Need to do some light networking, or crave the quiet hum of activity while you sip on a solo coffee and catch up on social media? Motherland Coffee in Dunkeld is for you, says our Joburg restaurant editor Kholeka Kumalo.

Fast facts

Best for: Coffee catch-ups
Cost: Average meal is R60
Food type: Cafe fare
Star rating: Food 4; ambience 4; service 3

One of my favorite things about Motherland is their Share the Love campaign. You pay for a coffee for a friend, leave their name on the wall and let them know and they can come in at anytime and pick up their coffee. The world needs more kindness so why not share the love with someone today. #drinkthelove -@keenangrams

A post shared by Motherland Coffee Company (@motherlandcoffee) on May 17, 2017 at 11:17pm PDT

Food

There’s nothing out of the ordinary on the food menu at Motherland Coffee Company – and perhaps that is half of its success. While it’s light on options for the carb conscious, everyone else should be easily satisfied. For breakfast, there’s a classic avo on toast with plenty of cream cheese on health bread, and if you’d like to treat yourself in the wee hours, there’s stacks of crumpets drenched in maple syrup and topped with bacon, or dark chocolate sauce and banana. Lunch options include health bread sarmies with a few green leaves garnishing fillings like chicken and mayo, pulled beef and gherkins, ham and cheese, or cheese and tomato fillings, with which the kitchen sure is generous. The updated warm barbecue-beef salad is a fresh mix of avo, feta and greens, usually served with taco for much-needed crunch. For a larger appetite, the Big Papa panini is exactly that, stuffed with tender barbecue braised beef and mozzarella. Alternatively, go for the filling Mexican wrap with spicy mince and cheddar. On offer at the counter are fresh sandwiches, mini quiches and bite-size savoury treats to go, if you’d rather not order and wait.

Winter is no longer coming, Winter is here and we have some delicous Winter Editions added to our menu, meet our Gourmet Flavoured Hot Chocolates. Flavours: Vanilla, Sun-Dried Orange and Marshmellow

A post shared by Motherland Coffee Company (@motherlandcoffee) on Jun 19, 2018 at 12:56am PDT

Drinks

All Motherland’s coffee is of African origin, either from one country or a blend of two, including Ethiopia, Congo, Burundi and Rwanda. They consistently deliver favourites and feature a few playful extras such as The Dictator (aka Make the Day Obey You) and a Caffeine Fix comprising espresso, condensed milk, cream and chocolate shavings. While coffee, in all variations, is Motherland’s speciality, you can also sip some pretty creative alternatives like orange-flavoured hot chocolate.

Service

Order at the bar, have a seat and prepare to be left to your own devices – in a nice way.

Lazy mornings. . . . #drinkthelove #youaretherevolution #coffee #african #africancoffee #fairtrade #coffeebreak #coffeeaddict #coffeelove #coffeeshots #CoffeeIsLife #InstaCoffee #lifeaftercoffee #caffeine #brews #coffeesesh #lovethebean #baristadaily #madeinafrica #motherland #freshlyroasted #manmakecoffee #baristalife #urbanlife #coffeetime #cutecoffees

A post shared by Motherland Coffee Company (@motherlandcoffee) on May 4, 2018 at 10:00pm PDT

Ambience

It’s hard to resist lounging around a coffeeshop with large comfy leather couches. And as much as it’s filled with a range of people furiously typing away at their laptops, there’s a healthy dose of casually dressed folk leisurely reading a book, too. There’s free, uncapped WiFi. Enough said.

Eat Out critics dine unannounced and pay their way in full. Read our editorial policy here. 

Have you been to Motherland in Dunkeld? Find it on the Eat Out app, now available for free download. Write a review now and we will pledge a meal for a hungry child through Rise Against Hunger SA.