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Cape Town, South Africa

Top brews: the 5 best specialty coffee shops in Cape Town

Southern Africa • Eat & drink • Top brews: the 5 best specialty coffee shops in Cape Town

Cape Town’s best specialty coffee shops

Cape Town’s coffee culture is thriving, with some incredible spots that every coffee lover should know about. If you’re serious about your brew, these coffee shops are where you’ll find the best in the city. These spots focus on high-quality beans, expert roasting, and a passion for brewing the perfect coffee. Whether you’re after a strong espresso to kickstart your day or a smooth pour-over to savour slowly, you’ll find it here. Let’s dive into Cape Town’s best places to enjoy a truly great cup of coffee.

Truth Café

Truth Café, named the best coffee shop in the world by The Telegraph in 2016, is a destination no coffee lover should miss. The Café’s interior is steampunk-inspired, the industrial-chic interior, complete with vintage machinery gives the café a dark, moody atmosphere. Truth coffee beans are sourced globally, with an emphasis on fair trade and sustainable practices. The coffee is roasted on-site, ensuring the freshest cup possible, whether you’re enjoying an espresso, a pour-over, or one of their signature blends. There is no better way to start your day in Cape Town, than with an espresso made with the resurrection blend coffee beans! This blend has a robust, full-bodied flavour that will brighten your day.

Truth Coffee Roasting
36 Buitenkant St
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Truth Coffee Roasting

Blue Door Coffee Roasters

Blue Door Coffee Roasters is a coffee shop that’s hard to miss, thanks to its iconic blue door. Step inside and you are greeted by the friendly servers, who will have you smiling from the moment you sit down! The café itself is cosy and welcoming, with a minimalist design that lets the coffee take centre stage. Blue Door Coffee Roasters is all about small-batch, hand-crafted coffee, with a focus on precision and quality. What sets Blue Door Coffee Roasters apart is their dedication to experimentation and innovation; they frequently introduce new blends and single-origin coffees, offering something fresh and exciting for even the most seasoned coffee drinkers. Don’t miss out on their specialty flat white – it’s perfection.

Blue Door Coffee Roasters
Harbour Bay Mall
Simon's Town
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Blue Door Coffee Roasters

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Deluxe Coffeeworks

Deluxe Coffeeworks has become a staple in many Capetonians’ homes and it’s not hard to see why. With several locations around the city, this laid-back coffee spot has built a cult following thanks to its no-nonsense approach to coffee. Our favourite Deluxe Coffeeworks is the Church Street branch – The OG spot where it all began. It’s here that Carl Wessel and Judd Nicolay started serving up the perfectly roasted coffee that many Cape Town locals now love. Their signature house blend, a smooth and balanced mix of beans from Brazil, Guatemala, and Ethiopia, is a crowd favourite, take a bag home with you or let the talented barista make you the perfect shot of espresso to sip on while you take in the buzzing surroundings of Cape Town CBD.

Deluxe Coffeeworks
25 Church St
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Deluxe Coffeeworks

Rosetta Roastery Café

Rosetta Roastery Café on Bree Street is perfect for those who appreciate finely crafted coffee. The baristas at Rosetta Roastery Café are true coffee geeks, always happy to share their knowledge and help you find the perfect brew. Whether you’re into pour-overs, espresso or cold brew, you’ll find something to love here. The modern design of the café provides a calm and inviting space to enjoy your coffee. Rosetta Roastery Café is well known for its single-origin coffees, highlighting the distinct flavours of different coffee regions. We think the pour-over coffee is a must-try, it brings out the detailed notes and aromas of the beans. For those serious about their coffee, a visit to Rosetta Roastery Café is an absolute must.

Rosetta Roastery Café
101 Bree St
Cape Town
South Africa

Photography courtesy of Rosetta Roastery Café

Origin Coffee Roasting

Origin Coffee, situated in the trendy De Waterkant, is one of the pioneers of Cape Town’s specialty coffee scene. With a focus on ethically sourced beans and expert roasting techniques, Origin delivers some of the best coffee in the city. The roasting process happens on-site, and the baristas here are some of the most skilled in the city, regularly winning competitions and accolades for their craft. Try the Ethiopian yirgacheffe, a coffee blend that pops with fruity and floral notes, something truly unique! The café itself is spacious and airy and the industrial-chic interior provides a great backdrop for enjoying your coffee, whether you’re working or socialising.