Readers' Recommendations

London and surrounds:

• Garden Coffee Shop, London (near Covent Garden)
  From Tony: "Garden coffee shop in Bedford Street, London (near Covent Garden). Is an independent, small place that does great organic, fair trade coffee"

• London' Monmouth Coffee Company, London
  From Grant: "No mention of London' Monmouth Coffee Company??? easily the best coffee shop and roaster/retailer in the London, arguably the entire UK!"  (in Covent Garden and Borough).
  Don't worry Grant, this coffee shop has now been visited! Read the entry here

• The Coffee House at Presence, 19-21 The Parade, Watford, WD17 1LQ, tel. 01923 237641
  From Paul: "Watford's finest coffee bar! Independent, set up and run by local people for local people. And we have lots of sofas!"

• Flat White (Brewer St., Soho)
  
  Flat White is also recommended by Rosie: "Check out Flat White in Soho, http://www.flat-white.co.uk/ . Great flat whites and general kiwi charm. Reminds me a lot of NZ"
  
  Flat White is also recommended by Lou.
  
  I know how good it is and I'll visit next time I'm in London! Especially if it'll remind me of New Zealand. -- Tom, Cosy Coffee Shops.

• Fernandez & Wells (Poland St., Soho)
  Fernandez & Wells has now been visited: read the entry here

• Chez's Cafe & Trattoria, 48 Crown Road, St Margarets, TW1 3EH
  From Sue: "Chez's cafe is a classic greasy spoon cafe by day and a trattoria by night. Its run by Italians and it does the *best* coffee I've ever had, served by the most cheerful man in South West London!" 

• The Oval Lounge. 24 Clapham Road, London, SW9 0JG
  From Matt: "Hi, don't know if this counts or not as it's actually a bar, but runs cafe style during the day. Several of our customers have commented to us on the quality of our coffee offering."

• Brioche, 238 West End Lane, West Hampstead, London NW6
  From Roger: "the best coffee in north west london, lovely staff, great ambiance heaving at week-ends..fantastic place"

• The Village Cafe, 92 Belsize Lane, London
  From Cathy: "excellent value for Belsize Park!!! Steaming mug of tea only £1, home-made cakes, crumbly flapjacks & a cosy environment for reading the paper!!! Purrrrfect"

• 16mm, 19 d'arblay street, Soho, London
  From Pimentel: "you guys must go to a place called 16mm in soho ,london ,19 d'arblay street ,the coffee is very good and the place cosy like a little oasis on the midle of soho.they web site is www.16mm-soho.co.uk i do recomend" 

• All About Coffee, Leather Lane, Holborn, London, EC1
  From Sarah: "The service is less than perfect, and at times odd. That said, it does a wide variety of different types of the best coffees in the world, done however you like. There is also a sandwich deli and a few lonely looking pastries on a warming plate, but the cofee is definitely the main event. I would recommend a Blue Mountain or Papa New Guinea cappuccino if your ever around that area."

• Henry's, 80 Piccadilly, W1J 8HX, London
  Not independent; an upmarket chain of seven. Recommended by Chasandra.

• Relish, Wadebridge, Cornwall 
  

  From Julia: "I recommend Relish in Wadebridge, Cornwall for great coffee - the barrista and co-ownerrecently won the South West award for best coffee. Hope you can list it and find some more for us to try down here in the South West!"

• Pau Brasil, 89 Mount Pleasant, Reading, RG1 2TF
  From Steve: "A Brazilian Coffee Shop and Delicatessen - we take good coffee seriously, and sell a wide range of high quality delicatessen and patisserie products, as well as tropical fruit smoothies, and a pleasant gallery space to hear good Brazilian music - be prepared for a surprise, there's a lot more to Brazil than Carnaval and football..."
  
  Pau Brasil is also recommended by Marc.

• Pickwicks Caffe, 25 - 27 Broad Street, Wells, Somerset, BA5 2DJ
  From Simon: "It has a wonderful atmosphere and good coffee."

• Badgers Tea House, 13 North Street, Alfriston, East Sussex BN26 5UG.
  From Christopher: "They do real proper Italian coffee, haome made cakes to die for (!) and freshly made sandwiches etc for lunch. It is worth a visit."

