Coffee Journal City Guide
Best Specialty Coffee Roasters in Cape Town (2026)
From Woodstock warehouses to De Waterkant heritage — the definitive Mother City coffee map.
Cape Town is the beating heart of South African specialty coffee. From Woodstock's converted warehouses to the oak-lined streets of Stellenbosch, the Mother City hosts more specialty roasters per square kilometre than any other city in the country.
This guide covers every Cape Town roaster in Coffee Journal's directory — each one scored on roast-date transparency, origin detail, SCA scores, and sustainability. Whether you're after a competition-winning single origin or a bulletproof espresso blend for your morning flat white, start here.
22 Cape Town Roasters Featured
Alchemy Coffee Roasters
Cape Town, Western Cape
Specialty micro-roastery founded in Welgemoed in 2016 by Conrad, now roasting at Blaauwklippen Wine Estate in Stellenbosch to meet growing demand. The original café at 22 Bakker Street, Welgemoed Plaza, remains a cozy community hub. Sources single origins from Brazil, Rwanda, Colombia, and Burundi. Known for a "from the farm" philosophy and direct relationships with producers. Honourable mention on Caffenu's 2026 Cape Town list.
Bootlegger Coffee Company
Cape Town, Western Cape
One of SA's biggest café franchises — 120+ stores roasting in-house from their Ndabeni Coffee Depot. Voted Best Coffee at the Kfm Best of the Cape Awards two years running. In-house roastery produces 350–400 tons annually from Central African and South American origins.
Cape Coffee Beans
Cape Town, Western Cape
South Africa's specialty coffee marketplace — an online and Claremont-based retailer stocking beans from Cedar, Origin, Tribe, Rosetta, Truth and 10+ more roasters, plus grinders and gear from La Marzocco, Baratza and Fellow. Free shipping over R650.
Cedar Coffee Roasters
Cape Town, Western Cape
Cape Town specialty roaster founded by SA Barista Champion Winston Thomas and Leigh Wentzel (2021). Based in Woodstock with the Cedar Hatch café. Making specialty coffee accessible without compromising quality.
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."
Espresso Lab Microroasters
Cape Town, Western Cape
Part of a global family with 400+ retail stores worldwide, Espresso Lab runs two Cape Town locations: the flagship roastery and café at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock (a clinical, white-tiled "laboratory" space), and a dedicated bakery and café in De Waterkant. Scandinavian and Portuguese ownership drives a meticulous sourcing ethos — beans from Ethiopia, Costa Rica, and beyond, roasted to highlight specific origin characteristics. Known for espresso flights, filter-based drinks, and coffee cocktails. Ranked #2 on Caffenu's 2026 Top 10 Cafés in Cape Town.
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.
Hey Stranger Coffee Collective
Cape Town, Western Cape
Specialty café at 172 Long Street, Cape Town CBD, founded by Thomas and Natalia Marincowitz. Marble counters, rustic wooden tables, and greenery create a minimalist space where "you enter as a stranger and leave as a friend." Serves Father Coffee exclusively — about 52 single-origin rotations per year. Baristas Wezo and Neyasha bring 10+ years of competition experience. Known for the Heirloom Blend cortado, cinnamon buns, and toasted banana bread. Ranked #9 on Caffenu's 2026 Top 10.
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
Pioneering Cape Town specialty roaster since 2005, based in De Waterkant. Focuses on seasonal single-origin coffees and rotating espresso blends sourced from top African and global farms.
Pauline's
Cape Town, Western Cape
South Africa's first stand-up coffee bar, founded by Jon-Paul (JP) Bolus of Loading Bay fame. Located at 277 Main Road in Sea Point's Artem Centre. Minimal seating by design — inspired by Rome and Melbourne coffee cultures. Serves Rosetta Roastery single origins on rotation (Kenyan Ndaro-ini, Ethiopian Beloya, Javanese Frinsa Collective). Also known for house sourdough and bakery-led brunch. Additional branches in Green Point and Gardens. Connected to ethical grocer SANS. Ranked #10 on Caffenu's 2026 Top 10.
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.
Simple Bru Coffee Co.
Cape Town, Western Cape
Specialty roastery and café with "The Roastery" at 11 Marine Circle, Bloubergstrand, plus a second location in Harrington (winner of Best New Cafe 2022). Known for exceptional pourovers, unique blends, and friendly community vibes. Also offers wholesale, subscriptions, and Nespresso-compatible eco-friendly pods. The Blouberg spot sits near the beach with Table Mountain views — one of the most scenic coffee spots in the city. Ranked #7 on Caffenu's 2026 Top 10.
The 777 Coffee Roastery
Cape Town, Western Cape
Aviation-themed café and roastery at 66 Keerom Street in the Cape Town CBD, owned by pilot Abu Saqr. The dark, moody interior is lit by statement ring lighting, giving it a distinctive nightclub-meets-coffee vibe. Full-bodied specialty blends and sandwiches. Open daily 06:00–21:30 — one of the longest operating hours in Cape Town specialty. Steps from The Company Gardens. Honourable mention on Caffenu's 2026 Cape Town list.
Treat Coffee Roasters
Cape Town, Western Cape
Cape Town-based specialty roaster with their flagship café at 4 Liddle Street, De Waterkant. Sources SCA-rated 82+ Specialty Grade Arabica from top farms worldwide. Flagship Cafe Blend is a Brazil-Colombia medium-plus espresso with milk chocolate, nuts, and natural sweetness. Single origins from Ethiopia, Colombia, Nicaragua, El Salvador, and Brazil rotate regularly. "Treat Anywhere" freeze-dried line for portability. Also has locations in Durbanville, Canal Walk, Vierlanden, and Eversdal. Ranked #8 on Caffenu's 2026 Top 10.
Tribe Coffee
Cape Town, Western Cape
Founded in 2011 by Jake Easton, Kate Nero, and Bradley Juter at the Woodstock Foundry, roasting on a 1950s 25kg Probat named "Bertha." Sources from Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mexico, and beyond. In 2023, merged wholesale ops with Origin and Truth Coffee — sharing roots from Origin's 2005 project. "Your Vibe attracts your Tribe."
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
Woolworths' in-store café brand, serving 100% Arabica from Kilimanjaro volcanic soils, Guatemala Antigua and beyond. Known for sustainability — Hempcrete builds, alien-timber furniture, local artisan décor. Also stocks retail ground coffee and an organic decaf range.
Yellow Jacket Coffee
Cape Town, Western Cape
Award-winning Kenilworth roastery — 2024 CMA Roastery of the Year and 2025 SA Aeropress Champion. Specialises in experimental processing methods and rare micro-lots from a Q-grader head roaster.
Cape Town Coffee by Neighbourhood
Woodstock
- Cedar Coffee Roasters
- Tribe Coffee
- Rosetta Roastery
- Truth Coffee
De Waterkant
- Origin Coffee Roasting
Kenilworth
- Yellow Jacket Coffee
City Bowl
- Deluxe Coffeeworks
- Bootlegger Coffee Company
Stellenbosch
- Hazz Coffee
- Legado Coffee Roasters
Franschhoek
- Terbodore Coffee Roasters
Frequently Asked Questions
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