South Africa is well known for its great coffee culture, and you’ll find some great coffee shops here. Afrikaners refer to coffee as a ‘lekker boere troos’. Pretoria has many great coffee spots and I’ve asked my followers on Instagram to share with me their favourite spots. So I’ve tried and tested (which might have led to a few sleepless nights) and here is the list.
Café Estreito
Café Estreito has two stores located in Pretoria, and more in Gauteng. One is located in Lynnwood and the other is in Faerie Glen.
We’ve visited their café in Faerie Glen, located at the Atterbury Lifestyle Centre. They got their inspiration from a Madeira café and provide takeaway coffee, or you can take a seat and grab something to eat as well. They have some great Portuguese-inspired food and beautiful aesthetics.
Take a seat inside or go sit outside overlooking the streets of Faerie Glen.
Location: Faerie Glen
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 6:30 am to 5 pm
- Sunday: 8 am to 4 pm
Instagram: @cafeestreito
Plato
In the last few months, I’ve seen this coffee shop pop up at more than one location. They’ve become so popular amongst the locals and have also expanded to Sandton.
There are three of these café close to where I live and so I’ve decided to pop by their shop in Garsfontein. The simplicity of their shop design is what stood out for me the most. They have the cutest courtyard at the back where you can sit and enjoy some coffee and company.
This particular shop has only been open for three months and they are already attracting so many people.
With small trees planted in the courtyard to create a hedge, I cannot wait to see them grow and create this green oasis.
What stood out for me the most was the friendly service. So you won’t just leave with a good cup of coffee, but also with a smile on your face.
Location: Garsfontein
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6 am to 6 pm
- Saturday: 5:30 am to 6 pm
- Sunday: 7 am to 6 pm
Instagram: @plato.coffee
Sorcery Coffee
Almost every single person on my Instagram suggested Sorcery to me. It has been popping up on my Instagram as well and I’ve been wanting to visit it for some time now. So this was the perfect excuse.
And once you get there, you’ll understand what the hype is all about.
The view is perfect! You can either grab a coffee to go or take a seat at the many spots available. The most popular one is the window seat that overlooks the greenery in the distance.
They also have some great snacks to enjoy with your coffee – either some pastries or maybe a slice of cake.
Location: Wapadrand
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 am to 6 pm
- Saturday to Sunday: 9 am to 5 pm
Instagram: @sorcerycoffee
Culture Coffee
Culture Coffee started in a container and has recently (April 2022) moved into a shop located in Moreleta Park.
They have a nice variety of drinks to choose from and you can either have a takeaway or grab a seat inside or outside. There’s a cozy couch area with frames showing the journey of Culture Coffee, which gives a more personal feel.
You can also grab something to eat whilst you are there, from quiches to delicious cookies.
Location: Moreleta Park
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 am to 4 pm
- Saturday to Sunday: 8 am to 1 pm
Instagram: @culture_coffee.sa
Motherland Coffee
I enjoyed my cup of coffee at Motherland Coffee. This spacious restaurant allows you to either sit down while enjoying your coffee or you can grab it to go.
In the corner, there is this great initiative where you can buy your friend a cup of coffee, pin it to the board and then they can go and collect it within 30 days! I think this is a great birthday gift idea.
They believe in fair trading by creating better trading conditions for producers and workers.
Motherland Coffee has many shops all over South Africa, and we decided to visit the one in Groenkloof.
They also have a small menu to choose something to eat from.
Location: Groenkloof
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6 am to 5:30 pm
- Saturday to Sunday: 6:30 am to 3 pm
Instagram: @motherlandcoffee
Aroma
Also a very popular coffee shop with more than one location. The most famous one has to be the one located at Hazelwood Village. When we arrived they were really busy, but the barista was friendly as he assisted us and answered all the questions I had.
They don’t only specialize in coffee but have some great gelato as well. They also have a good food selection to choose from.
