CoffeeWorks Project

The Slayer at Coffee Works Project, complete with bottomless portafiller, in actionLiterally a stone’s throw away from Monday’s Coffee Spot, Islington’s Tinderbox, we find relative newcomer, the CoffeeWorks Project, which recently celebrated its first birthday. In fact, you could see Tinderbox from the CoffeeWorks Project’s front window and vice-versa, were it not for the brick-built arcade, now occupied by a Jack Wills, which separates Islington’s Upper Street (Tinderbox) from the High Street (CoffeeWorks Project).

The CoffeeWorks Project, as the name implies, is all about the coffee, although that shouldn’t detract from the excellent sandwiches and cakes, plus the quirky layout and lovely garden (sadly closed in the winter). However, pride of place goes to the Slayer espresso machine, the only one in London and one of (I believe) just four in the country. Using this beauty, owner Peter and his team get the best out of their Has Bean coffee, throwing some very impressive pour-overs into the mix.

While I was there, the CoffeeWorks Project had two espresso single-origins, plus a decaf single-origin, to go with another three single-origin pour-over options and a bulk-brew filter thrown in for good measure. I did my best to sample them all, but may well have to return for another go!

December 2016: The CoffeeWorks Project is now a mini-chain with three branches (this, Leadenhall Market and Blackfriars Road) and, since the summer, it has been roasting all its own coffee.

September 2018: Good news and bad news. The CoffeeWorks Project is now a mini-chain with five branches, but sadly the Leadenhall Market branch has had to close.

You can read more of my thoughts after the gallery.

  • Coffee Project Works as seen from Tinderbox. Or it would be if the arcade wasn't in the way!
  • And there it is, a few steps off the beaten track, but definitely worth it.
  • Nice sign.
  • Stepping inside, you're faced by a crowd waiting to collect their coffee.
  • The crowd breaks to reveal a very fine counter, but still no sign of where to order.
  • Ahh! Here it is, down past the Slayer.
  • There's this handy bench opposite the Slayer if you want to sit and wait.
  • A view of the counter-side of the store from the back.
  • And the view down the other side. The Slayer (and counter) are to the left behind the wall.
  • The bar seating in the front window.
  • The view from the window: that arcarde again!
  • The comfy seats at the back.
  • One of the arm chairs.
  • The decor is quirky: whitewashed walls with the odd patch of bare brick!
  • There are also odd seats dotted around...
  • However, past the seat, the corridor leads somewhere promising...
  • A flight of stairs leads tantalisingly down; this is the view out of the window at the top.
  • The garden at the back is idylic and sheltered... But closed in the winter!
  • It's full of interesting features: this might be a herb garden come the summer.
  • There's also this full-size bird cage.
  • And this Greek (looking) urn.
  • On your way to the garden you pass this lovely space, which sadly isn't open to the public
  • However, there are plans to open it as an intimate little space.
  • Detail of the wall
  • So, down to business. The Slayer is so important, it has its own menu!
  • The House, Guest and Decaf Beans explained.
  • There's also a dedicated filter menu, with tasting notes.
  • The full drinks menu. There's quite a lot of tea as well.
  • And bulk-brew if you're in a hurry.
  • Three grinders... (and Peter hard at work on the Slayer)
  • House...
  • ... Guest...
  • ... and Decaf.
  • A sneaky behind-the-scenes view of the Slayer
  • Wooden basket handles & paddles and group heads so shiny you can see your own reflection!
  • The Slayer in action. Look at that pour.
  • And the end result: decaf flat white in a glass.
  • And my pour-over.
  • A Cheshire cheese and plum chutney bun for lunch. Very fine it was too!
Photo Carousel by WOWSlider.com v4.6

From the outset, the CoffeeWorks Project cuts an impressive figure on Islington’s High Street. Windows dominate the store-front, along with grey-painted frames, which makes it both visually appealing from the outside and bright on the inside. Bars running the length of the windows either side of the door also make it seem very busy and welcoming.

