Top 10 Coffee Shops in Muizenberg
Muizenberg is rich with dining and chill-out spots, from iced coffees on the beach to cosy coffee shops and hot cappuccinos. With so much to offer visitors near and far, we decided to compile a list of the top ten coffee shops in Muizenberg. Save for later.
The beautiful thing about Muizenberg is that as a small seaside village, everything is within walking distance. Traffic can get a bit tricky at times, the main road hugging the mountain and beach, so it really is a better idea to park and walk anywhere in Muizenberg. There is public parking around the beachfront, but if you are on holiday in Muizenberg, you can relax and leave the car at your accommodations and enjoy the village on foot instead.
The best thing about a cup of coffee is the accompanying treat. Vegan croissants, Millionaire’s shortbread, muffins, freshly baked biscuits and cakes are best friends with coffee, and if you’d prefer a savoury breakfast, many of these coffee spots offer hot cooked meals. Without further adieu, and in some logical order, let’s dive right in!
(Coffee shops are listed in order, walking from York Road, along Beach Road, through the Village along Palmer Road, and around onto Main Road. It’s about a 20-minute stroll altogether and just 1.2kms. Click here for a Google Route walking map)
Harvest Cafe
Address: 4 York road, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 7:30-5pm. Sun 8:30-1pm
Coffee price range: R20-R32
Something different: Try their Sunshine Latte with added turmeric powder, or the Sunset Latte with added beetroot powder
Best with: Bacon and egg bagel. Freshly toasted, crispy and warm, delicious!
Best for: freelancers, families, friends
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harvestcafect/
Harvest Cafe is a new addition to the Muizenberg cafe scene, and they are fitting right in. Operating on York Road, they took over the space from Rolling Wood Surf shop, who have now moved down the road opposite the Muizenberg train station.
View this post on Instagram
They offer a full menu alongside their coffee selection, with surprises like turmeric, beetroot and matcha latte. Cakes and pastries are available too. Inside, the space is decorated in a modern and relaxing beach theme, with surfboards decorating the walls, beautiful seascape photography and tropical hanging chairs with a beachtime worthy playlist in the background.
Empire Cafe
Address: 11 York Road, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 7am-4pm. Sun 8am-4pm
Coffee price range: R18-R34
Something different: Local homemade rusks and crunchies!
Best with: Empire Cafe bakes fresh croissants every day. They’re displayed on the counter so good luck trying not to get one.
Best for: Everyone. A mix of young and old, local and tourist, and lots of dogs visit Empire Cafe too.
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/empirecafemuizenberg/
Empire Cafe stands out as one of the original Muizenberg haunts, opened in 2002 by much loved local, David Jones, who sadly passed away last year. The Empire family has done a great job of keeping the vibe and dream going and Empire Cafe is still as good as ever. It is the only York Road establishment with a stunning upstairs seating area with clear views over Surfers Corner.
The standard menu has many delicious dishes on offer, good old favourites complemented by a chalk-board special menu that changes daily, but of course it’s the coffee that keeps the regulars coming back. They offer a classic coffee menu, including favourites like lattes, cappuccinos, and even an affogato. Great background music that you might have never heard before, bright and energetic baristas that have the ease and confidence befitting of their long time presence at Empire Cafe.
Knead
Address: 82 Beach Road, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Daily: 8am-5pm. Take-away: 7:30-5:30.
Coffee price range: R20-R40
Something different: The Mocha White Chocolate is a decadent coffee treat
Best with: Knead is a bakery as well, so the range of fresh baked pastries is extensive and delicious
Best for: Everyone. Knead is a large restaurant with various spaces to enjoy, as well as a kids ball pit to entertain the littlies
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KneadBakerySA/
Knead is the biggest coffee shop in Muizenberg, located on the beach front with prime surf viewing seats, enclosed behind floor to ceiling glass windows, safe from any dodgy weather. With their working bakery on site, the smell of baking pastry will lure you in quickly and you won’t be disappointed. The front of the coffee shop is frequented by visitors and locals wanting to enjoy the beach without having to get all sandy, the views are really great. Their take-away counter is at the back of the shop, with a convenient separate entrance off the side.
You can find all your favourite coffee drinks as well as some specialty drinks like Super Lattes, with flavours like Matcha, Golden Milk Turmeric, Activated Charcoal and Red Velvet beetroot! Don’t forget to grab a loyalty card! 10 stamps earns you one free cuppa.
Bootlegger
Address: 80 Beach Road, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Daily: 7am-6pm
Coffee price range: R21-R48
Special offer: R19 coffee before 8:30 am. Grab a loyalty card to stamp your way to a free cup.
Best with: Soft-serve! Bootlegger sells ice-cream too, with a range of decadent toppings.
Best for: Take-aways. The Muizenberg Bootlegger is a small shop at the entrance of the Empire Building, and perfect for grabbing a quick cup on your way.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bootleggercoffeecompany/
Bootlegger in Muizenberg is all about the coffee, operating as a ‘walk-through’ take-away coffee shop right on the beachfront. The baristas are friendly and energetic and the cool music playlist keeps the vibe up. They offer a few sweet snacks, shakes and soft-serve.
Bootlegger is a great option for a take-away cup of coffee and chill sesh on the beach.
