Need a caffeine fix while you’re on the hoof in town? We’ve got you covered. Here’s a list of the best coffee hatches in the Cape Town CBD, known for its world-class coffee culture and cafés.
GEORGE’S COFFEE BAR
With its sunshine-yellow exterior and perky yellow stools, George’s in Long Street must be the most inviting hatch in town. Its twin outlet in Buitenkant St, with its white-washed walls, has a Greek island feel to it.
Inspired by owner George Hadjidakis’ heritage, the Greek theme filters down from the pattern in the logo to the Greek “E” that pops up in the lettering. Smoothies and juices are named after Greek gods such as Aphrodite, while hot drinks are grouped under The Olympians – “classic and powerful” – and milkshakes are labelled The Dionysians – “wild and whipped”.
Expect the usual coffee offering here and bright banter from the barista. George’s also has plenty of specials, including a coffee and muffin combo for R45 and a coffee and sandwich combo for R60. This is one of the coffee hatches that stays open the latest, so take a break, try out those stools and enjoy a spot of people-watching. PS There is free Wi-Fi, too!
Times: 14 Long St: Monday to Friday from 06h30 to 18h30 and Saturday from 08h00 to 14h00, closed on Sunday. Buitenkant St: Monday to Friday from 06h00 to 18h00 and Saturday from 08h00 to 14h00, closed on Sunday
Location: 14 Long St and 29 Buitenkant St
Contact details: www.georgescoffeebar.co.za or 072 352 5282
FRANKIE’S
Bright pink stripes in a circular pattern attract you to this hatch in Upper Loop Street, which is part of a coffee shop, co-working and event space. Frankie’s uses high-quality imported beans from Conti Coffee Roasters to whip up all the popular styles, from a flat white to an Americano.
The takeaway hatch is the main attraction for busy office workers who want a quick fix and bite, says barista Thabo, adding that the macchiato is their bestselling takeaway. Specials include a croissant and coffee for R60. We highly recommend the choc chip cookies, and rusks – perfect for dunking in your cuppa – are also for sale.
Times: Monday to Friday from 07h00 to 15h00, closed on weekends
Location: 161 Loop St
Contact details: @frankies_asem or 021 418 7845
CEDAR
Cedar Coffee, with its signature crisp-green logo, was born in the living room of co-founder Leigh Wentzel’s family home in Cedar Road, Thornton, in 2021. Today Wentzel and co-founder Winston Thomas’s brew can be enjoyed at their inner-city hatch in the iconic Lemkus building in lower St Georges Mall. Those in the know also buy bags of beans or ground coffee online or at their main outlet and roastery in Woodstock.
At the hatch, you’ll be able to enjoy Cedar’s Milky Way house blend with its nutty, chocolate flavour. There is something for everyone, from espressos and lattes to Americanos and macchiatos. Two single-origin roasts are on offer every day and are regularly swopped out so connoisseurs can try a variety of brews from places such as Costa Rica, Colombia and Ethiopia.
They also offer pour-over (drip) coffee for those who want the flavours to be even more pronounced. If you don’t drink coffee, you can enjoy a koppie tee or Bashew’s soda, matcha or Lindt hot chocolate. Pastries and banana bread are available for those who feel a bit peckish.
Times: Monday to Friday from 08h00 to 15h00 and Saturday from 09h00 to 13h00
Location: 28 St Georges Mall
Contact details: www.cedarcoffeeroasters.com or @cedarcoffeeroasters (Instagram)
THE EXPERIENCE BAR
The only hint that this edgy, cosmopolitan hatch at the entrance of the BlackBrick Foreshore aparthotel sells coffee is the silver espresso machine perched on the windowsill. Stop here to get your Truth Coffee fix if the East City – where you’ll find the iconic Truth Café, home to the pioneers of specialty coffee in Cape Town – is too far away.
At The Experience it’s coffee plain and simple, with the cappuccino the most popular choice by far, according to barista Richy. Non-coffeeholics can buy tea, red espresso or dirty chai. If you feel like taking a load off and savouring your drink, there’s seating in the foyer with some books to peruse.
