The Local’s Guide to Cape Town for Coffee Lovers • The Blonde Abroad

Whenever I travel, I rely on insider tips from locals to help me experience the best of the destination. Now that I’ve pounded the pavement in Cape Town for a healthy amount of time, I am officially ready to start calling myself a local.

And, with that, it’s only right that I should share with you my insider’s guide to the best cafés around town. Whether you are looking for an espresso at a high-energy trendy spot or just a quiet place to sip a latte, there are some great options all over the city.

Check out my local’s guide to Cape Town for coffee lovers.

Origin Coffee Roasting

They roast their coffee in-house and offer the widest selection of single-origin coffees in South Africa. If you’re a coffee connoisseur, you are going to love Origin Coffee Roasting.

They are easy to get to in De Waterkant. During the week, they are open from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. During the weekend, they are open from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays, and from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sundays.

Coco Safar

There’s a new coffee shop in Sea Point and it’s a must-see! Coco Safar is a gorgeous French style spot with amazing desserts from their “couture pâtisserie experience”.

If you have a Nespresso coffee machine at home, be sure to check out their Capsule Emporium. They have the world’s first home compostable coffee pods so you can have delicious, guilt-free coffee anytime.

Another perk is that they’ve got long hours. Coco Safar is open weekdays from 7 am to 8 pm and weekends from 8 am to 8 pm.

Loading Bay

At the heart of one of my favorite neighborhoods, De Waterkant, you’ll find the Loading Bay. This do-it-all space is all about ethical, eco-conscious businesses.

A café, clothing store and an Aēsop skincare shop are among the space’s business tenants. If you want to grab a bite while you’re there, check out their locally sourced menu that’s high on the healthy scale.

Bootlegger

Bootlegger has a few locations around town, so you won’t have to trek far to find one. Some of them are all-day eateries, while others specialize in breakfast and lunch.

You’ll find a good selection of grub there, and if you’re up early enough, you can check out their famous red-eye R16 coffee. It’s only available until 8:30 a.m. every morning, and it will definitely put a spring in your step!

Clark’s

Come hungry to Clark’s, an eatery that’s famous for its burgers (including yummy veggie options). It’s an all-day hangout that’s got everything from breakfast to late-night drinks.

If you’re the type that doesn’t like to dine solo at a restaurant, Clark’s will ease you in with its casual, laidback style. They’ve got bar-style seating that is perfect for hungry lone wolves.

In the heart of the city center, these guys are right around the corner from Bean There Coffee Company, which is one of my favorite spots to tuck into to get some work done midday.

Jarryds Espresso Bar + Eatery

At JARRYDS Espresso Bar + Eatery, they are dedicated to locally sourced dishes and Fair Trade coffee, which they get exclusively from Espresso Lab in The Old Biscuit Mill.

Check them out at Sea Point in Cape Town. And, keep in mind, that Jarryds, like a lot of cafés around Cape Town, have relatively short hours. We are talking Monday to Saturday, until 4 p.m.

Espresso Lab Microroasters

At one of my fave haunts in Cape Town, The Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock, you will find Espresso Lab Microroasters. You can check out their blends around town at places like JARRYDS Espresso Bar + Eatery, or you can have them delivered straight to you.

If you want to go straight to the source, the coffee scientists are there Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m.

Shift Espresso Bar

I love this place for a couple reasons. First up, Shift Espresso Bar has a dream location in De Waterkant neighborhood. Secondly, they’ve got long hours.

Sometimes, I love a pre-dinner coffee, and I can always count on Shift for that. They are open Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m., and on Sundays from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Jason Bakery

This trendy spot is famous for its mouthwatering pastries and breads. You can taste the wonders of Jason Bakery in Green Point or in the CBD.

It’s the perfect spot for breakfast or a late-morning coffee break. Just be sure to get in before 3:30 p.m. during the week, and before 2 p.m. on Saturdays.

Dapper

Start your engine in another cool De Waterkant coffeehouse! Dapper does breakfast, lunch and dinner in an ultra cool space filled with some of the world’s most amazing classic cars. Stop by before 5 p.m. during the week, and before 3 p.m. on Saturdays.

Truth Coffee Roasting

This steampunk themed café was made for snapping shots of your fancy coffee for Instagram. Best of all, the coffees at Truth Coffee Roasting are amazing.

