The Best Cafes in Joburg

I’ve compiled the best cafes in Johannesburg to help you decide where to meet up with friends, hang out with your love, or just chill by yourself.  Small and large spaces, leafy green vibes or industrial chic, people chatting away or working on their laptops, Joburg has an active coffee cafe culture that continues to impress.  

I’ve started this list three times before deciding to go ahead and post it. There are so many wonderful cafes in Joburg and it’s hard to capture them all. Instead of waiting until I visit all the cafes I possibly could (an impossible task), I’ll update this post as I fall in love with more.

Please double-check the opening days and times for yourself. Things change quickly in Joburg.

What do I look for in a cafe?

• Great americanos—I don’t take milk or sugar in my coffee. However, I love a good mocha and an occasional iced latte.
• Extra points for health juices with ginger shots.
• Light food options are necessary.
• Good Wi-Fi and space for a laptop.
• Limited noise—I like some background music but the sound echoing off walls irks me.
• And, a cool surrounding area (like, not in a mall, although some make the cut…)

Neighborhood Style Cafes

At these neighborhood cafes, you’ll find regulars who have their fav spot and drink, remote workers typing away, people who conduct all their meetings over a cup of coffee, runners after their run, and friends chatting. These are the basics of the best cafes in Joburg.

I live in Linden so please excuse the obvious preference for Linden cafes.

Whippet Cafe in Linden

The cafe is one of the most popular in Linden as it has Wi-Fi, working space, and all-day dining. I prefer to meet people here rather than work as the space easily gets too loud for my tastes. I prefer to sit outside. My favorite drink at Whippet is the iced lavender lattee. This is the only cafe in Joburg that I know of that makes it!

The Argentinian

Go for the croissants, people-watching and breakfast spreads at The Argentinian. I think they have some of the best croissants in Joburg!

Oregano Cafe

Oregano Cafe in Linden has the cutest little tea and pastries. They also make great coffee and meals. I usually get a quiche, coffee + cake, or the salmon bagel. There are just a few tables and you can choose to sit inside and smell the bakes goods getting made or sit out on the patio.

Coffefe in Birdhaven

I liked to spend an afternoon at Coffefe typing away with excellent shade and Wi-Fi when I lived around the area. They also have great coffee. I wish I could bottle up the coffee-roasting smell and send it to you! There are toasties available and other restaurants nearby you can visit if you get super hungry. The cafe is next to the Gourmet Grocer.

My Deli

My Deli in Blairgowrie is a cute spot to grab breakfast and a cup of coffee after (or before) a walk along the Spruit.

Great for Working and Chatting

Njam Cafe in Linden

Visit Njam Eatery in Linden for fantastic all-day dining. From breakfast through dinner, the meal options are excellent. Ask for the fresh quiches or chicken pie, they sell quickly! I’m also a big fan of the juice selection too.

The whole vibe of Njam is spot on. You can catch up with friends or use the fast Wi-Fi to work at the shared workspace bench (or grab a table).

Father Coffee in Kramerville

Father Coffee has two locations. The one in Kramerville is large, bright, and airy. You can just sense that everyone is productive in such a space. The Father Coffee in Rosebank’s The Zone is much smaller, but a seat at the back will have you typing away in no time.

In my experience, the Wi-Fi at the Kramerville location was stronger than at Rosebank.

Get a double shot Americano (and maybe a second). Father Coffee has unique beans and you can also buy them to take home. The baked goods, salads, and toasties are all great.  You can even watch the chefs make their breads and rolls through the glass window.

Bean There, 44 Stanley

Bean There has a wonderful space in 44 Stanley. There is indoor and small outdoor seating. The tables are mostly set up for chit-chatting, so if you’re in a pair or group, grab a couple of tables to work from together. What I liked about Bean There is that you can choose to take a break from work and wander the shops or get lunch. The interior is a cool space with a vintage bike hanging on the wall and an old coffee roaster in the corner. If you’ve got a sweet tooth, get a slice of cheesecake with your coffee.

