Compared to major cities in Europe, the cafe culture is something Cape Town seriously lacks. But perhaps only on the surface of things. What do you call the hordes of beautiful people who gather daily on fashionable Kloof street, religiously succumbing to that dark brown aromatic caffeine shot?
Although there is no standard way to order or drink coffee in Cape Town, it could be tall black or flat white; skinny with wings, or large Americano with panna – there is no shortage of cafes, coffee shops or coffee drinkers. It’s just a matter of knowing what you like and where to find it.
Cape Town has recently experienced a steady rise in popular American-style coffee shops similar to the Starbucks phenomenon that hit the UK not too long ago. These establishments have simplified the coffee-drinking experience into a sort of Macdonald-style walking tour, where reasonably good coffee is brewed super-quickly and sells for above-average prices. Simply decide the origin of the coffee bean, the intensity of the roast, the fat percentage of the milk, if you want a cup or a cup, ‘eat in’ or ‘take away’. Then place your order at one side of the counter, walk past the glass display with a selection of numerous pre-packaged sandwiches, cookies and rolls, and sip a scalding hot drink at the other end. Very easy.
The problem is, even though these establishments get you a ‘made-to-order’ drink, probably in less than a minute, the so-called “special” coffee that arrives at the end of the counter is almost always a complete disappointment, even the cocoa. or cinnamon make you sprinkle on yourself, it somehow contributes to the overall softness. Gone are the days of grand establishments with white tablecloths and eloquent waiters, who served aromatic coffee on elaborate china. Or are?
At the stately Mount Nelson Hotel on Orange Street, Gardens, the splendor of this bygone era is still very much alive. Here afternoon tea (or coffee for that matter) is still served in the colonial drawing room every afternoon, accompanied by a feast of sweet and savory delights prepared with beautiful attention to detail.
But if more of a humble street cafe is what you had in mind, a stroll through the city center will certainly satisfy your need. Walking in and around St. Georges Mall will bring you spacious, quaint cafes serving everything from stale filter coffee to decent espresso, so make sure you choose well. Try Crush’s truly strong and aromatic coffee, a favorite among business people who want to start the day with energy. For the health conscious, they serve excellent gourmet sandwiches as well as fragrantly spicy Chai Latte.
Just around the corner from Crush, on Church Street, near Greenmarket Square, is the charming Café African Image, where exotic coffees from across the African continent can be enjoyed in the colorful setting of pan-African arts and crafts.
On Bree Street is the quirky Birds Boutique Cafe, where South African-style “moerkoffie” (Afrikaans for ground coffee) is complemented by freshly baked biscuits, muffins and scones with such decadent combinations as dried figs and chocolate.
Long Street also has its fair share of cafes. There is the small, though bustling, Tribe Cafe with delicious coffee and delicious sandwiches. Two blocks up, Rcaffe serves up decent espresso and freshly baked sweet and savory patrias, while DeliZioso on the next corner whips up anything from cappuccino to espresso macchiato, accompanied by a delicious Italian-style buffet lunch.
On nearby trendy Kloof Street, franchises like Seattle Coffee Company and Mugg&Bean compete with one of Cape Town’s most popular coffee shops: the incredibly cool Vida e Caffe. In a way, the arrival of a designer coffee shop like Vida e Caffe is a small miracle. Because in a way, it captures the efficiency of a drive-through style store without compromising the quality of the coffee or the drinking experience. The stylish interior of the store is as aesthetically pleasing as it is practical and comfortable. But the biggest draw is undoubtedly the exceptionally flavorful and consistently good 100% Arabica coffee that they serve with such friendly passion.
Until recently, I thought the best coffee I’d ever tasted was in Melbourne, Australia. I had been told what a refined coffee culture Melbourne has and subsequently headed to a coffee shop on arrival. Without hesitation, I asked for ‘filter coffee’, hoping to sound as universal as possible. The look on the waiter’s face was a mixed expression of utter confusion and utter disgust. My fellow Aussies quickly salvaged the situation by ordering a round of “café con leche” for the table (short for “coffee with milk”), explaining that “drip coffee” is not a concept anyone is familiar with in Australia. , as Melbourne’s coffee culture is based on the strong Italian presence in the city. Shortly after my little misstep, the most beautiful drink arrived, served in a short glass on a saucer. No funny-eared cup, no grotesque glass cup: just a deliciously strong and creamy espresso, topped with lightly frothy milk, served in a glass.
Upon my return, I frantically searched the streets of Cape Town for a cafe that served lattes just like in Melbourne (or in Italy). I searched numerous trendy coffee shops, obscure Italian restaurants, and dubious canteens to no avail. Thousands of cups of coffee and endless sleepless nights later, my salvation came in the pure white bliss that is Manna Epicure. And they even go as far as the short latte glass and saucer. A coffee as good as this, in such a beautiful and modern setting (perhaps with some toasted brioche, poached pear and milk jam, as an accompaniment) turns coffee into one of the most refined earthly experiences. No wonder my coffee drinking journey always seems to end there.
But no matter what your preference or craving, from an outdated filter to a strong ‘moerkoffie’ or authentic Melbourne-style lattes, if it’s coffee you’re after, Cape Town is sure to satisfy your need.
