Best coffee out?

[MagistrateMolly]

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.

I just knew this thread was going to be full of people claiming that all coffee from chains is awful, and that their local independent cafe is much better. Which is of not use at all to the OP.

My favourite of the chains is definitely Pret, their flat white in particular is good (partly as I tend to find lattes too milky). Generally consistent between different branches as well. I also like a cappuccino from Cafe Nero.

I’m not a fan of Costa generally, but do like their coffees when made with coconut milk. Which may well be as the coconut taste overrides the average coffee, so not exactly a glowing recommendation!

There are absolutely tons of independent coffee shops near where I am, I probably have half a dozen favourites to pick from depending on which part of town I'm in, if I want a black coffee or one with milk, how much I'm prepared to spend (my absolute favourite is £££ so a rare treat).

Of the big national chains, Caffe Nero is the one I've found to be consistently best for me. Strongly dislike Starbucks and Pret's coffee. In Costa I've found I have to order a drink at lease one size smaller than what I actually want to get something that isn't just a giant cup of hot milk (so e.g. cortado if I want a flat white).

I had a coffee in the IKEA near us last weekend that was surprisingly palatable!

Starbucks over Nero. Nero over Costa. But none of them worth the price difference from a McDonalds.

But a Banoffee French Vanilla from Tim Hortons is the greatest thing I’ve ever tasted.

I mean, to be fair, OP did specifically reference independents in her post, and it'll be true for a lot of people that they prefer the coffee from their local independents to big chains. I think most people are also providing their thoughts on the chains in addition.

@queenatom you're the 2nd person I've seen recommending a cortado from Costa if you want a flat white. I'll have to try it.

I like a cortada from Costa too.

My ranking would be:

• Better Independents
• Harris + Hoole (if you are lucky enough to have one nearby - usually with a Tesco store)
• Cafe Nero
• Pret
• Costa

I actively avoid Starbucks and their over-roast, almost burnt, flavour profile.

I drink my coffee black, and also predominantly drink decaf (for boring medical reasons) - which probably influences this ranking somewhat.

Only the better independents make better coffee than I can make at home - so I tend to buy most of my coffee at those when I am not at home. My Londinium L1, HG-One grinder and Rave Swiss Water Method decaf beans make really good coffee.

Cafe Nero is vile. Mcdonalds is one of the best. Costa and Starbucks both fine, but nothing special.

Most chain coffee shops I've been in are filthy, but Caffe Nero has the best coffee out of the chains. I try to opt for small independent ones, but the coffee is often too weak and tastes of just milk 🤷‍♀️ I sometimes go to an independent nearby that does a good flat white.

-Starbucks makes me feel sick

-Nero - drinkable but overpriced

• Costa- overpriced and dirty shops

I go to a lovely independent place which serves the best (in my opinion) coffee in the area and is much cheaper than the chain coffee shops. Although obviously taste is subjective. I'm jn Nantwich.

Black Sheep or Monmouth Coffee

It's definitely the way to go if you want something that vaguely resembles a traditional flat white! My husband's regular order is a cortado which is how we discovered this - meanwhile my flat white was bigger than some lattes I've received.

I've only ever had burned coffee from cafe Nero and Pret.
Costa is drinkable but not great.
Starbucks is the worst tasting of all.

You've got to go independent. Central and East London has some brilliant little coffee spots.

Another vote for Monmouth. Nothing else anywhere near as good.

You're insane.

Go independent.

Caffè Nero is the best of the big chains, and if you have a Boston Tea Party near you (Midlands / West) then their coffee is very good. There is a small Midlands chain called Java if you happen to be in Birmingham or surrounds.

Randomly my children's independent swimming pool sells absolutely fantastic coffee

I spend about 6 months of the year with Monmouth as my local coffee shop and they're my favourite coffee by a long way.

I'm not above a chain coffee though and would prefer a Nero out of all the high street brands, but tbh if I need a coffee I'll drink pretty much anything, although I do enjoy nice coffee I see it as primarily a functional drink.

Drinking too much chain coffee makes me feel pretty weird though

Out of the big chains Cafe Nero is the best

Anywhere I see Lavazza or illy coffee

i like the taste of Nero and Starbucks but dislike Costa coffee

I also like cortado from Costa. But also a fan of a Gregs mocha!

Make your own and take a flask.

Aside from Independent cafes, the only other place I love the coffee from is Arket!

Their coffee is AMAZING!!!

Where I live, the local independents are usually the best. Unless they’re East London hipster-type places where I tend to find the coffee just doesn’t taste as nice. It’s clearly something about how the beans are roasted as it tends to taste “thin” and really bitter.

Of the chains, definitely Caffè Nero. Costa is OK (as in, it’s a cup of coffee). Starbucks - I would have to be desperate.

But a lot of people clearly don’t share my view as Starbucks is very popular in my town!

Interesting. I agree that McDonalds is surprisingly nice but I can't stand Greggs coffee. The worst takeaway coffee I've ever had though, by far, was in Subway. Even worse than the vending machine at my local hospital. Just don't do it.

I like Nero, also like Starbucks but always need an extra shot (in a grande). Eat is also ok.

I can’t stand Caffè Nero would rather Costa.