Best Cafés and Coffee Shops to work from in Cape Town
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Best Cafés and Coffee Shops to Work from in Cape Town

Whether you’re a freelancer, digital nomad, or someone that works remotely, you’ve undoubtedly experienced the all-too common cabin-fever set in. While working remotely certainly has a whole lot of benefits, sometimes you just need to escape your four walls for a while and switch it up. There is nothing like a change of scenery to re-focus your mind, enhance your productivity, get your creative juices flowing, and revitalize and re-energize you in the best possible way.

Here are some of the best coffee shops to work from in Cape Town whenever you need a little bit of extra motivation, inspiration, or would just like to be around some civilization.

#BOOTLEGGER COFFEE COMPANY

Photo credit: Bootlegger Coffee Company

Boasting a variety of amazing locations in and around the city, Bootlegger Coffee Company is undoubtedly one of the top coffee shops in Cape Town. Their cool, laid-back vibe, ample tables and counterspace, and free Wi-Fi are just some of the reasons why its one of the best coffee shops to work from in Cape Town. Some branches even have outside tables if you prefer to soak up some Vitamin D while getting your work done. The window seats are also a real fan-favourite!

Besides having plenty of space to work, Bootlegger Coffee Company’s wide selection of coffees, hot and cold brews, tasty treats, delicious meals and freshy baked goods (to mention just a few) will keep you powering through the day like a real boss.

**BONUS: FREE Wi-Fi | Plug points | Bag Hooks | GREAT coffee | Wide selection of snacks, meals, freshly baked goods & delicious treats

**Branches: Bootlegger Coffee Company has several branches located in the Atlantic Seaboard, City Bowl, Southern Suburbs, Northern Suburbs, Boland, and False Bay.

**NOTE: Depending on the location, there may be metered parking

#FIELD OFFICE

Photo credit: Field Office

This cool Woodstock café has established itself as quite the freelancer hotspot. Expect to see anyone from tech-savvy millennials, digital nomads, architects, designers, on-the-go corporate hustlers, and die-hard coffee enthusiasts eager to make it their office for the day. The Field Office is fresh, modern, and inviting, providing ample space and an ideal work environment for a full day of hustle, a quick pop-in, or on-the-go meetings. Plus, the free Wi-Fi is just the cherry on top! Their indulgent variety of coffees, delicious freshly baked goods, and variety of breakfast and lunch options ensures you have everything you need for a productive day ahead.

**BONUS: FREE Wi-Fi | Plug points |Great coffee & good food

  • Location: 34 Salisbury Road, Woodstock, Cape Town
  • Opening hours: Monday – Wednesday, 8am – 3pm | Thursday, 7am – 3pm | Weekends: 8am – 12pm
  • Contact details: 021 4471911

#ORIGIN COFFEE ROASTING CAFÉ

Photo credit: Origin Coffee Roasting Cafe

Referred to as the godfather of speciality coffee in South Africa, Origin was one of South Africa’s first artisan coffee roasters, and quite possibly the very first in Cape Town. Situated in a historic brickhouse and courtyard in the trendy De Waterkant district, Origin is one of the coolest coffee shops in the Mother City. Besides down-right delicious coffee, a wide selection of brews, beverages, menu items, and a cool laid-back vibe, Origin has a range of big and small tables to choose from with plenty of space to get your work done. Not to mention the requisite free Wi-Fi! Origin Coffee Roasting Café is definitely one of the best coffee shops to work from in Cape Town.

**BONUS: FREE Wi-Fi | Plug points |GREAT coffee |All Day Breakfast | Vegan-Friendly | Gluten Free Options

#SUPERETTE

Photo credit: Superette

Another one of the best cafés to work form in Cape Town is the Superette. Located in the trendy Woodstock Exchange, the Superette is a hub for local designers, artists, and start-ups. This hip inner-city café boasts tons of natural light, creating a clean, crisp, refreshing, and welcoming space to enjoy a productive workday. If you’re looking for some extra excitement, the counter by the floor-to-ceiling windows overlooks the bustling Albert Road, giving you the perfect city view to keep your hustling working vibe going. Besides its cool vibe, the Superette has tons of space, free Wi-Fi, ample plug points, great coffee and a fantastic selection of food and beverages to keep your energy levels up – And when the afternoon slump hits, perhaps a local craft beer on tap will inspire you to keep going!