Xpression on the Beach
Address: 10 Empire Building, Beach Road, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Daily: 7am-6pm
Coffee price range: R18-R35
Special offer: The Daily Deal: Cream cheese bagel with your coffee for only R30 before 10am.
Best with: A surf lesson. And some carrot cake. Get stoked!
Best for: Surfers and shoppers. Xpressions on the Beach is also a surf shop, offering lessons and rentals.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/xpressiononthebeach/
Xpressions on the Beach has been open for 10 years now, firmly establishing its place on the Muizenberg map. It is a surf shop and school, coffee shop and cafe all rolled into one, and it just works. It has a great vibe, great music and a big balcony outside to enjoy your coffee while watching the surf.
Their menu is surf themed, cleverly named drinks such as ‘Surf Rat’ and ‘Wipe out’ are otherwise known to less creative folk as a cappuccino and a mocha. They have hot coffee drinks and a whole menu of cold coffee drinks too, for when it’s just too hot out. They also offer a range of healthy dishes, poke bowls, wraps, smoothies and juices, and after you’re stoked up on the surf, enjoy a hot shower and a fresh towel on site too.
Hang Ten Cafe
Address: 34 Balmoral Building, Beach Road, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Daily: 7:30am-5pm
Coffee price range: R18-R28
Special offer: Try their banana loaf and Americano for R35!
Best with: It’s gotta be the crepes! A really enticing and delicious menu.
Best for: working on your laptop and checking out the surfers. And Zola the dog, we love Zola.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hangtencafe_muizenberg/
View this post on Instagram
Hang Ten Cafe is awesome because it truly is a one of a kind spot. Owner Alex has cooked up a unique crepe menu, and combined with the incredible views and surfer cafe vibes, she has created magic. The legendary Gary’s Surf School can be found down the stairs which just adds to the fun of the place. Sweet and savoury crepes are the mainstay of the menu, complemented by a classic coffee menu with all your favourites and golden views.
The perfect spot to relax at the counter, sipping a warm cup and be inspired by the surf. There’s a quick snack ‘grab and go’ fridge as well, for those who prefer a take-away. A cosy haven from the wind, guarded by the magnificent Zola, the best cafe doggo in Muizenberg.
Real Bread Co
Address: 4 Killarney Road, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Mon-Sat: 8am-2pm
Coffee price range: R18-R25
Special offer: R35 coffee and chocolate muffin combo
Best with: A loaf of artisanal bread
Best for: Their daily inspirational quote board; definitely a reason to go back!
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/real_bread_co/
Real Bread Co, is exactly what it sounds like, a bakery dedicated to baking bread the artisanal way. It is a small and quirky little shop on the way to Muizenberg Village from the beachfront, and is a working bakery with only 3 bar stools at a small counter in front of the espresso machine.
View this post on Instagram
It’s packed in the mornings with everyone grabbing up a loaf of delicious bread, the party usually spills outside onto the sidewalk, everyone swapping stories over cups of coffee. Amapiano music playing over the speakers, a cool coffee shop in Muizenberg for those in the know.
Joon
Address: 40 Palmer Rd, Muizenberg
Opening hours: Tue-Sat: 8am-10pm. Sun: 8am-2pm
Coffee price range: R10-28
Something different: Check out Joon’s events on Facebook, they keep those village vibes going
Best with: Millionaire’s shortbread. No jokes.
Best for: Catching up with the locals, street side cafe dining, bring the dogs!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jooncatering/
Joon on Palmer Road is a cafe that aims to create the Village vibe. Muizenberg village is a short walk from the beach front and a must visit, with its creator-run quirky shops and eateries. Joon is open for dinner too, famous for their pizzas, but if it’s the breakfast run you’re on, their varied coffee menu is perfectly complemented by a value for money breakfast offering.
Joon is a vibe, more sheltered from the sometimes too windy beach front, surrounded by great stores to browse while you chill and watch the world go by. A true original gem of a coffee shop in the heart of the Muizenberg village.
Bean Dreaming
Address: 40 Palmer Rd, Muizenberg
Opening hours: 9am-4pm, closed Tuesday and Sunday
Coffee price range: R16-R40
Something different: Ice cream frappe! And their wicked pancake stacks.
Best with: Thinking of getting new ink? Dreaming Ink tattoos operates from the back of the shop!
Best for: Everyone. With such a unique offering, coffee + tattoo parlour + mega milkshakes, the crowd is diverse and daring!
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/beandreamingcoffee/
Bean Dreaming is a cute little shop on Palmer Road in Muizenberg village, serving American pancakes and shakes, alongside a comprehensive coffee menu. Inside is airy and bright, with comfy couches, bar counters, and Africana themed decor. The only coffee shop in Muizenberg with a tattoo parlour!
Perfect for those with a sweeter tooth, they offer a variety of pancake stacks, deluxe and regular shakes, smoothies, fresh juices and light lunch meals too. Tattoo anyone?
Tell us about your coffee experiences at these places, we would love to hear your feedback.
Pingback: Grocery Stores in Muizenberg - Self Catering Holidays - Whalewatchers
Pingback: Dine out in Muizenberg | Whalewatchers
Pingback: The best surfing lessons in Muizenberg | Whalewatchers
Capetonians have become as particular about their coffee as they are about checking the wind direction before heading to the beach.
Pingback: Surfing Lessons in Muizenberg | The Muize B&B