If there is something amazing about Cape Town, it is the huge number of great quality places to start your day with a lovely breakfast or coffee! It is a perfect way to start your day full of joy and energy. We would like to give you some inspiration to find your morning happiness once in the Mother City!
1. New York Bagels, Zonnebloem, 44 Harrington street
If you fancy to eat the best bagels of Cape Town, you should visit New York Bagels. Brave yourself for a long line of bagel-craving-fans, since this place is very popular by locals. In particular in the morning when you get your cream cheese bagel and a coffee for R32! And if you not hungry, you can just take the coffee for R15.
2. Bootlegger
Bootlegger has different locations in the Mother City and Johannesburg. All stores offer R18 coffee before 8:30am. We will tell you our three favourites, but really, all of them are worth it. Especially because their menu is quite diverse. Please pay attention to the openings hours since they do differ per location.
Harrington street: This one is literally next to New York Bagel. It was funny to see that even an employee of this bootlegger was getting a bagel from his neighbour during his break. Anyway, you have a luxury problem, because you have two very nice places practically next to eachother to start your day. Maybe the fact that you can get banana bread plus a cortado coffee for R35 before 11:30am will help you to make your choice.
Green point: The nice thing about the location in Greenpoint is the open space with nice seats in the corner where you can work on your laptop or just watch other people.
Waterkant: This one is located in a small shopping mall, perfect to combine when you have to buy groceries, have your car washed or your hair done ;-). It is over-looking a very nice courtyard and can be filled with men in suits (since Deloitte has a big office in the complex). If you lucky you can enjoy some performance on the square.
3. Deluxe, Gardens, 171 Buitenkant street
This one is our favourites. Judd and Karl started their venture in the city centre with a small coffee shop in Church street. Now they have their flagship store near the Garden Centre. From here they have grown into one of the major coffee suppliers in the country and beyond. So you will often see that a breakfast place is serving Deluxe coffee. The store has a very chilled vibe. Drink your coffee while you enjoy the happy people walking in and out because of their just acquired freshly brewed coffee. Also the employees are very kind. After your second visit they know your name and preferred coffee – excellent right, especially if you really need your fix before talking!
4. Harvest Cafe & Deli, Bo-Kaap, 102 Wale street
Feel like you are in the bush since this place is full with green plants. The location is beautiful, convenient and it is like being in another city! Their menu is mouth-watering.. Also, don’t forget to check out their rooftop since the views over Bo-Kaap and Table Mountain are a-ma-zing!
5. Yours Truly, Gardens, 73 Kloof street
If you in the mood to be among chilled backpackers, we recommend you to visit the rooftop. Tjis is a true haven in busy and hectic Kloof Street. The courtyard is a good and peaceful place to enjoy your coffee. Lots of young people from the early morning going into a more alcohol vibe in the afternoon. This is when the bar upstairs opens, but it will remain very chilled. Also worth noting is the first Yours Truly that opened in Long Street and is still there.
6. Seattle Coffee Co, Woodstock, 140 Sir Lowry road
Seattle continues to thrive as a family-owned South African company, with over 85 stores countrywide. If you just want to have a delicious coffee without being in a busy place (it is slightly more expensive than the other places), then try the Seattle Coffee. They are located all over town. Try the carrot cake ‘Everybunny loves carrot cake’.
7. Clarke’s, City Centre, 133 Bree street
Besides the fact that Clarke’s is a great place to start your day, they make it extra attractive since they have great promotions in the mornings. Monday – Friday between 7am and 8am all coffee for R15. Between 8am and 9am you can have an eggs on toast & coffee or orange juice for ONLY R40! Moreover, you can sit at the bar, in the courtyard, outside in the sun, or just in the corner do some work on your laptop since the Wi-Fi is working well. It is all possible! Also, the in 2011 founded bar & dining room is loved for their freshly squeezed juices and their Fleetwood Mac music.
8. The Blue Cafe, Tamboerskloof, 13 Brownlow road
When you see this Blue Cafe, you just want to paint your own house blue too! Just kidding. This locally very popular cafe will hardly be visited by tourists and is a total local hang out. It’s very relaxed and when you have a spot in the sun or under the shaded overhang, your day is going to be nothing but a success! Try some delicious homemade baked goods while you enjoy the view over Lion’s Head and the Victorian Houses across the road.
9. The Power & The Glory, Tamboerskloof, 13 Kloofnek road
Whether it is morning or evening, It doesn’t matter, you will enjoy this place. The early evenings are perfect for ending your day and start your evening with a nice drink and a good conversation. However, the mornings are great. Imagine a coffee and some of their green, orange or red freshly squeezed juices together with a croissant, and watch Cape Town go to work. It’s on a major junction, so offers non-stop entertainment.
