25-year-old coffee shop taking over South Africa
Vida e Caffè has opened its 400th store in Cape Town, growing from a single store in the Mother City into an international brand.
The company started in 2001 and drew inspiration from the street cafés of Portugal, infusing those stylings with African energy. Vida e caffè means “coffee and life” in Portuguese.
The new store opened its doors at The Exchange, 15 Lower Long Street, Cape Town, and is just minutes away from where the first Vida e caffè store opened nearly 25 years ago in Kloof Street.
Kloof Street was ranked the coolest street in Africa and among the 30 coolest streets in the world by Time Out in 2025, known for its mix of heritage and hipster vibes, and iconic Victorian façades.
Vida said that the new location highlights the brand’s collective efforts, which include franchise partners, team members, suppliers, strategic partners and customers.
From a single neighbourhood coffee shop, Vida has grown into an international brand, with locations in Ghana, Mauritius, Zambia, Eswatini, Botswana, Namibia and Angola.
“Reaching 400 stores is a proud moment for us, but what makes it truly special is an opportunity to recognise the people who made it possible,” said Darren Levy, CEO of Vida e caffè.
“This achievement belongs to the thousands of individuals who have contributed to our success over the past 25 years, from franchise partners and store teams to suppliers, strategic partners and loyal customers.”
The brand, however, is not resting on its laurels and will continue to grow through investment in its people, coffee, and additional stores.
The company has undergone growth projects in recent years. This included the acquisition of the healthy restaurant chain Sweetbeet in 2021, which has locations in the Western Cape and Gauteng.
The company has also partnered extensively with other companies, including complimentary coffee for Lift Airline customers and the installation of Vida coffee bars in SPARs and Exclusive Books stores.
The brand also offers forecourt services, corporate partnerships, food trucks and drive-thru coffee locations.
When it comes to tech, the retailer also sells its goods on Uber Eats and Mr D, and has its own app.
Local brands keep growing
The appetite for coffee in South Africa remains incredibly strong, and several local brands across the country have rapidly expanded.
This includes Plato, founded by Stephan and Petrus Bredell, which has gone from a small container store in Centurion into over 100 locations in South Africa.
Plato also recently opened its first location in the UK and its own coffee academy in Cape Town.
Moreover, Xpresso Café, a budget-friendly coffee shop known for its R14 coffees, has also expanded rapidly.
Xpresso was founded by husband and wife Clyde and Nicolene Elhadad and has rapidly expanded to 80 locations in South Africa since opening in 2016.
The company plans to open 20 additional outlets in 2026, focusing on Johannesburg and Pretoria.
Seattle Coffee Company has also expanded to over 300 locations in South Africa, with plans to open new stores through 2028.
Seattle was originally founded in London by husband-and-wife team Alley and Scott Svenson, who wanted to bring the experience of speciality coffee brands from their hometown of Seattle.
The company was introduced to South Africa in 1997, with the first store opening in Cavendish.
Seattle in South Africa is now free of any international association and runs as a family business, even if Food Lover’s Market acquired a majority stake in 2015.
Photos of Vida e caffè
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