Although 4pm tea time in Zambia is practically tradition, the southern African country has seen an increasing amount of new cafes popping up in the capital, Lusaka. If you’re in town and want to know where to get your caffeine fix, check out our pick of the best coffee shops around.
Peaberry Cafe mirrors its location in the industrial area of Lusaka with its high ceilings and factory-like interior, which is softened by colorful mounted cushions and a large chalkboard that displays the menu. Enjoy a cold brew, decaf Brazilian coffee, special blends of 100 % Zambian coffee, or Ugandan, Colombian or Ethiopian coffee which is freshly roasted on site. Pair an espresso, cappuccino, latte, iced coffee or americano with a selection of freshly baked pastries and sandwiches.
Mugg and Bean has several outlets around Lusaka such as at Manda Hill, Levy Mall and several on-the-go ones in the central business district. Their standout coffee items include a ‘cortado’, which is an espresso cut with an equal amount of steamed milk, and hazelnut caffe latte. Mugg and Bean is the perfect place to go if one cup of coffee isn’t enough, as they have bottomless filter coffee served in a cup or mug. Other specialty coffee drinks on the menu include a caramel peanut butter latte and muggachinos.
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Brew Me is a chic coffee shop located at the Garden City Mall off the airport roundabout in Lusaka. Their standout items include the cinnamon latte and pumpkin spiced latte. In addition to regular milk, almond and soy milk are also available. The staff are also able to make customized drinks. Pastries and sandwiches are available for sale and there is complimentary WiFi.
The Deli has two locations in Lusaka; one in the Rhodespark area and the second one in the quieter suburbs of Kabulonga, which is a great place to get work done with its abundant power ports and complimentary WiFi. Enjoy a cappuccino in the outdoors section, or inside which is tastefully decorated with photography by acclaimed Zambian photographer Gareth Bentley. Customers who bring in their own thermos or non-disposable drink receptacles receive a 5% discount. The Rhodespark location has a wider selection of sandwiches and meals on its menu for lunch options.
The Cake Bar has four locations in Lusaka; Makeni Mall, Cosmopolitan Mall, Woodlands and the Fallsway Area. It is an Italian-inspired bistro and cake shop. In addition to a typical coffee menu, there are specialty dessert milkshakes of black velvet, Oreo and red velvet. Complimentary WiFi and newspapers are available.
Uptown Cafe is a small cafe located in the Colortech building on Kafue Road. Their specialty is their spiced drink selection, including the spiced latte, salted caramel latte and spiced chai warmer for colder weather. They also have iced coffee and small menu for a quick snack. The Uptown Cafe is worth a visit for its affordable prices, and is a good pitstop if travelling out of Lusaka via Kafue Road.
Taste By Rootz is a quaint tea bar with rustic decor located in the Olympia suburb of Lusaka. Enjoy various types of teas such as blackcurrant, lemon grass and Moroccan mint. Rootz also offers high tea for small groups, and a tea station on Wednesdays from 2pm-6pm for USD$5, which includes four teas to taste and two pastries per person. The iced coffee is recommended. As there are no swipe machines, cash should be used.
