Listen, connect and sing along at ...
Join a Sunday service with Camissa’s Gospel Tour + connect with culture
For Moments of Joy. Follow our social channels for useful news, daily local champions | |
![]() | 072 350 2062 |
![]() | Ideas Cartel, The Old Foundry, 1 Sand Hill Road, Green Point |
![]() | www.capetownmagazine.com/subscribe |
![]() | now@capetownmagazine.com |
![]() | CapeTownMag |
![]() | CapeTownMagazine.com |
![]() | capetownmag |
Last updated: 2 August 2022
Just off King Langalibalele Drive, a few minutes walk from Guga S’thebe Arts and Culture Centre, is a little coffee shop. Its hatches overlook a quiet side street lined with a couple of churches, a school and the homes of Cape Town’s oldest township. This is MSquared EspressoLab, a colourful and popular hangout spot in Langa.
The coffee shop is located on Lerotholi Avenue. Image: MSquared EspressoLab
Langa, meaning sun in Xhosa, is known for its rich history and cultural offerings, and you’ll find numerous tour groups walking through the neighbourhood on a daily basis. MSquared EspressoLab is a popular stop thanks to its central location, quirky trademark murals and the art gallery just next door.
Many tour groups stop by EspressoLab. Image: MSquared EspressoLab
You’ll find all kinds of people here, besides the tourists: Gogos and grandkids, drive-by cyclists, style icons and best friends. It’s the kind of place that knows regular customers by name and collaborates with other black-owned businesses.
Visitors can grab a coffee and sit outside the store or lounge by the window. Image: MSquared EspressoLab
The Lab, as the locals call it, sells all kinds of drinks, from coffees and teas to smoothies in summer. Its best-kept secret, according to its Instagram, is the Oreoccino – an oreo frappuccino. If you’re feeling snackish, you can also order fresh bagels, muffins or croissants.
The Lab also sells a Smartiescinno. Image: MSquared EspressoLab
16 on Lerotholi, the art gallery next to The Lab, is a space that uses art as a tool to foster solidarity within the Langa community and on the African continent. It runs a number of exhibitions each year and an artist-in-residence programme.
The coffee shop and art gallery are situated next to each other. Image: MSquared EspressoLab
MSquared EspressoLab is open: Monday to Sundays, 8am - 6pm
Find it: 16 + 17 Lerotholi Avenue | Langa | Cape Town
Contact it on: 068 030 4631 or 081 316 9966, Instagram: @msquared_espressolab and @16onlerotholi
By Lara van Zyl
---
Learn how to do origami from a Guinness World Record holder
Order a Tokoloshe coffee at this new coffee shop in Loop Street.
This coffee shop in the middle of nowhere is made of haystacks.
Play a game of chess with coffee, art and bagels at Sonder Café.
Join a song-filled township tour in Langa.
Discover +7 things to do this weekend.
---
Loved discovering this? Make sure you get our popular weekly newsletter. Follow and like us on Twitter ❤ Facebook ❤ LinkedIn ❤ Instagram ❤ Pinterest for updates.
Listen, connect and sing along at ...
Join a Sunday service with Camissa’s Gospel Tour + connect with culture
How to have an unforgettable 40th, 50th ...
Private chef and 3-course meals at a 5-suite manor
Best burger special at Sotano every ...
Share this 2-for-1 deal with a friend or eat both lamb burgers yourself
You can now book out this entire hotel ...
Infrared sauna, pool, special art, stunning rooms
We just found our next place for a ...
Cederkloof: Cottages with jacuzzi + house with pizza oven
Sumptuous Indian set menu for two
10 unique dishes (and MCC) at Bombay Brasserie
5 ways to transform your hair (with ...
Give your locks some love or change them completely
Intimate fine dining in an art gallery
A long-table experience with food, music, wine and art
Go for a drive to this apple farm in ...
From fresh food to farm cottages and fine dining evenings
A brewery with food specials for every ...
Burgers, schnitzels + curry specials at Woodstock Brewery
How healthy is your hair, really?
How to get a free diagnosis + R100 off your first visit
Cape Town’s very own cannabis club, ...
It's like your friend’s living room, just with 85 strains of weed
Introducing the Whiskey Lounge
Tastings from around the world, guided by an ambassador
Meat appreciation platter at a ...
3 cuts of meat, sizzling side dishes + epic mad-scientist experience
Spirit tastings and unique cuts at this ...
Bring out your inner mad scientist: experiment with unique spirits + meat cuts
Holistic food + drink at this healthy ...
Sit under the trees and enjoy kombucha cocktails, vegan dishes + a sea view
Unconventional vegan dishes at this ...
From tofu tostadas and kombucha cocktails to MasterChef-level desserts
5 reasons to visit this beach-side ...
Never-ending summer of waffles, hotdogs, cocktails...
Our team’s top picks at the Waffle ...
Beach-side eatery is perfect for kids, adults and dogs alike
Book out this distillery for your next ...
Make your own at Distillers Union + get pizza
Laid-back, lekker, and loud team ...
Food Jams is a party where cooking is only half the fun
Islands on the River is spring’s ...
4-day journey of music and connection at this festival
All the seasons of Cheverells Farm
Apple picking in summer and winter stay special
Boutique winery with 6 six cosy tasting nooks. Plus platters, picnics + trails