Cape Town is known for its vibrant cafe culture, with quirky coffee shops popping up all over. Among these, one stands out: Truth Coffee Roasting.
You think our Blue Bottle is cool? Well just about 8,000 miles further is the real deal when it comes to coffee shop coolness! 😎 There’s a reason why Starbucks has not made its way into the South African market - Cape Town has quirky coffee shops popping up all over.
If you’re planning to spend some time living in Cape Town, or are just passing by, this guide will be perfect as it will highlight some of the best cafes in Cape Town to work from.
Best Coffee Shops In Cape Town
Cape Town is a city that is crazy about its coffee. It shouldn’t be a surprise as so much of the world’s best coffee originates in Africa making Cape town a logical place for the best roasts to be on full display.
Cape Town cafes also serve amazing brunch food. Aussie style brunch is the name of the game at most of these places so you can expect a great smashed avo or eggs benedict. Many of the cafes also come stocked with various pastries and cakes.
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Here's a closer look at what makes Truth Coffee Roasting a must-visit:
The Ambiance
First and foremost: the space. Truth Coffee has some of the coolest decor ever. The 120-seat warehouse-style café is “steampunk inspired”, with metal piping and old vintage machines for an artisanal scene.
Fitting in perfectly with the ambiance is the uber cool staff, eccentric hairstyle and hipster outfits included.
The Steampunk Truth Cafe is all centered around a magnificent bar area and a massive vintage coffee roaster, perfectly accompanied with exposed beams, pipes, and all the steampunk decor that you could possibly imagine.
The Coffee
The exceptional quality of the coffee - Owner David Donde talks about a “Truth coffee cult” and insists on focusing on quality and taste before anything else.
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Its colossal vintage coffee roaster offers five blends, each hand-roasted in vintage cast iron drums and created to satisfy all coffee needs.
Their coffee is rated as among the best if not the best in all of Cape Town and it’s a claim I can get down with. The coffee here was more full-bodied and aromatic which is what I love.
The menu has something for everyone. Ryan was a big fan of their signature D.D.T. - Deep, Dark & Twisted - which is an espresso that, shockingly, has little-to-no bite or acidity. My drink of choice? The Albumen Airship, which is a “Truth” shot blended with egg white and condensed milk.
The Food
The food is equally spectacular. Truth Coffee Roasting also has a variety of different baked goods that will pair perfectly for your coffee. The carrot cake is to die for and I’ve only heard amazing things about their cinnamon rolls and croissants.
You can’t go wrong with The Underbelly, which is slow-braised pork belly and two poached eggs on sourdough. My favorite had to have been the Brunch Burger. No matter what you choose though, you can’t go wrong.
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A Digital Nomad's Paradise
As the cafe is so big, there’s always a table for you to grab and get some work done. There is a big communal table at the front of the cafe with 15-20 seats that is perfect for digital nomads.
There are even plugs hanging from the ceiling for you to plug in your electronics which means they are screaming for remote workers to grace their cafe.
Other Cape Town Cafes to Work From
While Truth Coffee Roasting is a standout, Cape Town offers many other great cafes for digital nomads. Here are a few alternatives:
- Bootleggers (Multiple locations): Great for digital nomads looking to get work done as they offer spacious, open, and welcoming tables.
- Origins Coffee Roasting: The interior is spacious and beautiful with sleek industrial finishes.
- The Loading Bay: This spacious cafe is multi level and has seating indoor and out.
- Plato coffee: The space is also quiet which means you can really focus and get stuff done.
- Ground Art Caffe: Blessed with views of Table Mountain at the base of Signal Hill.
- Rosetta Roastery: The location is generally less busy as well which will make it more enjoyable for doing work.
- Kanela cafe: The interior is beautifully decorated with lots of personal touches.
Practical Information
Here's some useful information for your visit:
- Location: 36 Buitenkant St, Cape Town, 8000
- Neighborhood: City Center
- Noise Level: Noisy
- Hours of Operation:
- Monday: 7am-10pm
- Tuesday: 7am-10pm
- Wednesday: 7am-10pm
- Thursday: 7am-10pm
- Friday: 7am-10pm
- Saturday: 8am-10pm
- Sunday: 8am-10pm
- Parking: There is metered parking on the street near the cafe, and there are multiple public parking lots downtown.
Things to Note: Truth Coffee Roasting gets busy quickly, and both in and outdoor seating can fill up fast. I recommend getting there early!
Truth also boasts a coffee experience sessions, including Coffee Tastings, a Geek Session, and “The Full House,” which gives you a little bit of everything.
Cost of Coffee and Brunch in Cape Town (Estimates)
Cape Town is known to be a top end but affordable destination, especially when it comes to food and drinks. Here's a rough guide to what you can expect to pay:
| Item | Price (ZAR) |
|---|---|
| Espresso | R20-25 |
| Cappuccino | R35-R45 |
| Flat White | R35-R45 |
| Smoothie Bowl | R80-R120 |
| Omelet | R80-R120 |
| Pancakes or waffles | R100+ |
Note: The inflation rate is high in South Africa. Much of this is lead by a consistent devaluation of the Rand. As such, these prices here might be obsolete in a few years as the rand continues to depreciate and the prices in Rand continues to go up. These prices are all as of 2024 but large increases in Rand denominated prices is not the exception but the norm.
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