Although quite big, the CoffeeWorks Project is on several levels, feeling like two shops knocked into one. This creates several distinct spaces, each one having a fairly intimate feel. A brick wall, quite possibly load-bearing, sits like an island in the middle of the store, separating the counter from the bulk of the seating. The only drawback to this arrangement is that it makes it difficult to sit and watch the Slayer in action, but maybe that’s just me.

I liked the overall look and feel of the CoffeeWorks Project. It was an interesting mix of wood and whitewashed walls, with the occasional patch of exposed brickwork where the plaster had come away. The only thing that seemed a little incongruous was the stainless steel kitchen in the corner. Downstairs is a lovely garden, sadly closed for the winter!

The CoffeeProject Works also has an interesting ordering system. In most coffee shops, you order, then, if it’s a takeaway, move along to collect your coffee. In the CoffeeWorks Project, the order point is at the far end of the counter, past the Slayer, while the collection point is at the front of the counter. This means that if there’s a crowd, you have to push past those waiting for their coffee to order yours.

Alternatively, if you’re new to the CoffeeProject Works, you may well do what I did: wander up to the takeaway part of the counter and look nonplussed until a member of staff directs you around the corner to the right place. In fairness, when you get there, you are standing right in front of the menus!

It’s well worth the confusion though, since the coffee is excellent. I was there with Lee from Matthew Algie, who knows a thing or two about coffee, and we were soon purring in appreciation over the quality of our pour-overs. Between us, we tried the Rwanda Shara (washed) and the Sumatra Wahana Lingtong (Natural), passing on the Kenya Karani (washed). While we both liked the Rwanda, the consensus was that the Sumatra was all-round a more satisfying cup. Although the Rwandan was very fine, with plenty of body, the Sumatran was sharper, with a little less body. While it was more adventurous than the Rwandan and did more for the palette, it wasn’t so adventurous as to scare me off!

Lee had to go at that point, but I followed it up (in the interests of self-preservation) with the decaf as a flat white. This meant passing up on the house bean, a Colombia Finca La Esperanza, which sounded quite interesting, and the guest, a Nicaragua Finca Limoncillo, which looked far too exciting for my palette! However, the decaf, a Colombia El Meridiano Rioblanco, was excellent, going very well with the milk. It was a lovely, smooth coffee, with no hints of bitterness or leaving a dry feeling in the mouth that you can sometimes get. The milk was also very well steamed.

96-98 HIGH STREET • ISLINGTON • LONDON • N1 8EG
http://coffeeworksproject.com +44 (0) 207 424 5020
Monday 07:30 – 18:00 Roaster CoffeeWorks Project (espresso + filter)
Tuesday 07:30 – 18:00 Seating Tables, Bars, Sofas, Tables in Garden
Wednesday 07:30 – 18:00 Food Cake, Lunch, Sandwiches
Thursday 07:30 – 18:00 Service Order at Counter
Friday 07:30 – 18:00 Cards Amex, Visa, Mastercard
Saturday 09:00 – 18:00 Wifi Free
Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 Power Yes
Chain Local Visits 15th November 2013

You can see what fellow blogger, Gladieater, made of the CoffeeWorks Project. You can also see what I made of Leadenhall Market branch of the CoffeeWorks Project, although this now now sadly closed.


If you liked this post, please let me know by clicking the “Like” button. If you have a WordPress account and you don’t mind everyone knowing that you liked this post, you can use the “Like this” button right at the bottom instead. [bawlu_buttons]
Don ‘t forget that you can share this post with your friends using the buttons below.

6 thoughts on “CoffeeWorks Project

  1. Maybe the reversal of the order system is focused on getting out? I’d be far less fazed by not having to get past people with a full cup to go!

  2. Pingback: Brian's Coffee Spot

  3. Pingback: 2013 Awards – Most Passionate About Coffee | Brian's Coffee Spot

  4. Pingback: MacIntyre Coffee | Brian's Coffee Spot

  5. Pingback: Coffee Works Project, Leadenhall Market | Brian's Coffee Spot

Please let me know what you think. Guidelines for comments are in the "Posts" drop-down menu.