Coffee shops in Rosebank
Whether you’re a coffee aficionado or someone who relishes the cosy ambiance of a coffee shop in which to conduct meetings or work, Rosebank makes for the perfect coffee destination – boasting an impressive array of distinct coffee shops and cafés that are conveniently situated within walking distance throughout the neighbourhood.
Here’s our guide to enjoying a good brew or escaping loadshedding.
Bootlegger Coffee Company
Bootlegger Coffee Co. is a coffee shop chain renowned nationwide for its delicious all-day breakfast menu and signature coffee roast. The coffee is carefully brewed in their Cape Town roastery, blending flavours of toasted hazelnut, caramel, and a subtle hint of dark chocolate to perfection. You can expect uninterrupted power supply and internet access while enjoying your time at this charming and unique coffee shop.
Where: The Zone @ Rosebank (next to Timberland)
Casa das Natas
Taking over what was once an information kiosk near the Rosebank Mall’s main ground floor entrance, Casa de Natas serves up traditional and non-traditional varieties of the iconic Portuguese pastry, pastéis de nata, alongside a selection of hot beverages. This is a grab-and-go spot.
Where: Rosebank Mall, Cradock Ave entrance
Coco Safar Rosebank
Positioned neatly between Proud Mary and Krispy Kreme, Coco Safar has taken up prime restaurant real estate in the centre of Rosebank’s The Zone piazza. And that’s a good thing, as Coco Safar isn’t just any cafĂ© and bakery, it’s where you’ll find delicious croissants and good coffee. The beans are sourced from around the world, and roasted on a weekly basis to ensure they’re at their freshest.
Where: The Zone @ Rosebank
Father Coffee Rosebank
One of Joburg’s most famous local coffee roasting brands, the recently revamped Father Coffee at The Zone has a variety of hot drinks and a minimalist yet calming aesthetic. Accompanying the coffee is a simple and tasty cafe menu of fresh pastries and light brunch dishes like avocado on toast and excellent cheese toasties. Also available at the store are smartly packaged blends to take home.
Where: The Zone@Rosebank (next to Clicks)
Fournos Bakery
Consistently voted Johannesburg’s best bakery, the huge Fournos deli, bakery and cafe is a hotspot for breakfast and lunch meetings, situated between the Standard Bank headquarters and Rosebank Mall. The chocolate croissants and the extensive breakfast menu are star attractions.
Where: The Zone @ Rosebank
FotoZA Gallery
FotoZA in Rosebank Mall is Joburg’s biggest photography art gallery. It also has its own coffee shop where you can sit and enjoy a cuppa and a light snack after admiring the photography exhibitions, plus free Wi-Fi if you are looking for a quiet place to work.
Where: Rosebank Mall, level (opposite Cinema Nouveau) close to the mall entrance on 50 Bath Avenue
Where: Rosebank Mall, Corner Cradock and Tyrwhitt Avenues
Freshly Ground Rosebank
You may know it as a small coffee shop tucked at the bottom of Keyes Art Mile’s Trumpet Building but Freshly Ground is no longer just that. After it was recently expanded in early 2024 and given a refurb, it has transformed into a fully-fledged restaurant with quirky wall murals you can’t help but take a picture of. While you can still enjoy a good coffee brew, the menu has also been expanded to include breakfast, lunch and dinner options that include toasted sandwiches, salads, pasta, burgers, flame grilled meat cuts, and desserts and cakes served from a tempting display.
Where: Keyes Art Mile (next to BGR)
Green Dot Cafe
This cosy coffee bar is tucked in to the popular Park Corner. Enjoy a coffee or more extravagant iced coffee frappe (with ice cream!) while you work inside or outdoors. There are healthy toasties, smoothie bowls, and Mediterranean flatbreads to fuel you through the day. The café is halaal-certified.
Where: Park Corner, 148 Jan Smuts Ave, Rosebank
Iris Garden Patisserie
Famous for its restful neutral decor palette, lush green plants, and comfortable chairs – Iris Garden Patisserie makes for the perfect backdrop. Beyond this, they serve some of the smoothest, buttery, and creamy crepe cakes in a variety of flavours accompanied by a good selection of teas (including bubble tea), and coffee with admirable latte art.
Where: The Zone @ Rosebank (next to Postnet)
Motherland Coffee Company
Always a popular working and meeting spot with no shortage of plug points and super friendly staff, Motherland Coffee Company is a favourite. If you need a major caffeine fix, order an extra-large – the famous Mothercuppa. Note that Rosebank’s second Motherland branch at The Zone is now closed.
Where: 1 Sturdee Avenue, Rosebank
Pantry by Marble
A 24-hour grocery, patisserie, ice cream, pizza and coffee on-the-go store, Pantry by Marble, is an innovative new deli concept at Keyes Art Mile, and it feels like something we’ve been waiting for our whole Joburg lives. The Pantry has fast become a popular coffee hangout with their unimaginable pastry creations. Pop in anytime of the day or night, and you are guaranteed to enjoy a good brew while shopping for essentials or filling up your tank.
Where: Keyes Art Mile, 170 Jan Smuts Ave, Rosebank
Proud Coffee at Proud Mary
Proud Mary is a glam restaurant and wine bar inside the chic Voco Johannesburg Rosebank hotel with an adjoining coffee and patisserie bar, Proud Coffee, that serves a good brew accompanied by an array of confectioneries and a prime terrace opening to the streets.
Where: Proud Mary, Corner Cradock and Tyrwhitt Avenues
Seattle Coffee Co
Nicely tucked into Rosebank’s landmark skyscraper The Link, this branch of the popular South African chain Seattle Coffee Co is perfectly situated for business meetings and casual meet-ups. There’s seating indoors and under the covered arcade that connects The Link with Oxford Road.
Where: The Link (opposite Food Lover’s Market)
Starbucks Rosebank
The first Starbucks to open in South Africa, launched in Rosebank in May 2016, has since become a cornerstone of the neighbourhood and a popular meeting hub for creatives, fitness fanatics and business professionals to connect over a good cup of coffee. With a reputation for having a constant and speedy internet connection, ample charging points, and seasonal coffee drinks, regular patrons are spoilt for choice. Notably, it is also one of the few coffee shops in the area that closes at 21:00.
Where: Rosebank Mall, Corner Cradock and Tyrwhitt Avenues
Vida e Caffè
Meaning ‘life and coffee’ in Portuguese, the Vida e Caffè has two locations in the neighbourhood – one adjoined to Exclusive Books inside Rosebank and another at The Firs (recently opened). Serving their own signature blend, their coffees are known to be strong”, and guaranteed to give you a much-needed boost. The staff are warm and friendly, and referred to ‘passionistas’.
Where: Rosebank Mall (inside Exclusive Books)/ The Firs
Woolworths Cafe
Very convenient for grabbing a coffee on the go, the Woolworths Cafe at Rosebank Mall has a speedy grab-and-go coffee window just next to the entrance to Rosebank Mall on Cradock Avenue, or take a seat at the café inside Rosebank Mall.
Where: Rosebank Mall, Cradock Avenue entrance.
Xpresso The Zone
If you’re working with a tight budget but still enjoy a decent cup of coffee then Xpresso at The Zone is the best place to go. For only R12 you can get to enjoy one of a variety of coffees or a pastry snacks. This is grab-and-go store with no seating area.
Where: The Zone @ Rosebank (next to Chicken Licken)
