Head for the Sainsbury’s in Beeston and you’ll be delighted to stumble upon The Bean Espresso Bar, a terrific little coffee shop.
The Nottingham suburb of Beeston is about three miles east of the city centre. I happened to be passing through the area by train and have to admit to making a detour just to visit “The Bean” (bearing a heavy backpack). Perhaps it’s worrying to think that coffee shops hold such sway over my travel plans.
Gladly, the visit was worth the effort. This is a small place with a downstairs bar and a small room upstairs. There is an array of coffees, freshly ground, including plenty of iced coffees. The service is very friendly and efficient, with the baristas taking care over the preparation. I plumped for a cappuccino, which came in a mighty big cup and was good value. The silky smooth foam was particularly dreamy.
The interior is not hugely cosy, but The Bean is run by coffee people and is well suited for those of us who just like to sip a good mug and read the papers. There is food available if you happen to be peckish too.
Photo kindly provided by the Bean Espresso Bar.
Some years ago (2002) a panel of coffee experts listed 50 coffee places in the UK and voted The Bean the best of the lot (click here to see the list). If a similar list was compiled today no doubt it would feature.
The Bean has a good website with menu, coffee brewing tips and staff profiles (http://www.coffee-beans.co.uk/).
1 Stoney Street
Beeston
Nottingham
NG9-2LA
Tel. 0115 967 7222
http://www.coffee-beans.co.uk/
You might find it tempting to stop by this excellent little espresso bar. I order a latte which sometimes comes with a leafy design on it whilst being helped by smiling and friendly staff. There is a comforting atmosphere helped by a good selection of music and a warm, pleasant surrounding. I make it here as often as i can.
I’d love to call on The Bean if I ever get back to Beeston.
Finland is a bit far to call for a coffee.
I left Beeston in 1970, in those days Beeston was South-WEST of Nottingham, funny how things change.
This place is absolutely awful, I cant believe other people are saying how fantastic it is! If you like overpriced cold, bitter coffee in a dirty lipstick covered cup & rude service then this is the place to go!!!!
I’ve been a customer of the Bean since around 2005 when I moved to Beeston. I love the coffee and the friendly service. There was a time when the servers all knew me by name and knew my order but I’m not as frequent a visitor as I once was and the staff have moved on. That said, the service is still as friendly and the coffee (and latte art) is improving all the time. More recently it was in the Independent’s UK top 100 coffee shops and deservedly so.
I think the chap who posted before me might have an axe to grind or even beans in his own shop as the Bean is still better value than the high street chains, the coffee is way better and the service is not mechanical and sterile, but friendly and welcoming.