With one sip, you’ll know just why this place has been dubbed the world’s best coffee shop. Shop their coffee online or stop by between 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sundays.

Tribe Coffee

At The Woodstock Foundry, you can get a dream in a cup at Tribe Coffee. Check out their Guatemalan Chocolate Block blend when they’re serving up java weekdays from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Saturdays from 8 a.m. to noon.

Smak Delicatessen

Using their very own Uber Coffee brand, Smak Delicatessen has a great menu that caters to vegans and vegetarians. Stop by for breakfast or lunch and, of course, try their coffee!

The General Store

At The General Store, you can get tasty takeaways, café fare and amazing coffee. Check out their fresh and healthy picks in the city center Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Read Next: The Ultimate Cape Town Travel Guide

What is your favorite place to grab a cup of coffee in Cape Town? Let me know!

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This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.

As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.

Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.

Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.

After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.

While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.

His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.

Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.

Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.

And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.

And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18584247925015178

This carousel is a pretty accurate reflection of motherhood for me. My life’s most beautiful moments intertwined with the hardest ones.

As many of you know, shortly after Oliver turned two, he was diagnosed with a brain tumor.

Pediatric oncology diagnosed him with an “inoperable” optic pathway glioma, and the only treatment option presented was 15 months of weekly chemotherapy.

Had that been the path forward, he would have only finished treatment in March of this year.

Instead, I shared his story here. Families who had walked this road before reached out — ultimately connecting me with the neurosurgeon who changed the course of Oliver’s life.

After a 12-hour craniotomy and now over a year of clear scans, there is hope that he is fully cured.

While motherhood has been the most beautiful chapter of my life, it has also been the most humbling.

His diagnosis changed the way I look at time.
At motherhood.
At what actually matters.

Spending this year abroad with Oliver is, in many ways, my way of saying yes now instead of someday.

This Mother’s Day, I’ve felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude.

Grateful for the strength I found in the hardest season of my life.

Grateful that even through fear and uncertainty, I never stopped choosing joy and adventure for him.

And most of all, grateful that after everything we’ve been through, I still get to hold his hand through all of it.

Happy Mother’s Day to every woman carrying both the beauty and the heaviness of loving someone so deeply.

And to those missing their mothers, their children, or the version of life they thought they’d have today… I’m sending so much love to you too. 🤍

Kenya looks like this too 🏝️🇰🇪
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We spent a week in Diani Beach (just an hour flight from Nairobi) staying at @almahali.villas, and it ended up being one of those trips I’ll always remember. This was a mommy + me getaway, and I genuinely didn’t expect it to be this kid-friendly—so easy, so relaxed, and just fun.

We had a private villa with a chef (game changer), got around by tuk tuk, and spent our days between the beach and some of the cutest beachfront restaurants—some even have playgrounds and kids programs on weekends (@galu_ecolodge_madafoos was a favorite).

The little moments made it: fresh coconuts from beach vendors, a dhow boat ride that led us to dolphins, Maasai warriors hand-beading the boys’ friendship bracelets, the warmest ocean I’ve ever felt, and the craziest vervet monkeys you’ll ever meet.

And the best part—getting to experience it all with my friend @tailsofamermaid, who lives in Nairobi and knows all of the best parts of Diani. She showed us all her favorite spots, and it made the trip feel so local and special!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#dianibeachkenya #diani #dianibeach #kenya #familytravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18029767580663424

Kenya looks like this too 🏝️🇰🇪
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We spent a week in Diani Beach (just an hour flight from Nairobi) staying at @almahali.villas, and it ended up being one of those trips I’ll always remember. This was a mommy + me getaway, and I genuinely didn’t expect it to be this kid-friendly—so easy, so relaxed, and just fun.

We had a private villa with a chef (game changer), got around by tuk tuk, and spent our days between the beach and some of the cutest beachfront restaurants—some even have playgrounds and kids programs on weekends (@galu_ecolodge_madafoos was a favorite).

The little moments made it: fresh coconuts from beach vendors, a dhow boat ride that led us to dolphins, Maasai warriors hand-beading the boys’ friendship bracelets, the warmest ocean I’ve ever felt, and the craziest vervet monkeys you’ll ever meet.

