Top 5 Best Coffee Spots in Cape Town

Confessions of a Non-Coffee Drinker (Who Knows the Best Coffee in Cape Town) Here’s a confession: I don’t drink coffee.

I know, I know. Gasp! Clutch your reusable keep cup! I’ve heard it all before. But before you completely lose faith in me, let me redeem myself—I know where you should be getting your daily caffeine fix in Cape Town. Because while coffee makes me anxious (literally), I’m surrounded by caffeine devotees who worship their espresso shots like liquid gold.

So this post is for you, my beloved bean junkies. Whether you’re a one-latte-a-day person or someone who considers themselves a walking espresso machine, this is your guide to the best coffee in Cape Town.

Let’s dive into five of the top coffee spots you absolutely must add to your list—if you haven’t already.

Espressolab Microroasters

Location: The Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock
Why it’s special:
Espressolab is like the Tesla of coffee shops—sleek, science-driven, and seriously cool. They roast their beans on-site and serve coffee with the precision of a lab technician.

Espressolab doesn’t just make coffee—they curate it. Their minimalist, no-frills setup keeps the focus firmly on the bean.

What to try:

Ethiopian single-origin pour-over

Their cold brew (perfect for Cape Town summers)

Treats available:

Freshly baked croissants

Carrot cake is so moist that it could win awards

Gluten-free almond cookies

A bit of history:
Started by a group of passionate coffee geeks, Espressolab set out to make specialty coffee accessible and understandable. Today, it’s a hub for purists and adventurers alike.

Truth Coffee Roasting (Steampunk Heaven)

Location: 36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town CBD
Why it’s special:
Truth is the cathedral of Cape Town coffee culture. It’s also a full-on steampunk wonderland. Think Victorian espresso machines, brass pipes, and baristas who look like extras from a sci-fi movie.

Voted one of the best coffee shops in the world by The Telegraph. No big deal.

What to try:

The “Resurrection Blend” flat white espresso served with sparkling water (like a true connoisseur)

Treats available:

Eggs Benedict with coffee-infused hollandaise

Chocolate croissants the size of your head

Vegan brownies that could convert the staunchest carnivore

A bit of history:
Founder David Donde’s mission was simple: Make damn fine coffee. Truth opened in 2009, and quickly gained global fame. A coffee shop with attitude, history, and heart.

Labotessa Café

Location: Church Square, Cape Town CBD
Why it’s special:
This isn’t just a café—it’s elegance in espresso form. Nestled inside the boutique Labotessa Hotel, the café is small, intimate, and dripping in European charm.

If Audrey Hepburn drank coffee in Cape Town, she’d come here.

What to try:

Cappuccino with cinnamon dust

Signature house-blend Americano

Treats available:

Freshly baked apple strudel

Mini lemon tarts

Artisanal sandwiches with homemade relish

A bit of history:
Labotessa is housed in one of the oldest buildings in Cape Town (circa 1700s), and the café pays homage to timeless sophistication with every cup poured.

Deluxe Coffeeworks (Kloof Street)

Location: 25 Kloof Street, Gardens
Why it’s special:
Raw, industrial, and rebellious. Deluxe is where the cool kids get their coffee, without pretension. It’s punk rock meets pour-over.

You’ll hear great tunes, meet regulars who’ve been coming for a decade, and maybe even chat with a bearded barista about their latest single-origin obsession.

What to try:

Flat white with their signature blend

Double-shot espresso, straight up

Treats available:

Banana bread

Classic butter croissants

Chocolate chip muffins

A bit of history:
Founded in 2009 by Carl and Judd, Deluxe started roasting in a back alley and built a cult following. They now supply beans to top restaurants across the city.

The Ladder

Location: 136 Bree Street, Cape Town CBD
Why it’s special:
Part gallery, part coffee shop, all charm. The Ladder is a creative haven where art meets artisan coffee. It’s cozy, quiet, and quirky—a hidden gem among the bustling Bree Street energy.

What to try:

Red cappuccino (yes, caffeine-free for folks like me!)

Coconut milk latte

Treats available:

Vegan carrot cake

Sourdough toast with avocado and za’atar

Raw date balls

A bit of history:
Founded by a local artist, The Ladder combines a love for coffee, art, and conversation. They even host poetry readings and workshops!

Coffee: More Than a Drink

Coffee isn’t just a beverage anymore. It’s a lifestyle. A culture. An institution. You can have it a hundred different ways, depending on your mood or how dramatic your barista is feeling.

Here are a few of the most popular types of coffee you’ll find in Cape Town:

Latte: A shot of espresso with steamed milk and a bit of foam. Smooth, comforting, and often the gateway drug for new coffee drinkers.

Flat White Like a latte, but smaller and stronger. Perfect for people who want their caffeine to punch them in the face—politely.

Red Cappuccino – A South African twist! Made with rooibos tea instead of coffee. Creamy, caffeine-free, and perfect for anxious folks like me.

Frappuccino – Cold, blended, often sweet enough to qualify as dessert. Invented by Starbucks, and now available everywhere in Cape Town, from artisan shops to big chains.

Espresso – Small. Strong. Bold. You don’t sip it—you respect it.

Final Sip

Whether you’re sipping a cappuccino in a vintage armchair at Truth or enjoying a red cappuccino surrounded by art at The Ladder, coffee in Cape Town is more than a morning ritual—it’s an experience. So, do you agree with my Top 5 Best Coffee Spots in Cape Town.

Even if you, like me, are coffee-adjacent, you can still appreciate the art, passion, and buzz around this beloved bean.

And in case you need some motivation to go grab a cuppa (or just admire someone else’s), I’ll leave you with this gem:

“I orchestrate my mornings to the tune of coffee.” – Terri Guillemets