Matthew Krouse
1 Mugg & Bean (Cape Town, Johannesburg): The Martians have landed, and have seemingly established these emporiums in every shopping centre in the land. Biggest branches are at Cape Town’s V&A Waterfront and in Killarney Mall, Johannesburg. Owned by Ben Filmalter of the Linga Longa chain of five significant restaurants, including Leipoldt’s in Rivonia.
Clever marketing has created a myth of two San Franciscan coffee roasters who established the shops in a quaint old 19th century style. The bottomless cup is done as self-serve at the coffee tower from four blends. There’s also a busy bakery in every branch. Their slogan: ”Coffee is what makes civilised life possible in these demanding times”.
People: Shopaholics with varicose veins, families with lively kids, lovers, loners and losers.
Must have: A muffin.
2 Seattle Coffee Company (Johannesburg, Cape Town, Benoni): There are six branches of this company If you’re a book browser it’s hard to miss them – they’re literally on the doorstep of just about every Exclusive Books around. Since 1997 they’ve been specialising in flavours, syrups and home-brewing accessories amid a New York loft style of dcor. Part of the Starbucks heritage that, in the United States, has latched onto Barnes & Noble bookstores and, in the United Kingdom, Books Etc. Five new shops will open in May.
People: Bookworms spilling their drinks on magazines they haven’t yet bought.
Must have: A tall vanilla latte with wings.
3 Mastertons (114 Russell Road, Port Elizabeth): Here you’ll find the biggest selection of coffee under one roof in the Southern Hemisphere. Established in 1924 by a tea taster from Ceylon called Jock Masterton, today his son James sells beans from – wait for it – Kenya, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Guatemala, India, Ethiopia, Sumatra, Indonesia, Haiti, Papua New Guinea, Mexico and China. Dessert coffees and beans are sent to clients across the land.
People: Connoisseurs, housewives, hotels and embassies.
Must have: Irish cream.
4 Zerban’s Cake and Coffee Shop (V&A Waterfront, Cape Town): Everybody grew up eating breakfast at the original Viennese coffee shop in Garden’s Centre, presided over by the previous owner, proud confectioner Gert Zerben. Now a veteran of the waterfront development, the emphasis is on cake, comfort and quiet service while you page through the newspapers on endless supply. Of course, the cup is bottomless.
People: Tourists and locals – nothing hip-hop about it at all.
Must have: Fourteen types of breakfast, with the 100% Arabica house blend.
5 Biz Caff (The Square, 250 Umhlanga Rocks Drive, Umhlanga): Winner of the Sunday Tribune Magazine award for best coffee shop, this one-year-old venue revolves around a European theme. Marble floors, cherry wood and stainless steel fittings are complemented by the colour blue, and stone.
The shopping centre is built around an open air piazza and so, coupled with its lovely sea views the overall is pretty Med. Food choices range from seafood platters to toasted cheese.
People: Up market office workers by day, mature patrons by night.
Must have: Cappuccino.