Coffee Journal · Johannesburg Guide
The best coffee roasters in Johannesburg right now are Father Coffee, Bean There Coffee Company, and YAAWK Coffee — here’s what each does best, with 250 g prices, addresses, and honest reviews.
Written by Bibi Burness · Updated July 2026
Father Coffee
From R 189 (blends) to R 1 379 (rare microlots)
Bean There Coffee Company
R 140 – R 160
YAAWK Coffee
From R 145 (blends) to R 540 (specialty lots)
Doubleshot Coffee & Tea
~R 120 – R 160 (in-store)
Motherland Coffee Company
From R 142.50
Urban Grind Roasters
R 120 – R 140
Kramerville / Rosebank
Johannesburg's top specialty roastery — 50–60 distinct coffees a year, all 85+ SCA.
Father is where Joburg's coffee scene started getting serious. They release roughly 60 coffees a year — every one single-estate, every one SCA-scored above 85. The Kramerville roastery doubles as a wine bar on evenings. Wholesale clients get 10 % off at 10 kg+. Free national shipping on orders over R 899.
The Heirloom Blend (R 189 / 250 g) is the daily driver. If you want to go deep, ask about their rotating Rare Release® microlots — some of the best coffee in the country, priced accordingly (R 259 – R 1 379). In-store, their Ethiopian pour-over is the standout; the flat white is solid but unremarkable.
250 g price
From R 189 (blends) to R 1 379 (rare microlots)
Roast style
Light to medium, Nordic-leaning
Ships nationally
Yes
Wholesale
Yes
Milpark
South Africa's first Fairtrade Certified roaster — direct trade since 2005.
Bean There's supply chain is the most transparent in the country: every bag names the farmer, the co-op, and the purchase price. They run a hands-on coffee course that's excellent for beginners (we reviewed it). Free shipping on orders over R 650. Seven African origins, each roasted to highlight provenance rather than pyrotechnics.
Their Ethiopian single origin (R 155 / 250 g) has a clean citrus finish. The Rwanda (R 150) is juicier and works beautifully as filter. For espresso, the Tanzania (R 140) is forgiving and affordable — good entry point for newcomers.
250 g price
R 140 – R 160
Roast style
Medium, origin-forward
Ships nationally
Yes
Wholesale
Yes
Wendywood, Sandton
Olympic rowers turned roasters — "small cup, big dreams."
YAAWK is co-founded by Henri Schoeman and Sandro Sobhy — former SA rowing champions who approach extraction the way they approached race splits: with data. Nominated Best New Coffee Roastery 2023 by Coffee Magazine. They supply homes, cafés, and restaurants across Gauteng, and offer on-site barista training with every wholesale account. Free shipping on orders over R 699.
The Steady State Blend (R 145 / 250 g) is a crowd-pleaser — smooth, chocolatey, zero sharp edges. If you want something brighter, try the Colombia Huila Excelso (R 172). Their Geisha lots sell out fast and justify the price if you catch one.
250 g price
From R 145 (blends) to R 540 (specialty lots)
Roast style
Medium, balanced
Ships nationally
Yes
Wholesale
Yes
Dunkeld / Wynberg
Half coffee roastery, half tea house — Joburg's most versatile café concept.
Doubleshot started in Braamfontein and built a cult following with their split personality: proper specialty coffee and a serious loose-leaf tea programme. The Dunkeld shop is quieter than the old Braam location — better for getting work done. They roast in Wynberg and source beans from Colombia, Brazil, and Guatemala. Not the cheapest, but the vibe and product quality justify a visit.
The flat white at the Dunkeld shop is consistently well-extracted. Their rotating single origins change every few weeks — ask the barista what's on the grinder. For take-home, their craft iced teas are genuinely excellent and unique in the market. Bean prices aren't publicly listed; expect to pay in the R 120 – R 160 range in-store.
250 g price
~R 120 – R 160 (in-store)
Roast style
Medium, approachable
Ships nationally
In-store only
Wholesale
No
Rosebank / Sandton / citywide
15+ Joburg locations, backup power, all-day food — the city's most accessible specialty chain.
Motherland is the chain that doesn't feel like one. Every shop stocks backup power (essential during load-shedding), serves food all day, and the coffee is genuinely good. They source fair-trade African beans and roast in-house. The Rosebank and Parktown North locations are the best for working; the Sandton spots get busy at lunch. Free delivery on online orders.
The Original Blend (from R 142.50 / 250 g) is rich and full-bodied — built for milk drinks. The Neighbourhood Blend is lighter, better for filter. Their Ethiopian Sidamo Decaf (R 146.50) is one of the better decafs you'll find locally. In-store, order the flat white; it's their strength.
250 g price
From R 142.50
Roast style
Medium-dark, body-forward
Ships nationally
Yes
Wholesale
Yes
Fairmount
Wholesale-first roastery with the most affordable specialty beans in Joburg.
Urban Grind is where you go when you want decent specialty coffee without the specialty price tag. They primarily supply restaurants, hotels, and corporates, but the Fairmount roastery is open to the public and the staff are happy to talk you through options. They also run barista training courses. Online ordering is available but the range is small — visiting in person is better.
The Urban Blend (R 120 / 250 g) is genuinely good value — chocolatey, low acidity, works well in a moka pot or espresso machine. The Ethiopian Limu (R 120) is their brightest single origin. The Guatemala SHB (R 130) sits somewhere in between.
250 g price
R 120 – R 140
Roast style
Medium, crowd-friendly
Ships nationally
In-store only
Wholesale
Yes
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