Discover Cape Town's finest specialty coffee shops, from award-winning roasteries to hidden neighborhood gems. Our curated guide to the best cafes in the city.
Cape Town has established itself as a destination for specialty coffee lovers. From world-class roasteries to intimate neighborhood cafes in small charming beach towns, the city offers an impressive range of specialty coffee experiences.
In this guide, we've curated the top 10 specialty coffee shops based on FIKA's Specialty Scoring system, which evaluates coffee quality, brewing methods, sourcing transparency, and community engagement.
What to Expect
Each shop on this list has been evaluated for:
- Coffee sourcing — traceable beans from quality roasters
- Brewing expertise — skilled baristas and diverse brew methods
- Experience — ambience, service, and community engagement
This then has been calculated into a FIKA Specialty Score and how the results below have been listed.
This list also is the list of shops that I personally visited, and it's possible that there may be a shop or 2 that is not on here that should be. In that case, be sure to add it to the FIKA platform for it to be evualted and the list will reguarly get updated!
Our Top Picks
1. Yellow Jacket Coffee Roaster
Yellow Jacket Coffee Roaster
Yellow Jacket Coffee Roasters secures the top spot and not without good reason!
They are a standout specialty coffee roaster in Cape Town, voted Roastery of the Year in 2024. With over a decade of experience, they're committed to sourcing exceptional beans from around the world and roasting them to perfection — a philosophy reflected in their award-winning packaging design (CMA Best Packaging, 2023).
Their impressive selection features single-origin beans from Ethiopia, El Salvador, Brazil, Rwanda, and Burundi, each roasted to highlight unique flavor profiles. Beyond retail, they build community through cupping sessions and brewing workshops with champion baristas.
They are located a little outside the main city center, but don't let that put you off from adding this vibrant roastery to your coffee trip!
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
Espresso
V60
Aeropress
Matcha
Cold BrewRoasters on Bar
Yellow Jacket Coffee Roaster
2. Origin Coffee Roasting
Origin Coffee Roasting
Origin Coffee Roasting is the "Godfather of Specialty Coffee in South Africa" and among the first artisan roasters in the country. They focus on sourcing exceptional beans from around the world and roasting them to highlight each coffee's unique potential.
Their diverse selection includes single-origin coffees from Kenya, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Uganda, Costa Rica, and Mexico, alongside seasonal blends. They also offer teas and brewing equipment.
They operate from a café in De Waterkant, Cape Town, where they host cupping sessions and brewing experiences. They've partnered with the African School of Coffee to provide barista training and education, making them a reptuable name in the world of speciality coffee in the city.
Honestly, this place is amazing. If you're in the city centre area, you need to add Origin high on your list and enjoy the friendly experience and great brunch menu. A real favourite of mine!
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
V60Aeropress
SiphonCold BrewChemex
French PressTurkishEspressoRoasters on Bar
Origin Coffee Roasters
3. Rosetta Roastery Cafe (Bree Street)
Rosetta Roastery Cafe (Bree Street)
For something a little more 'refined', Rosetta Roastery is a Cape Town-based specialty coffee roaster recognized as one of the world's best independent coffeeshops by the Financial Times. They won South African Coffee Roastery of the Year in 2018 and 2019.
Their philosophy centers on sourcing exceptional single-origin coffees from around the world, rigorously testing over 150 coffees annually to select only the finest. They offer two distinct roast profiles—Classic and Progressive—each designed to highlight the unique characteristics of their coffees. They also offer convenient drip sachets for easy brewing.
Rosetta operates multiple café locations where you can experience their coffees prepared by their team. They're committed to making specialty coffee accessible and stress-free, with coffees designed to be simple to brew at home. Their small-batch roasting ensures peak freshness, and they continuously refine their roasts based on feedback from customers and their own rigorous cupping sessions.
The vibe is clean and professional and clearly a customer favourite as you can find it always buzzing with a good vibe. Rosetta is a place that, once again, reminds you of exceptional coffee quality that the city has to offer.
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
EspressoV60Batch BrewKyotoRoasters on Bar
Rosetta Roastery
4. Truth Coffee Roasting
Truth Coffee Roasting
No list of Cape Town coffee bars would EVER be complete without mention of the legendary Truth Coffee.