• The High Street Cafe, 153, High St, Southampton, Hampshire, SO14 2BT
  From Sam: "There's a little cafe in Southampton called 'The High Street Cafe'. While it may sound like the venue is in the thick of it, the part of town this cafe lies in is called 'Below Bar' (an area of town south of the city's medieval Bargate). The cafe is normally quiet, cosy, well-priced and serves an excellent Americano."

• Lucias Cafe, 36 Dyer Street, Cirencester, Glos, GL7 2PF.
  From Mark: "Independant cafe with great coffee and friendly service."

• Caffe Macchiato, Union Street, Aldershot, Hampshire, GU11 1EG.
  From Maria: "The owner, Jacob has created a great atmosphere with low lighting, comfy seating, great coffee (speaking as one who doesn't usually like it!) and excellent food. You can get a takeaway but it is good to sit outside under the canopy and watch the world go by. They are also open early evenings."

• Same Same But Different, Bath.
  From Tim: "Awesome staff, friendly atmosphere and good coffee. Can't beat it."

• The Yellow Canary Cafe, 12 Fore Street in St Ives, Cornwall
  From Ylenia: "Fabulous coffee. They really have a passion for great coffee and it shows!!"

• CJs, East Grinstead, West Sussex.
  From Hana: "Situated on the old High Street, it's in a very quaint English part of Sussex and has a wonderful atmosphere and a good selection of coffees, other drinks and food. It's a favourite hang out for me and my friends (all in our late twenties - early thirties) but also attracts younger & older adults. I see families there too to a lesser extent. I live in a neighbouring town twenty minutes drive away but take visiting friends there because it's so cosy and welcoming. They've got a website: www.cjs-coffeebar.com "

• Huffkins in Burford and Witney, Oxfordshire.
  From Richard: "Simply superb coffee and home baked everything!"

• The Coffee Pot, Midhurst, West Sussex
  From Jean: "Great coffees made from fairtrade organic coffee beans (I think the beans are Peruvian). Relexaing atmosphere."

• Georgina's, Oxford
  From Michelle: "in the covered market (off the high street). in my opinion the best latte in town must also be said that there are a few cafe style places in the covered market but this one is definitely my favourite"

• Comnibus, Oxford
  From Michelle: "on the square by the coach station (goerge street) they do milk steamers with syrup shots which are really scrummy"
  Combibos has now been visited: read the entry here

• The Grand Cafe, High Street, Oxford

• The Magic Cafe off Cowley Road (Magdalen Road), Oxford

• The Rose, High Street, Oxford
  From Michelle: "always looks lovely but never actually been"

• Picnic, Reading
  Recommended by Marc.
  
  Also recommended by Lehnert: "In the city centre next to Starbucks on Broad street. It's cosy, very small, and the people are very welcoming (fair trade tea and coffee, yummy homemade cakes aso)"
  
  And also recommended by Renie, aka "Large Decaf Soya Mocha with 2 Sweetners to go girl": "it's just at the bottom of the high street. It is a tiny little coffee shop run by some great guys. It's the kinda coffee shop where they know your face & your drink!!!!. Fairtrade/yummy homemade cakes and healthy salads. They are fairly new open about a year if not less and have managed to survive (due undoubtedly to there great customer service and community vibe) even surrounded quite literally next to Starbucks, opposite Costa and across the road from Cf Republic and Pret!"
  
  Picnic has now been visited: read the entry here

• Global Café, London Street, Reading
  From Lehnert: "next to the Great expectations hotel. It's part of the RISC organization, offers fair trade products, and the couches are very inviting!"

• Moondogs, Oxford Road, Reading
  From Marc: "I've just found another coffee shop in Reading, it's called MOONDOGS, it's on the Oxford Road and it is brilliant. Original artwork on the walls, fantastic music and the service is next to none. That's before I rave on about the homemade cakes and top coffee!"
  Moondogs has now been visited: read the entry here

• Unnamed coffee shop in Bishops Cleeve, nr Cheltenham.
  From Anna: "Hello! I would like to recommend a local coffee shop that has just opened in Bishops Cleeve, a large village just North of Cheltenham. It is fabulous! Light and airy, friendly staff and fabulous fair trade coffee. Give it a whirl!"

