Top 5 Coffee Spots In Nottingham

There’s the budding actress wielding a takeaway cup with a lip-stained rim and the barista’s phone number on the sleeve. Then you have the suitcase-sipper who views every cup of coffee as a mini holiday: there with their morning paper, hogging the chair with the best view that they might as well have put a towel on at 8.30 that morning. You’ve got the express-o’s – hit me now with your best shot! And the category I fit into most often, those that enjoy their coffee with a side helping of chit-chat, preferably in a joint that cherishes their customers and takes pride in the finer details – like how good the cake is!

But whatever your order, a romano, a ristretto or an eggnog latte – we all love a good coffee shop! And, what’s more, Nottingham is attracting top barista’s from the capital because of its affection for a steamy cup of brown stuff. Whereas once upon a time your only option for a brew would have been the Debenhams cafe, nowadays you are spoilt for choice, and each place with its merits and USPs. So, I will endeavour to help you with an insider’s view on the best places to take your tea and coffee in this foodie drinkie city of Nottingham.  Here are my top five.

My Top Five Coffee Shops in Nottingham

1. Edin’s Deli Cafe

15 Broad Street, Hockley, Nottingham.

Edin’s has the feel of a few old cafes I’ve visited in Portugal and this is primarily why it makes my list. An old Victorian building with wooden floors and a mismatch of furniture. It’s supposed to feel unassuming I guess and this in turn puts you at ease and has you feeling welcome. It’s cozy and eclectic and makes you want to linger. Melted candles in wine bottles and 1940’s style Mediterranean pictures and photo’s say this was the kind of place Audrey Hepburn would have taken her coffee in Roman Holiday. My favourite spot is by the window on a barstool – let the sun warm your cockles and watch a few Bohemians pass by, probably from one of the local independent businesses in this thriving Creative Quarter of Hockley.

They serve Julius Meinl coffee, an Austrian gourmet blend, and honestly – it’s one of my favourite shots in Nottingham. There’s a massive selection of cakes to accompany your hot drink, but again, they’re more of a Mediterranean choice; gateaux’s and flans – basically anything with a large helping of whipped cream. Simply put it makes me feel like I’m in some European city somewhere, on holiday, and that’s why I like it! Click here for more info.

2. 200 Degree’s

Flying Horse Walk, Nottingham

There are two significant facts about 200 Degrees : The building that is home to this historical gem of a coffee shop is totally epic AND these particular heavenly beans are roasted by 200 Degrees themselves.

First off, Flying Horse Walk was originally a coaching inn from the 1600s. Now a grade II listed building you get to appreciate some of Nottingham’s history from the beautiful facade out front and some quaint original features inside. Check out the stained glass, if you can distract your eye from the sweet stuff…

So, the beans. If beans had to sit an exam then 200 Degrees must be the hardest adjudicators in town. With firm pencilled ticks and a bit of lead dust for effect they’ve settled on a blend from 3 different countries and have their own formula for perfect roasting conditions. 200 Degrees sells its coffee to other establishments across the city but each place is visited occasionally to make sure they’re doing it right – I’m telling you these guys are the headmasters of Nottingham coffee. Or maybe more like the Bouncers of Nottingham coffee when you see the cafe’s muscle bound baristas. In a nutshell : old style historical architecture serving a much loved local blend by meaty baristas with beards. What’s not to like?

They also have another cafe near the train station on Carrington Street. Click here for more info.

3. Cartwheel Coffee

16 Low Pavement

I love this place, and it’s certainly one of the best cafe’s in Nottingham, but it’s only little and you can’t always get in. When the weather gets warmer there is additional seating outside. I mean, these guys also take their coffee seriously (the owner has worked in the family coffee shop business since he was a wee bairn) roasting in house too. However, it’s not just the coffee that draws me to this place :

Cartwheel Coffee attracts the cool people. I don’t know why it does and I don’t really care, but I love to pretend I’m cool too! People turn up in their cool shoes with their cool hairdo’s and cool friends and they just enjoy a coffee like it’s the most natural thing in the world. Well I suppose it is – but how do they do it looking so cool? I promise to spend more time here, learning their technique so as I can pass on all the intel to you guys.

USP number 2 : Have you seen their menu? Healthy food has never looked so good! Their Michelin-trained chef endeavours to bring you tasty and nutritious breakfasts and salads that belong in Gillian McKeiths fridge but deserve a few seconds of fame on Instagram. And, both coffee and food are excellent value for money, quite surprisingly so for the actual quality you’re getting. I just hope you can find a seat! Click here for more info.

4. The Speciality Coffee Shop

50 Friar Lane

I LOVE this place! The cutest Italian couple, Lucy and Michelangelo, grace you with their authentic charm and welcome you wholeheartedly to their humble abode. They’re always ‘all smiles’ and clearly love what they do. Lucy takes care of the food herself and I really struggle to choose sweet over savoury here (which rarely happens) as the salads look so good and often have unusual twists. That said, their chocolate granola bar is worth a visit in itself.

Depending on the time of year, the coffee could be from anywhere in the world – they aim to bring variety, but always quality. And Michelangelo with his adorably crazy barnet, is ready to share his coffee enthusiasm with you if you show an interest in the bean. If ants went to dance classes then they would look like Lucy and Michelangelo, methodically working away together in perfect unison to a choreographed little routine of coffee-shop-efficiency, only stopping occasionally to argue on the dance track – she likes Jamiroquai, he likes Burt Bacharach.

