Who doesn’t love a cup of good coffee? There is nothing like the aroma of freshly ground beans and the hissing of steam from an espresso machine to get you in the mood for a relaxing chat, casual business meeting or a chilled lunch. Port Elizabeth boasts a bevy of fabulous spots for a good cuppa and here are 5 of our favourites (in no particular order):

1. Bocadillos
   Tucked in the daytime bustle of 6th Road, Walmer, Bocadillos is an uber-chic coffee shop come bakery. The décor is gorgeous, the menu sublime, and the coffee amazing. Few can resist the display of freshly baked cakes, tarts and breads that greet you on arrival and the a-la-carte items on the substantial menu are deliciously decadent. Our favourite is the Boca Caesar Salad and the heavenly lemon meringue pie (which you would be wise to share with someone).
   

   Uber-chic cafe in the heart of Walmer

2. Vovo Telo
   Vovo Telo is all about the perfect cup of coffee. In fact the coffee is so perfect that this little coffee shop and artisan bakery in Richmond Hill has become a national sensation, with stores opening up all over SA. Edgy décor, great service and its funky modern vibe make Vovo Telo one of our favourite coffee spots. Its shop in Richmond Hill remains one of PE’s best exports and is well worth a regular visit.
   

   One of PE’s best exports

3. Life with Lemons
   Attention to detail, service with a smile and a delicious, unpretentiously wholesome and affordable menu make this little café a constant hive of activity. Adding to its attraction is the heartfelt story behind the shop. After battling with cancer, the young owner decided to fight back, make every minute count and realise her dream to open a warm and welcoming coffee shop. Hence the name – “when life throws you lemons, make lemonade”. Incidentally, their homemade lemonade is well worth a try and it’s served in such a cute way with the cordial in a little glass bottle, allowing you to dilute it to the strength you prefer. Situated on Main Road Walmer, this little gem will have you returning again and again.
   

   Attention to detail and unpretentiously wholesome

4. The Friendly Stranger
   Ask Port Elizabethan’s where they recommend for a cup of coffee, and most will say The Friendly Stranger. Quite a feat for such a little place. Perched on a street corner in Baakens Valley, the quaint stone building is home to PE’s trendy arty crowd and its easy to see why. The coffee is divine, the tea is served in mismatched vintage crockery with the milk in mini glass bottles and the menu is quite unique. Its the only place we have seen that serves a rabbit burger. But fear not bunny huggers – there is also a delicious sounding veggie burger and you can even substitute the bun with South American kale!
   

   A huge reputation for a cute little place

5. Angelos Café (Shark Rock Pier)
   Located smack bang in the middle of Port Elizabeth’s beachfront promenade, this coffee shop is all about positioning. We love to grab a cup of liquid energy to go, midway through our weekly beachfront brisk-walk-and-talk, and the place is always buzzing. Angelos has a couple of branches in PE, and is known for its reasonably priced food. We just love the view of the sea and the pier, and this makes Angelos one of our top spots for a great cup of brew.
   

   Perfectly located midway along PE’s beachfront

We have visited many, but not nearly all the coffee shops in PE. This list is based on our personal experience and opinion. We would love to give credit where it’s due, so please let us know where your favourite coffee spots are in the comments section below and help us spread some positivity about our amazing little city.