First the art, now the coffee. This is the path that the Haas Coffee Collection has taken in adding the tastiest form of art to their Haas Design Collective. Haas, on Rose street, sits amongst the brightly coloured houses in the Cape Malay quarter of the Bo Kaap. Plush designer chairs, outdoor umbrellas and arty cushions will signal that you’ve arrived.
Coffee snobs and art lovers alike will find bliss at this little hub. You can choose between single origin and blended coffees, such as spicy Indian, Guatemalan, or even the world’s most expensive coffee: kopi luwak, which costs around R80 for a single espresso! Because all coffee is roasted in-house, I was assured that the quality was superb, and I had to agree after savouring my Indian cappuccino.
The waiters, wearing black top hats and white shirts, moved swiftly between the espresso machine and the tables. Whilst waiting for your coffee, you have the chance to be enriched by the culmination of artwork displayed by photographers, designers and sculptors. If you fall in love with the plush blue couch inside, you can order it to be made for your own home. Jewellery, limited edition gifts and paintings ensure the interior comes alive and beckons you to linger way longer than your single coffee takes to sip.
The intoxicating smell of roasting beans, the hiss of the milk steamer, dark chocolate cake and bold Tretchikoff cushions provide a full experience for your senses. Sitting on the sidewalk of Bo Kaap’s cobbled streets, I could gaze at the tip of Lion’s Head, watch young boys rollerskating by and even chat to the local homeless man donning a red and blue wig. Good thing this coffee shop is near my work. I fear nearby coffee shops now have some stiff, sweet competition. Look out Cape Town, Haas has arrived.
Visit www.haascollective.com and follow @Haascoffee on Twitter.
