The North Coast’s growing coffee culture was in the spotlight after several local favourites were recognised at the Battle of the Beans awards last week.

While no local coffee shops ranked in the provincial top three this year, three regional finalists were named. In no particular order, they were Sky Salt Rock, Coffee Lab Ballito and Caffè Giordano at Burnedale.

Bevan Munyanyiwa from Caffè Giordano was awarded best barista on the North Coast, while Bench Coffee in Salt Rock was named best takeaway coffee in the region.

“We are super stoked to be recognised and feel that we have gone from strength to strength over the past year since opening,” said Caffè Giordano owner Giordano Bellusci.

Bellusci praised Munyanyiwa’s work ethic, noting his growth since first training as a barista two years ago.

“I met Bevan through Sbu Nkolothi at Coffee Lab and he has continued to improve since joining us,” he said.

“He is incredibly humble and it couldn’t have happened to a better guy. On the drive home from the awards, he said it was the first time he had ever heard his name announced over a loudspeaker.”

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Following hundreds of independent tastings across KwaZulu-Natal, the winners were announced at an awards evening held in Durban on Saturday.

Lineage Coffee in Hillcrest was named best coffee shop for 2026 taking over from reigning champion Coffee Lab at the Ballito Lifestyle Centre. Now Coffee in Durban North bagged second place and Boston Brew in Morningside earned third place.

Meanwhile, Portia Sibiya from Humble Coffee on Florida Road was named KwaZulu-Natal’s best barista, while Coffie’kie in Uvongo claimed the provincial best takeaway coffee award.

A panel of 27 judges visited more than 330 coffee outlets, scoring both the quality of the coffee and the overall customer experience. The annual competition is run by the non-profit organisation Coffee Colab and sponsored by Selati Sugar.

For more information, visit battleofthebeans.co.za or follow them @battle.of.the.beans on Instagram.

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