Clearly there are way too many fabulous coffee shops around our country to name them all. You can’t throw a feather boa in parts of Cape Town or Jozi without it falling into someone’s flat white, causing a scene worthy of a Cannes award.
But without casting any aspersions - or boas – at those not mentioned here, we offer up our handpicked selection in no particular order.
Feel free to add your own top coffee shop tips in the comments...
The List
1. The Haas Collective - BoKaap, Cape Town
The Haas Coffee Collective specialises in exotic, rare coffees in collaboration with Robertson’s Strictly Coffee. Next door you’ll find the Haas Design Collective which sells beautifully designed objects, accessories and artworks. Plus they offer the Suspended Coffee option.
- Haas can be found at 67 Rose Street, BoKaap, Cape Town
- Visit www.haascollective.com or find them on Facebook
2. Bean There – Cape Town and Joburg
Been There is South Africa’s first roaster of Certified Fairtrade coffee. They’re committed to personally sourcing fair trade, organic African coffee and their single origin, exclusive coffee sustains people today & the earth tomorrow. Plus, it tastes divine.
- Bean There can be found at 58 Wale Street, Cape Town and 44 Stanley Ave, Milpark.
- Visit http://www.beanthere.co.za/ or find them on Facebook
3. Vovo Telo – Port Elizabeth
The days when Mugg and Bean was considered the height of fine coffee in PE are, thankfully, long over - since 2006 in fact when Vovo Telo was introduced to a thirsty town – thirsty not just for amazing coffee and artisan breads, but for some legit coolness. Today you can find Vovo in Cape Town, Joburg, Pretoria and of course their hometown.
- Vovo Telo PE can be found at both Pickering Street and Richmond Hill in PE
- Visit http://www.vovotelo.com/ or find them on Facebook
4. Roast Master Cafe – Port Elizabeth
At Roast Master Cafe you’ll find just-brewed coffee made from in-store roasted beans and freshly baked cakes and confectionaries. With an indoor kids play area next door, moms and dads no longer have to endure MickyDees if they want to grab a cup
- Roast Master Cafe can be found at Moffet on Main Lifestyle Centre, Port Elizabeth
- Visit http://www.roastmaster.co.za or find them on Facebook
5. Strictly Coffee - Robertson
Head for the hills and find Strictly Coffee, a boutique coffee roaster and merchant set in the spectacular Robertson valley. They offer you the chance to ‘experience true devotion in pursuit of the perfect cup of expertly blended coffee’ with their freshly roasted selected quality beans from all over the world. They also supply Haas (above).
- Strictly Coffee can be found at 5 Voortrekker Road, Robertson, ZA.
- Visit http://www.strictlycoffee.co.za or find them on Facebook.
6. 4th Avenue Coffee Roasters – Parkhurst, Joburg
Eat Out says of this place "The freshly roasted coffee is deeply flavourful, the food chic and delicious and the service cheekily personal but not invasive. “ Portfolio Collection’s own Creative Director James Delaney puts this one on his personal best list.
- 4th Ave Coffee Roasters can be found at Corner 11th Street and 4th Ave, Parkhurst
- Visit http://www.4thavenuecoffee.co.za or find them on Facebook.
7. oDDCafe – Greenside, Joburg
oDDCafe combines great coffee and unforgettable food with live music – a perfect blend! In fact it was named as one of Joburg''s top Live Music venues by City Press
- oDDCafe can be found at 116 Greenway, Greenside, Joburg
- Visit http://www.oddcafe.co.za or find them on Facebook
8. The Foodbarn Deli – Noordhoek, Cape Town
This deli, located at the gorgeous Noordhoek Farm Village, is one of our Blog editor’s favourite places for breakfast – and coffee. Charming French vibe, dogs under the tables, books lining the walls, delectable food (try their crepes – to die for doll) and they serve Bean There coffee – that says it all!
- Visit http://www.thefoodbarn.co.za or find them on Facebook
9.C’est La Vie – Kalk Bay, Cape Town
One of the Deep South’s best kept secrets, C''est La Vie is a small French-style artisan bakery and coffee shop, serving a fabulous selection of outstanding coffee prepared by expert baristas. And the ocean is just across the way. Our Blog Editor’s number one top tip.
- C’est La Vie can be found on Main Rd, Kalk Bay near Dalebrook pool.
- Find them on Facebook
10. The Bean Green Coffee Company - Durban
This is The Bean Green Coffee Company roasts coffee, serves coffee and also drinks coffee. The family owned company stocks exclusively Ethiopian beans. According to their website, “Everything is pretty straightforward here. The only complexity comes from the depth of flavour our coffee has to offer.”
- Find them at Helen Joseph Rd, Durban.
- Visit http://www.beangreen.co.za/
11. Origin Coffee Roasting – Cape Town
We {heart} Origin and not just because they’ve given Portfolio Collection members an awesome deal on their tasty coffee (contact us to find out more, members). They describe themselves as a multicultural family of hard working people who love coffee and believe in quality, innovation, traceability, social responsibility and sustainability. They roast their coffees by hand in small batches to reveal their unique character and ensure maximum freshness and flavour.
- Origin can be found at 28 Hudson Rd, De Waterkant, Cape Town.
- Visit http://www.originroasting.co.za or find them on Facebook
12. Deluxe Coffee Works – Franschhoek
Also found in Cape Town at Church Street and at Roodehek Street, Deluxe has a branch just off the main road in beautiful Franschhoek. Try the Deluxe signature house blend made from freshly roasted beans in a chilled out, low key yet hip atmosphere.
- Deluxe can be found at 19 Huguenot St, Franschhoek.
- Visit http://www.originroasting.co.za or find them on Facebook
13. Post Breakfast Lunch – Braamfontein, Joburg
Another of James’ favourite coffee haunts, Post, as it’s known to the locals, offers great coffee served with their own ‘cream & brown sugar cookies’ as well as simple, fresh sandwiches and salads created from locally sourced, seasonal produce.
- Post can be found at 7 Juta Street, Braamfontein, Joburg.
- Visit http://post-bl.tumblr.com/
14. Freedom Cafe – Durban
Take one upcycled container and some serious design flair and you’ve got Freedom Cafe, one of the trendiest places to be seen in Durbs while sipping on a latte and smashing some fresh pastries into your face.
- Freedom Cafe can be found at 37 St Mary’s Ave, Greyville, Durban
- Visit http://www.tastefreedom.co.za or find them on Facebook
15. Bean in Love
A coffee shop, bistro, florist and gift shop in one – this quirky spot is a great find in Paarl - the intoxicating blend of flowers scents and Ethiopian coffee aromas lures you in...
- Bean in Love can be found at 289 Main St, Paarl.
- Find them on Facebook
OVER TO YOU....
We''d love your picks in places like Bloem, along the Garden Route, the Karoo and throughout Smallville SA