One difficulty with speciality coffee shops is finding them. They can be notoriously illusive and can be found in the most abstract of areas, so when you do hear/read/find one it's great!
I have to ask the question - what would a coffee addict do if they read an article about 3 speciality coffee shops in one area? I would guess they would do what any one else would do and visit all of them the day after, right? Maybe not.
This is what I found myself doing after reading the speciality coffee magazine 'Caffeine' whilst sat in Makushi Coffee in Lincoln. After reading the article 'Caffeine's Tour' written by coffee enthusiast Brian Williams who blogs about coffee shops all over the country. I felt compelled to visit Harrogate and experience what it has to offer!
I set off from Lincoln after visiting my girlfriend at Uni and took the trip north to the spa town of Harrogate. First on the list of shops was Baltzersen's. Very conveniently situated in the centre of the town, it has seating out front in a sun trap perfect for the day's weather. The atmosphere was lively and busy. It is definitely a food orientated place which led me to get a home made apricot and mixed seed crumble with my flat white. The coffee was top quality, perfectly finished of with a 14 tier tulip. The espresso was well balanced and smooth which was very well complimented with the perfectly textured milk. I would recommend this quaint shop to anyone looking for a coffee fix as well as a spot of lunch. Quality coffee & food.
22 Oxford Street, HG1 1PU
Next on the tour was no more than a 5 minute walk away - Bean & Bud. This shop is the longest standing speciality coffee shop in Harrogate and you get that sense once you walk in. They know what they are doing and they know how to make the perfect coffee. I ordered a flat white (my usual as you might have guessed by now) and I was asked which bean type I would like. This is how you know you are in the right place. 2 chalk boards with the descriptions of each option. I went for the Ethiopian Sidamo, I don't expect anyone to understand what this means because neither did I without the information that followed the name. Such as - the growing altitude, wash process, roasting and flavour. My flat white went down like a treat. It was less bitter with sweet and floral hints which made a pleasant change to the usual bitter like after taste you do get from a coffee. Very pleased to have visited this iconic shop.
14 Commercial Street, HG1 1TY
Last but by no means least, Hoxton North. As you can imagine I was definitely caffeined up by this point. I found their shop which is placed in a very open and central area. The ambiance was thriving with great music just as you would want in a coffee shop. My flat white was served with a glass of water for afterwards. This coffee was powerful with a pleasant subtle, bitter taste which compliments the velvety milk texture. I would recommend this shop to anyone looking for great coffee and atmosphere in your day out in Harrogate.
1 Royal Parade HG1 2SZ
