By Tiaan Booyens
There are almost too many cafés in Stellenbosch to try out if you’re only passing through. Even the coffee shop savants of this student town sometimes stick to their usual caffeine spots. With so many options waiting in the shade of the oak-lined streets, it might be challenging to start branching out. However, here are some tried and trusted local gems that should be on your list of places to visit.
Meraki
This local favourite has made a well-received comeback after it was forced to close down doors during the first year of the pandemic. Their new home on the corner of Church- and Reyneveldt Street sits like a cherry on top of a street already filled with good food, wine and all things divine. Meraki boasts a comprehensive café selection of hot and cold beverages – there’s even a special selection of weekend drinks to help you kick back. If after that you’re still not convinced to pay a visit to this elegant elder sister of Stellenbosch’s cafés, just wait until you hear about Bertha. This wine bar nestled into Meraki’s semi-outdoor seating offers a great spot to welcome Spring sunsets.
Legado
Stellenbosch can sometimes feel like a look into little Europe with its restaurants and cafés sprawling into the cobblestone streets. Some places, like Legado Coffee Roasters, transport you even further away. This coffee shop’s name is derived from the Portuguese word for “legacy”, and since 2019 it has sought to leave an impression on the caffeine scene. “Our precise attention to detail and dream for the pursuit of the perfect cup epitomises the way we operate,” reads their approach on the website of this roastery. Legado’s quality cold coffees could rival the best in town for a decent price. Warmer weather calls for an escape from the small town bubble into the experience that this café has to offer.
Hygge Hygge
Hygge Hygge is pronounced “hyoo-guh” and defined as the Danish word describing a mood of cosiness and enjoyment of everyday pleasures. It’s so comfortably tucked in between two wine bars that you might have walked past it a couple of times without even realising it. You’re guaranteed a serene spot whether you sit outside under the oak leaves, huddled over a table inside, or while writing at the countertop against the almost floor-length windows. Hygge Hygge is the perfect place to meet for a coffee, bottomless mimosas over lunch, or a full evening meal.
You have to be spontaneous to find all of Stellenbosch’s best spots, but you certainly can’t go wrong with these truly local cafés.
