Our third shortlist today is the shortlist for the “Best Coffee Spot near a Railway Station”. This was won in 2014 by Coffee Affair at Queenstown Road station, and rewards those Coffee Spots serving great coffee to desperate travellers on Britain’s rail network.
When you’re desperate for good coffee, railway stations are rarely the best places to be. But what if there was a great Coffee Spot just outside the station (or even in the concourse!) or a few minutes’ walk away and you didn’t know about it? Then this award is for you…
You can see the shortlist after the gallery.
There are 12 Coffee Spots on the shortlist this year, all listed in order of publication.
Just a short walk away from Bath station, the delightful Forum Coffee House is worth a visit in its own right, but it’s also close enough to the station so that you can pop in for a quick coffee if you’re waiting for your train. Forum Coffee House was also shortlisted for the Most Popular Coffee Spot Award.
The Flying Coffee Bean is a chain of outlets on stations in the south east which has made great strides over the last couple of years. The one on Guildford station serves consistently good coffee to commuters, but you can also get a platform pass and sneak onto Platform Two to sample the coffee if you like. The Flying Coffee Bean was also shortlisted for the Best Takeaway Coffee Award.
Whatever the weather, the wonderful Noble Espresso out the back of King’s Cross Station is there to serve you coffee from a regularly-rotating cast of roasters, putting many indoor coffee shsops to shame. Best for the morning commute, it sadly shuts before the main afternoon rush. Noble Espresso was also shortlisted for Best Takeaway Coffee and Most Passionate About Coffee Awards.
The wonderful Café Coho in Brighton is just a couple of minutes’ walk down the Queens Road from Brighton Station, although there are a couple of good options on the station concourse itself these days. However, if you’ve got the time and want to sit down, then Café Coho is for you. The food is particularly good, which is what got Café Coho shortlisted for the Best Breakfast Award.
The latest of the Beany Green chain opened its doors earlier this year in the newly refurbished Broadgate Circle, just northwest of Liverpool Street Station. Open late into the evenings and at the weekends, it’s ideal for either morning or evening commutes or if you’re popping into London at the weekend. Beany Green was also shortlisted for the Best Takeaway Coffee and Most Popular Coffee Spot Awards.
Ealing Station, at the end of the District and Central Lines and just a short ride from Paddington, doesn’t actually house the Electric Coffee Company. Instead,. leave the station, turn right and you’re there. It’s also handy for the buses! Serving espresso and filter coffee, all roasted in-house, the Electric Coffee Company is a real treat. The Electric Coffee Company was also shortlisted for the Happiest Staff, Best Breakfast and Coffee Spot Special Awards.
The second Beany Green nominee is in Regent’s Place, just a few minutes’ walk west of London Euston station and the ideal escape from what is not one of the capital’s best stations. It makes the perfect spot to kill time if you have a long wait for a train or want to grab something to take on the journey. Beany Green was also shortlisted for the Best Takeaway Coffee and Happiest Staff Awards.
One of the stylish new branches of Notes, this is a destination in itself as well as a good sit-down alternative to Noble Espresso. It’s also handy in the evenings when everywhere else is closed. Head for Noble, then keep going and you’ll find Notes on Pancras Square. My personal favourite spot is upstairs in the mezzanine, but outside is good as long as it’s not raining! Talking of which, Notes was also shortlisted for the Best Outdoor Seating Award.
Earlier this year, Lanark Coffee took over the old Drink, Shop, Dash, bringing its stripped-back coffee-focused look to King’s Cross. On the opposite side of the station from Noble Espresso, it’s another good option, particularly if you have time to sit down. If not, grab your coffee and go, and, if you’re really in a hurry, try the bulk-brew filter. Lanark has also been shortlisted for the Smallest Coffee Spot Award.
2015 was a good year for London’s station as Kioskafé moved in just down the street from Paddington. A cross between a coffee shop and newsagent, Kioskafé is another destination in itself, but also a good option if you’re stuck at Paddington. Alternatively, if you’re arriving by tube from the south/east, get off at Edgeware Road & pop in on your way by. Kioskafé was also shortlisted for the Best Takeaway Coffee Award.
Jika Jika, which started life in Bath, has been around for a while, bringing Origin coffee to the capital all the way from Cornwall. It’s just around the corner from Euston Square tube station and makes a great option for Euston Station itself, particularly when Beany Green is closed (weekends and evenings). Jika Jika was also shortlisted for the Best Takeaway Coffee Award.
The second Notes nominee, the Canary Wharf branch is on the concourse of the tube station (before the ticket barriers, so anyone can pop in). Serving some consistently great coffee to commuters and local office workers, it’s also open at weekends. Notes was also shortlisted for the Best Takeaway Coffee and Smallest Coffee Spot Awards.
A special mention also needs to go to the following:
Doctor Espresso – Mama V’s, sitting in a railway arch under Clapham High Street Station
KuPP, another welcome addition to the Paddington area
The Milkman, the best option for coffee in the vicinity of Edinburgh Waverley station
Notes, Crossrail Place, which got there ahead of the actual station (it’s part of Crossrail)
And the winner is Electric Coffee Company
Runners-up: Lanark Coffee and Notes, Canary Wharf
Don’t forget to check out the other 19 Coffee Spot Awards for 2015.
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