**BONUS: FREE Wi-Fi | Plug points |Great coffee | Good food | Epic vibe

If you are looking for more formal working space check out our Top 10 Co-Working Spaces In Cape Town post.

#TRUTH COFFEE ROASTING CAFÉ

Photo credit: Truth Coffee Roasting Cafe

Voted the best coffee shop in the world in 2016 by The Daily Telegraph, there is no denying that TRUTH Coffee Roasting Café has taken both the global and local coffee world by storm. Besides being one of the top must-visit coffee hotspots in the Mother City, Truth is also one of the best coffee shops to work from in Cape Town. Located along the lively Buitenkant Street, Truth attracts quite the cool working crowd. Their free, speedy, and reliable Wi-Fi, variety of tables and plug points, cool laid-back atmosphere, trendy surroundings, and warm and welcoming staff makes Truth the perfect inner-city workspace. Plus, their incredible selection of beverages, menu items, and knock-your-socks-off gourmet-roasted cups of brew will undoubtedly keep you caffeinated, motivated, and at the very top of your game right throughout your workday.

**BONUS: FREE Wi-Fi | Plug points |Best Coffee In Cape Town | All Day Breakfast | Craft Beer On Tap

#CAFFÉ NEO

Photo credit: Caffe Neo

Located near the lighthouse, overlooking the Mouille Point Promenade, Caffé Neo is a real fan-favourite among café lovers. There’s no doubt that its sensational ocean views have something to do with it! Besides a beautiful setting, Caffé Neo boasts a great working space, plenty of tables, fast and reliable Wi-Fi, ample plug points, great coffee, and delicious light meals to keep you sustained throughout the day. Caffé Neo is also known for its vibrant, warm, and welcoming staff who will happily leave you to get on with your working day. Due to its popularity, it can get a bit crowded at times. Early mornings and late afternoons are relatively quiet and a great time to put in some productive work hours.

**BONUS: Wi-Fi | Plug points | Beautiful views | Great coffee | Light Meals

  • Location: 129 Beach Road, Mouille Point, Cape Town
  • Contact details: 021 433 0849 | [email protected]

#ROSETTA ROASTERY

Photo credit: Rosetta Roastery

Sourcing only the finest single origin coffees, Rosetta Roastery has been featured as one of the best coffee shops in the world. The original Rosetta located in the Woodstock Exchange is their biggest and best, however their newer store in the Waterfront’s Silo District is certainly not far behind. Their Woodstock Café boasts an incredibly unique filter brew bar, offering a choice of three single-origin coffees for espresso-based drinks, and (being adjoined to the roastery) full access to the complete range of Rosetta’s roasted coffees. Thereby providing coffee lovers an authentic and memorable experience. Besides sensational coffee, Rosetta Roastery has a great workspace with ample tables.

#OUR LOCAL

Photo credit: Our Local

If you’re looking for the ultimate freelancer escape, Our Local is pretty close to perfect! Situated inside 117 Kloof, Our Local is an all-in-one antique shop, nursery, and coffee spot. Not only is it a great place to shop for plants, furniture, and everything in between, it’s also one of the coolest cafés to work from in Cape Town.

Besides being a local fan-favourite café, this wonderfully eclectic space is a lush oasis of greenery right in the heart of Cape Town. Boasting a 10-metre-long banquet table, as well as plenty of tables, seating and couches scattered about, Our Local’s unique environment and effortlessly laidback space makes it the ideal workspace for the day. Plus, their wide selection of freshly baked goods, indulgent sweet treats, pantry items, coffees, beverages, breakfast, and lunch options (yes, they pretty much have it all) are guaranteed to keep you sustained right throughout the day.

#GROUND ART CAFFÉ

Photo credit: Ground Art Caffe

Situated in the trendy De Waterkant District of the vibrant inner-city, Ground Art Caffé offers locals and travellers the perfect café escape from the hustle and bustle. Besides being one of the coolest cafés in the Mother City, Ground Art Caffé’s beautifully laid-out space, all-day natural light, and ample tables and seating, makes it one of the best cafés to work form in Cape Town. The stunning view of Table Mountain and a wall dedicated entirely to the art they exhibit, will undoubtedly provide you with some extra inspiration and motivation. Ground Art Caffé is also known for their indulgent selection of coffees and brews as well as delicious menu items to keep you powering through.