Truth Coffee Roasting is Cape Town's iconic steampunk coffee roastery, co-founded by Andrzej Janik and David Donde, pioneers of specialty coffee in the city. The café has been recognized as the best in the world multiple times and is known for its distinctive Victorian steampunk aesthetic, featuring a vintage cast-iron Probat roaster adorned with copper dispensers, gauges, and mechanical contraptions that serve as a functional kinetic sculpture.
Their philosophy centers on mastering bold, full-flavored blends crafted to deliver world-class coffee without bitterness. They offer diverse options ranging from dark and intense to smooth and balanced, including signature blends like Resurrection Blend and Deep, Dark & Twisted, alongside single-origin coffees and decaf options. They also provide coffee capsules for convenience.
Beyond their roastery, they operate Truth Café and partner with the African School of Coffee to provide barista training and education, again making them a repuatable name in South African coffee excellence.
While being so globally recognized, you do lose a bit of the 'speciality' charm that other small independent coffee bars might offer. But you will be guaranteed an experience like no other in the city, and it remains a must-visit no matter.
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
EspressoCleverCold BrewBatch BrewRoasters on Bar
Truth Coffee
5. Blue Door Coffee Roasters
Blue Door Coffee Roasters
While travelling down to Simon's Town to visit the penguins, I was pleasantly surprised to discover a place like Blue Door Coffee Roasters!
Blue Door is a specialty coffee roaster located in Simons Town, housed in Harbour Bay Mall. They hand-roast specialty coffee and offer a welcoming café experience.
Their coffee selection includes house blends, single-origin options, and specialty coffees like Ethiopia Sidamo, alongside a decaf option (Colombia, sugar cane process). They offer multiple brewing methods including espresso, batch brew, and pour-over, allowing you to experience their coffee prepared in different ways.
At their café, you can enjoy a full menu of hot and cold drinks, from classic espresso-based beverages to specialty options like Vietnamese iced latte and chai lattes. They also serve toasted sandwiches on farmstyle seedloaf and a selection of cakes and bakes, including vegan and gluten-free options.
Honestly, their friendly service and good atmosphere made it an instant favourite for me and was great to see a place like them this side of the city. Definitely will keep coming back when travelling down the cape peninsula again!
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
MatchaV60EspressoCold BrewRoasters on Bar
Blue Door Roasters
6. Ollies
Ollies
Ollie's was the first coffee spot that welcomed me when I arrived back in the city, and it didn't dissapoint!
Ollie's Specialty Coffee is located at 315 Main Road in Sea Point, housed within a cycling community shop and clubhouse.
Founded by Ollie, a passionate barista with accolades for his craft, the café has quickly become a beloved community gathering place.
In 2024, Ollie's was crowned Best Coffee on the Go at the Coffee Magazine Awards. The café takes third-wave coffee seriously, offering a modern, spacious coffee bar with a contemporary aesthetic and inviting atmosphere adorned with contemporary art and cozy seating. It's laptop-friendly and serves as both a quality coffee destination and a great spot to relax.
Ollie's philosophy centers on community and connection. As Ollie himself says, his number one priority is meeting people—it's not just an exchange of coffee for money, but a place where locals come to connect, pause, and share moments of their lives. Whether you're a cyclist visiting the Pas Normal Studios clubhouse or simply seeking exceptional specialty coffee, Ollie's welcomes everyone with warmth and genuine hospitality.
So when you're in this area of the city, be sure to pop by Ollies and say hi to the man himself and enjoy the passion he has to make your coffee experience memorable and support real independent coffee shops!
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
EspressoV60Batch BrewCold BrewMatchaRoasters on Bar
Cedar Coffee Roasters
7. Simple bru Coffee Co.
Simple bru Coffee Co.
Simple Bru Coffee Co is a specialty coffee café located on Harrington Street in Cape Town's District Six, voted South Africa's Best New Café in 2022. The café is known for its commitment to excellence, focusing on simple, high-quality coffee preparation and authentic brewing techniques.
Their specialty range includes unique flavors, exquisite blends, and limited editions, alongside eco-friendly offerings like 100% compostable Nespresso-compatible coffee pods and home roast green beans for those who want to roast their own coffee.
The café features a contemporary, welcoming space with beautiful aesthetics and good natural light. It's designed as a quiet sanctuary in the busy city, offering plug points at every table for remote workers. Simple Bru also provides event catering services and wholesale partnerships for those looking to stock their beans.
