Father Coffee

Overview

Father Coffee was founded in 2013 in Braamfontein, Johannesburg by Nick Christowitz, Barry Weedon, Angie Batis, and Chad Goddard, originally as a small herringbone-clad concept store below the Neighbourgoods Market on Juta Street. The roastery — now headquartered in Kramerville with cafes at The Zone in Rosebank — releases around 60 different coffees a year and produced the 2024 SA Barista Champion. Head roaster Chad Goddard sources globally with a focus on exemplars of provenance and processing.

Known for

• SA Barista Champion 2024
• South African Roastery of the Year (Coffee Magazine)
• 60+ different coffees released annually
• Original Braamfontein concept store became symbol of Joburg specialty wave
• Adjacent businesses include Wine Bar, Father Goods (wine retail), and bakery

Why it matters

Father represents the second wave of South African specialty — a generation that came up after Origin and Bean There established the market and could focus purely on coffee craft and design without missionary work. The 'Fresh to Death' mantra and high-volume rotation reflect a roastery confident enough to keep changing.

Production

head roaster

Chad Goddard

roastery location

Kramerville, Johannesburg

Café

The Zone @ Rosebank, 177 Oxford Rd, Rosebank, Johannesburg

Recognitions

• South Africa Barista Champion (2024)
• Roastery of the Year - Coffee Magazine

Sources

• https://www.father.coffee/
• https://magazine.coffee/blog/1/6228/father-coffee-a-spectrum-of-flavour
• https://visi.co.za/father-fixation/
• https://www.thewaytocoffee.com/roasters/father-coffee/
• https://www.inyourpocket.com/johannesburg/father-coffee-kramerville_169657v