Cape Town Cycling: A Cyclist’s Guide to the 8 Best Coffee Spots in the Deep South

by | Apr 10, 2024 | Bike, Bike Story Feature, Featured, Sports, Western Cape, Where To Ride

Cape Town cycling and coffee culture thrives on a blend of local and artisanal cafes, scenic pit stops and a shared appreciation for the perfect pre, mid and post-ride brew. Included in every Capetonian cyclist’s passion for racking up kilometres, obsessing over watt output, and striving for peak aerodynamics in their cycling attire; the choice of where to get their caffeine fix holds equal significance.

Lycra and a passion for coffee complement each other seamlessly – they go together like a well-oiled chain and cassette. Like the wind at your back on a fast descent. Like a freshly baked, flakey croissant and hot Cuppa Joe. 

So, here’s an inside guide for where to go and what to taste on your next cycle through the Deep South.

Start your Cape Town Cycling Tour in Muizenberg – The Real Bread Co 

When biking through the bustle of the Berg, don’t let the beachfront be your sole cafe-stop destination, because the soul of this seaside village is tucked away between its one-way roads and backstreets. 

The Real Bread Co. is a hole-in-the-wall bakery on a road that snakes directly off the main road. Their daily bakes warm the corridor-sized alley with a sugary, yeasty sweetness. While there is no seating for this curbside-cafe spot, their warm choc-chip and banana muffins cannot be missed. Known for their sourdoughs and baguettes, a to-go bread tucked into the back of your cycling kit, is also a must in Muizenberg.

Then head to Kalk Bay – SALT

After the bike, the fit, the kit, the right accessories, monthly services, race entries, and race nutrition, your bike budget may have burnt a match too many… And, cycling is already expensive enough without all the mandatory coffee stops every time you saddle up for a training ride. 

But Salt’s R15 coffee special, Monday-Friday between 6-9 am is the best wake-up fix that won’t break the bank. To accompany your hot brew, their vegan, almond croissants are a huge hit, nicknamed “crack-bun,” these flakey, sugar bombs are the perfect carbo-load for a long day out. 

Cape Town Cycling Best Coffee Spots In The Deep South

Up next is Fish Hoek – C’est La Vie Bakery 

The fine art of French artisanal baking has found its way into the streets of Fish Hoek, in a cornerstone bakery known for their pain au chocolat, croissants and cinnamon sticks. With  outside seating, their open-plan bakery, rich with aromas of buttery delights and strong coffee, serves trays of freshly baked and warm goodies. 

Each hand shaped, and 4am-proofed-croissant boasts a golden, flakey exterior with a buttery inside richness. Their pain au chocolat’s melt-in-your-mouth pastry is wrapped around decadent chocolate and their cinnamon sticks will leave your fingers and mouth powdered with sugar. 


Glen – Blended Health Cafe 

Blended is for the health-nut cyclist, looking to cash in their burnt-calories with a “good for you fix”. From protein-packed smoothies and smoothie-bowls, to gluten-free and gut friendly flapjacks, their loaded smashed avo-toast and eggs-many-ways, their menu options cater for all dietary requirements  and take all the fuss out of finding a refuel spot for your fuss-eater-friends. 

A must-try is their chocolate tart with strawberries and coconut (vegan, gluten-free & refined sugar free – all the frees, but with all the fun). A whopper of a thick, creamy, decadently rich slice to keep you hammering the watts back home. 

Simon’s Town – Cormorant Cafe 

While a little detour is required for this “off-the-beaten-(cyclist)-track,” cafe, their homemade Italian-style gelatos are worth the slight course deviation. Scoping ice-creaming straight from their ‘Magic Window,’ their granadilla perfume and peanut-butter soft-serve are a must for a hot and sweaty summer’s day ride. 

Cape Town Cycling Coffee Spots In The Deep South
Cape Town Cycling. Photocred: Maico Amorim

Scarborough – Scone Shack 

This minimalist, hippie style “tea garden,” is a naturalist’s dreamland; an aloe-garden oasis with scattered tables and chairs, roaming potbelly pigs, chickens and ducks. While their name hints at their specialty – homemade fluffy, buttery scones with fresh jam and butter – don’t miss out on their famous and best-seller, carrot cake. All to be accompanied by their hot French-press coffee. 

It’s a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of your everyday coffee-shop and makes for a great destination cycling-stop.

Kommetjie – Good Riddance Cafe

Good Riddance’s ambiance aligns perfectly with its Kommetjie location – laid-back and relaxed. For cyclists stopping by, the ultimate treat is to enjoy your coffee alongside one of their cookies. They take the KOM for cafe with most cookie varieties (which include classic chocolate chip, toasted hazelnut, peanut butter, ginger-snaps and more – of course, with vegan, gluten-free and refined sugar free options too). 

And end it off in Noordhoek – The Roost & The Foodbarn Deli Shop

While The Roost is Noordhoek village’s coffee hotspot, boasting both the finest brews and a prime central location, the Foodbarn Deli Shop should not be overlooked. From grab-and-go pies and flakey pastries, to their “bespoke” selection of bars for a ride-fuel-restock, confectionery gummies, to salty chips, roasted nuts, locally brewed kombuchas and freshly squeezed juices. 

With even the option to build your own lunches using their deli spreads and freshly baked breads, and picnic out on the farm village’s communal lawn area… With exceptional coffee and a deli resembling a full-sized grocery store, there’s no chance you’ll leave empty handed.

Cape Town Cycling Coffee Spots In The Deep South
Photocred: The Roost

Now that you’ve got your local coffee guide for the Deep South, all you have to do is get to Cape Town and jump onto your bike to tick the best (and some hidden gem) spots off!

For more bike related information, head on over to our website here.

To read Jess’ article about Elite Trail Runners and their nutrition, click here.

Event Coverage