Best coffee shops on the network?

[The exile]

Having experienced the offerings of the station buffets at both Carlisle and Exeter St David’s in the early 1980s, any coffee that you don’t have to spit out after the first mouthful is an improvement!

 

[CyrusWuff]

For station coffee that wasn't a SSP franchise, I always thought AMT was good. The station location I used is long gone now though.

Sadly AMT went into administration in November 2022 and is now owned by SSP.

 

[D6130]

Sadly AMT went into administration in November 2022 and is now owned by SSP.

As a matter of interest, what does/did AMT stand for?

 

[CyrusWuff]

As a matter of interest, what does/did AMT stand for?

Angus McCallum-Toppin, one of the founders, by the looks of it.

 

[Neilandrewhall]

There's a really good coffee van at Barnes station, not sure what time he is open till. But does good coffee

 

[D6130]

Angus McCallum-Toppin, one of the founders, by the looks of it.

Thanks. Could have googled that myself....but I thought a few other members might be interested too!

 

[Spaceship323]

The hut at Romsey is good, card only though. Westbury does a great coffee, and the shop by the waiting room at Leamington Spa does good food - but a bit expensive

 

[Bald Rick]

Unfortunately I have a caffeine addiction and need a double espresso before I take three hours on CrossCountry, so what can you do?

Go to Pret at the station. They do the strongest coffee of the big chains. One of them and I’m flying.

 

[alistairlees]

After Filmore it became Lebaneat and I always enjoyed their coffee. A great little place if you could get a seat outside to watch the trains come & go.

Sadly within the last few weeks locks have been changed and a window displays notices from a bailiff.

If Lebaneat in York has shut that’s a real shame. It was my go to place on the station (apart from the York Tap for beer).

 

[TT-ONR-NRN]

Go to Pret at the station. They do the strongest coffee of the big chains. One of them and I’m flying.

I used to have a subscription back when I was a latte drinker, but now that I like strong espresso macchiatos I find Starbucks are better for that. The Pret and Nero ones are too milky and liquidy. I like the taste of Starbucks’ espresso more and they only put a little spoonful of foam on.

 

[doiheart]

Fee-ka in Surbiton. Not cheap though.

The Penrith one is very good. There's another that does Carlisle and Oxenholme which is reliable also

 

[D6130]

The Caffeine Rush tuck-tuck in Carlisle station.

 

[Djgr]

Partial to Toast at West Kirby, although feels more like a station inside a coffee shop sometimes.

 

[Skiddaw]

The Caffeine Rush tuck-tuck in Carlisle station.

Although if you have time to leave the station the best coffee in Carlisle (IMO) is at Expresso Hub (next to the tourist information centre). Again, it's Cavetii coffee beans.

 

[D6130]

Although if you have time to leave the station the best coffee in Carlisle (IMO) is at Expresso Hub (next to the tourist information centre). Again, it's Cavetii coffee beans.

The chances of me having enough time between trains to do that are next-to-zero now that the station pub has reopened!

 

[===gricer===]

The Bulleid Buffet at Okehampton station :-

https://the-bulleid-buffet.weeblyte.com/

 

[AlterEgo]

Rise at the top of the old taxicab approach at Preston is worth a mention.

Google Maps

Find local businesses, view maps and get driving directions in Google Maps.

maps.app.goo.gl

 

[Thames99]

Wherever the best is, it's certainly not the Starbucks on Reading overbridge.

There's an absolute horror of a woman there that's embarrassed me several times. One time she told me very fiercely "No, you don't want just one spoon of milk foam on the macchiato, it will be too bitter!" and another time, when trying to redeem a complimentary beverage I'd been offered earlier, as a result of being overcharged, she yelled "We don't do that, you need to pay for drinks here." She's a middle aged lady with a South Asian accent and glasses, I'm not sure if anyone has encountered her before, but she makes me feel a bit intimidated.

The sugar packets are always strangely damp there too, to the point where the sugar is all clumped together, and they also don't accept the rewards app

Unfortunately I have a caffeine addiction and need a double espresso before I take three hours on CrossCountry, so what can you do?

As well as Black Sheep in Reading (already suggested) I can highly recommend Picnic in the Market Place. They are excellent for salad boxes and cakes as well as their coffee. The fact that they have survived for years with Starbucks next door, Costa and Pret within 50m speaks for itself. Their only drawback is that they close around 4 in the afternoon.

