2013 Awards – Best Coffee Bean Retailer

An espresso, in a classic white cup on a white saucer on a tableFirst up today, the 2013 Coffee Spot Award shortlist for “Best Coffee Bean Retailer”. Although the Coffee Spot is mostly about places to have coffee, I drink the majority of my coffee at home, so those wonderful people who provide me with my coffee beans need a mention. The problem is, I’m very loyal when it comes to my coffee beans, so I have a tendency to stick with the tried and trusted few, which is in complete contrast to my café visiting habits. I used to be loyal there too, but since starting the Coffee Spot I hardly ever go back to places, even if I love them!

Anyway, since I’m still getting most of my beans from the same two places I got them last year, I’m going to cheat just this once and put them on the shortlist as well!

You can see the shortlist after the gallery.

  • Workhouse Coffee on Oxford Road: cafe, roaster and retailer.
  • Pumphrey's Brewing Emporium, Grainger Market, Newcastle
  • Toi Moi & Cafe: diner, coffee shop and purveyor of fine coffee beans
  • About Coffee, bringing fine coffee to the town of Colne
  • Rave Coffee Roasters, direct from the roastery
  • Coffee Charisma on Guildford's North Street Market
  • Algerian Coffee Stores on Old Compton Street, Soho
Workhouse Coffee on Oxford Road: cafe, roaster and retailer.1 Pumphrey's Brewing Emporium, Grainger Market, Newcastle2 Toi Moi & Cafe: diner, coffee shop and purveyor of fine coffee beans3 About Coffee, bringing fine coffee to the town of Colne4 Rave Coffee Roasters, direct from the roastery5 Coffee Charisma on Guildford's North Street Market6 Algerian Coffee Stores on Old Compton Street, Soho7
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There are seven Coffee Spots on the shortlist this year, listed in order of publication, but with the 2012 Coffee Spots at the end.

The exterior of Workhouse Coffee Company on the corner of Oxford and Edinburgh RoadsWorkhouse Coffee, Oxford Road

The wonderful Workhouse Coffee in Reading has a couple of branches, this one and a more recent one in the centre. Greg, the owner, roasts all his own beans, all of which are on sale from both branches of Workhouse.

The retail side of Pumphrey's Brewing Emporium, Granger Market, NewcastlePumphrey’s Brewing Emporium

An institution in Newcastle, Pumphrey’s Brewing Emporium is cafe and tasting room on one side, and coffee bean retailer on the other. By the way, you can try any of the beans you can find on this side at the brew bar on the other side.

Coffee Beans for sale at Toi, Moi et Cafe in MontrealToi Moi & Café

Just around the corner from my friend Adam’s place in Montréal, Toi, Moi & Café is a lovely place which serves a mean breakfast. However, it also roasts all its own beans which you can drink in or buy to take home with you.

About Coffee's pleasing exterior on Church StreetAbout Coffee

More than just a bean retailer, About Coffee is also a wonderful cafe, with a great atmosphere and quirky layout. Bringing top-notch coffee to the good people of Colne, Lancashire, there is a wide selection of beans to take away with you.

Three bags of Rave Coffee, packed and ready to go!Rave Coffee Roasters

Rave roasts coffee in Cirencester then posts it direct to you, wherever you are in the country. Somehow I have never got the hang of buying coffee beans by mail-order but with the likes of Rave out there, maybe I ought to give it a go!

Trish, the Proud Owner of Coffee Charisma, at her Stall on Guildford's North Street MarketCoffee Charisma

However, until I do get the hang of mail-order shopping for my beans, I shall remain loyal to Trish and Coffee Charisma on Guildford’s North Street market, the place where I still get the majority of my beans!

Algerian Coffee StoresAlgerian Coffee Stores

Another old favourite, I’ve been getting my espresso beans from the Algerian Coffee Stores on Old Compton Street, Soho, for more years than I care to remember! It’s still a delight to visit the store though and it’s a great spot for a cheeky takeaway espresso!

A special mention needs to go to Workhouse Coffee’s King Street branch which could qualify just as easily as Oxford Road since they both sell the same range of beans (all roasted in-house by Workhouse).

And the winner is Coffee Charisma (again!)
Runners-up: About CoffeeRave Coffee Roasters

You can find all 20 of the 2013 Coffee Spot Awards here.


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4 thoughts on “2013 Awards – Best Coffee Bean Retailer

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