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Original poster

Best coffee out?

112 replies

MagistrateMolly · 28/04/2023 08:32

Where do you get the best coffee from? I haven't bought coffee for ages, instead using my cafetiere at home.

So, is it Starbucks, Costa, Pret, local independent, or where?

The best I ever had was in Sicily on holiday, nothing ever came close.

OP posts:
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SalviaDivinorum · 30/04/2023 09:59

I avoid all the chains. You pay a lot for mediocre coffee at best. Independents are usually better but to be honest I often just bring my own in a small flask.

Tinytigertail · 30/04/2023 09:48

Coldilox · 28/04/2023 08:39

Starbucks is horrible. Costa is drinkable. Caffè Nero is the best of the big chains. McDonalds is surprisingly decent.

Generally go for local independent places.

Agree with all of this. Though I always ask for a single shot in Nero. We have some great independents locally who really know their stuff in terms of the beans they use etc

JustDanceAddict · 30/04/2023 09:38

Ps: I had a coffee from Leon recently which was pretty decent.

JustDanceAddict · 30/04/2023 09:37

Chains

Not keen on costa or pret
Nero - ok (free w Vitality so I’ll take the freebie thanks although I do find it a bit bitter)
Starbucks - prob the fave of the chains cos I like it milky!!

We have some good independents pretty locally so lucky in that respect. I’d rather support a local but it has to be decent brew.

Personally I like a milky coffee, but reasonably strong, not bitter.

FangsForTheMemory · 30/04/2023 09:32

What we need is a thread of independents that serve stupendous coffee.

GardenGnomic · 30/04/2023 09:21

Of the chains Starbucks is suprisingly, to me, marmite. I am one of those that can't stand it.. and I think I am relatively unfussy. I like a good coffee, but will drink mediocre ones. My choices go: independents, McDs, Cafe Nero, Costa. Lots of others, will not drink Starbucks.

FangsForTheMemory · 30/04/2023 09:18

Small independents are always the best.

GonnaGetGoingReturns · 30/04/2023 09:17

Gail’s is nice.

We have several local independents (including a chain of about 8 independents) and a wankerish independent who I would like but they don’t do dairy and are so hipster and snobbish that I’ve vetoed them now.

Oldraver · 30/04/2023 09:14

I have only ever had one cup of decent coffee out, and it was a few years ago at the Haagan Daz cafe in Leicester Square (now gone)

These 'barristas' twat about with coffee for ages and my OH's instant coffee lattes are still better

Ragwort · 30/04/2023 09:13

Herrick that's what makes this thread so interesting... I am a real coffee 'snob' ... there are only a few places where I will drink coffee and even after 30+ years of marriage I don't trust my DH to make my coffee just how I like it. At work I always make my own coffee and whilst happy to make it for others ... much prefer to faff around with my individual filter, fresh ground beans etc myself.

To be fair, my DH much prefers to make his own tea ... as I don't drink tea I never seem to make it right.

Fleur405 · 30/04/2023 09:11

Where I am we have two pretty good independents. Of the chains I would say Cafe Nero is the best coffee (their serving system is REALLY annoying though, followed by Starbucks. Costa is easily the worst.

I base this all on the flat whites. You won’t get anything that recreates a cappuccino like your get in Italy unless you happen to have an actual Italian trained barista in one of your local shops.

Mephisneon · 30/04/2023 09:09

I drink loads of different types and quality of coffee (never instant though I don't like the taste)

These threads are always going to be full of people insisting the chains are rank and coffee dust. So become useless tbh.

I often grab an iced oat latte from tesco cafe. It's surprisingly good!

HerrickForever · 30/04/2023 09:07

I’m always envious of peoples taste buds when I read threads like this.

To me all coffee tastes the same. Of coffee. I’m obviously missing something.

Ludlow2 · 30/04/2023 09:03

McDonald's and greggs.

Surprisely are the winners 🏆.

Rest are rank and overrated.

Ionacat · 30/04/2023 08:25

I like our local independent coffee roasters that do take away coffee - we get our beans from there.

In terms of chains:
Cafe Nero
Pret/Black Sheep

then at the bottom Costa or Starbucks. But so much seems to depend on the skill of the barista so it can be a bit hit and miss.

thinkfast · 30/04/2023 08:18

Gails coffee is very nice imo.

SoShallINever · 30/04/2023 07:40

Our small town has 6 independents. One of them is run by a Sudanese lady who makes amazing drinks (and food).
Otherwise it's McDonald's for me.
Starbucks is undrinkable and Costa makes me feel ill, I think this is because of the insane caffeine level.

KimberleyClark · 30/04/2023 05:13

Ragwort · 30/04/2023 02:21

All Independent are not equal Grin. In our small town we have at least six Independent coffee shop but only one is consistently outstanding so that is where I would go for a coffee if meeting friends. We have various chains.. one is Coffee #1 but haven't seen it mentioned on this thread and haven't particularly enjoyed the coffee I've had from there a couple of times.

I mentioned Coffee #1 upthread. I like it. They do great toasted teacakes too.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2023 03:37

Neros or McDonald's is the best.

DogDamIt · 30/04/2023 03:28

I've yet to find a coffee out in the UK that doesn't taste rank.
Starbucks can shove their ditchwater that they try to pass off as coffee up their arse.

User17439876 · 30/04/2023 03:26

Marks & Spencer cafe

WandaWonder · 30/04/2023 02:31

Morrison's cafe

Ragwort · 30/04/2023 02:21

All Independent are not equal Grin. In our small town we have at least six Independent coffee shop but only one is consistently outstanding so that is where I would go for a coffee if meeting friends. We have various chains.. one is Coffee #1 but haven't seen it mentioned on this thread and haven't particularly enjoyed the coffee I've had from there a couple of times.

HisOliveTree · 29/04/2023 10:12

MyUsernameToday · 28/04/2023 09:41

Anywhere that serves Illy coffee

Our local deli serves this, and it's the nicest in town.

The last time I had a Costa, it came straight back up, never again. So bitter.

AbreathofFrenchair · 29/04/2023 10:07

ODFOx · 28/04/2023 16:19

I am no coffee connoisseur but have been consistently disappointed by coffee shop chains. Then really enjoyed a coffee from McDonalds where I had absolutely no expectation.
The only one I would actively avoid is Costa as it varies so much from one franchise to the next: sometimes mediocre, sometimes undrinkable. But I know some people love it, so it is all down to personal preference.

Why does Costa differ?! I've had a nice hot chocolate in one and another was so watery, it was awful. The coffee is never consistent in the same shop either.

Caffe Nero seems to be consistent, as do the others

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