CAPE COFFEE CULTURE
Dontcha wish your coffee was hot like me?
-Anonymous
Image Credit MoreFlavour (Facebook) | ‘A cortado please, with just a tad of texturised milk, not foam please …
Are you sure these ethically-sourced beans in my espresso were roasted on site this morning? In small batches? Oh, and please make sure my espresso has the perfect layer of crema on top. Or, actually … mmm … I may just go for the piccolo latte today…
Mind you, the macchiato and affogato are also to die for…. and so is the double shot oatmilk flat white. By the way, can you froth my oatmilk? And don’t make it too hot.’
Coffee banter is taking place as we speak. Everywhere. Coffee connoisseurs all over Cape Town are being spotted at terribly trendy coffee boutiques found on just about every street corner, giving instructions to their entrusted, well-schooled baristas as to exactly how they want their poison of choice prepped and presented. And a good barista has a memory like an elephant. I’m afraid Edward Abbey’s famous quote, ‘Our culture runs on coffee and gasoline, the first often tasting like the second’ simply doesn’t hold water any more. The days of mediocre coffee are well and truly over, we’ve all become coffee pundits and we’re painstakingly sensitive as to precisely how we desire our favourite caffeine (or lo and behold, the evil decaff) fix.
For coffee we will drink, multiple cups a day, in the words of Donna Favors, ‘It’s amazing how the world begins to change through the eyes of a cup of coffee!’ In a city filled with discerning coffee-nistas, it’s not easy to single out just a few stellar venues. So, caffeine-chasing arbiters of taste, pardon me if your favourite isn’t on my list. Do check out my suggestions though, you may well have a new favourite to java-rave about soon enough.
1. Haas Coffee
A bad day with coffee is better than a good day without it.
-Anonymous
Situated in a grand old Art-Deco Building in the City centre of Cape Town, with its industrial-feel interior Haas is a coffee café like no other. With ornate antique chairs as seating around eclectic tables, well-chosen artwork on the walls, chilled specially crafted sound tracks and beautifully curated jewellery, divine sculptures and other merchandise to drool over, this is a destination like no other for the discerning coffee lover who wants that little added extra to their coffee experience. A superb breakfast is served all day, Haas’ freshly baked goods are gastronomic gourmet works of art! If you stay long enough, up the ante by adding some craft gin (the owners are gin enthusiasts, hence an awesome selection here!) to your coffee order.
http://www.haaskoop.com/, Instagram haas_koop
Image Credit Haas Collective | The historic Art Deco Building with its industrial-feel interior
Image Credit Haas Collective | Waffles & figs, just add some jam and cream!
Image Credit Haas Collective | Come and taste your Black Insomnia here – the strongest coffee in the world, allegedly
Image Credit Haas Collective | Now THIS is a breakfast!
Image Credit Haas Collective | Death by chocolate … ironically you haven’t lived until you’ve tasted the legendary chocolate cake at Haas
2.Truth Coffee
Coffee should be black as hell, strong as death and sweet as love.
–Turkish Proverb
The truth is you’ll probably find adequate coffee in hundreds of venues in Cape Town but the truth, the only truth and nothing but the truth is that there is but one Truth. Truth Coffee’s mission has been to roast and make the best coffee in the world and this steampunk-inspired venue has been managing to do exactly that – it has repeatedly been recognized as the best coffee shop in the world. With a motto ‘Taste the joy of the Extraordinary” and in-house blends like “Resurrection’, ‘Black Honey’ and Deep, Dark and Twisted’ it’s clear they’ve indeed accomplished their mission and more. Fancy being served your ‘A Hipster in Time Saves Nine (apple, kale, spinach, cucumber, ginger & lemon) by a waiter straight from Jules Verne’s Voyages Extraordinaires? The truth is, you’re in the right spot.
https://truth.capetown/, Instagram truthcoffee.capetown
Image Credit Truth Coffee | The steampunk interior of Truth Coffee
Image Credit Truth Coffee | The owner at Truth Coffee, David Donde, inspecting the black gold
Image Credit Truth Coffee | Smashed avos on toast
Image Credit Truth Coffee | A barista doing his thing
Image Credit Truth Coffee | How do you like your eggs?
Image Credit Truth Coffee | That world-famous interior – a space like no other
3. Origin Coffee Roasting
May your coffee be strong, and your Monday be short.
