I love my coffee.
But I will readily admit I am not a coffee connoisseur. I only managed a single shift working as a barista for an intense coffee shop run by a champion barista (there was a trophy on display).
Apparently, I don’t have what it takes to be a champion because I cannot taste the difference between a 12 second drip espresso and a 9 second drip espresso.
I can live with that.

So, if you’re anything like me and just want to enjoy a coffee/espresso/cappuccino/latte/macchiato in a comfortable place, then check out my list of favorite coffee spots in Arusha.

KITAMU

Pros: Location, near central Clock Tower Area. The menu features both traditional Tanzanian dishes and standard Western foods. WiFi is decent. The vibe is colorful and comfortable.
Cons: Small, often crowded and difficult to get a private table.
Try: the bhajia here is great! (those are savory fried dough balls, in case you didn’t know). They also serve the best carrot cake in Arusha.
My typical order: French press with warm milk on the side and a slice of that fabulous carrot cake.

AFRICAFE

Pros: Good location, also near Clock Tower Area. Africafe is also a bakery: buy a muffin or some fresh bread on your way out. They have great waitstaff with fast service, and a well-priced kids menu. It somehow feels like a chain restaurant, but it also consistently has good food.
Cons: WiFi never works, don’t get your hopes up. Read one of the free newspapers provided instead. It can also be crowded during lunch time.
Try: Any of the fresh muffins! If you’re not in a mood for coffee, the frozen chai latte is wonderful.
My typical order: Zanzibar coffee with milk and the orange yogurt muffin.

ARUSHA COFFEE LODGE

Pros: Can you even get fresher coffee than this? Arusha Coffee Lodge is a coffee plantation that grows and roasts their own beans. If you have the funds and the time, take their coffee tour which ends with a complementary cup of coffee roasted before your eyes. They have excellent WiFi. I go to the “Kahawa Coffee Shop” but they also have a restaurant where you can order a full meal along with a wonderful coffee. Arusha Coffee Lodge also hosts Shanga, which is a creative and worthy business to support.
Cons: Location – far from town and not convenient to access unless you have your own transportation (near Arusha Airport heading towards Kisongo). The coffee shop area is very small with limited seating and few places to charge a laptop, if you wanted to stay awhile.
Try: An espresso and a fresh croissant.
My typical order: Latte to-go and peruse Shanga store for half an hour

ORCHID COFFEE SHOP (inside Palace Hotel Arusha)

Pros: Location, also in the main Clock Tower Area, and just a few steps away from Africafe. But this gets a double vote for location, because it’s also on the second floor of the hotel, meaning you can ‘people watch’ and view a cute park and blooming trees from above. This coffee shop is very quiet, always has an available table and no distractions. It’s a great place to get work done and the WiFi is good.
Cons: The service is sometimes slow and the selection of items to snack on minimal.
Try: A cappuccino (or two)
My typical order: Two cappuccinos, my computer, and people watching.