9 Coffee Shops for International Coffee Day
It's International Coffee Day today so to celebrate we've combined a list of 9 of our favourite coffee shops around the world we visited since the last Coffee Day. The write ups might be familiar as they are extracts of the archive pieces published earlier in the year and refreshed for this very special occasion. So let's raise our cups and hope that the next coffee year will be as fruitful, happy drinking!
You cannot miss the machine taking over the counter at Lamason (@LamasonBrewBar). With its lab-like glass tubes and filter at an angle, the Siphon's presence is overwhelming. You simply cannot order your default flat white. Watching it at work is utterly mesmerising. The bizarre process starts with weighing up the right amount of coffee, lighting up the base, then filling the round glass vessel with water, which once heated turns into a water vapour, getting the glass filter ready, placing the coffee in it and waiting for the hot water to be forced (or vacuumed) up (well, that's more or less how it works anyway). The result is a light, clean black coffee and once you try it you won't stop dreaming about it.
Tucked away from the city buzz in a quieter area surrounded by offices, SKYE (@skyecoffeeco) was only 3 months old at the time of my visit but already causing a stir on Barcelona’s coffee scene. It is easy to explain why: they serve exceptional coffee in quirky surroundings. The big airy space is devoid of any unnecessary clutter and the centerpiece is a striking silver 1972 VW van acting as a coffee counter. Guest roasts include Barcelona-based Nomad Coffee as well as London’s Workshop Coffee and are prepared with a lot of love and passion. There is also a small selection of pastries and cakes available to compliment your coffee. I was under the impression that this is where Barcelona’s cool and creative crowd hangs out.
Eighthirty is one of the reasons why Auckland is amongst my ultimate favourites on the list of travel destinations. This coffee stall in Ponsonby Central will make you very happy and serve you one of the best flat whites you can imagine. The simplicity of the branding: red letters on a white background and minimalist decor ensures that the coffee is, quite rightly, kept in the center of attention.
The Espresso Lab (@EspLabMicro) is located in a very hip Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town, which reminded me of London's Borough Market. Seeing the queue I knew instantly that I was in the right place: good coffee has that effect on people all over the world. The shop itself is exactly what you'd expect from the name: a lab were some talented folk roast exquisite coffee. The chemistry symbols on the wall relate to different brewing types of the coffees served the furniture and coffee tins are clinically white and the chronicle flasks decorate the tables. And the coffee...the house espresso blend was a medley of Brazilian, Costa Rican and Ethiopian beans which result in a fruity and rich perfect cup. That's the kind of chemistry I like!
Lot Kury is located in the centre on Ofiar Oswiecimskich, a street just off the main road and as such has a very relaxed and cool vibe. Lot Kury, literally meaning Hen's Flight (the owner's surname being Kura), is a colourful space with an incredible original wooden ceiling and art pieces covering the walls. All of the paintings and photographs have a story behind them - just ask the baristas and they will be happy to tell the tales. Happily, the coffee here isn't an afterthought to the great space and the comforting food selection but an expertly prepared delight and a big feature on the menu.
It was hard to choose just one London cafe for this post but I decided that Curators Coffee Gallery (@Curators_Coffee) deserves a mention as it's a welcome new addition to the well-established coffee scene in Fitzrovia - an area which provides a welcome respite from the hell that is Oxford Street and also for the utterly stunning interior and for serving the divine Nude Espresso blend.
Belgian coffee is still at the stage of serving cappuccino with a dollop of whipped cream on top instead of a fluffy milk microfoam. At least Brugge seems to be. Thankfully, I managed to find one coffee shop which not only understands the concept of a flat white but also roasts its own coffee. I Love Coffee Espresso Bar is hard to miss with its bright Rolling Stones-like logo on the window and an espresso machine door handle. The 'love of coffee' theme continues inside and you also get a little heart-shaped biscuit served on a heart-shaped plate to go with your coffee. And yes, it's cheesy but if you think that's too cute then what on earth are you doing in Brugge?
1. Wellington, New Zealand
You cannot miss the machine taking over the counter at Lamason (@LamasonBrewBar). With its lab-like glass tubes and filter at an angle, the Siphon's presence is overwhelming. You simply cannot order your default flat white. Watching it at work is utterly mesmerising. The bizarre process starts with weighing up the right amount of coffee, lighting up the base, then filling the round glass vessel with water, which once heated turns into a water vapour, getting the glass filter ready, placing the coffee in it and waiting for the hot water to be forced (or vacuumed) up (well, that's more or less how it works anyway). The result is a light, clean black coffee and once you try it you won't stop dreaming about it.
2. Barcelona, Spain
Tucked away from the city buzz in a quieter area surrounded by offices, SKYE (@skyecoffeeco) was only 3 months old at the time of my visit but already causing a stir on Barcelona’s coffee scene. It is easy to explain why: they serve exceptional coffee in quirky surroundings. The big airy space is devoid of any unnecessary clutter and the centerpiece is a striking silver 1972 VW van acting as a coffee counter. Guest roasts include Barcelona-based Nomad Coffee as well as London’s Workshop Coffee and are prepared with a lot of love and passion. There is also a small selection of pastries and cakes available to compliment your coffee. I was under the impression that this is where Barcelona’s cool and creative crowd hangs out.
3. Auckland, New Zealand
4. Zurich, Switzerland
We had less than 6 hours in Zurich during our trip to Switzerland and wanted to make the most out of it without losing the opportunity to soak up the strong early September sunshine. After finding Henrici and locating a friendly bench in the square just outside of it we ventured in to explore the premises. To my delight, the first thing you see is a giant colourful painting and then the food counter. I loved the space and could see myself spending hours there listening to the great music selection and indulging in way too many cups of the house blend.
5. Cape Town, South Africa
The Espresso Lab (@EspLabMicro) is located in a very hip Old Biscuit Mill in Cape Town, which reminded me of London's Borough Market. Seeing the queue I knew instantly that I was in the right place: good coffee has that effect on people all over the world. The shop itself is exactly what you'd expect from the name: a lab were some talented folk roast exquisite coffee. The chemistry symbols on the wall relate to different brewing types of the coffees served the furniture and coffee tins are clinically white and the chronicle flasks decorate the tables. And the coffee...the house espresso blend was a medley of Brazilian, Costa Rican and Ethiopian beans which result in a fruity and rich perfect cup. That's the kind of chemistry I like!
6. Wroclaw, Poland
7. London, UK
8. Brugge, Belgium
Belgian coffee is still at the stage of serving cappuccino with a dollop of whipped cream on top instead of a fluffy milk microfoam. At least Brugge seems to be. Thankfully, I managed to find one coffee shop which not only understands the concept of a flat white but also roasts its own coffee. I Love Coffee Espresso Bar is hard to miss with its bright Rolling Stones-like logo on the window and an espresso machine door handle. The 'love of coffee' theme continues inside and you also get a little heart-shaped biscuit served on a heart-shaped plate to go with your coffee. And yes, it's cheesy but if you think that's too cute then what on earth are you doing in Brugge?
9. Melbourne, Australia
.JPG)
Comments
Post a Comment