• Mangos Coffee shop, Exmouth
  From Simon: "friendly independant coffee shop in Exmouth town centre, serving fairtrade coffee, the best Latte in exmouth"

Central England (including Birmingham)

• The Delicatessen, 2 Market House Courtyard, Brackley,NN13 7AB
  From Adam: "Just been to a great chilled deli and coffee shop/cafe that has served the best latte I have ever had. It's the Delicatessen in Brackley in the Market House Courtyard. Ironically, NOT the coffee shop opposite it, which seems to be a creche with all the worst bits of Starbucks. It's a must visit. "

• Atticus Bar, 113 - 115 Three Shires Oak Road, Bearwood, Birmingham, B67 5BT
  From the Atticus bar: "In the heart of Bearwood, Birmingham lies a contemporary, welcoming cafe bar serving alongside coffee - cakes and pastries, weekend hot organic home cooked food and delivering comedy nights, quiz nights and a roster of DJ's with a chilled, funk and soul vibe."

• Stray's Coffee, 18 Middlegate, Newark, Notts, NG24 1AJ. Tel: 01636 700 597.
  From Tom: "This café is attached to a small but extremely efficient book shop of the same name. My wife, who is Swiss and who is extremely demanding when it comes to coffee, says they serve the best expresso she's ever tasted. Service: efficient and friendly. Cakes and biscuits: home-made. Background music: jazz. A must if you're in Newark - and only two minutes' walk from Starbuck's."

• Northern Tea Merchants, Chesterfield.
  From Mike: "It is a bit out of town on the Peak district side. The coffee is fine but the range of teas and coffees to buy is amazing. Nice people too."

• Lee Rosy's Teas, Nottingham city centre (opposite the Broadway Cinema)
  From Leslie: "Nice cozy shop with wonderful cakes and good coffee and other drinks. Very friendly people, nice decoration, and walls are often used to exhibit work by local artists."

• The Art Cafe, Bromsgrove
  From Tim: "The Art Cafe in Bromsgrove serves a range of excellent coffees and is far preferable to the Costa (Costa fortune cafe on the high street). I am not connected in any way with the shop but value my town and high street."

• Dolphin Cafe, Towcester, Northamptonshire
  From Sarah: "The coffee is great and the place is a little oasis."

• Philo's Deli, 2a High Street, Ruddington, Nottingham, NG11 6EH

• Malt Cross Café Bar, 16 St James Street, Nottingham, NG1 6FG
  From Simon: "Fabulous!"  (thanks Simon, I've just found their website and it looks great - http://www.maltcross.com/ )

• The Delicatessen, Brackley Courtyard (on the left hand side, not the coffee shop)
  Cathy: "What a little gem in the middle of Brackley. Gorgeous food, not a chip or microwave in sight, very reasonable, good selection of beers and soft drinks. Will definitely try their Tapas evening at the weekends." (Not sure this sounds much like a coffee house Cathy!!!)

• The Coffee Roaster, Stratford Road, Shirley Village Centre, Birmingham (recommended by "Brum Coffee Sipper")

• Sainte Caffe, St. Paul's Square, Birmingham
  From Brum Coffee Sipper: "Birmingham's equivalent to Flat White / Monmouth".
  
  And from anonymous: "The best coffee shop i've been and even seen in Birmingham is a little indi place called Saint Caffe in St. Paul Square. Its own and run by a lovely couple; Lucy and Geoff and the service they offer is fantastically friendly and cool, its like a sharing of similar minds. It has all the standards of a corperately own coffee shop, bespoke decor, *the* best coffee in Birmingham however the service is very individualise and genuine which makes a refreshing change from what you get at starbucks and the "i just work here" offerings."

• Eastside Cafe, Digbeth Birmingham (corner of Coventry St and Merident St)
  From Brum Coffee Sipper: "Serve Monmouth blend from a La Spaziale machine. Beautiful!" -- big thanks to the anonymous Brum Coffee Sipper for all these excellent suggestions. I'm looking forward to going back to Brum one day and checking them out.