#MANTRA CAFÉ CAMPS BAY

Photo credit: Mantra Cafe

The Mantra Café is one of the most sought-after beachfront restaurants, cafés, and bars in Cape Town. Located in the beautiful Camps bay, the Mantra Café gives customers the opportunity to enjoy a delicious bite to eat, freshly baked goods, a cup of coffee, or a refreshing beverage or cocktail, accompanied by a stunning view of the Camps Bay beachfront, and Lion’s Head. What more could you ask for? The laid-back seaside atmosphere, stunning oceanfront views, beautifully laid-out space and plenty of tables and seating options definitely makes the famous Mantra Café in Camps Bay one of the best cafés to work from in Cape Town.

  • Location: 43 Victoria Road, Camps Bay, Cape Town
  • Contact details: 021 437 0005 | [email protected] 

#JASON BAKERY

Photo credit: Jason Bakery

Located in the heart of Cape Town’s city centre, Jason Bakery is a fan-favourite coffee shop for avid coffee lovers as well as those looking for a laid-back space to call their office for the day. Jason Bakery is known for their killer gourmet coffees, speciality pastries (their croissants and bagels are real crowd pleasers) and delicious breakfast dishes.

Their extensive and exciting selection of coffees and beverages, indulgent and varied menu, top inner-city locations (yes, they have two epic locations in Green Point and the Oranjezicht City Farm Market), laid-back everyone-is-welcome vibe and cool laid-out space makes Jason Bakery one of the best cafés and coffee shops to work form in Cape Town.

  • Location: Green Point: 83 Main Road, Green Point, Cape Town | Oranjezicht City Farm Market:: Haul Road, Granger Bay Blvd, Victoria & Alfred Waterfront, Cape Town
  • Contact details: Green Point: 021 433 0538 | [email protected] | www.jasonbakery.co.za | Oranjezicht City Farm Market: 021 433 0538 | [email protected]
  • Operating hours: Green Point: Tuesday – Saturday, 7am – 3pm | Sunday, 8am – 2pm | Public holidays, 8am – 2pm | Oranjezicht City Farm Market: Wednesday, 5pm – 9pm | Saturday, 8:15am – 2pm | Sunday, 9am – 2pm

#YOURS TRULY

Photo credit: Yours Truly

An urban oasis right in the heart of the Mother City, Yours Truly is a unique and refreshing escape from the constant hustle and hype of the Cape Town city life. This beautiful, bold, and bohemian café by day and beer garden by night, offers locals and travellers the best of both worlds. Besides its laid-back café vibe, it’s captivating interiors has made it one of the trendiest cafés and hangout spots in the Mother. Fully immersed in greenery, decked out with wooden accents, thin black lines, low-hanging lights, and tons of tables and seating scattered about, Yours Truly is not only one of the hippest inner-city spots to enjoy a grand ol’ time but definitely one of the coolest cafés to work from in Cape Town.

Yours Truly boasts an amazing variety of coffees. cold and hot brews, and a delicious food menu bursting with choice and flavour. But let’s not forget their wide selection of on-tap beers, wine, gin, and spirits that will definitely be a well-deserved and welcomed treat after your workday is complete. Oh, and did we mention Yours Truly has two amazing inner-city locations – Kloof Street, and Loop Street – So feel free to take your pick! Trust us, neither of them will disappoint!

  • Location: Kloof Street: 73 Kloof Street, Gardens, Cape Town | Loop Street: 63 Loop Street, CBD, Cape Town
  • Contact details: Kloof Street: 021 426 2587 |  [email protected] | Loop Street: 081 504 0064
  • Operating hours: Kloof Street: Monday – Sunday, 6am to 12pm | Kloof Street Yours Truly Rooftop Bar – Up Yours: Monday – Sunday, 3pm – 10pm | Loop Street: Monday & Tuesday, 6am – 4pm; 6am to 9pm | Wednesday – Friday, 6am – 2am | Saturday, 8am – 2am | Sunday: Closed

#KAMILI COFFEE SHOP

Photo credit: Kamili Coffee

Kamili Coffee Shop is known for its vibrant and welcoming atmosphere and incredible selection of coffees. With two amazing locations in Cape Town’s city centre, Long Street and Shortmarket Street, Kamili is the perfect inner-city escape to call your office for the day. Their top-quality range of coffees are full of flavour and caters to both coffee connoisseurs and those just needing a steamy cup for a pick-me-up. Besides being at the top of their coffee game, Kamili has a variety of freshly baked goods, indulgent sweet treats and appetising snacks and meals to choose from. The hip and relaxing vibe of Kamili undoubtedly creates the ideal laid-back workspace for a productive and enjoyable day ahead.

