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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
ShakeYourFeathers · 28/04/2023 14:41

In order of preference

  1. pret - wish there was one nearest
  2. Starbucks too weak
  3. cafe nero- loses a point for the slow service
  4. Costa too strong
hettiethehare · 28/04/2023 14:41

Out of the big chains, I like Pret coffee the best. Can't stand Starbucks or Costa.

My favourite is from a local small chain in SE London though.

Mogginsthemog · 28/04/2023 14:50

Cafe Nero is the best of the chains.

Starbucks is not good imo.

Gail's varies, have found you have to ask for it 'extra hot' or it turns up luke warm. I questioned this and they said that it needs to be ready for people to drink, but surely most people want a hot coffee ??

DappledThings · 28/04/2023 14:59

Mogginsthemog · 28/04/2023 14:50

Cafe Nero is the best of the chains.

Starbucks is not good imo.

Gail's varies, have found you have to ask for it 'extra hot' or it turns up luke warm. I questioned this and they said that it needs to be ready for people to drink, but surely most people want a hot coffee ??

Lukewarm is perfect for me, hate how long drinks take to cool down to a temperature I can actually drink it at. At least 20 minutes for a standard Americano with cold milk for me.

But I am a minority! My mum always wants hot milk with her coffee and still drinks it all before I've been able to start.

Sounds like Gail's might be right up my street....

ShirleyPhallus · 28/04/2023 15:02

DappledThings · 28/04/2023 14:59

Lukewarm is perfect for me, hate how long drinks take to cool down to a temperature I can actually drink it at. At least 20 minutes for a standard Americano with cold milk for me.

But I am a minority! My mum always wants hot milk with her coffee and still drinks it all before I've been able to start.

Sounds like Gail's might be right up my street....

Show quote history

Me too, I need to ask for coffees to be not too hot or they take 20 mins to cool down enough to drink

i also find if they’re too hot it’s because the milk has been burnt which adds to that sour coffee taste

MarkWithaC · 28/04/2023 15:05

Pret is OK as chain coffee goes and I tend to like the staff too, in most branches, which is unusual in a big chain.

Starbucks is horrible. Burnt and weak-tasting.

Someone told me recently Gails' is nice (I like Gails but I'm never there in the morning, which is when I have coffee, so I only know their tea and hot chocolate).

The best are two or three small indies, all modelled on the new wave of Antipodean-style cafes, in my neighbourhood in north-east London. The chains can't hold a candle to a good indie.

Best coffee ever was years ago when DP and I were on a shoestring holiday in Rome, in a tiny and not at all prepossessing locals' cafe in the old style with a long counter and gruff blokes in burgundy jackets manning it. They had a morning deal of a cappuccino and a croissant for about 1 euro 50 and it was and remains the nicest coffee I've ever had.

GrannyWeatherwaxsHatpin · 28/04/2023 15:06

Independents can be very overrated. One of the worst cups of coffee I've ever had came from an independent. We have a small indie chain where I live and they're lovely...but I don't like their coffee as it's far too bitter and strong. Other indies can be good but over-priced - I don't want to pay £4 for a coffee just because it's been curated by a Hoxton hipster in a man-bun and deck shoes.

If I'm buying from a chain, McDonalds or Greggs are the better ones.

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.

PuttingDownRoots · 28/04/2023 16:24

The coffee from our local garden centre is divine. Never tasted anything like it. Actually considered going to buy a second one.

I want to know what they use...

poppym12 · 28/04/2023 16:30

For chains, I quite enjoy Caffe Nero and, sometimes, Soho Coffee is ok. If it's just Costa, Starbucks etc around I have a bottle of water instead.

I'm always happy when I find an independent selling Illy as that's my favourite.

Delatron · 29/04/2023 09:59

peachespeachespeaches · 28/04/2023 14:01

You're insane.

Go independent.

Show quote history

I do choose independent if available. I thought the thread was about best chain coffee though I’ve reread and it’s not.

I kind of take it as a given that independent is better. Then it’s interesting to see everyone’s views on the chains (as we all have different independents so that’s not useful).

Still maintain Greggs and McDonalds do good coffee. I thought it was just me - pleased to see others agree. And also the hate for Starbucks.

I remember reading Costa has the most caffeine. This was an eye opener for me as I’m quite sensitive to caffeine and was occasionally having one of their coffees around lunch and then not sleeping. So that makes sense - I avoid now.

AbreathofFrenchair · 29/04/2023 10:05

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.

High Street wise I prefer caffe nero, I collect starbucks cups, I don't like Costa at all and McDonalds and Gregg's do really good coffee too.

The best I've had had was in Spain in the hotel, I get excited to go back and take my own larger mug, it's my favourite thing to do on our first full day. They fill my large cup for me and I sit by the pool with my book for an hour, love it!!!

There's also an independent coffee shop that does amazing coffee too and I go there on a Saturday with my book. Just getting ready to go this morning

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

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.

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.

WandaWonder · 30/04/2023 02:31

Morrison's cafe

User17439876 · 30/04/2023 03:26

Marks & Spencer cafe

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.

Toddlerteaplease · 30/04/2023 03:37

Neros or McDonald's is the best.

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.

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.

thinkfast · 30/04/2023 08:18

Gails coffee is very nice imo.

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.

Ludlow2 · 30/04/2023 09:03

McDonald's and greggs.

Surprisely are the winners 🏆.

Rest are rank and overrated.

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.