• The Floating Coffee Company, Brindleyplace, Birmingham
  From Miranda: "When you're in beautuful Brum you can't beat The Floating Coffee Company on board George (a canal boat) at Water's Edge, Brindleyplace (walk through the Convention Centre/Symphony Hall concourse and it's on the canal just outside.) Their coffee is some of the best I've tasted and, while it's a little snug for room inside the canal boat, the menu is great, too. It's a great place to get a completely different view of Birmingham - enjoying your coffee whilst ducks and swans float past your window at eye level! If you get the chance to go back to Birmingham it's worth checking out :o".  --- Thanks Miranda. The Floating Coffee Co has now been visited -- click here to read the entry.

• Hudson's, Colmore Row near Victoria Square, Birmingham
  From Ed: "pleasantly upmarket"

• Cafe Cabana opposite the Fighting Cocks, Mosely Village, Birmingham 

• Maison Mayci, Poplar Road, Kings Heath, Birmingham

• Bella's, Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire
  From Paul: "a great little coffee shop - they're cakes are fantastic and the pretty blond girl behind the counter always has a smile on her face!"

• Lee Rosy's, Hockley Nottingham
  From Fay: "technically a tea shop but is brilliant and definately worth a look http://www.lee-rosy.co.uk/ (not a proper site but the address is there).

• Fade... and the Hard to Find Cafe, Mansfield Road, Nottingham
  From Fay: "It's a bar/cafe but does great coffe and needs to be seen. The food's good too"

• Piccadilly Classics Coffee Shop, 7-8 Piccadilly Buildings, Sheep St, Kettering, Northants.
  Opening soon (as of June 2008)
  From Sharon: "Please visit piccadilly classics coffee shop.sheep street.kettering,.... it is the best!!!!!!!!"

• Caffé Vergnano 1882, Warwick
  From Simon: "An absolute must for any coffee lover or any website about coffee shops is the beautiful Caffé Vergnano 1882, in Warwick. Not only is the building and internal fit-out beautiful, but the actual coffee blend is exceptional. What on earth this absolute gem is doing tucked away in Warwick, I've no idea? Vergnano are coffee roasters in Italy and have espresso coffee bars throughout Europe (and two in London). I heard a rumour one is on its way to Birmingham? Can't wait!!"

• Forever Green Cafe, near Mansfield 
  From James: "Its a great place with huge glass windows looking out onto 70 acres of woodland. They do great coffee and tasty food using herbs from their own herb garden & apples from their own orchard. see www.myspace.com/theartcafe for more info."

• Nook Corner, Anstey, Leicestershire.
  From Elizabeth: "The owner is passionate baout his coffee, experimenting with strength, and beans. He also does great \'Latte Art\'. Always a warm welcome for everyone."

• Godfreys, Duffield, Derbyshire.
  From Gregory: "Godfreys serves great coffee and is a lovely atmosphere!!"

• Belle & Jerome, Central Avenue, West Bridgford, Nottingham
  From Rob: "Belle & Jerome is a very cosy coffee shop on Central Avenue in West Bridgford, Nottingham. It is a great place to sip fantastic coffee and eat homemade cake!"

   

East Anglia

• Jars of Clay, Woodbridge, Suffolk
  From Steve: "Jars of Clay is a brilliant Cafe. It's a ceramics painting studio as well, but during the day it's a fabulous place to have a quiet cup of coffee and a chat. It's such a friendly atmosphere, and all of the customers are really friendly, you can join in all sorts of conversations and meet such interesting people there, even if you visit on your own, you'll end up chatting with someone new. It's the best cup of coffee in Woodbridge too!"

• Clowns, King Street, Cambridge

• Utopia (next to the Royals Centre), Southend-on-Sea

Lancashire, Mersyside and around

• Brucciani's, Fishergate, Preston
  
  Brucciani's is also recommended by Christine: "I used to come along with my mother to Brucciani\'s in Preston. After returning to Preston recently I find it still an amazing and full of character coffee shop and just as I remember it all those years ago. Malted coffee is my favourite, but it also has a large selection of other drinks,delicious sandwiches and amazing cakes. Would highly recommend."