  • Location: 29 Shortmarket Street & Long Street, Cape Town City Centre, Cape Town
  • Contact details: 067 375 8746 | 021 492 5977 | [email protected] | www.kamilicoffee.co.za
  • Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 7am – 6pm | Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays, 8am – 6pm

#HAZZ COFFEE COMPANY

Photo credit: hazz Coffee

Häzz is a professional roaster with flagship cafés in Stellenbosch, Newlands, and Plettenberg Bay. The vibe is what truly sets häzz apart from other coffee shops in Cape Town. Add free Wi-Fi, a crew of friendly staff, a beautiful and laid-back space, and an amazing selection of coffees and small eats and treats to choose from and you’ve got yourself a winning combination! Both the häzz Stellenbosch and Newlands branch is the perfect place to catch up on emails, work on a project, study, or meet up for a coffee with friends, training partners or colleagues – Undoubtedly making häzz one of the best coffee shops to work from in Cape Town.

  • Location: häzz Stellenbosch: 32 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch | häzz Newlands: 7 Kildare Centre, Cnr of Kildare & Main Street, Newlands, Cape Town
  • Contact details: häzz Stellenbosch: 021 882 9976 | [email protected] | häzz Newlands: 021 671 2587 | [email protected] | www.hazz.co.za
  • Operating hours: häzz Stellenbosch: Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm ; Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 8am – 1pm | häzz Newlands: Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm ; Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: 8am – 1pm

#IMPORTERS COFFEE

Photo credit: Importers Coffee

A real local fan-favourite, Importers Coffee is a quaint little coffee shop situated in the heart of Newlands. Besides being one of the best coffee shops to work from in Cape Town, Importers Coffee is known for its sensational selection of coffees. Importers Coffee Merchants is the oldest coffee brand in the Western Cape. The company imports top quality coffees from the world’s leading equatorial coffee grown regions. These coffees are then hand roasted on an old traditional Probat drum roaster. Every coffee is different and needs to be treated independently when roasting. The single origins are micro-roasted to the coffee’s full potential by their passionate, highly skilled Roast Master. It’s safe to say that coffee lovers are in for a real treat when visiting this Newlands coffee shop gem.

In addition to their unique and varied selection of brews, Importers Coffee also boasts a range of indulgent food offerings, freshly baked goods, and delicious health juices and smoothies. Their stunning interiors, lush surrounding greenery, relaxing atmosphere and ample tables and seating makes it the ideal workspace and out-of-office escape for the day.

  • Location: Importers Coffee Merchants, 28 Kildare Road, Newlands, Cape Town
  • Contact details:  021 951 1424 | [email protected] | www.importerscoffee.com
  • Opening hours: Monday – Friday, 6:45am – 3pm | Saturday, 7:15am – 3pm | Sunday, 7:15am – 2pm

#THE PELICAN

Photo credit: The Pelican

Located in the charming fishing village of Hout Bay, The Pelican is a relaxed, warm, and welcoming restaurant/creperie with an emphasis on excellent coffee, exceptional food, great service, and a super chilled vibe. This winning combination not only makes The Pelican the ideal spot to grab a coffee and something delicious to eat with friends, but one of the best coffee shops to work from in Cape Town too.  Plus, it’s a great way to escape the crowds and constant hustle and bustle of the inner-city.

  • Location: 37 Victoria Avenue, Hout Bay, Cape Town
  • Operating hours: Monday & Tuesday, 7:30am – 5pm | Wednesday – Friday, 7:30am – 8pm | Saturday, 8am – 8pm | Sunday, 8am – 4pm
  • Contact details: 021 790 8132 | www.thepelican.co.za