Coffee Journal

Coffee Journal City Guide

Best Specialty Coffee Roasters in Johannesburg (2026)

Braamfontein pioneers, Sandton micro-roasters, and Africa's fair-trade originals.

Johannesburg's specialty coffee scene has grown fast. From Braamfontein's original pioneers to Sandton's new-wave micro-roasters, the City of Gold now offers world-class coffee at every price point.

This guide covers every Joburg roaster in Coffee Journal's directory — each one scored on roast-date transparency, origin detail, SCA scores, and sustainability. We update this page as new roasters join.

4 Johannesburg Roasters Featured

Bean There Coffee Company — Johannesburg specialty coffee roaster

Bean There Coffee Company

Johannesburg, Gauteng

South Africa's first Fairtrade Certified roaster (est. 2005). Champions Direct Fair Trade with African farmers across Ethiopia, Tanzania, Kenya, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and Uganda.

Website
Father Coffee — Johannesburg specialty coffee roaster

Father Coffee

Johannesburg, Gauteng

Johannesburg's leading specialty roastery since 2013, releasing 50–60 distinct coffees annually. All single-estate and microlot releases score 85+ SCA. Cafés in Kramerville and Rosebank.

Website
Motherland Coffee Company — Johannesburg specialty coffee roaster

Motherland Coffee Company

Johannesburg, Gauteng

YAAWK Coffee — Johannesburg specialty coffee roaster

YAAWK Coffee

Johannesburg, Gauteng

Wendywood, Johannesburg specialty roaster founded in 2023 by Sandro Torrente & Henry Torr — South African Olympic-level rowers who learned to roast off YouTube tutorials and Giesen forums. Slogan: "Seek the Best." Three blends named for rowing states: Timeless (the all-rounder, R139/250g), Steady State (the endurance cup, R129/250g), Flow State (the performance cup, R135/250g). Single origins include Dark Peak Yirgacheffe and Brazil Sweet. Nespresso-compatible compostable pods. Wholesale portal at taste.yaawkcoffee.co.za. The most honest founder admission in SA specialty — "I didn't have any roasting experience, just YouTube and Giesen forums." 84 Western Service Road, Wendywood.

Full Profile Read Spotlight Website

Johannesburg Coffee by Neighbourhood

Braamfontein / CBD

  • Father Coffee
  • Bean There Coffee Company

Sandton / Wendywood

  • YAAWK Coffee
  • Motherland Coffee Company

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Johannesburg roaster is best for espresso?
Father Coffee's Joburg blend is a favourite among local baristas. YAAWK's Stroke Rate blend offers a sports-science approach — dialled in by Olympic-level rowers turned roasters. Both score well on Coffee Journal's trust criteria.
Where can I buy freshly roasted beans in Johannesburg?
Father Coffee has multiple Joburg locations. YAAWK operates from Wendywood in Sandton. Motherland has flagship cafés across the city. Bean There trades from their Braamfontein roastery. All offer online ordering too.
Are there any fair trade or direct trade roasters in Joburg?
Bean There Coffee Company is one of South Africa's original fair trade pioneers, sourcing directly from smallholder farmers across Africa since 2005.
Which Johannesburg roasters ship nationwide?
YAAWK, Father Coffee, and Bean There all ship nationally. Check Coffee Journal's supplier directory for direct links and trust scores.

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