Best Specialty Coffee Roasters in Cape Town (2026)

Bootlegger Coffee Company

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape Coffee Beans

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cedar Coffee Roasters

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape Town specialty roaster founded in 2021 by Winston Thomas (3× SA Barista Champion, Africa Barista Champion 2019) and Leigh Wentzel (ex-Rosetta). Named Best New Roastery at Coffee Magazine Awards 2022. Two locations: Woodstock roastery (48 Albert Road) and Cedar Hatch at Lemkus (St Georges Mall, CBD). Known for the Milky Way blend — a 'bridging coffee' designed to transition drinkers from commercial to specialty. 360° wholesale partner support including bar design, financing, and on-site training.

Deluxe Coffeeworks

Cape Town, Western Cape

Founded in 2009 by Carl Wessel and Judd Nicolay from a backyard roaster, now one of Cape Town's most recognised coffee brands. Rock 'n roll-spirited roastery with multiple cafés across Cape Town, Stellenbosch, and even Windhoek, Namibia. Supplies 400+ wholesale clients. "You're only as good as your last cup."

Hazz Coffee

Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Professional roastery and espresso bar brand est. 2009, known as "Coffee for Heroes." Gold medal winner at the 2012 International Coffee Tasting Competition. Flagship locations in Stellenbosch and Newlands featuring La Marzocco machines. Pure Arabica blend sourced from Africa, Asia, and the Americas — designed to shine across all brew methods.

Legado Coffee Roasters

Stellenbosch, Western Cape

Named after the Portuguese word for "legacy," Legado was established in 2010 after a decade of planning by a group of friends. Based at The Woodmill in Stellenbosch, they roast on one of the first Diedrich roasters in South Africa. Lighter, well-developed profiles that honour the natural character of each bean.

Origin Coffee Roasting

Cape Town, Western Cape

One of South Africa's original specialty roasters. Founded late 2005 by Joel Singer (Montreal) in De Waterkant, Cape Town. 28 Hudson Street flagship roastery-café. Five SA Barista Champions trained under one roof — Willem Pienaar, Jose Vilande, Wayne Oberholzer, Lovejoy Chirambasukwa, and more. The Origin Barista Academy trained 3,500 baristas before handing the baton to the African School of Coffee. In 2023, the wholesale sides of Origin (2005), Truth (2009), and Tribe (2010) merged — three of SA specialty's most influential roasters now share green-buying and supply-chain depth. Key coffee: Lalesa Black Honey from Gedeb, Ethiopia (guava, dark chocolate, pineapple, jasmine tea) — 900 smallholder farmers at the Lalesa washing station run by Ephtah. The Origin alumni network includes Cedar's Winston Thomas and Tribe's Jake Easton.

Portland Project

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape Town specialty coffee consultancy founded by former SA Barista Champion Wayne Oberholzer and Sheldon Haycock. Inspired by the craft culture of Portland, Oregon — bringing innovation, taste, and boundary-pushing design to SA coffee. Provides equipment, beans, and solutions for cafés, hotels, and roasteries.

Quaffee

Cape Town, Western Cape

Founded in 2006 by Warren at Buitenverwachting Wine Farm in Constantia — the name blends "quality" and "coffee" with the joy of quaffing. Known for their iconic Frog Quaffer logo (inspired by Warren's daughter). Head roaster Mzukisi trained with Stephen Diedrich in the USA. Direct sourcing, sustainability, and coffee education at its core.

Rosetta Roastery

Cape Town, Western Cape

Multi-award-winning Cape Town roastery co-founded by Jono Le Feuvre and Robert Cowles — voted Best Roastery in South Africa three times. Featured by the Financial Times as one of the world's best specialty coffee shops. Tests over 150 coffees annually, selecting only exceptional transparently-traded lots. Cafés on Bree Street, Silo District, Claremont, and Gardens.

Seam Coffee

Cape Town, Western Cape

Considered Coffee® — an ethical Cape Town roastery emphasising direct trade, sustainability, and community through The Barista Project training initiative. SCA-accredited courses available.

Terbodore Coffee Roasters

Franschhoek, Western Cape

Tribe Coffee

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape Town institution founded by Jake Easton on 10 October 2010 with R40 in cash, 25kg of espresso blend, and two months' rent. "Your Vibe Attracts Your Tribe." Now 15+ years in, with a flagship café at the Woodstock Foundry (160 Albert Road), a partnership with Food Lover's Market, and the 2023 merger with Origin and Truth Coffee on the wholesale side. Six blends: Espresso (up to 9 coffees fused), Malawi Gold, Guatemala Chocolate Block, Sunday Morning (conceived at Empire Café, Muizenberg), Lovers Blend (a love letter folded into a coffee), and Decaf ("with main character energy"). Tribe × Ash Ceramics handmade tumblers. Jake was an Origin consultant in 2009 — the Origin alumni thread closes here. Roaster: Bertha.

Truth Coffee

Cape Town, Western Cape

Cape Town's legendary steampunk-themed roastery, consistently voted among the world's best coffee shops. Known for their bold, meticulously crafted blends and single origins.

Woolworths WCafe

Cape Town, Western Cape

Yellow Jacket Coffee

Cape Town, Western Cape

The most decorated young roastery in SA right now. Kenilworth, Cape Town. Founded by Shewaan Khan — a Certified Q Grader and the only Q Processing Professional in South Africa at time of writing. Awards: CMA Best Packaging 2023, CMA Roastery of the Year 2024, CMA Excellence in Coffee 2025, plus team members Joshua Machelm (Barista of the Year shortlist) and James Odendaal also nominated. Competition-grade single origins in colour-coded spec cards: Pink Bourbon (Colombia, Double Anaerobic Thermal Shock Washed), Caxambu (Brazil, Natural), Nyabirongo (Uganda, Anaerobic Natural), Bishan Wate (Ethiopia Faysel Abdosh, Natural). The Gesha Series in 80g tins — pour-over only. Yellow La Marzocco, Kakashi Hatake figurine, anime-loving, award-stacking.