Coffee has come along way since Nescafe Gold Blend - discover the coolest places in Cornwall for top-notch speciality coffee, according to the latest edition of the South West and South Wales Independent Coffee Guide
Brew freaks, bean geeks – and the simply curious – take note. The coolest places to get a quality caffeine fix in Cornwall have been revealed. The selection of distinctive and original coffee shops and cafés has been hand-picked for the latest edition of the South West and South Wales Independent Coffee Guide.
Strict criteria for entry – coffee expertise and the use of the highest quality UK roasted beans – means only establishments selling top-notch coffee have made it into the collection.
The guide, which covers the whole of the South West and South Wales, also includes opening times, what coffee and brewing methods you can enjoy at each venue, a cool fold-out map of where to find all the coffee shops, plus fascinating features about all the latest trends such as nitro and speciality pods.
Here is a taster of the most sought-after cups in Cornwall. Put them on your hit list for a superb coffee experience.
1. Liberty Coffee, Launceston
It’s a veritable homage to the coffee bean. With its stripped back menu of single origin espressos and filters, Liberty Coffee is the place to discover top-notch coffee. Attention to detail pervades everything on offer at this welcoming community cafe, just off Launceston High Street. Whether that’s daily fresh bakes, loose leaf single estate teas or the dazzling single origin Kokoa Collection hot chocolates.
2. Strong Adolfos, Hawksfield, near Wadebridge
In an ideal world, every roadside pit stop would serve lip-smackingly good coffee and dreamy brunch dishes, but for now we’ll settle with re-routing all of our trips via the Atlantic Highway for a superb brew and Scandi-inspired brekkie at Strong Aldolfos. Picking up Best Café at the Food Magazine Reader Awards 2016, it’s a mix of laid-back hospitality, lovely homemade food and cracking coffee.
3. Good Vibes Café, Falmouth
Flavour, colour and texture’ is the rallying cry of Falmouth’s Good Vibes Café, a motto that’s apparent in everything from its funky decor (upcycled furniture and colourful artwork abound) to the original bakes. The coffee also reflects the cafe’s motto with a seasonal blend from Cornish roasters Origin making for a tried-and-tested cup of goodness.
4. Picnic Cornwall, Falmouth
For a true taste of Cornwall, Falmouth’s welcoming multi award winning indie coffee shop takes some beating. Everything sold at Picnic Cornwall (which is also a deli and hamper service) is sourced within the county – and that includes the coffee. Seasonal blends from Helston roasters Origin are freshly ground for each cup.
5. Gylly Beach Café on Gyllyngvase Beach, Falmouth
For those who really do like to be beside the seaside, Gylly Beach Café, on Gyllyngvase - a glorious stretch of silver sands is a must-visit. Getting your chops around an espresso-based Origin coffee, while gazing over the azure waters is a pretty special experience. The veranda seats are the most coveted spots where you can watch paddlers, sun-seekers and dog walkers through the floor-to-sky windows.
6. Hub St Ives, St Ives
If the perfect seaside coffee haven exists, it could just be Hub St Ives. Grab a seat on the upstairs balcony for a vista of turquoise waters, cliffs packed with cute cottages, ocean-going boats and happy hordes of holidaymakers. For big burgers, big views and speciality coffee that’s big on taste, this is a great harbourside find.
7. The Yellow Canary Café, St Ives
You can grab and go or take it slow at this cosy cafe in the Cornish port famed for its lucid light, golden beaches and celebrated artists. And should you find yourself unable to resist a freshly-baked pastel de nata oozing with creamy custard or a whopping sandwich loaded with locally-landed crab, alongside your Origin-roasted house or seasonal espresso, who would blame you? w
