Profile
Die HAP Koffiehuis Pretoria is one of the most delightfully unusual and characterful coffee houses in the capital city — a bohemian Afrikaner coffee house, pub, and grill at 115 Malherbe Street, Capital Park, tucked away in a quiet suburban street where, as one reviewer put it, “if you blink you will miss it.” Rated 4.4 stars on Google and 4.5 stars across 275 reviews on the Pretoria.co.za platform, Die HAP Koffiehuis (the name translates roughly as “the bite coffee house”) combines great coffee, live music, vegan and vegetarian options, cocktails, a fully licensed bar, outdoor seating, cosy indoor spaces with a retro-chic Afrikaner design aesthetic, a claw bathtub seating nook by the pond, a small M Coertze museum within the venue, quirky nick-nacks around every corner, function hire for daytime events, photoshoot hosting, and the kind of warmly personal service that owner and team leader Susan delivers to every guest. With a free venue hire offer for WhatsApp-arranged functions, HAP Koffiehuis is as much a community gathering space as it is a restaurant — the cultural identity of the Pretoria Afrikaner creative community made physical at a suburban address.
The Setting: “If You Blink You’ll Miss It”
Capital Park is one of Pretoria’s older residential suburbs — a quiet, tree-lined suburb north of the city centre with a mix of original mid-century homes and small businesses. 115 Malherbe Street is unassuming from the outside, and that is precisely the point. HAP Koffiehuis is a venue that rewards those who know about it and discover it for the first time — a hidden treasure that multiple reviewers describe as a “gem,” a “hidden treasure,” and a “suburban oasis.”
Once inside, the surprise is immediate. The decor is described as “retro chic” and “bohemian design infused with Afrikaner elements” — a combination that creates a visual environment unlike anything else in Capital Park or the broader Pretoria north suburbs. Quirky nick-nacks line every corner; a small museum dedicated to South African artist M Coertze occupies part of the space; and the outdoor area includes the now-legendary claw bathtub seating nook by the pond — a piece of outdoor furniture so characterful that reviewers specifically mention it.
One reviewer described arriving to find: “What a delightful unassuming space to sit back, kick off your shoes and relax. The service is friendly, the prices fair and the food delicious with a twist and surprise around every corner.”
The Food: Roti Burgers, Chicken Curry Pie, and Schnitzels
Die HAP Koffiehuis’s menu reflects its bohemian, creative identity — food with personality rather than formula.
The Homemade Roti Burger is the standout dish, described by a reviewer as “a burger which was in effect a homemade Roti stacked with 2 patties, rib, bacon, garlic cheese sauce, onion, vegetables.” The Roti burger format gives the dish a distinctly South African fusion quality.
Chicken Curry Pie is a specifically recommended dish that appears in multiple reviews and profiles.
Schnitzels are perfectly cooked and singled out as an item that “can make a great impression.” The Hoender Hap Snitchel features chicken schnitzel with three cheese sauce, wine and basil pesto, tomato slices, salad and dressing.
Snack platters are popular for groups and afternoon visits, while coffee is consistently noted as good, with the barista operation a genuine draw for the Capital Park community.
Sunday specials include beef with or without hollander sauce, homemade mosbolletjies (anise bread rolls), rice, and banana chutney at R55, bookable with Lientjie at 082 702 7918. Baba Tee (baby shower tea) packages are also available as a specific event format.
Prices are described consistently as “very reasonable,” “adequate,” and “fair” — one of the venue’s strongest attributes for regular local visitors.
Live Music and Bohemian Cultural Identity
Live music is a defining element of the Die HAP Koffiehuis experience. Musicians perform in the evenings, and the venue’s cultural positioning — described as a “huis vir Afrikaanse poësie” (house for Afrikaans poetry) on social media — reflects its role as a cultural gathering space for the Pretoria Afrikaner creative community. The Afrikaans identity is not nationalistic but artistic: it is about language as a living, expressive form, as captured in the venue’s own manifesto shared on social media: “Afrikaans bring ons bymekaar… dit is my leeftaal, droomtaal, lagtaal, my huiltaal, bakleitaal, verskiltaal, my dinktaal, praattaal, leestaal, skryftaal, my mensweestaal.”
