(Image by Superette)
Cape Town
Origin, De Waterkant
Origin has lots of table space, big and small. If you want to have a good work session then sit at the large table in the centre where you can share with others doing the same thing. The wifi is free, and the coffee needs no introduction, being some of the best in the country. They have just about every style of coffee imaginable as well as Montreal bagels and all day breakfast.
READ: A guide to the ultimate bagels in your city
Superette, Woodstock
This light, airy space is a good spot to go for breakfast and some work. The positive and bright atmosphere is just what you need to start your day off right. The poached eggs and bacon and mushrooms on toast (add the avo!) are highlights on the breakfast front, and at lunch they offer a selection of salads to make up a salad plate. Wifi is available as well.
Clarkes, CBD
Clarkes is always bustling with who’s who in Cape Town, but it can be a good spot to work at if you sit at the counter. This also ensures quick service directly from the bar. Sitting at a table might make you feel pressured to move when people start streaming in for lunch. The wifi is free, and the diner-style food and breakfast is consistently good. Get the Labneh and avo toast or the hash eggs. They serve Deluxe Coffee if that helps.
(Image by Clarkes)
Field Office, various branches
Probably the most work-friendly cafés in Cape Town – there are another two in Woodstock, one at the Exchange and one on Salisbury Road, and the latest addition is in Mowbray. The name is there for a reason, and they have successfully created a space for people to come and feel inspired and productive. The concept is simple; serve good food and coffee in a clean, relaxed environment. They have free wifi.
(Image by Field Office)
Melissa’s on Kloof Street
A relaxed and less ‘sceney’ spot and one of the nicest branches out of the whole chain. They have a great long counter facing the window which is perfect for a work session. The service is always friendly and the harvest table opens up for breakfast and lunch. They also recently installed wifi and a veranda, if you fancy some outdoor reading.
Joburg
The Whippet, Linden
The Whippet is all about serving the community of Linden great coffee and quality, fresh meals. They bake incredible cakes which include a variety of gluten-free options. The Whippet has a big interest in local art and design and try their best to encourage local talent in the holdings of the restaurant. You will find many a laptop sitting on the tables here as there is free wifi available. It’s a great spacious, and peaceful place to work, and they also have communal long tables and counter space that runs along the walls of the restaurant, which is the ideal spot to work. Also breakfast is served until 12pm.
(Image by the Whippet)
Warm & Glad, Craighall Park
Open all day and all night from 7:30am on wards, you can have a meal here at any time of the day. Enjoy Craighall Park’s leafy and tranquil surroundings with a brunch or bowl of ramen for lunch. This is an eating spot so go here to work if you need some food. For breakfast try the bacon and egg butty, or the smashed avo on toast with an egg. The wifi zone is situated by the bar and couch area.
(Image by Warm & Glad)
Bean There, 44 Stanley
One of the best coffee roasters in South Africa, with really bold blends of their Fair Trade coffee, Bean There also offers a very relaxed, quiet spot in Milpark. They have couch seating, counter seating and a large table. This is a coffee spot first and foremost but they also serve some great coffee accompaniments like cheesecake and cookies. They are open daily until 4pm.
Wolves, Illovo
Wolves has been around for a number of years now, and still serve reliably good food and coffee. It offers a very chilled out environment that fuels work and creativity with its quirky art-loving decor. At Wolves you could be at your Gran’s kitchen table, comfy and at home.The burger, toasted cheese and smashed avo toast are all musts.
(Image by Wolves)
Doubleshot Coffee and Tea, Braamfontein
One of the few places that is as passionate about coffee as it is about tea so it’s basically ideal for everyone and anyone. It is situated in the heart of the city, making it a great place to work if you like to be in the thick of things.The highlight of this space is the counter table running along the floor-to-ceiling glass windows, perfect for gazing and people watching. Food options include a variety of freshly baked goods like biscuits, cakes and muffins.
(Image by Doubleshot)
Durban
Boiler Room Café, Berea
This café is ideal for work with its sparse interior and combination of outdoor and indoor design. The sun streams in warming the space, which keeps customers lingering. Situated in an industrial park that houses Lion Match Factory, you will feel at ease working here with industry people coming in and out for coffees and lunch. Because its such a spacious restaurant, there is a nice bit of privacy separating each table. They unfortunately don’t have wifi so this is more a writing-your-novel kind of spot. We just had to include it in the list!
(Image by Boiler Room Café)
The Glenwood Bakery, Glenwood
This spot is nice and peaceful to get in some good work. The smell of bread will make you want to order just about everything on the menu. During the week, a simple breakfast of poached egg, copper ham and roasted tomatoes and a slice of ciabatta is served. You can also enjoy fresh orange juice, a selection of loose leaved teas, and good local coffee. There is free wifi available.
READ: A guide to the ultimate doughnuts across SA
Parc Café, Glenwood
A simple eatery focused on quality food, that is unpretentious and to-the-point. You can get a a good English breakfast, cinnamon loaf French toast or try one of their gourmet open sandwiches for lunch. This is more of an eating spot than a coffee spot so take your laptop, or a book and stay for breakfast or lunch. They also have free wifi.
Port Elizabeth
Friendly Stranger, Walmer
One of PE’s favourite cafés that dedicate themselves to quality comfort food with some healthy options too. They make incredible cakes, baked daily, and are are open during the week between 8am and 4pm. The space is cosy and the staff are warm and inviting, just as the name suggests. Unfortunately they don’t have wifi.
The Grind
The name doesn’t get more appropriate than this. This small coffee shop was started by two young entrepreneurs from the Eastern Cape. The Grind sits next to Thobeka Mavis Gallery. The aim was to create an art hub that focuses on uplifting youth and rural communities. The Grind is fairly small but they have a large communal table where you can get stuck into some work, and enjoy a good cup of coffee.
(Image by The Grind)
Rhubarb and Lime Café, St Georges
You’ll feel right at home here with friendly service and an unpretentious, cosy setting. The owner’s dream of owning her own coffee shop, came together in Rhubarb, and it shows in the love and care that the food and the space is given. They have free wifi so you can sit for a while, and enjoy a coffee and breakfast – served all day. They have an exceptional selection of baked sweet treats, like apple crumble brownies and millionaire shortbreads that must not be missed.
(Image by Rhubarb & Lime)
ALSO READ: SA’s first coffee shoop where everything on the menu is R10
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