10. Bean There Coffee Company, City Centre, 58 Walestreet
The Bean There Coffee Company is a great coffee place located in the centre of Cape Town and easy to combine while visiting the Bo-Kaap and city. it is right in the middle! Should you be too late, don’t panic, because in the cozy chocolate shop next door is a hidden Gin&Tonic bar (just stroll through the shop along the chocolates into the small courtyard).
They claim to be South Africa’s first roasted of Certified Fair Trade coffee and they strive to make a sustainable difference in the lives of African coffee producers by personally sourcing quality coffee through direct fair trade. We admire their contribution to make the world a better place.
You can also find their excellent team on the Oranjezicht market every weekend!
11. Truth Coffee Roasting, City Centre, 36 Buitenkant street
This in steampunk style coffee bar is nominated by The Telegraph as one of the best coffee bars of the world in 2016. We avoid sending you to touristy hotspots, but Truth Coffee is a must visit when it comes to starting your day with a quality coffee (preferably their flat-white!). This whole place is breathing coffee, and in the early hours of the morning, sit outside on the little stools, watch traffic go by, soak up some sun, admire Table Mountain while sipping a delicious coffee!
12. Haas, City Centre, 19 Buitenkant street
Haas Coffee is a place that charms and enchants all the senses. From the opulent smell of roasted and ground coffee beans to delicious baked goods, sumptuous breakfasts and lunches, soothing music and eclectic art, it’s truly an experience. Everything about Haas Coffee is unique, from the specially designed crockery to the staff, the varied crowd and the atmosphere. Although it originated from people wanting to savour the art over a cup of java, today Haas Coffee has a following all of its own and its coffee is rated as highly as the art.
When you enter Haas, a visual feast awaits. Once you’ve settled with a steaming cup of coffee, your eyes can start its treasure hunt of local artworks and unique objects. You’ll soon discover bold paintings, edgy sculptures, fascinating jewellery, intriguing photography and so much more in and amongst ornate antique chairs and eclectic tables. It is practically next door to Distric Six museum, so excellent combo!
13. The House of Machines, City Centre, 84 Shortmarket street
The House of machines is the consummate fusion of coffee, café, craft beer, cocktails, live music, menswear and custom bikes; the quintessential fine purveyor for the modern man. It doesn’t matter if you are visiting in the morning of evening, it is always the place to be! There is a terrace outside, which is very nice since the little street has lots to offer.
14. Crossley & Web, Gardens, 15 Solan road
When you are a fan of luxury cars this is a dream come true. This is then really the best way to start your day! If you don’t mind the smell of petrol, then it will make your day even better! It is impressive to hear the sounds of the super cars, especially since these bounce off in the garage. In our opinion, this is still a hidden gem and is never really busy. The staff is very friendly and they love to guide you through the showroom.
15. Rosetta Roastery, Woodstock, 66 Albert road
For those wish to combine a strong coffee and visit a local arthub, make your way to Rosetta Roastery at the Woodstock Exchange. Among fantastic shops, there is Rosetta. Their focus on Single Origin rather than blended coffees already sets them apart from most of the Cape-area coffee roasters, but their dedication to educating their customers about what each coffee-producing region of the world has to offer makes them quite unique. That’s why Rosetta Roastery is a great place to visit when you’re ready to start exploring coffee in more depth.
16. Origin Coffee Roasting, Waterkant, 28 Hudson street
When you are interested how to make a coffee, get a tour here! Origin even has a Barista Academy which has trained over 4000 baristas who now pour coffee across South Africa and beyond. They will explain everything to you. Try the drip coffee with their famous “Eggs Benedict”. We promise, you will not regret it!
17. Ground Art Caffe, Waterkant, 160 Strand street
See what husband-and-wife-team Lisa and Ross have created. Start your morning at this small but cosy coffee bar. Walk around to see some local art (which they change pretty often) or just sit outside and breathe slowly with a cup of coffee. The seats are perfectly made for watching other people. Moreover, despite not being in the middle of it, they have created a loyal following during the popular First Thursdays.
18. Pauline’s Stand Up Coffee Bar, Sea Point, 277 Main road
As the name mentions,, you cannot sit down inside Pauline! However, there is a seating area outside, weather depending. Despite it being a rather small place it still very pleasant since the large windows offer lots of action without its sounds. This space is therefore ideal for a quick catch up with a friend and most of all, excellent coffee and small bites! Make sure you check out the shop Sans next door. It is from the same owner (JP and his wife) as Pauline and Hudson’s Bay – Waterkant. Their design is very creative since they using a maximum of two or three materials for an entire space!
19. Giovanni’s Deliworld, Green Point, 103 Main road
This place is very popular and stays a magnet among locals and foreigners for their fresh produce. Besides drinking a coffee among a very strong real estate / model /fashion crowd presence, don’t forget to check out the back of the shop where you can find the best imported cheeses and meats, as well as meals or sandwiches to take-away.
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