One of the cutest and most interesting cafés in uMhlanga, Butterscotch feels like a little slice of Soho in New York. With its takeaway-style setup, it serves flawless coffee that’s hard to fault. I ordered both an espresso and a cappuccino. At first, I was a bit concerned that everything was served in takeaway cups, but the barista is clearly very experienced. This didn’t affect the quality of his creations at all. The espresso was solid, but the cappuccino truly stood out. The barista stretched the milk so well that the cappuccino was creamy, fluffy, and absolutely delicious. The coffee here will never disappoint.

If you have a sweet tooth, you’re in for a treat. The impressive selection of cakes, pastries, and cookies makes it tough to choose just one. The menu also includes light snacks, open sandwiches, toasties and croissants.

It’s also a pleasant place to work, thanks to free and very powerful Wi-Fi – though it can be a bit noisy at times.

While the barista and general staff weren’t particularly friendly, the manager’s pleasant attitude helped turn the experience around. That said, customer service could use a little polishing, and the location isn’t the easiest to access — plus, the signage could definitely be improved.

Bongani Mthiyane