Freshly Ground at Sam Levy’s Village may already be a familiar name to many, but after my visit, I finally understood why it keeps its place so comfortably on Harare’s coffee map. I arrived around 8 am on a Saturday, which in hindsight may have been one of the reasons I went on to have one of the best days of my week.
You have the option to sit outside or inside, and while the outdoor seating is lovely, the recent weather changes have had me choosing closed spaces more often than not. This time indoors won. The space itself is aesthetically pleasing. The lighting, colours, and general atmosphere quietly make whatever you order taste just a little bit better.
I ordered a red cappuccino, which may be questionable for a coffee review, but rooibos lovers will understand. My friend, on the other hand, chose a hot lemon and ginger, clearly trying to pin down a flu he would not admit he was about to catch, but you did not hear that from me.
Now, had I mentioned the cheesecake? I think I have officially retired from trying carrot cakes and moved on to cheesecakes. This one has easily earned a place on my highly recommended list. Creamy, rich and just indulgent enough. One bite in, and I completely lost my train of thought for a moment.
Of all the coffee stops I have tried so far, this was my first true ten-out-of-ten experience. Everything about that morning just worked, the setting, the service, the drinks, and that cheesecake, I clearly have not stopped thinking about...
Freshly Ground is definitely one of those places worth adding to your list, especially if you believe, as I now do, that a good morning coffee stop can set the tone for an entire day. If you know a place that might compete with this experience, let me know where I should try next.
Coffee fact: Coffee has over 800 aroma compounds. That is why it can smell fruity, chocolatey, nutty, floral, or even spicy, depending on the roast and origin.