Croft & co

Croft & co in Parkview is popular to catch up with friends as well as work by yourself.

Rise and Grind in Linden

Rise and Grind has excellent all-day dining as well as coffee, juices and tea to last you all day long. There are also dedicated workspaces that you can rent out for a full or half day. This is my go-to cafe for load shedding and it’s right next to my apartment and I often am there in my PJs. There is a salad bar, waffels, and toasties to nibble on throughout the day. It’s also right next to The Refillery so bring your empty jars to fill up on cleaning supplies, dry foodstuff, and snacks.

Secluded Courtyards

I really like sitting outside and working when it’s possible with the sun’s glare. However, I often get a little nervous that my devices will be snatched away from me if I’m working. These are some of the best cafes in Joburg that have courtyard areas that are closed off from the main street.

Toasted

I love love love the toasties at Toasted. They are the best in the city, probably. There is space to work inside and out with reliable Wi-Fi. It’s popular for remote workers.

Salvation Cafe

Inside the 44 Stanley complex, you can sit outside under the shade at Salvation Cafe. It’s a popular spot for lunch on weekdays and brunch on the weekends. Both the drinks and coffee are great and for many, it’s the best cafe in Joburg.

Breezeblock

Breezeblock in Brixton is a great all-day cafe to meet up with friends or work. I love going for brunch and staying on to work. The food is great and there is a range of drinks from coffee and tea to juice and kombucha.

The Little Linden Deli

This cafe in Linden has an outdoor courtyard with umbrellas. There are snacks and drinks available for sale as well as deli items. Look out for the cute cat as well.

Yield Coffee Bar

Yield Coffee has a small courtyard at the back of the cafe. There is good wifi, coffee, and toasties. It’s popular among the early risers in Linden as it opens at 6am!

Funky Vibes

Trouvé

Located inside an antique shop, Trouvé also has a small cafe located inside. It’s a totally unique spot to have your coffee.

Vice Cafe

Vice Cafe is one of my top best cafes in Joburg. It’s got a funky vibe and a good selection of smoothies, drinks, and meals. You can work from inside the cafe or out on the patio. I think it’s more of a funky vibe but I would also characterize Vice under “Great for working and chatting” because I do love working from there too. The Wi-Fi is super-fast and able to handle remote desktop connections easily for work!

Consider going to Vice Cafe for chilly mornings when you need to catch up on some work in the wintertime too. Vice has a lovely fireplace with all-day breakfast. I love the egg burrito and the hot chocolate.

Goddess Cafe

All pink everything. Literally. From the pink walls, the pink drinks (with sparkles), and the food, Goddess Cafe in Linden is a legit VIBE. Perfect for a gossip session with your BFFs. There is also a secured outdoor area.

Sweet Tea and Chickadee

If you happen to be craving food from the American South, head over to Linden’s Sweet Tea and Chickadee. Their food is fun but my very favorite thing to order is a tiny key lime pie. It is honestly the best I’ve ever had in my life and the closest that I’ve ever come to the real thing, even in the US. The space is light and airy, it’s good for working or meeting a friend.

Joon’s Coffee Bar Gallery

Artspace, workshop, cafe, and more, Joon’s Coffee Bar is a great space to get some work done for the day and meet up with friends. Be sure to follow them on insta for all their evening poetry and art events too. The breakfast and lunch items will last you all day long in the summer or winter months. Specialty coffee drinks are unlike anything I’ve seen in Joburg before! I tried the peanut butter-infused espresso and loved it.

You can swing from the chairs or take over a table for 5 hours even during loadshedding (I literally have done that). There are several plugs and extension cords throughout the shop. You can also use the art supplies to make your own masterpiece while you chat with friends or work the day away.

Joon’s butternut soup ft 2summers!

