Tattam’s

Some fabulous latte art in the form of a swan in my flat white at Tattam's.Monday’s Coffee Spot is another success story for Guildford’s speciality coffee scene, although it’s been a long time in the telling. Tattam’s is on Tunsgate, occupying the premises vacated by Kalm Kitchen at end of 2019. It opened in October 2020, almost immediately moving to takeaway operation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Tattam’s was looking forward to re-opening its outdoor seating in the spring of 2021 when a fire caused severe damage, forcing it to close for refurbishment. Many would have called it a day at that point, but the folks at Tattam’s are made of sterner stuff, pressing on to reopen in November last year.

Tattam’s describes itself as a European-style café offering coffee by day and cocktails in the evening, along with a selection of wine and, if you’re hungry, bar snacks, sharing platters and a range of cakes and pastries. Tattam’s uses local roasters Chimney Fire Coffee, currently offering its seasonal Brazilian espresso, served from a standard espresso-based menu. Tattam’s also has seasonal specials made with homemade syrups: the current offering being a Sticky Coffee Latte. Coffee is served throughout the evening, while there’s decaf available for those, like me, who like to get some sleep!

You can read more of my thoughts after the gallery.

  • Tattam's, on the pedestrianised Tunsgate in Guildford. All five black tables are Tattam's.
  • The window tells you what you need to know: coffee & cocktails, with the door on the left.
  • There's a separate entrance around the back, where you'll find this seating area.
  • There's also a very busy A-board, doing the job of the window and more.
  • There's even more on the other side! However, before we go in, let's take a look...
  • ... at the seating back here. The gazebo is new, as is the...
  • ... single-level decking. This used to be two levels (back in the days of Kalm Kitchen).
  • As well as the five tables under the gazebo, you can sit at these two by the back wall.
  • The view from my seat when I was there a week ago. Note that the gas burner was off...
  • ... and yet despite the temperature, I was warm enough sitting there.
  • I think that the gazebo really helps to keep the heat in.
  • The steps down the left-hand side lead to both the seating area and the back door.
  • This leads directly into Tattam's (seen here from the inside).
  • This, meanwhile, is the view from the front, to the right of the door...
  • ... which is where all the downstairs seating is.
  • All three tables of it. Although that sofa looks comfortable.
  • An enclosed staircase on the right leads up to more seating on the first floor.
  • The 90° turn at the top opens onto the back of the upstairs.
  • There are two pairs of two tables  on the right, above where the counter is downstairs.
  • The view from the other side. The pairs can be split into tables for two if need be.
  • Opposite, against the staircase wall, is this narrow, four-person bar.
  • The remaining seating is at the front, where a padded bench runs under the window.
  • As well as the table on the right, there's a second one to the left, in front of the window.
  • Okay. Time to go back downstairs, where you order...
  • ... but not before we've checked out the mirror on the wall...
  • ... and the awesome clock on the wall opposite.
  • Meanwhile, don't miss this beauty, which you pass on the wall going downstairs.
  • You order at the counter, where the till is at the back on the right.
  • This leaves the front free for the cakes and pastries...
  • ... as well as the specials board.
  • Yes, that's right. There's a fully-stocked bar behind the counter.
  • Tattam's has a selection of cocktails...
  • ... along with a range of wine by the glass or bottle.
  • There are plans for more food, but for now it's bar snacks, platters or cakes & pastries.
  • Not forgetting coffee, of course.
  • I visited three times in the space of a week. The first visit was for a flat white and this...
  • ... rather delicious Danish pastry, with soft, chewy bread and sweet icing on top.
  • The flat white, meanwhile, was a classic, with some amazing latte art...
  • ... which, as well as being worth a second look...
  • ... also lasted to the bottom of the cup. I was back the following day...
  • ... when I sat upstairs for an espresso and a croissant. This was served with...
  • ... butter and jam and was close to perfection, with a soft, rich dough.
  • The espresso, meanwhile, was well balanced, but with a pleasing touch of acidity.
  • My final visit was a few days later. I was back upstairs with another flat white, this time...
  • ... paired with a sweet chocolate brownie.
  • There was more excellent latte art on display in my flat white...
  • ... which once again deserved a second look.
  • Again, the milk was superbly steamed...
  • ... holding the pattern all the way to the bottom of the cup, which is where I'll leave you.
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For those with long memories, Guildford’s first speciality coffee shop was Bar des Arts, by day a relaxed, European-style café which morphed into a lively evening bar. Sadly, Bar des Arts closed in October 2015, so I’m delighted that it now has a worthy successor in Tattam’s, similarly a relaxed European-style café by day, which stays open long into the evenings as a cocktail bar. In another synergy, Tattam’s occupies the premises of what was once Glutton & Glee (before it became Kalm Kitchen), a contemporary of Bar des Arts and another pioneer of Guildford’s speciality coffee scene. It’s neat when things come full circle.

