Winter in Cape Town is basically an open invitation to slow down with something warm in hand. Think single-origin coffee, proper espresso, rich hot chocolate and, for the tea lovers, a few elegant tasting experiences worth lingering over. These 13 cafés across the city are perfect for a chilly day out.
Picture: Luke Barky / Pexels
Several of these cosy cafés have multiple branches. The locations listed below are the ones featured in this guide.
1.Revved Up Café
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Where every sip becomes an experience
Revved Up Café has turned hot drinks into an experience worth booking. The Buitengracht Street café first went viral for its hot chocolate tasting and has since added creative latte, mocha and iced coffee tasting flights, each paired with sweet treats. If you’re looking for something a little different from your usual flat white, this cosy CBD café delivers plenty of fun alongside great coffee.
- Location: 112 Buitengracht Street, Cape Town City Centre Revved Up Café
- Times: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm | Saturday 8am to 1pm
2. Truth Coffee Roasting
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Where every cup comes with a little theatre
Set inside a three-storey Victorian warehouse on Buitenkant Street, Truth Coffee Roasting pairs a steampunk-style interior with beans roasted on site. The menu moves through blends and single-origin coffees, and the team is happy to talk through brewing methods if you are feeling curious.
- Location: 36 Buitenkant Street, Cape Town City Centre
- Times: Monday to Saturday: 7am to 6pm | Sunday: 8am to 4pm
3. Origin Coffee Roasting
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A love letter to coffee, one careful brew at a time
Founded in 2006 by Joel Singer, Origin Coffee Roasting is one of the city’s best-known coffee names. Its De Waterkant base combines a coffee bar, roastery and brew bar, so you can go classic with an espresso or try something a little more hands-on.
- Location: 28 Hudson Street, De Waterkant
- Times: Monday to Friday 7:30am to 4pm | Saturday 8am to 3pm | Sunday 8am to 2pm
4. EspressoLab
Small-batch coffee with a world-class reputation
EspressoLab has built a strong reputation for small-batch coffee and direct relationships with producers. The De Waterkant roastery is a good stop if you like your coffee with a bit of craft and a lot of care, and there is also an outlet at the Old Biscuit Mill in Woodstock.
Location: De Waterkant, with a second outlet at the Old Biscuit Mill, Woodstock
5. Coco Safar
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Luxury lattes and slow moments by the sea
Coco Safar in Sea Point leans into precision and presentation, with small-batch roasting and a standout espresso setup. It also serves cold-brewed rooibos from its own microbrewery, which makes it a lovely pick if you want something a little different from the usual coffee run.
- Location: 395 Main Road, corner St John’s Road, Sea Point
- Times: Monday 7am to 6pm | Tuesday to Friday 7am to 10:30pm | Saturday 8am to 10:30pm | Sunday 8am to 6pm
6. Honest Chocolate Café
Chocolate therapy with ocean views
If winter had a flavour, it might just taste like Honest Chocolate’s signature hot chocolate. The Kalk Bay café pairs handcrafted bean-to-bar chocolate with sea views, making it an easy excuse to linger a little longer. Choose from classics like the rich ‘Short and Dark’ or spice things up with the Mexican Spices hot chocolate. There are coffees, teas and vegan-friendly options too, making it a cosy stop after a stroll along the harbour.
- Location: De Kalkéry, 52 Main Road, Kalk Bay
- Times: Daily, 9am to 5pm.
7. Giovanni’s Deliworld
An Italian espresso stop that feels like home
A Green Point institution since 1989, Giovanni’s still has that family-run feel that makes a coffee stop feel extra comforting. Pop in early for a cappuccino and pastry before the morning rush empties the counter.
- Location: 103 Main Road, Green Point
- Times: Daily 7:30am to 8pm
8. Jarryds
Sunlit brunches, cosy corners and comforting cups
Jarryds is one of those Sea Point spots that makes winter brunch feel just a little softer. The coconut chai latte is a favourite, and the glass-ceilinged courtyard gives you a cosy place to settle in with a hot drink and something sweet.
- Location: 90 Regent Road, Sea Point
- Times: Daily 7:30am to 4pm
9. Chardonnay Deli
Country charm with a side of freshly brewed comfort
With cafés in Constantia and Kalk Bay, Chardonnay Deli has become a favourite for relaxed breakfasts, artisanal coffee and freshly baked treats. The Constantia branch, set beneath mature oak trees, is especially cosy in winter, while the Kalk Bay café offers a charming seaside alternative. Both pair excellent coffee with homemade cakes, deli favourites and a laid-back atmosphere.
- Constantia: 87 Constantia Main Road, Constantia
- Kalk Bay: 136 Main Road, Kalk Bay (De Kalkéry precinct)
10. Deer Park Café
Perched on the upper slopes of Vredehoek, Deer Park Café is a solid winter stop thanks to its fireplace and mountain-side setting. Hazelnut hot chocolate is a popular order, especially after a walk or family lunch.
- Location: 2 Deer Park Drive, Vredehoek
- Times: Daily 8am to 9pm
11. El Burro Taqueria
If you want to switch things up, El Burro Taqueria serves Mexican-style hot chocolate with a spiced edge. Pair it with churros and it becomes less of a drink stop and more of a full winter mood.
- Location: 12 Kloof Nek Road, corner New Church Street, Tamboerskloof
- Times: Monday to Friday 12pm to 11:30pm | Saturday 10am to 11:30pm
12. Nigiro Teacafe
If tea is your thing, Nigiro Teacafe in Plumstead is a must. It offers tea-tasting experiences and a huge range of teas, with the official site noting more than 500 varieties to explore. It is the kind of place where tea feels like a proper ritual, not just a quick order.
- Location: 71 Gabriel Road, Plumstead
- Times: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm | Saturday 9am to 3pm | Sunday and public holidays 9am to 2pm
13. Mount Nelson Hotel
An afternoon tea experience wrapped in timeless elegance
The Mount Nelson’s afternoon tea is one of Cape Town’s most iconic tea experiences. Served in the Lounge, it includes pastries, sandwiches and live piano music, with bookings available daily from 11am to 3pm. It is a polished choice when you want your tea outing to feel a little special.
- Location: Belmond Mount Nelson, Cape Town City Centre
- Times: Monday to Sunday 11am to 3pm, with seating slots by the hour
Bonus: Plato Coffee
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Minimalist space, maximum comfort
Sometimes the simplest cafés leave the biggest impression. Plato Coffee has earned a loyal following for expertly brewed speciality coffee, warm service and a calm, light-filled space that invites you to slow down. Whether you’re settling in with a flat white and a book or catching up with a friend, it’s one of those places where time seems to move a little more gently.
Cape Grace
Waterfront views served with every delicate pour
Cape Grace offers a more refined tea experience at the V&A Waterfront, with premium loose-leaf teas, delicate savouries and pastries served in an elegant setting. The hotel lists Afternoon Tea bookings on Thursday to Sunday, with slots from 1:30pm to 3pm, while Morning Tea is served daily from 9am to 11am.
- Location: Cape Grace, V&A Waterfront marina
- Times: Morning Tea daily 9am to 11am, Afternoon Tea Thursday to Sunday with bookings at 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm or 3pm
Location: 45 Harrington Street, East City (or their newer branch if you’re featuring that one).
A few winter tips
Book ahead for tea experiences, especially on weekends, because the best seats disappear fast. Bring a friend who is happy to share bites, since tea dates are basically built for sampling. And if you are not in the mood for coffee, ask about rooibos, chai or loose-leaf tea options, because Cape Town’s hot-drink scene is a lot more interesting than it looks on the surface.
Article shared by Cape Etc
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