Whenever I travel, I rely on insider tips from locals to help me experience the best of the destination. Now that I’ve pounded the pavement in Cape Town for a healthy amount of time, I am officially ready to start calling myself a local.
And, with that, it’s only right that I should share with you my insider’s guide to the best cafés around town. Whether you are looking for an espresso at a high-energy trendy spot or just a quiet place to sip a latte, there are some great options all over the city.
Check out my local’s guide to Cape Town for coffee lovers.
Origin Coffee Roasting
They roast their coffee in-house and offer the widest selection of single-origin coffees in South Africa. If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you are going to love Origin Coffee Roasting.
They are easy to get to in De Waterkant. During the week, they are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the weekend, they are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.
Coco Safar
There’s a new coffee shop in Sea Point and it’s a must-see! Coco Safar is a gorgeous French style spot with amazing desserts from their “couture pâtisserie experience”.
If you have a Nespresso coffee machine at home, be sure to check out their Capsule Emporium. They have the world’s first home compostable coffee pods so you can have delicious, guilt-free coffee anytime.
Another perk is that they’ve got long hours. Coco Safar is open weekdays from 7 am to 8 pm and weekends from 8 am to 8 pm.
Loading Bay
At the heart of one of my favorite neighborhoods, De Waterkant, you’ll find the Loading Bay. This do-it-all space is all about ethical, eco-conscious businesses.
A café, clothing store and an Aēsop skincare shop are among the space’s business tenants. If you want to grab a bite while you’re there, check out their locally sourced menu that’s high on the healthy scale.
Bootlegger
Bootlegger has a few locations around town, so you won’t have to trek far to find one. Some of them are all-day eateries, while others specialize in breakfast and lunch.
You’ll find a good selection of grub there, and if you’re up early enough, you can check out their famous red-eye R16 coffee. It’s only available until 8:30 a.m. every morning, and it will definitely put a spring in your step!
Clark’s
Come hungry to Clark’s, an eatery that’s famous for its burgers (including yummy veggie options). It’s an all-day hangout that’s got everything from breakfast to late-night drinks.
If you’re the type that doesn’t like to dine solo at a restaurant, Clark’s will ease you in with its casual, laidback style. They’ve got bar-style seating that is perfect for hungry lone wolves.
In the heart of the city center, these guys are right around the corner from Bean There Coffee Company, which is one of my favorite spots to tuck into to get some work done midday.
Jarryds Espresso Bar + Eatery
At JARRYDS Espresso Bar + Eatery, they are dedicated to locally sourced dishes and Fair Trade coffee, which they get exclusively from Espresso Lab in The Old Biscuit Mill.
Check them out at Sea Point in Cape Town. And, keep in mind, that Jarryds, like a lot of cafés around Cape Town, have relatively short hours. We are talking Monday to Saturday, until 4 p.m.
Espresso Lab Microroasters
At one of my fave haunts in Cape Town, The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, you will find Espresso Lab Microroasters. You can check out their blends around town at places like JARRYDS Espresso Bar + Eatery, or you can have them delivered straight to you.
If you want to go straight to the source, the coffee scientists are there Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.
Shift Espresso Bar
I love this place for a couple reasons. First up, Shift Espresso Bar has a dream location in De Waterkant neighborhood. Secondly, they’ve got long hours.
Sometimes, I love a pre-dinner coffee, and I can always count on Shift for that. They are open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Jason Bakery
This trendy spot is famous for its mouthwatering pastries and breads. You can taste the wonders of Jason Bakery in Green Point or in the CBD.
It’s the perfect spot for breakfast or a late-morning coffee break. Just be sure to get in before 3:30 p.m. during the week, and before 2 p.m. on Saturdays.
Read More: Where to Find the Best Food in Cape Town
Dapper
Start your engine in another cool De Waterkant coffeehouse! Dapper does breakfast, lunch and dinner in an ultra cool space filled with some of the world’s most amazing classic cars. Stop by before 5 p.m. during the week, and before 3 p.m. on Saturdays.
Truth Coffee Roasting
This steampunk themed café was made for snapping shots of your fancy coffee for Instagram. Best of all, the coffees at Truth Coffee Roasting are amazing.
With one sip, you’ll know just why this place has been dubbed the world’s best coffee shop. Shop their coffee online or stop by between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.
Tribe Coffee
At The Woodstock Foundry, you can get a dream in a cup at Tribe Coffee. Check out their Guatemalan Chocolate Block blend when they’re serving up java weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.
Smak Delicatessen
Using their very own Uber Coffee brand, Smak Delicatessen has a great menu that caters to vegans and vegetarians. Stop by for breakfast or lunch and, of course, try their coffee!
The General Store
At The General Store, you can get tasty takeaways, café fare and amazing coffee. Check out their fresh and healthy picks in the city center Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
Read Next: The Ultimate Cape Town Travel Guide
What is your favorite place to grab a cup of coffee in Cape Town? Let me know!
Why are you profiling Cape Town when they are in the midst of a terrible drought and about to run out of fresh water completely? Isn’t that rather irresponsible? The locals have no freaking water and you’re there using up a precious resource. As someone from California, where we regularly have droughts, I would expect you to be more mindful of wasting water.
I’m disappointed that you are promoting tourism to a place that can’t support tourism at the moment due to lack of fresh water and can’t handle the water needs of locals let alone tourists.
Did you visit any of these places? I would love to know your opinion about them, not just a list of all of the coffee shops in Cape Town!