First 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.

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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.

Workhouse 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.

Pumphrey’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.

Toi 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

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.

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!

Coffee 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 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 Coffee, Rave Coffee Roasters

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

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