For those who remember Glutton & Glee/Kalm Kitchen, the layout is very familiar, with the addition of a collection of five tables outside on the recently-pedestrianised Tunsgate. If you like sitting outside, there’s also the sheltered terrace at the back, now on a single level and fitted with a gazebo (for the winter, at least) which helps keeps the elements off and the heat in. This is home to five two-person tables, with two more on the other side of the back wall in Milkhouse Gate, the quiet square behind Tattam’s.

Inside, the layout is very similar to how it was, with a limited amount of seating in the window at the front (three round, three-person tables), the counter set back on the left, and the stairs leading to the upper floor on the right. Meanwhile, if you’ve come in the front and want the rear terrace, head past the counter and down the corridor to the back door, which opens onto the stairs up to the terrace (you can also enter Tattam’s this way).

The bulk of the seating is upstairs, where Tattam’s has retained the narrow four-person bar along the wall of the enclosed staircase (on the left as you look from the back), plus the padded bench that runs under the solitary window at the front, where you’ll find two round tables. The remaining seating is on the right, with a pair of two-person tables at the back and another pair in the middle, above which is a new addition, a multi-paned wall-mounted mirror.

For now, Tattam’s has a limited food offering, with bar snacks (bread, olives and nus), three sharing platters (charcuterie, cheese and vegan) and a small range of cakes and pastries. There are plans to expand this to include hot food in the near future. When it comes to the cocktails and wine, I’m not really the one to pass comment, so I will stick to the coffee and pastries.

I visited three times, having a pair of flat whites and an espresso, along with a chocolate brownie, a sweet, chewy (in a good way) Danish pastry and a near-perfect croissant, served with butter and jam.

Tattam’s uses Chimney Fire Coffee’s, with plans to try out more of Chimney Fire’s seasonal single-origins, although for now the seasonal Brazilian espresso graces the hopper. On its own, the espresso was well balanced, with a pleasing touch of acidity, while in milk, it was rich and smooth, producing a classic flat white on both occasions. A special mention needs to be made of the excellent latte art which, in both cases, lasted all the way to the bottom of the cup.

6 TUNSGATE • GUILDFORD • GU1 3QT
www.tattams.com +44 (0) 1483 346050
Monday 10:00 – 23:30 Roaster Chimney Fire (espresso only)
Tuesday CLOSED Seating Tables, Bar; Tables (outside)
Wednesday 10:00 – 23:30 Food Bar Snacks, Sharing Platters, Cake
Thursday 10:00 – 23:30 Service Order at Counter
Friday 10:00 – 23:30 Payment Card + Cash
Saturday 10:00 – 23:30 Wifi Free (with code)
Sunday 10:00 – 17:00 Power Yes
Chain No Visits 9th – 13th January 2022

If you enjoyed this Coffee Spot, then take a look at the rest of Guildford’s speciality coffee scene with the Coffee Spot Guide to Guildford.


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5 thoughts on “Tattam’s

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