Sometimes I go for hours without drinking coffee… its called sleeping!
Coffee is the unashamed nectar of the morning gods. Potent and powerful, coffee is art, fuel and sustenance. Good coffee served with ambiance, and a dreamy view, is the perfect recipe for a good day.
In honour of World Coffee Day on October 1 – the team of 1000 Hills coffee devotees spent time driving among the hills to find the best spots to enjoy a good cuppa.
So (in alphabetical order) here are just a few ideas of where to find a great brew with a great view:
Assagay Coffee Farm
Located in the Harrison Valley between Pmb and Durban, Assagay Coffee Farm has been producing the finest speciality grade, 100% pure Arabica coffee for the past 30 years. Purchase a variety of roasts from their online store, and in person visit by appointment only.
Bentley & Co Café
Situated just off Kassier Road in Hillcrest, they offer hearty breakfasts, teas and lunches in a beautiful garden setting.
Brown Cat Cafe
Found alongside Pot and Kettle at 138 Old Main Road Botha’s Hill, with a stunning view of the Valley, the Brown Cat Café offers great day time brews from Sat until Thursdays.
The Kitchen @ Cotswold Downs
The elegant eatery in Cotswold Downs has a fab view across the golf course offering an indoor restaurant and covered verandah. Open seven days a week for break fast, lunch and dinner, it serves good coffee throughout the day and evening.
Coffee Minista
Offer pop up options for events and functions, and static outlets at Stokers Arms, Hillcrest and Shell Hillcrest.
Crane Flower Coffee
Typically serves a Ugandan / Malawian brew on a bespoke coffee roaster made in Turkey. Among their specialties is coffee infused with lavender (grown in their garden, and distilled on site) and rose water cappuccino. They also offer Manna Brew espresso from Mesquite Beans for the hard core healthy; a variety of coffees and light meals. Crane Flower Coffee is in Robyndale Centre, Masinga Road, Kloof and is open weekdays Monday to Friday, 7am until 3pm.
Gofresh Café and Juice Bar at the Mushroom Farm
Open seven days a week in the picturesque Mushroom Farm on Kassier Road in Assagay, Gofresh offers a healthy and fresh menu – with juices and smoothies…. and a range of coffees and tea time treats.
Harry Potter: The Shire merchandise store and café.
An unusual coffee shop found in Oxford Fresh Market in Old Main Road where Muggles and wizards can enjoy their coffee surrounded by all things Harry Potter and Hogwarts. Open Tuesday until Sunday (although closed from 16 – 30 Sept due to Comic con).
Coffee is a language itself
Lineage Coffee
Located in Hillcrest Centre, award winning coffee shop owner and Barista, Craig Charity is currently away participating in the world champs – again! The store caters for the early morning trade, and fosters a great sense of community – the roaster and workshop are in full view of the customer.
Mandala Café
South Coasters will be familiar with Emithini Artwear Clothing and good karma food – which has relocated to Old Main Road in Botha’s Hill. They offer a wide range of cakes and treats and love their coffee and alternatively roasted Mesquite Beans.
Millflour Café at Fig Tree Farm
A farm-style restaurant and café offering the perfect cuppa over breakfast or lunch – and tea times inbetween, situated in Inanda Rd, Hillcrest.
Coffee is how the magic happens
PheZulu Coffee Shop: Nguni Café.
Offer a great breakfast menu (including veggie options) and good coffee, as well as all day meals seven days a week all served on the expansive deck overlooking the PheZulu Safari Park.
Pilgrim’s Rest Tea Gardens
One of the quaintest tea gardens in 85 River View Dr, Crestholme, in the 1000 Hills, boasting an unmatched view of the hills and an al fresco tea garden with home made light tea time treats. It is open day times Tues to Saturday, and closed on Sunday and Monday.
Pot & Kettle
One of the landmark destinations in Botha’s Hill, 1000 Hills, the much loved Pot and Kettle is a popular meeting place for breakfast and lunch, and light meals inbetween. Known especially for its Sunday roasts, a calm coffee overlooking the hills is a perfect tonic in a busy week.
Shongweni Market
Lots of coffee options are on offer at the weekly Shongweni Market open every Saturday from 7am until 1pm (and the last Sunday of the month from 8am until 1pm). Enjoy coffee and deli delicacies while browsing among the fabulous stores = or sit in the tea garden and enjoy the view.
Stonehouse Kitchen
Across the road from Kearsney College, Stonehouse Kitchen is open seven days a week offering a garden shop, gift shop and café. Known for its pizzas, if offers light meals among the garden centre plants, overlooking the valley.
SPCA
The fabulous SPCA does amazing work with neglected and impoverished animals. One of their ongoing income streams is the extensive tea garden and pop up retail spaces to be found at their spacious Kloof farm like premises. The tea garden is especially popular on Saturday mornings, where often there are special events, and Belinda Dolphin serenading guests. The tea garden offers a rustic family friendly outdoor space with quality home-industry type tea goodies.
Sunset Valley
Old Heidi’s Farmstall in Clement Stott Road, Assagay, offers great coffees and cappuccinos, as well as breakfasts and lunches…. And a chance to browse
Ubuntu Ground Coffee, Woza Moya
Woza Moya at Hillcrest Aids Centre at 26 Old Main Rd, Hillcrest boasts a myriad fund raising and entrepreneurship programmes. One of them is Ubuntu Ground Café which offers a fabulous menu of really unusual meals – and excellent coffee – all family and budget friendly.