-Anonymous
Often lovingly referred to as The Godfather of speciality coffee roasters in Cape Town, Origin was indeed one of the originators of coffee as we know it today, laying the foundations for what we take for granted in the Mother City now – a whopping, rocking, thriving coffee scene. Visiting the mothership at their stunning heritage building in De Waterkant and you’ll be treated to the full experience – watch the roasting, sit in on a cupping session and get to taste the ‘virgin’ coffee. This place is always buzzing and big on atmosphere – it’s the perfect spot to meet friends over an Ethiopian, Tanzanian, Guatamala or Brazilian blend while munching your way through the Green Goddess Smoothie Bowl. Does that sound original enough?
https://originroasting.co.za, Instagram origincoffeesa
Image Credit Origin Coffee Roasters | The historic building hosting this legendary coffee company
Image Credit Origin Coffee Roasters | The perfect crema on top
Image Credit Origin Coffee Roasters | The bakery is out of this world
4. Terbodore Coffee Roasters
If you are not coffee, chocolate or bacon, I’m going to need you to go away
-Anonymous
Based in the heart of the beautiful Cape Winelands, just outside the scenic village of Franschhoek and on the other side of the country – in the hills of Kwazulu Natal (as well as right in the heart of Cape Town now, too, actually) you’ll find Terbodore Coffee. Well known for their colourful packaging featuring the founders’ Great Dane, this popular brand is stocked by numerous retailers. Terbodore Coffee imports beans from no fewer than thirteen countries in order to concoct your favourite brew! When visiting the flagship restaurant in Franschhoek you’re in for a treat – not only will you be able to forget about life’s troubles under those big pecan nut trees, you’ll be wowed by the coffee and spectacular food menu on offer. Coffee-wise you may opt for Salted Caramel or The Great Dane, or perhaps This Is Africa or Lazy Bones … Foodwise I suggest the Smoked Trout on Sweet Potato Pancakes or if you feel creative, opt for the Design Your Own meal and choose from a delectable set of ingredients. Kids are very endearingly served from the Puppy Menu.
https://www.terbodorecoffee.co.za/, Instagram terbodorecoffee
Image Credit Terbodore Coffee Roasters | The entrance to the coffee shop at Franschhoek, with its stunning garden behind
Image Credit Terbodore Coffee Roasters | Cold brew to take home for later
Image Credit Terbodore Coffee Roasters | Colourful packaging containing a powerful set of punches
5. Tribe Coffee Roasters
Patience is the time between drinking a cup of coffee and the motivation to begin your day
-Anonymous
In the heart of trendy Woodstock’s Foundry sits this delightful establishment, with tables inside and outside, the latter perfect for you to take in the activity in this lively part of town. Ambience-wise, think surfer grunge complete with blue walls, an old safe painted pillar box red and social-political statement prints on the walls. Coffee-wise the selection is as impressive: choose from, amongst others, The Lover’s Blend, Chocolate Block, Sunday Morning or Malawi Blend, all beautifully packaged (should you want to take some away with you to savour later.) A delicious breakfast also comes with the territory and is served with a smile in the interval between coffees. This is the kind of place you’ll return to time and time again. And when you do, I suggest you keep sampling your way through the entire coffee menu. You’ll end up having many ‘most favourite’ favourites!
https://www.tribecoffee.co.za, Instagram tribecoffeeroasting
Image Credit Cape Side Car Adventures (Facebook) | First stop of the day – Tribe Coffee in Woodstock!
Image Credit Tribe Coffee | Beautifully packaged coffees to take home
6. Deluxe Coffeeworks
Life is what happens between coffee and wine
-Anonymous
De Luxe Coffee is to be found all over Cape Town as well as in the Winelands and as far afield as Windhoek (Namibia) with a reputation second to none. This Java-stop for hard-core coffee drinkers certainly lives up to their motto, ‘Always grindin’! Their products are sold in good-taste, unassuming packaging, but make no mistake – the Columbia Excelso with its initial toffee-sweetness, the Ethiopia Sedamo with a hazelnut and hit of citrus and the other awesome blends pack a punch! This reputable coffee empire also offers an extensive food menu and the atmosphere is always extremely inviting. It’s truly service with a huge smile here.
https://www.deluxecoffeeworks.co.za/, Instagram deluxecoffeeworks
Image Credit Deluxe Coffeeworks (Facebook) | A barista at Deluxe working his magic
Image Credit De Luxe Coffeeworks (Facebook) | A place to relax and savour the beans!
Image Credit De Luxe Coffeeworks (Facebook) | The perfect expresso
Image Credit De Luxe Coffeeworks (Facebook) | The Bo-Kaap branch of Deluxe, with Table Mountain peeking out
Image Credit Truth Coffee Roasters (Instagram)
Allow me to leave you with one last corny coffee quote,
May your coffee kick in before reality does!
Works for me every time
