Coffee, Chocolate and Tea

The 2012 edition of The List's Eating & Drinking Guide is out now – only £5.95 (+p&p).

This review is taken from the current (2012) edition.

There’s a lot happening here and it’s all good. Owned by the MacCallum brothers of Troon fish fame, it was inspired by a visit to Paris where John was besotted by a café that had a working coffee roaster in the window. Thirty years later he acquired the impressive machine and opened his own coffee shop. The beans are bought in green from Brazil, Guatemala and El Salvador, sacks of which you’ll see piled around the shop. They’re roasted and sold whole, ground or in a chemex (a coffee drinking object of desire) ready to drink. There are 40 loose-leaf teas with a detailed menu explaining flavour and best brewing techniques. The knowledgeable, passionate staff have turned their hand to making a seasonally changing range of chocolates, current favourites include Heather Ale, apple brûlée and salt caramels – ready to take away or enjoy after one of their sandwiches from a small selection. Aim to visit on roasting day for the full effect.

• High point: Coffee from green bean to cup
• Low point: Perching on stools