Times: Daily from 07h00 to 16h00
Location: 6 St Georges Mall
Contact details: www.blackbrickclub.com or 021 137 1712
REVOLUTION COFFEE
Nicknamed Ché Café in honour of Argentine revolutionary Ché Guevara, this coffee hatch at Revolution Cycles in Bree Street caters for cyclists who love coffee as much as their bikes. Manning the coffee machine is barista Pardon, who can serve up nine different styles of coffee using beans from Deluxe Coffeeworks.
For non-coffee drinkers, Ché Café serves teas, chai lattes, energy drinks, bottled water and cooldrinks. Healthy snacks are available, but customers are welcome to bring their lunch box along.
Times: Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 16h00 and Saturday from 09h00 to 13h00, closed on Sunday
Location: 177 Bree St
Contact details: www.revolutioncycles.co.za or 021 422 2439 / 021 423 5191
VILLA 47
A loyal group of coffee lovers buy their brew at the hatch of this popular restaurant in vibrant Bree Street. The eatery’s hatch is only open in the morning and offers coffee made with imported Italian coffee beans. Patrons can also purchase water, teas as well as sweet treats such as muffins and croissants.
Times: Monday to Friday from 07h00 to 11h00
Location: 47 Bree St
Contact details: www.villa47.co.za or 021 418 2740
IMBIZO
This striking hatch with its red accents and black tiles is one of the 10 kiosks on Long Street which are supported by the Western Cape Government to provide local entrepreneurs with a prime central location in the CBD.
The woman behind Imbizo is Xoliswa Tyeya, a chef with her own catering company, Xsite. Here you can sit at the counter and munch on a cookie, assorted muffins such as bran and blueberry, or a rusk while enjoying a cup from Imbizo Roastery, which sources its 100 % Arabica beans only from the African continent. Hazelnut, vanilla and caramel-flavoured cups of Joe are also available.
Times: Monday to Friday from 06h30 to 16h00, closed on weekends
Location: 149 Long St
Contact details: www.imbizoafricancoffee.co.za or 071 074 7655
LION & LAMB
This coffee hatch at Lion & Lamb, a wellness space for men, serves premium blended coffee both hot and iced, as well as smoothies and non-alcoholic beverages. Add a vitamin bar or high-protein overnight oats and you’re good to go! While waiting for your coffee, you can peruse a selection of exercise gear.
Times: Monday and Wednesday to Friday from 06h00 to 19h00, Tuesday and First Thursday from 06h00 to 20h00, closed on weekends
Location: 26 Bree St
Contact details: www.lionlamb.co.za or 069 6202 695
THE WHIP CLUB
Wiggle Luxury Car Hire in Bree Street recently launched this coffee shop and hatch in a section of its showroom floor. The original Whip Club was an “exclusive gentleman’s club for elite drivers of four-horse carriages”, and this horsey theme extends to a delectable array of gourmet sandwiches.
Dubbed The Magnificent Seven, the sarmies have fancy names, too. Choose from The Saucy Mare (wagyu tongue, Asian slaw, mint and apple salsa, and hot English mustard mayo), The Prancer (ham, burrata, oxheart tomato and cashew pesto) and more.
There’s a beautifully designed, slick parklet where you can sit down for a bite to eat while barista Thabiso prepares all the usual coffee styles as well as matcha.
Times: Monday to Saturday from 07h00 to 16h00, Sunday from 07h00 to 15h00
Location: 61 Bree St
Contact details: @thewhipclub_cpt
AD IDEM
Andries Coetzee might be the owner of this coffee shop and hatch, but the real boss is Raphael the French bulldog. A sucker for a bit of attention, he’s more than happy for you to scratch him behind the ears when you pop in for a takeaway coffee, freshly baked bagel, jaffle or sandwich filled with smoked chicken and jalapeño or ham and mustard.
Ad Idem means “a meeting of minds”, says Andries. The idea behind the space, tastefully decorated with hanging plant baskets and wooden panels, is to bring the community together to mingle, play boardgames and read.
Artists can also showcase their work, with a new one introduced as the resident every First Thursday. Previous artists of the month include Joel Lakey, Mauritz Heine and photographer Brandon Lakey.
Times: Monday to Saturday from 07h00 to 16h00, Sunday from 07h00 to 15h00
Location: 175 Long St
Contact details: @adidem_175 or 079 0146 985
IMAGES: Scott Arendse, Revolution Cycles
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