The Best 5 Coffee Shops in Johannesburg: Top of the Crop
Favourites change from day to day – being at the top is a tough game and definitely not for the faint of heart.
Although our focus is mainly on supplying coffee machine solutions to offices and homes, we can appreciate a good setting that offers clients a unique experience –
and since coffee is our game – we have decided to feature the Best Coffee Shops in Johannesburg – the Top 5.
This review is based purely on opinion and objective review.
Jozi Blue Coffee Shop – Johannesburg
Not often do we encounter such customer-centric café’s, nor such enthusiastic owners as we did with Shmuel, who has been running this amazing shop for close on 3 years. Greeted from the outset and throughout with friendliness and “gusto” for his profession, we were delighted to hear about their WhatsApp ordering service. You may have experienced this kind of service before – but I can honestly say I haven’t. What an innovative method of ordering your favourite coffee! You load your Jozi Blue Customer Card (minimum amount of R200) and simply send a WhatsApp message with your order, and it is quickly and efficiently delivered to you. You can also qualify for percentage-based discounts, based on the cash amount loaded onto your card, ranging form 5% upwards. You can see more of this by joining their facebook page. Shmuel prides himself on the level of customer interaction he is exposed to – he recalls his regular customers by name and his main focus is to have every customer leave Jozi Blue happier than they were when they arrived. Check them out for their famous Cappuccino from Monday – Thursday 07:00 – 18:00, Fridays 07:00 – 15:00 and Sundays and Public Holidays from 08:00 – 17:00 (closed on Saturdays).
Cramers Coffee – Marshalltown, Johannesburg
Monday – Friday 06:00 – 17:30 (perfect for those super-early risers who need their caffeine fix first thing), Cramers Coffee is in a league of their own and have been making the world a better place, one cup at a time, since 2007. When we asked what their goal is – we weren’t met with the perfunctory “open a new store in JHB and Cape Town” yadda-yadda. No. Cramers’ future plans involve being listed on the JSE, having a great spot at all major city attractions – and taking the coffee world by storm, so far as being as widely recognised as Starbucks. From what I can see, they’re on the best track they could be! Flavoured lattes feature high on their list of speciality drinks, with their most popular drinks being their Cappuccino, and their highest clientèle being “in-and-out’s” – those who are looking for an amazing coffee on the go. Don’t worry – if you, like me, appreciate a good setting in which to enjoy that heavenly cuppa – they won’t disappoint. Cramer’s Coffee’s staff complement is in majority University students – meaning a naturally young and vibrant feel that only down-town Jozi can provide. With reviews like this, it’s not hard to see why chill-or-thrill seeking residents flock to this unique slice of JHB. So, not only can we expect to see Cramer’s Coffee taking over billboards previously dedicated to Starbucks – but we can wear our hearts on our sleeves and fly the SA flag high – knowing they are home-brewed.
Bean There Coffee Company – Milpark / Braamfontein, Johannesburg and Cape Town
“Bean There” – I still think this is one of the catchiest names to date. They have been around for ten years, which in the coffee industry is a lifetime. They started out as more of a wholesaler of their specialised, high-end coffee products and have progressively moved into a more commercial field, while maintaining their primary function of wholesale. They run a great shop in Milpark, an Espresso Bar in Braamfontein, JHB and a coffee-shop / roastery in Cape Town. They are one of the few retailers to stock the Aeropress – a manual coffee press gaining wide popularity in South Africa. Bean There stocks specialised, single-origin Africa coffee beans, sourced from Kenya, Ethiopia, Tanzania, Rwanda, The DRC as well as Burundi, with their Ethiopian Sidamo coffee being their best-seller. However, when we asked what Bean There’s mission was, we were impressed to find out that they have adjusted their business model to reflect and support Fair Trade practices. To us, this was a resounding mission as they go above and beyond what is required to maintain the status of Fair Trade suppliers. They regularly travel to supplying countries to establish and maintain relationships; they purchase their supplies directly through co-operatives and pay an above-market price for their coffee. In summary, their mission is to make a markable, sustained difference in the lives of African Coffee Farmers through direct Fair Trade. Let us know in the comments section if you have “Bean There” 😉
Father Coffee – Johannesburg
Father Coffee, situated in well-known Juta Street in Johannesburg, offers their clients aunique and exciting coffee experience. Although they are focussing primarily on wholesale at the moment, don’t let this take from the retail and coffee shop experience. They assist other smaller café’s, offer training and guidance on improving user experiences and focus their energy and business model on creating awareness of the world of great coffee. While their Espresso Bar and Roastery has been running, quite successfully, for the past two years, they have hopes to open more Espresso Bars in the future. I say – the more Father Coffee we can get our hands on- the better! This modern and upbeat café offers speciality coffee’s, but their best selling brews – as we see in most cases – are their perennial favourites; Flat Whites and Cappuccino’s. There is a markable increase in the demand of short milk drinks (with the likes of Cortado’s and Gibraltar‘s being the superheroes) – which, to me, is evident that Father Coffee is achieving what they set out to do: educate the public on good – great coffee and raise awareness. What sets them apart? Their innate fear of serving a bad cup of coffee. This has me sold – hook, line ans sinker! When a company bases their success off customer review and happiness, and literally have sleepless night’s over how good my cup of coffee tastes – I know I’m in great hands. Visit them Monday- Friday, 08:00 – 16:00 and Saturdays from 08:30 – 17:00.
Guru Coffee – Parktown
The feel of home emanates even from beautifully-shot pictures of the Café; that feeling resounds when you speak with Roger – who runs Guru Coffee – and has been for the past 5 years. It initially started out as Lulu Coffee – and was de-franchised in the year of the Soccer World Cup in South Africa,, after two years of operation. Guru Coffee has plans to expand and are approaching this concept with great consideration. When we asked why there was trepidation surrounding them branching out, Roger mentioned that one of Guru Coffee’s greatest passions and best features of their business is their ability to develop trusted and quality relationships with their customers. Some of the regulars don’t even need to place their coffee orders anymore – their steaming hot morning fuel is ready and waiting for them as they walk in – every day, without fail. Now I can also understand the pride they place on that level of valuable service. It is such a rare thing to encounter in our rush-rush society. Other than their out-of-this-world service, Guru Coffee obtains all their coffee beans from Cape Town and mentioned that their best selling coffee is their North Italian Medium Roast. Some Zomato reviews solidify how exceptional their Cappuccino’s are – and I never argue with an honest review! Now, other than supreme customer service, Guru has gained somewhat of a regular artistic following – clients who specifically come to a “Brain-Fuel” (read: amazing coffee) shop to brainstorm their creative ideas. If that isn’t the greatest compliment in and of itself, then I don’t know what is. You will see the shop abuzz as early as 06:30 on weekdays, yet another indication of how much people absolutely adore this slice of the good life.
That’s a wrap on our Best 5 Coffee Shops in Johannesburg. Feel free to comment below on who your personal favourite of the lot is, and don’t forget to tell us why!