Location: Hazelwood
Operating hours:
- Monday: 7 am to 6 pm
- Tuesday to Friday: 7 am to 10 pm
- Saturday: 8 am to 10 pm
- Sunday: 8 am to 9 pm
Instagram: @aroma_gelato
Red Truck
This coffee spot is perfect if you have children. Located at a nursery, there is a play area just outside. There is a massive red truck located on the side of the road, so you cannot miss the turn-off.
The owners roast the beans in the shop itself and they have this nice rustic feel to them. The presentation also fits the vibe of the shop perfectly.
The owner even sat down with us and explained all the roasting stages.
They also sell their beans at their shop, so you can have a taste of Red Truck right at home.
Location: Derdepoort
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 8 am to 4 pm
- Saturday: 8 am to 2 pm
- Sunday: CLOSED
Instagram: @redtruckcoffeeroastery
Hooked Coffee
I love Hooked Coffee’s slogan – Get ready, get set, get hooked!
They have three coffee stands in Gauteng and their one in Garsfontein has recently opened up. This is perfect for someone looking for a grab-and-go, as there is no seating area. Even though it’s not a sit-down restaurant, they’ve still put so much effort into the aesthetics of this express shop.
They are situated in the corner of the petrol station shop and you can also buy their beans if you want to enjoy a Hooked Coffee at home.
Location: Garsfontein
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 6 am to 6 pm
- Sunday: 6 am to 3 pm
Instagram: @hookedcoffeeco
Press for Coffee
Press for Coffee is a unique small shop located in the neighborhood of Faerie Glen. Known as the ‘Hole in the Wall Street Café’ this sums up the whole idea of this coffee shop. You can either grab a coffee to go, or you can take a seat right on the curb.
You can even bring your four-legged friends. There’s a water bowl and an area where you can fasten them while you enjoy your cup of coffee.
This is especially perfect for those who want to go for a walk/run and make a coffee date out of it.
Although we haven’t bought some of the pastries they sell, I have heard that these are quite delicious, so give it a try when you are there.
Location: Faerie Glen
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 6:30 am to 6 pm
- Saturday: 7 am to 5 pm
- Sunday: 7 am to 3 pm
Instagram: @pressforcoffee
Goddess Café
Although they don’t necessarily just focus on coffee, this is one to mention. Because at which other coffee shop can you order a pink coffee?
This one is all about aesthetics, and their coffee and food are also super delicious. With everything being pink, this is the perfect place for the gram!
They have multiple of these pink cafes all over Gauteng, and you simply cannot miss it!
They are very popular and tend to get very busy, so it’s best to make a reservation.
Location: Waterkloof
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 8 am to 5 pm
- Sunday: 8 am to 3 pm
Instagram: @goddesscafesa
Bootleggers
Bootleggers is a South African brand that originates from Cape Town. During the past few years, Bootleggers has popped up a lot, but it was only since recently when they opened a Bootleggers right here in Pretoria.
Situated at the newly build Irene Link, you can enjoy their delicious classic freezo on a hot summer’s day or a flat white on a cold winter’s day.
Location: Irene
Operating hours:
- Monday to Friday: 7 am to 6 pm
- Saturday: 6:30 am to 6 pm
- Sunday: 6:30 am to 5 pm
Instagram: @bootleggerscoffee
Hemels Café
The name Hemels (heaven) speaks for itself. This clean aesthetic café has a great seating area outside under some massive trees. Place your order at the counter inside, and take a seat. The friendly staff will bring you your drinks (and cake if you are craving something sweet for the day).
There is also a massive lawn area for kids to play.
Location: Wapadrand
Operating hours:
- Monday to Saturday: 7:30 am to 4:30 pm
Instagram: @hemelscafe
I’ll update this post as often as I can to add any cute coffee spots that I can find. And if you know of any great spots, let me know in the comments!
Enjoy the coffee.
PIN IT!
