Who are the humans behind Alostro Coffee Club?
Alostro is built by a small but intentional team of people who care deeply about craft, detail, and how spaces make others feel.
At the centre are Wandisa Zuba, an attorney, and Mlondolozi Hempe, an architect. Beyond the founders, Alostro is shaped just as much by the baristas, the kitchen team, the waitstaff, our manager, and the everyday conversations that happen across the counter.
What inspired you to open a café?
The idea wasn’t just to open a café, it was to create a space where people can pause, even briefly.
As people who lead busy lives, where everything is driven by schedules and urgency, we understand that it can sometimes feel like a rat race. Coffee became the anchor because it’s one of the few daily rituals people genuinely look forward to.
We wanted to build something around that ritual, something that connects coffee, food, and human interaction in a way that feels intentional.
What makes Alostro a unique café experience?
We think of Alostro less as a café and more as a social coffee platform. You can come in for a cup of coffee, but you can also stay for a meeting, join a run, play a board game or two, or simply sit and reset.
We’ve intentionally introduced elements of mindfulness, such as our daily reflection questions, which we share with our community via Instagram and on our takeaway cups.
There’s a deliberate balance between:
• good coffee;
• simple, well-executed food; and
• a space that doesn’t rush you.
How have the first few months of trading been?
Honestly, encouraging describes it best.
The first few months have been about learning; understanding our customers, refining our offering, and finding our rhythm.
We’ve seen steady growth in both sales and foot traffic, but more importantly, we’re starting to recognise faces. There is now a shift from customers to regulars, and that has been truly special for us.
Community building is king… how are you building the Alostro community?
For us, community isn’t a strategy, it is the foundation of what we are building.
That said, we’ve been intentional about creating moments where people can connect:
• our Social Sundays 5km run and walk;
• casual coffee tastings; and
• a dedicated shelf for board games and colouring books, encouraging fun and mentally engaging exchanges.
A lot of our growth has also come from people sharing their experiences organically, which has been the strongest form of community.
Tell us about your food offering? Everything looks SO delicious!
Thank you, that’s always good to hear.
The food is designed to support the coffee, not compete with it.
We focus on:
• clean, flavourful brunch-style dishes;
• comfort items with a slight twist; and
• options that balance indulgence and wellness.
From grilled sandwiches to fuller breakfast plates, everything is built to be familiar, but just refined enough to feel intentional.
We also pride ourselves on having some of the best banana bread in the city. We’ve even gone as far as creating a dessert around it, paired with sour cream and topped with espresso butter. You should try it.
What are your dreams for this café and brand?
The goal is to grow Alostro into a network of spaces that feel the same, regardless of where they are. Not in a generic way, but in a recognisable feeling of good coffee, thoughtful design, and a sense of belonging.
If we can build something that people associate with:
• slowing down;
• connecting; and
• enjoying simple rituals,
then we’ve done what we set out to do.
