The Great Benoni Coffee Shop Debate: Is Glow Café ‘Un-Benoni’—Or The Town’s Best-Kept Secret?

It goes without saying that the company that you choose to share a coffee with is probably just as important as the coffee, if not more. But, what if your company is adverse to coffee? Recently, I met with Benoni’s radio personality, Paul Rotherham. Paul is a self-confessed Rooibos tea connoisseur and non-coffee consumer. Are the barbarians at the gate?

Regardless of our differences, Mr Rotherham and I met up at the relatively new Glow Café (on O’Reilly Merry). Paul’s first comment was, “How very un-Benoni”. Whether this was a veiled compliment or critique was unclear — which got me thinking: What exactly is a Benoni coffee shop? Mr Rotherham is a constant champion for the people of Benoni, our sense of community, our ‘have-your-back’ attitude, and our resilient disposition, always making a plan. We like our cafes to echo this; they need to be layered, textured, with the walls telling a story and the flavours hitting all your senses as you enter. We attach ourselves to our favourite venue, where we have our favourite table, seat, and preferred view. After a while, we very rarely require a menu, as we know exactly what we want.

Glow is an incredible venue and wouldn’t be out of place in Sandton, Bedfordview or on a trendy strip somewhere in the Cape. Clean lines, raw cement, glass, iron work and added to that koi ponds and the tranquil sounds of running water (No music playing at all) — very un-Benoni right? Not at all, because the layers, texture, and warmth are in the people. The owner, Taki, is attentive, friendly, and a noted coffee aficionado. I assure you, after your third visit, you will add him to your friends list. The rest of the staff are just as efficient, with a sense of humour that is endearing and dare I say it, ‘Very Benoni’

Taki has his fingers in several ventures and gave Paul a brief overview of his Barista training program and an insightful run down of the coffee brewing process, from the bean picking through to your cup being placed in front of you – I’m of the opinion that Mr Rotherham may be tempted to try a coffee on our next visit.

I’m sure you have your spots that make you feel this way, where the walls talk to you and the coffee soothes in the right ways — visit Brewed Awakening on Facebook and let us know your favourite spots.