There’s nothing better than that first cup of coffee in the morning to get your day started. I know that without my morning “fix” I’m completely dysfunctional. As a coffee lover, I have tried out all sorts of different roasts and blends even owning my own coffee bean grinder and percolator. While my coffee addiction has only come about in the past few years, the world’s addiction has been around for centuries.
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Legend has it that coffee was discovered by an Arabian shepherd named Kaldi, who found his goats dancing joyously around a green-leafed shrub with bright red cherries in the Southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula. Kaldi soon decided that it was the bright red cherries on the shrub that were causing the peculiar euphoria and, after tasting these cherries, he experienced first-hand their powerful effect. The cherries were then given to monks at a local monastery to stay awake during long hours of praying and distributed to different monasteries all around the world. And so coffee was born.
Recent botanical evidence shows, however, a different coffee bean origin. It’s believed that the history of coffee began on the plateaus of central Ethiopia, and was brought to Yemen, where it was cultivated since the 6th century. When the first coffee houses were established in Egypt and Mecca, coffee became a passion much rather than just a stimulant.
There’s nothing better than the aroma of a freshly brewed cup of coffee. Most people have their regular coffee shop, where they spend quite a lot of their free time. Most of these coffee shops have roasted blends imported from places such as Italy, with the likes of Lavazza and Illy coffee being the most popular.
The Ridge has coffee shops all over the neighbourhood. With a vast amount of quaint little coffee shops to choose from, I decided to ask around and see which are the most popular.
The majority of Famous Publishing staff (the Media24 company which owns The Ridge magazine) seem to be coffee addicts, with editor of The Ridge, Garth Johnstone’s personal favourite being Vida e Caffé. “The coffee is always good and the service is vibey,” he said.
Vida e caffé, a well-known franchise, is based all around the Ridge area, including Gateway Theatre of Shopping, The Lighthouse Mall and The Square. Vida e caffé has an exquisite selection of Estrela Arabica coffee, with a choice of natural, decaf or organic coffee. And if you’re not in the mood for a cup of coffee there is always the delicious, ‘chocolate quente’ which is Lindt’s finest hot chocolate.
David Wightman, editor of The Business in Durban magazine, fancies Fego Café in Gateway. “I like the coffee at Fego next to Exclusive books. Somehow it’s a very calming experience and inspires me to read more!” says bookworm David.
Fego’s “six blend” coffee is rich and fragrant in flavour and is sourced, roasted and created in Italy especially for Fego Café. A cup of Fego’s finest is definitely a must!
Kloof resident, Anwen Middleton, says that she travels frequently down the hill just to go to her favourite, Petits Fours Deli and Décor, in the Hyper By the Sea development in Durban North, just for a cup of their coffee and a slice of their decadent upside down chocolate cake.
For something more unusual, try The Lens Cafe, a new coffee shop recently opened in Durban North. The Lens Café carries a store design that offers a new experience for their customers. Two passions have been combined, offering both a coffee shop and a boutique photographic retail outlet. One should definitely stop in here for a quick cuppa when you have the time.
If you’re looking for the real Italian atmosphere, stop in at Remo’s, an upmarket coffee shop and restaurant in Mount Edgecombe. The awesome deli, bakery and coffee bar next to the fountain add a distinct “European” feel to the place.
And if you feel like treating yourself, take a drive down to the Umhlanga promenade, and have a cup of delicious coffee on the terrace at The Beverly Hills Hotel. With its beautiful view overlooking the ocean and relaxed atmosphere, you can unwind while enjoying a cup of the best.
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With all this writing about coffee, I can almost taste it. Think it’s time for this addict to go get a cup.
Here’s a list of some of The Ridge’s favourite spots to grab a rejuvenating cup of coffee. Give them a go and let us know where to find your favourite cup in town.
- Beverly Hills Hotel, Umhlanga. Tel: 031 561 2211
- The Oyster Box, Umhlanga. Tel: 031 514 5000
- Vida e Caffé, The Square. Tel: 031 566 5946
- Larneys Café, Gateway. Tel: 031 566 3410
- Caffé Java, Kensington Drive, Durban North. Tel: 031 563 1461
- Petits Fours, Hyper By the Sea. Tel: 031 563 3278
- Taste Coffee Shop, La Lucia mall. Tel: 031 562 8420
- Fego Café, Gateway. Tel: 031 566 5044
- Woolworths Café, La Lucia mall. Tel: 031 572 9600
- Europa, Umhlanga. Tel: 031 561 2930
*Photo sourced from: The Lens Café website
9 Comments
One of my favourite haunts for coffee is Taste in La Lucia Mall — thick, frothy topping — thick enough to eat with a spoon — great service and cool, relaxed vibe.
Still a Vida man . . . I think it’s the incredible vibe and attitude of the staff . . . at all their outlets, it makes the coffee tast better. But now you’ve made me very curious about Taste!
Larney’s is my new favourite coffee shop — but you must try their little sweet treats. Perfect with coffee. Delicious!
You can’t beat the Honey and Nut Latte Coffee at Woolworths — to die for! What a winner. Hope someone else out there thinks so.
For me it’s a tough choice between Tasha’s at Gateway and Mugg & Bean. I’m a sucker for a mammoth cappuccino 😉
Some support coming in here for Remos at Mount Edgecombe!
You’re right Lorna, Taste Coffee Shop does it for me as well.
Larney’s make a fantastic cappuchino, and being the only place in the Umhlanga area which serves beans from Colombo Coffee in Gale St, makes them a definite winner! Vida is a close second. That Petit place at the Hyper must be the worst Cappuchino I have had outside of Bloemfontein.
I am very disappointed with the service at Woolworths Coffee shop, Gateway. Staff are always preoccupied and management very poor.
La Lucia Mall Woolworths Coffee Shop is five star.