info@sikiskoffee.co.za
Where to find it 7 Ntaba Street, Khayelitsha, Cape Town

Hout Bay Coffee

Hidden in plain sight, this rustic roastery and coffee shop is tucked into an old fisherman’s cottage at the entrance to a modern mall. Once inside you flip back in time, with delicious aromas wafting from the roastery in the back room in the afternoons, and a warm atmosphere that is all about the coffee. The roast master is Paul John Myburgh, who left the film industry to live with the San in the Kalahari for seven years before starting his roastery. His tag line is ‘bean roasting since 1794 and starting to get it right’. What he definitely gets right is quality and consistency… small batch after small batch.
The coffee Paul sources his green beans with care, roasts in small batches and hand sorts the beans. There are two signature blends to choose from: Harbour and Bean Mugged?; as well as single-origin coffees from around the world – currently from Burundi, Kenya, Colombia, Guatemala and Ethiopia (a high-altitude coffee named Yirgacheffe Halie Selassie) – that are poured in the shop on request. There’s also a cold brew and a Rapcha espresso with coconut oil and cream. You can buy the beans to take home (and they now have an online shop too).
The vibe Charming, rustic and as authentic as it gets, with coffee sack cushions on rough wooden stools made by Paul. Sit outside on a bench with a tree stump table by a rushing mountain stream, or cosy up indoors and succumb to temptation from the glass-domed plates piled with excellent almond croissants, cheesecake, mini carrot cakes, crunchies, quiches and pies (and vegan treats too). It’s a timeless and unpretentious coffee community with a style all its own.
The service With Paul behind the counter (when he’s not busy roasting) and friendly staff, this is a place you always feel welcome.
Opening times Daily, 9am – 5pm
Contact 082 516 5838, houtbaycoffee@outlook.com
Where to find it The Cottage, Mainstream Shopping Centre, corner Main and Princess Street, Hout Bay, Cape Town

C’est La Vie

This French-inspired bakery café is just around the corner from Fish Hoek beach. Owner Jo Hill (who spent 18 months in France learning the secrets of traditional French bread) now has two locations: the Bakery on Recreation Road for the freshest, most delectable artisanal breads (usually at least five different sourdough styles on the shelves), plus croissants and pastries, and the Café around the corner on Beach Road. Here you can munch toasted sourdough sandwiches made using the bakery’s breads, sip coffee, freshly squeezed fruit juices or milkshakes, or scoop up swirly soft-serves with all the toppings.
The coffee Trained baristas use coffee from Cape Town roastery Smak for a consistently good pour to go with a pastry after a morning swim. And the iced coffee in summer is bliss.
The vibe There’s a real neighbourhood feel to both café and bakery, where locals stop off on dog walks to pick up croissants (and the most divine pain au chocolat). French café tables and chairs that spill out onto the pavement echo the down to earth and unfrilly side of the French approach to life, where it’s all about the excellence of the product. The white sourdough pain de campagne is irresistible (as are the cinnamon sticks) and you’re likely to see customers making off with a baguette on a bike…very Parisian!
The service Friendly and welcoming.
Opening times Bakery: Wednesday – Sunday, 7:30am – 12pm
Café: Monday – Saturday, 7.30am – 4.30pm
Sunday, 7.30am – 3.30pm
Contact 083 676 7430, hillybop@gmail.com
Where to find it  Bakery: 2A Recreation Road, Fish Hoek, Cape Town
Cafe: 24 Beach Road, Fish Hoek, Cape Town

The Dairy Shed at Contermanskloof

Hidden deep in Durbanville’s bucolic backcountry, Contermanskloof Farm is well-known to mountain bikers – after pounding its rugged trails, they gather in the historic dairy shed that houses the coffee shop for a cortado and a slice of the famous carrot cake (we’ve even heard of people taking up mountain-biking as an excuse to earn a slice). If you want more than coffee, cakes, light breakfasts and ciabatta sandwiches, on the same premises you’ll find an artisanal microbrewery, Starke Brews (open Friday – Sunday), which has a popular menu of pizzas prepared in the open-air kitchen.
The coffee They use Deluxe beans to make a mean cortado, cappuccino or flat white.
The vibe Rustic, relaxed and a favourite for families (there’s a huge enclosed children’s play area with a jungle gym, sand pit, slides and monkey bars).
The service Queue at the counter to place your order.
Opening times Monday – Friday, 8am – 5pm
Saturday + Sunday, 8am – 2pm
Contact 082 588 6933 (WhatsApp), margauxstarke@gmail.com
Where to find it Contermanskloof Road (off the M13), Durbanville, Cape Town

Treat Coffee Roasters

The story of this Northern Suburbs roastery started in 2020 when owner Matthew de Freitas found a tiny 1kg Turkish coffee roaster for sale and thought he’d give it a go. Now he has a full-on roastery in Brackenfell which supplies his flagship coffee shop in Durbanville and two pop-up coffee pods set in open-air community spaces in Vierlanden and Eversdal, with more in the pipeline. The tile pattern in the store comes from his dad’s home village of Câmara de Lobos on Madeira Island and, given his Portuguese roots, there are naturally excellent pasteis de nata, alongside croissants, homemade banana bread and more treats from the best local suppliers he can find.
The coffee As well as the Treat Original flagship blend, the cafe takes turns putting a spotlight on one of the roastery’s single-origin beans sourced from around the world, perhaps from a farm in Brazil, Uganda, El Salvador or Colombia. Keeping things local on the hardware front, Matthew uses a South African-made Genio roaster and a Henlo coffee machine.
The vibe Light and bright with a rich Pantone-blue counter, there’s an airy coffee shop vibe, with plenty of tables for remote working and a leather sofa for comfortable conversations. Outside tables are set on the covered walkway, which is raised above the parking area and feels slightly removed from the main street bustle. The shop doubles as a boutique wine bar in a collab with Thor Vintners, displaying bottles alongside one raw brick wall, so whether you’re in the mood for a coffee or a glass of wine (or both) to go with your breakfast or lunch, you’re sorted.
The service Friendly and efficient.
Good to know Kitchen closes for cooked breakfasts at 2.30pm, but there are sandwiches and platters available until closing time
Opening times Monday – Saturday, 7.30am – 6pm
Contact 073 147 5098
Where to find it Shop 7/8, Spiro’s Corner, corner Main and Wellington Roads, Durbanville

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