Regarding Starbucks I don't know how they achieve having coffee that is at the same time weak and very bitter. No problem I suppose if you want a sweet milky drink. But I generally drink it black and prefer to go without if they are the only option.

 

[LlanishenBull]

Slo outside Cheltenham station is nice. Situated across the road from the northbound station exit. Used it yesterday morning for the second time during a 15 minute wait for a connection.

 

[philthetube]

Skipton Station do a good one, Run by the friends of the Settle Carlisle line.

They also do a brilliant Bacon Butty provided you have time to wait for the bacon to be cooked to your liking.

I cannot remember whether it is a café or just take away.

 

[Iskra]

…I didn’t try the coffee; but I’ve just had a nice orange juice, a sausage sandwich and a brownie at the Morning Duck on Moorthorpe Station and all were excellent.

It turns into a bar with real ale in the evening (becomes The Mallard). An excellent facility, well worth a visit, nice railway theme and you can see the trains.

 

[D6130]

…I didn’t try the coffee; but I’ve just had a nice orange juice, a sausage sandwich and a brownie at the Morning Duck on Moorthorpe Station and all were excellent.

It turns into a bar with real ale in the evening (becomes The Mallard). An excellent facility, well worth a visit, nice railway theme and you can see the trains.

The Coffee Station at Hebden Bridge used to become a pop-up bar - called the Parcel Bar, as it's in the old parcels office - on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from about 2014 to 2017, but that ceased when the licensees opened their own micropub in the town centre. However the café is still licensed and sells a small, but select, range of bottled and canned beers. I doubt that they sell many now that they are only open 06 00 - 14 00 Monday-Friday, but they're useful if you want a refreshment for a long journey.

 

[Richard S]

Gourmet coffee have a number of locations on the WCML and beyond. Decent brew and the staff at Crewe are always very friendly.

 

[trentside]

I like the station cafe at Grimsby Town. Decent coffee and a really nice breakfast selection. The chap who runs it is really friendly too.

 

[Iskra]

The Coffee Station at Hebden Bridge used to become a pop-up bar - called the Parcel Bar, as it's in the old parcels office - on Thursday, Friday and Saturday evenings from about 2014 to 2017, but that ceased when the licensees opened their own micropub in the town centre. However the café is still licensed and sells a small, but select, range of bottled and canned beers. I doubt that they sell many now that they are only open 06 00 - 14 00 Monday-Friday, but they're useful if you want a refreshment for a long journey.

That’s a very specific few minutes of trade

 

[D6130]

I don't think anyone has yet mentioned the wonderful coffee shop - Smiths of Cheshire - at Wilmslow station, run by a lovely Anglo-West Indian couple. As well as serving excellent coffees, teas and breakfast rolls of various descriptions - including veggie - they also sell such eclectic foodstuffs as plantains and hot Jamaican chillis, which I am told they use to make excellent curries at lunchtime. I'm not a regular visitor to Wilmslow station, but on a couple of occasions I've ended up with about a 45 minute fester while waiting for a delayed TfW class 67 service which has spun there. One word of warning though....don't attempt to pay with American Express. There are signs everywhere - almost obsessively - stating that it is not accepted!

I suspect that @jfollows and @Sir Felix Pole may be more regular customers than me.

 

[jfollows]

Good call, but, no, I’ve never tried it - I’m always either about to catch a train or on the way home. But I’ve made a mental note now, thanks.

 

[D1537]

If Lebaneat in York has shut that’s a real shame. It was my go to place on the station (apart from the York Tap for beer).

It didn't surprise me greatly after they closed their High Street branch in Yarm, which was unexpected. Their two Durham locations (one restaurant and one take-away) are still going, though.

 

[317 forever]

Gourmet coffee have a number of locations on the WCML and beyond. Decent brew and the staff at Crewe are always very friendly.

I think that's the one I used in December. It was just before boarding a train starting from there, towards Burnage.

They were obliging about using whole milk in my coffee!

 

[Bletchleyite]

I think that's the one I used in December. It was just before boarding a train starting from there, towards Burnage.

They were obliging about using whole milk in my coffee!

Costa offer the choice of skimmed, semi (default) or whole too.