This is another great example of local coffee enthuasists who wish to share their passion for quality coffee and bring a unique 'Cape Town' flavour to the coffee community.
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
EspressoV60MatchaRoasters on Bar
Simple Bru Coffee Roasters
8. Pauline's
Pauline's
Pauline's is South Africa's first stand-up coffee bar, located at 277 Main Road in Sea Point. Founded by Jon-Paul (JP) Bolus, the visionary behind the renowned Loading Bay, this establishment is a heartfelt tribute to his grandmother, Pauline, and introduces a concept beloved in cities like Rome and Melbourne to Cape Town.
The café features a minimalist interior designed by Master Studio that retains warmth through tactile surfaces made from sisal plant fibers, creating a unique sensory experience. The design uses a maximum of two or three materials throughout the space to achieve a balance between minimalism and inviting atmosphere.
Pauline's sources its meticulously curated single-origin coffees from Rosetta Roastery, one of Cape Town's most respected specialty roasters (mentioned earlier). The baristas offer three rotating single-origin varieties and can advise on combinations suited to different brew styles—whether you prefer a latte, long black, or flat white. Offerings have included coffees like Kenyan Ndaro-Ini with red-grape acidity and black tea notes, Ethiopian Beloya OCR with citrus and jasmine, and Javanese Frinsa Collective with herbal and spice elements.
I was pleasantly surpised by the experience I had at Paulines. The baristas were incredibly knowledgeable and helpful, and the accompanying breakfast menu and warm comforting environment made it a real pleasure of a visit!
Specialty Score
Specialty
Brew Methods
EspressoMatchaBatch BrewRoasters on Bar
Rosetta Roastery, Father Coffee
9. Espressolab Woodstock
Espressolab Woodstock
Espressolab Microroasters is a pioneering specialty coffee roastery established in 2009, ranked #11 on The World's 100 Best Coffee Shops for 2025. Located in the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, they take a no-frills, precision-focused approach to coffee, emphasizing quality beans and expert roasting over aesthetics.
They specialize in single-origin coffees from fully traceable farms, estates, and cooperatives worldwide, roasted in small batches to ensure maximum freshness and flavor. Their coffees showcase origins like Ethiopia, Peru, and Costa Rica, with a focus on light roasting to highlight the unique characteristics of each bean. They work closely with producers to establish sustainable and fair trade relationships.
The café is a real delight to visit with it's clean and modern all-white interior with lab-styled design. Ordering a coffee is fun and the staff is friendly and energetic.
So when you (and you should) visit the Old Biscuit Mill Market on the weekend, be sure to pop-in to this café and experience the quality coffee and vibe!
Specialty Score
Specialty
Roasters on Bar
Espressolab
10. Pang Specialty Coffee
Pang Specialty Coffee
Whenever you speak to people who know the specialty coffee scene in Cape Town, Pang is a name that will pop-up almost always.
Pang Specialty Coffee is a specialty coffee café located in the heart of Cape Town's colourful Bo-Kaap neighborhood. Born from a passion for craftsmanship and attention to detail, Pang works closely with local coffee roasters to source the finest coffee lots from world-class producers, ensuring consistency and excellence in every cup.
The café is unassuming and features a charming, nostalgic interior with vintage decor and a welcoming atmosphere that appeals to both locals and visitors. The cafe shares a space with a vintage clothing store, and together they help create a safe haven where everyone feels welcome.
Beyond serving exceptional specialty coffee, Pang offers a curated selection of branded merchandise including cycling kits, t-shirts, totes, and caps. They also provide coffee catering services for events, bringing their passion for exceptional brews to corporate gatherings and special occasions.
So while not as big or bold as many of the other places on this list, Pang is a true example of a passionate and renowned independent coffee bar in the city centre. If you want something a bit more authentic to Cape Town and wish to support local independant businesses, then don't leave Cape Town without visiting Pang and say hi!
Specialty Score
Quality
Brew Methods
EspressoDiscover More
This list represents just a sample of Cape Town's vibrant specialty coffee scene. Download FIKA to explore more cafes, see real-time ratings from the community, and create your own coffee maps.
Have a Cape Town coffee recommendation we missed? The FIKA community is always sharing new discoveries.
Written by
Simon
Part of the FIKA team, dedicated to discovering and sharing the best specialty coffee experiences from around the world.
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