These guys bring your coffee to you with real love. Click here for more info.

5. Delilah’s

12 Victoria Street

Delilah's is arguably the best deli in Nottingham, it does great lunches and sells unusual store cupboard produce with a range of coffee for every taste

Delilah’s may cost you more than a coffee once you’ve wrapped your corneas around the Aladdins cave of delicatessen delicacies. They’ve even created a mezzanine platform of lust – a balcony to sit upon whilst you sip your coffee and try to decide why you don’t need a jar of feta-infused honey in your life. I have never left without a parcel of prettily packaged store cupboard goodie of some sort. It’s effectively a posh supermarket of the finest ingredients and if you take a seat at the downstairs square bar, you not only feel like your coffee is a midday cocktail, you also get to hear conversations between staff and patrons of plans for dinner party’s or kitchen experiments of exquisite proportions.

Appealing to my love of a good list, Delilah’s coffee menu has me rubbing my thighs. Boasting over 30 worldly varieties with a number AND star system so that you can choose your level of richness and strength. It’s not easy for me and one of these days you’ll find me swinging from the old Banking Hall’s rafters once an inability to choose has led to a 5 shot line up of steamy black liquor. Click here for more info.

Delilah's Fine Foods serves over 30 varieties of coffee from all over the world, depending on your tastes.

Some other noteworthy places for a hot drink in Nottingham that didn’t make my top 5 but still deserve a mention are;

  • Thea Caffea, 14a Low Pavement for a great afternoon tea.
  • Wired, 42 Pelham Street for a great coffee served by slightly quirky baristas with spunk!
  • Ludorati, 72 Maid Marian Way if you like a game of Monopoly with your coffee.

Do you have a favourite? Did I miss anywhere? Drop me a line…

Pin For Later…

Nottingham is fast becoming a renowned foodie city in the UK and included in that is the coffee culture that is spilling over from the nations capital. But how do you choose where to take your coffee in this historic city? There are many wonderful coffee shops so I have compiled a list of the best places to grab a coffee in Nottingham, along with some of the best food too. Now pass me my latte.

Looking for more top tips on Nottingham? Carry on reading…

~ Nottingham Parks – Which Ones Are Worth Your Picnic? ~

~ The 5 Best Sunday Roasts In Nottingham ~

~ Nottingham’s Five Best Burgers ~

17 Comments Add yours

  1. Loved reading this post! I’m a Nottingham native, but I’ve never ventured beyond the usual Costa on Bridlesmith Gate. You’ve definitely given me a reason to explore more of the city’s coffee scene

  2. Jurga says:

    What a nice selection! This makes me miss the city lifestyle, with so many great places to grab a cup of coffee and meet some friends. When I get to Nottingham, you’ll have to take me to a couple of these! 😉

    1. Alex says:

      I definitely will!!

  3. Mel Butler says:

    Both my husband and I love coffee, so much so that we even roast it ourselves at home. What a great post, I would love to try some of these places, I especially love the look of 200 Degrees. You will have to come to London and do a top 5 here 🙂

    1. Alex says:

      You roast it yourselves!!? That’s pretty impressive Mel – I need you to tell me more about that, I’ve been led to believe it’s a painstaking process!?!
      I’m sure you could do a better London one than me – the choice must be overwhelming!!

  4. Arianne says:

    Absolutely great article! Whenever we travel Gian is always looking for the right coffee place and it is usually through a lot of trials that we find one that is decent. I love this article! thank you for sharing

  5. Ahila says:

    I’d love to try the coffee at the Flying Horse Walk, just for its name alone, but given your high recommendation for the place, would definitely stop by for the coffee, if I visit Nottingham #CityTripping

  6. Ruth says:

    I like coffee shops that feel cozy and let you be there for as long as you want (if you are consuming). These in here look very nice. Like The Specialty Coffee Shop a lot. #citytripping

  7. These sound amazing! I feel like I’ve been transported to someone hot, sunny and exotic. I’m sure Nottingham is like that too but I’d head to Edin’s and pretend to be Audrey Hepburn ! Thanks for linking to #citytripping Will pin for future inspiration

  8. I don’t drink coffee but I would look at visiting some of these for the cakes!! If you know of any great milk shake places in Nottingham let me know!!

    1. Alex says:

      Oh yes, there’s a milkshake place on the market square. Full of teens. You don’t need coffee – you’re hyper enough! 😉

  9. Love this, I lived in Nottingham very briefly a long long time ago and hope to visit again soon with your coffee shop list in hand! #citytripping

  10. Naomi says:

    Oh I loved this post- and Nottingham. Love the look of all of them but will be wanting to try the cartwheel I think! We don’t live in Nottingham, Sheffield actually but come to Nottingham a few times a year. Love the blog, found you from #citytripping and will go follow you on social media now! 🙂

    1. Alex says:

      Aw thanks Naomi! I shall take a look at your posts too 🙂 At least Nottinghams not too far from Sheffield.

  11. Cheryl says:

    I think 200 Degrees would get my vote, but that’s only because the street has a cool name and those goodies would make it worth going for a look. Nice photos!

  12. Claire says:

    These look great. I would love to visit them all. I love coffee shops.

    1. Alex says:

      They are great places, all of them

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