Functions and Photoshoots: Daytime Event Hire
Die HAP Koffiehuis actively offers its venue for daytime functions — and uniquely, advertises free venue hire for functions arranged via WhatsApp (083 607 6956). This pricing model makes it particularly accessible for smaller community events, baby showers, family celebrations, and informal corporate gatherings that want the character and warmth of the venue without the financial barrier of a formal booking fee.
Photoshoots have also been hosted at the venue. One reviewer wrote: “We had a great time at this charming venue for our photoshoots! Thank you, Susan, for accommodating us so well.”
Susan: The Heart of HAP
Owner and team leader Susan is the personality at the centre of Die HAP Koffiehuis. Her name appears in review after review — praised for exceptional service, warmth, and the ability to make guests feel genuinely welcomed. One reviewer wrote: “Susan and team, I feel incredibly fortunate to have crossed paths with you. Your exceptional service truly made our day unforgettable.” Another said: “Thank you, Susan, for accommodating us so well.”
Practical Information
Die HAP Koffiehuis is wheelchair accessible at the entrance, seating, restroom, and parking. The venue offers outdoor seating, dine-in, takeaway, and delivery options. Vegan and vegetarian dishes are available, and the venue operates a fully licensed bar serving cocktails, wine, beer, and hard liquor. NFC mobile payments and credit/debit cards are accepted. High chairs are available for families, and reservations are welcomed.
Google Rating: 4.4 stars
Address: 115 Malherbe Street, Capital Park, Pretoria, Gauteng, 0084 — approximately 981 metres from Capital Park train station.
Tel: 082 887 0504
Function bookings: WhatsApp 083 607 6956
Sunday booking: WhatsApp Lientjie 082 702 7918
For menu updates, live music nights, and event bookings, follow Die HAP Koffiehuis on social media or visit purecafe.co.za.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the operating hours for Die HAP Koffiehuis?
A: Die HAP Koffiehuis is open Tuesday through Sunday from 09:00 to 20:00. The venue is closed on Mondays.
Q: Is there a fee to hire Die HAP Koffiehuis for functions?
A: The venue offers free venue hire for daytime functions arranged via WhatsApp at 083 607 6956. This makes it particularly accessible for baby showers, family celebrations, and smaller community events.
Q: What signature dishes should I try at Die HAP Koffiehuis?
A: The homemade Roti Burger is the standout dish, featuring 2 patties, rib, bacon, garlic cheese sauce, onion, and vegetables wrapped in homemade roti. The Chicken Curry Pie and perfectly cooked schnitzels are also highly recommended by reviewers.
Q: Does Die HAP Koffiehuis accommodate dietary restrictions?
A: Yes, the venue offers vegan and vegetarian options on the menu. The kitchen caters to various dietary preferences while maintaining the creative, fusion character of the food.
Q: Is Die HAP Koffiehuis wheelchair accessible?
A: Yes, the venue is fully wheelchair accessible, including the entrance, seating areas, restroom, and parking facilities.
Q: What is special about the Sunday offering at Die HAP Koffiehuis?
A: Sunday specials include beef with or without hollander sauce, homemade mosbolletjies (anise bread rolls), rice, and banana chutney for R55. Bookings can be made with Lientjie at 082 702 7918.
Q: Does Die HAP Koffiehuis host live music?
A: Yes, live music is a defining element of the venue, with musicians performing in the evenings. The venue serves as a cultural gathering space for the Pretoria Afrikaner creative community and is described as a “house for Afrikaans poetry.”
Q: What makes the outdoor area at Die HAP Koffiehuis unique?
A: The outdoor area features a legendary claw bathtub seating nook by the pond, quirky decor, and bohemian design elements. It’s described by reviewers as a “suburban oasis” with a distinctly retro-chic Afrikaner aesthetic.
Q: What payment methods are accepted at Die HAP Koffiehuis?
A: The venue accepts NFC mobile payments as well as credit and debit cards. This makes payment convenient for all guests.
Explore more coffee shops and event venues in Capital Park and northern Pretoria through our Pretoria event venues directory, or browse all Gauteng event venue listings for venues across the province.