Braam and Downtown Joburg Coffee Spots

Abstract Coffee Club

Looking for a cup of coffee in Braam? Part cafe, part shop, and part bar, Abstract Coffee Club has serious vibes (hence all the pictures…). From the pink backdrop outside, the Doktor and Misses furniture, and great mocha, you can easily work away or catch up with friends. The food menu is small, but pizza and toasties are sometimes available.

There is parking right outside.

Home of the Bean

Home of the Bean is a trendy coffee shop located in the heart of the Maboneng, known for its vibrant street culture and creative energy. This cafe is a popular spot for locals and tourists alike, and is known for its great coffee, delicious food, and relaxed atmosphere. The space is bright and airy, with large windows that allow natural light to flood in. It’s one of the best cafes in Joburg to take visitors to as well.

The menu at Home of the Bean Cafe is diverse and offers something for everyone, whether you are in the mood for a hearty breakfast, a light lunch, or a sweet treat to pair with your coffee. You can street park right outside.

Uncle Merv’s

Uncle Merv’s is a small cafe with famous coffee and toasties. Use it as your morning meet-up spot with friends before you walk up and down Maboneng.

Hired Gun Coffee

One of my friends, Amber, who was visiting for our wedding in Joburg stayed in Maboneng and became obsessed with Hired Gun. Afterward, I visited and could easily see why. The space is funky and cool for working with the bar table facing the buzzing street. Read Amber’s review of Hired Gun too. She said it was the best cafe in Joburg that she visited.

Cleo’s Grind Coffee Company

Located on the ground floor of the Ellis House Art Building, we came across Cleo’s during one of Joburg’s Open Studio days. It’s a great place to stop after you’ve explored the incredible art during Open Studio.

Thorn at Hallmark House

The ground floor of the Hallmark House Hotel (which is also home to my fav restaurant the Marabi Club and my favorite bar) has a cool cafe in the lobby that is great for coffee and a croissant while you work. There is secure parking and the hotel is right off the highway so you can drive here. However, I usually uber.

Foakes Coffee

Foakes Coffee is not really in the CBD of Joburg, but it’s close enough. Located inside Victoria Yards (which has a wonderful First Sunday Market), Foakes has excellent coffee, breads, and cakes. There is outdoor seating in the courtyard. I  haven’t visited here to work, but it’s a must whenever we come to First Sunday.

Ethiopian Coffee

Little Addis Cafe

When you order Ethiopian coffee at Little Addis Cafe, opposite 44 Stanley, you’ll also get a traditional bowl of popcorn! I love this traditional touch. Go for lunch (if you want coffee too) or dinner. The Ethiopian spiced tea is great as well. I’ve never worked from here before could be an option. Read my full review of Little Addis.

O1N Coffee

Located in Jewel City in Maboneng, O1N roasts its own coffee on-site and also performs a classic Ethiopian coffee ceremony. I suggest ubering here, though during the day I’ve parked around Home of the Bean.

If you visit, please be prepared to walk to Home of the Bean if it’s closed as I can’t figure out the hours and such. Wilhelm was super impressed when he visited (while I was out of town). However, the timings aren’t right online since when we went together around 10am over the weekend, it was closed.  This is the location though the name has changed somewhat on Google.

Chinese Tea and Cakes

Tea and Antique

Tea and Antique is a tea house and green bean cake extraordinaire spot in Bedfordview.

The green bean cakes are absolutely delicious and will have you coming back in no time. These cakes are traditionally only made for Chinese New Year but now you can get them year-round at Tea and Antique. Also, try the palace pastry and salted egg bun.

My favorite is the osmanthus-flavored green bean cake. Osmanthus is my favorite herbal tea and it’s so hard to find. (You can purchase it at the cafe).

There are hot and cold tea options, and the owner (Nini) performs a classic Chinese tea ceremony while her husband, the chef, cooks up delicious meals from their home provinces in China. Read more about it Joburg blogger extraordinaire, 2summers, blog post.

