African Roots is one of those places that instantly becomes an addiction. It’s the perfect environment for the coffee aficionado.

It’s located in Umhlanga’s newly developed upmarket retail area, inside the stunning Pearls of Umhlanga building to be exact. This coffee spot offers more than just great coffee – it delivers an experience in a friendly and efficient environment. They serve 100% premium single origin coffee paired with delicious African inspired food.

Initially, I hesitated, thinking it was tucked away deep inside the mall, only to be pleasantly surprised that it’s located on a veranda overlooking the beautiful Oceans Mall.

They offer an all-day light cafe menu so, should you choose to have lasagne for breakfast, this is the place for you.

It was also nice to see that the owner was visible to help if there were any problems or questions. Also, the barista was friendly and chatty.

This is undoubtedly uMhlanga’s coffee haven, where the “coffee gods” gather to taste some of the finest brews in the country. The coffee is consistently excellent, never failing to impress. Free Wi-Fi is available.

I ordered both an espresso and a cappuccino — and that sealed it for me: this place is by far the best coffee spot in the entire Umhlanga. The espresso was beautifully balanced with that perfect harmony of sweetness and bitterness. It was served with a delicious biscotti on the side. The cappuccino? A true work of art. From the perfect cup size to the glistening fresh crema and the stunning latte art, it was clear that the barista is exceptionally skilled. Every sip reaffirmed why this place stands above the rest.

Bongani Mthiyane

** African Roots was judged to be one of the top three coffee shops in the Umhlanga/Kwa Mashu areas in the 2024 Battle of the Beans coffee competition