And the best part—getting to experience it all with my friend @tailsofamermaid, who lives in Nairobi and knows all of the best parts of Diani. She showed us all her favorite spots, and it made the trip feel so local and special!
•••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#dianibeachkenya #diani #dianibeach #kenya #familytravel

Packing smarter > Packing more ✈️

This garment duffel has been such a game changer for short trips—keeps clothes wrinkle-free, has a separate space for shoes, and still fits all the essentials.

I’ve been pairing it with the packing cubes and checked luggage from @OneQuince, and everything just works together—luxury quality, without the luxury price tag.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/6amYb

@onequince @shop.ltk #liketkit #QuincePartner
#travelessentials #packingtips #luggage

Song: I’m That Girl by Phury _ from. Melody the Superstar

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18588507736001531

Packing smarter > Packing more ✈️

This garment duffel has been such a game changer for short trips—keeps clothes wrinkle-free, has a separate space for shoes, and still fits all the essentials.

I’ve been pairing it with the packing cubes and checked luggage from @OneQuince, and everything just works together—luxury quality, without the luxury price tag.

Comment SHOP below to receive a DM with the link to this post on my LTK ⬇ https://liketk.it/6amYb

@onequince @shop.ltk #liketkit #QuincePartner
#travelessentials #packingtips #luggage

Song: I’m That Girl by Phury _ from. Melody the Superstar

Posting a February recap… in *almost* May should tell you everything you need to know about this season of life.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Between another bout of illness (life with young kids!) we filled our days with so much fun!

Celebrating my mom’s birthday in the Cape Winelands 🤍
Morning visits with the penguins
A trip to Nairobi to see close friends @tailsofamermaid

Feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
Safari days
A visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Then slowing down in Diani Beach —
villa life, beach days, and dolphin spotting on a dhow cruise.

Filling our days with adventure…
and holding onto how good this all feels. ✨
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown #nairobi #kenya #dianibeach

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18005693585857886

Posting a February recap… in *almost* May should tell you everything you need to know about this season of life.
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
Between another bout of illness (life with young kids!) we filled our days with so much fun!

Celebrating my mom’s birthday in the Cape Winelands 🤍
Morning visits with the penguins
A trip to Nairobi to see close friends @tailsofamermaid

Feeding giraffes at the Giraffe Centre
Safari days
A visit to Sheldrick Wildlife Trust

Then slowing down in Diani Beach —
villa life, beach days, and dolphin spotting on a dhow cruise.

Filling our days with adventure…
and holding onto how good this all feels. ✨
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#capetown #nairobi #kenya #dianibeach

Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

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Open post by theblondeabroad with ID 18075675671194480

Meeting rescued baby elephants at @sheldricktrust has been on my bucket list for years… and it exceeded every expectation! 🐘
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
We booked a private visit, which is $1,500 for a group of up to 10 people (2026 pricing), and fully donation-based — directly supporting the rescue and rehabilitation of orphaned elephants.

There are only two private slots per day, so this is something you need to book well in advance.

It’s absolutely a splurge, but for such an intimate, once-in-a-lifetime experience (and knowing it supports conservation) felt incredibly worth it!

If that’s not in budget, they also offer daily public visiting hours (around $20 per person), which are still really special.

NOTE: You’ll also need to pay the Nairobi National Park entrance fee for any visit.

It pairs perfectly with a safari drive in the park, since you’re already there. It’s such an easy and meaningful add-on to any Nairobi itinerary.

This is one of the most special (and ethical) wildlife experiences you can have in Kenya 🤍
••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••••
#kenyatravel #nairobikenya #africasafari #ethicaltravel #bucketlisttravel

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Anja

Why are you profiling Cape Town when they are in the midst of a terrible drought and about to run out of fresh water completely? Isn’t that rather irresponsible? The locals have no freaking water and you’re there using up a precious resource. As someone from California, where we regularly have droughts, I would expect you to be more mindful of wasting water.

I’m disappointed that you are promoting tourism to a place that can’t support tourism at the moment due to lack of fresh water and can’t handle the water needs of locals let alone tourists.

February 18, 2018 at 8:37 am · Reply

Carly | Fearless Female Travels

Did you visit any of these places? I would love to know your opinion about them, not just a list of all of the coffee shops in Cape Town!

February 18, 2018 at 8:42 am · Reply

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