The cafe lends itself to being a perfect spot to spend hours on a rainy day too, making it one of the best cafes in Joburg. Parking is available directly outside the cafe.

Puti

If you’re looking for the best cafe in Joburg with Jiggly cake, then Puti in Rivonia is where you need to go. Jiggly cake is a light, fluffy cake that literally jiggles when you shake it. It’s not as jiggly here as I’ve seen on Instagram accounts from Japan but it’s still cool.

I got the matcha tea cake, which is a light cake base layered with cream and strawberries. Although I mostly felt like it was tasting air, it was delicious air! To drink, I got the butterfly pea iced lemonade. The butterfly pea plant is native to Southeast Asia and its flowers release a beautiful purple color when mixed with lemon or lime juice and made as tea.

You can also buy interesting imported items like seaweed-flavored Lays, Sprite cups, or Durian cookies.

Worth the Drive

If you’re up for a drive around town or are heading out of it, check out these cafes that are around 1 hour outside of Joburg.

Vilakazi Espresso

If you’re craving some coffee in Soweto, visit Vilakazi Espresso. The inside is covered with flags and portraits of famous South Africans. The cafe is small and good for a coffee date, rather than working. I have parked right outside the building easily. It’s also a meet-up area for some tours, like when I did my Soweto Tour.

Pastelaria Princesa

This Portuguese cafe (and restaurant) in Kensington is a cute spot to meet up with friends and grab breakfast or lunch. I suggest sitting out on the balcony. We had a filter coffee (which comes with a free refill!) and a croissant. This isn’t your typical French croissant. Pastelaria Princesa’s croissant was more like a sweet bread—complete with some sort of sugar glaze. We ate it dipped in coffee, but it’s not exactly what I would consider a croissant. Better for hanging out than working. Read my full review.

A Portuguese Breakfast at Pastelaria Princesa

Read More

Red Door Cafe

Make the trek out East to Red Door Cafe in Edenvale for a sunny breakfast. Service is super friendly and fast. We had tea, coffee, and an immunity shot to start our day followed by an onion toast and jalapeno omelet. Then check out the shop for spices, sauces, and home goods! The shop is perfect for picking up gifts for yourself or others.

Lab Style Coffee

If you want coffee out of lab beakers and peri-peri sauce out of a flask, then Lab Style Coffee is where you should go. We loved the jalapeno and cheese Portuguese roll sandwich as well. This spot is great for a meet-up with a friend for an adventure in Joburg South, rather than working.

The Green Bean Coffee Roastery

The Green Bean Coffee Roastery is on the Casalinga Fam, which has two other restaurants on-site as well. We buy POUNDS of Green Bean coffee online and get it delivered to our house, or I pick it up at the Bryanston Market. You can walk the gardens and enjoy some coffee, cakes, and toasties. Best for chit-chatting rather than working.

The Test Hub

While heading down towards Clarens, we stopped at the Test Hub for coffee. The vibe is really funky and worth a stop when you’re headed out of town.

Kleine Rijke

Kleine Rijke will have you thinking you’re in Cape Town. With its Dutch architecture and Hartbeespoort dam in the distance, the restaurant (and events space) is gorgeous. Check out the site for the opening hours if you’re up for the drive. It’s a great spot to sit outside, get a coffee, and enjoy the view. We brought our laptops here to work on our way to B’sorah tented camps and you may want to check out what to do in Harties while you’re here.

Some notes about the best cafes in Joburg

Even in the brief time that I’ve lived in Johannesburg, the best cafes in Joburg tend to come and go. There are random openings, random closings, and changes in opening hours + dates. Loadshedding and rising costs have severely impacted cafes and some of my favorites have already shut down… Please double-check the opening days and times for yourself; if wifi and food are a must, you should check if the cafe has a generator.

Got anything to add to the best cafes in Joburg list? Lemme know and I’ll go check it out!