• Coffee Union, Liverpool
  From Ian: "I'd like reccommend Coffee Union in Liverpool. It has 5 branches in the city centre and is a Liverpool based company. The quality of the coffee is by far the best I have experienced. Check their webite out coffeeunion.co.uk"

• Little Frog Coffee Company, Ramsbottom, Lancashire
  From Rebekah: "I own an independent ethically run coffee shop in Ramsbottom, Lancashire. Little Frog Coffee Company specialises in Fairtrade and Organic Produce and we pride ourselves on our beautiful capuccino."

• The Mousetrap, Ainsdale, Southport.
  From Carina: "A fantastic little cafe & deli where Stuart & Gus have perfected the art of the strong but smooth coffee. The food is good too and they're lovely guys who deserve a mention."

• Jubilee 1-2-1 Coffee Shop, 121 Royden Road, Overchurch, Upton, Wirral
  From Nicki: "Child-friendly coffee shop. Run by volunteers, all part of Jubilee Church. Newly opened - fully refurbished. Excellent bean-to-cup machine (using fresh milk)."

• Café Porto, 14 Rodney Street, Liverpool, L1 2TE.
  From Rob: "Opened by trained pastry chef Pedro Carlos Almeida at the end of 2007, Cafe Porto aims to provide Liverpool with outstanding real coffee and Portuguese/ Mediterranean style snacks and food. It's a small cafe tucked away on Rodney Street off Hardman Street, just a short distance from the city centre and the bustle of the Bold Street area. I really like the chocolate cake, and they serve excellent coffee!"

• Loves Saves the Day, Thomas Street, Northern Quarter, Manchester, M4 1NA
  From Clive: "Not mega salubrious surroundings, but dreamy coffee and brilliant staff"

• Juicafe, Lancaster
  From Gareth: "it is fantastic with a wonderful atmosphere. Watch out though, these guys have their own blend of coffee that is roasted about 200 yards away. For more info please visit http://www.juicafe.co.uk/ "

• The Whaletail, Lancaster

• Oklahoma, Manchester

• VFresh, Blackburn

• Funky Monkey Coffee Co, Bramhall Lane, Davenport, Stockport.
  From "The Coffee Man": "It's just opened recently by a girl who spent six months working in Caffe Nero to hone her skills. Great, well made coffee, with a nice atmosphere, some comfy leather sofas and nice food. Well worth a try."

Yorkshire and Humber

• Verdes deli and coffee shop, 34 Swadford Street, Skipton

• deli@DL10, Queens Road, Richmond, North Yorkshire.
  Thanks to Matt for this recommendation: "Probably the best coffee in town. Excellent homemade soups, cakes and other sweet treats. Certainly recommend visiting here if you are in Richmond!"

• Coffee Evolution, 8 Church Street, Huddersfield, HD1 1DD
  From Jon: "good coffee and food and nice big windows to watch the world go by!"

• Tarpins Coffee Shop, Harrogate Road, Rawdon Leeds
  From Paul: "I can highly recomend tarpins coffee shop for great food and fair trade hot drinks."

• Lempicka, Beverley, HU17 0DH
  From Youri: "I am sure that you will love it. Please ask the owner called Aletia to make you a drink. She is wonderful!"
  
  Also recommended by Heather: "My favourite is Lempika in Beverly - but it's a bit expensive!"

• Caffe Latino, Harrogate.
  From Youri: "It's located on the high street right next to WH Smith and opposite Cafe Nero. Great coffee! That's all I need to say."

• Chance Cafe, Chantlands Ave, Hull

• McCoys, City Centre, Hull

• Sun Cafe, Cottingham Road, Hull

• Lockwoods, 83 North Street, Ripon, North Yorkshire.
  From Lockwoods: "Lockwoods is a cafe & restaurant open from 10am serving fantastic coffees with homemade cakes throughout the day along with brunch and lunch menus.  Matthew Lockwood is the owner and very passionate about the quality of the coffee Lockwoods produces. He trains all his staff to make coffee to a quality that he is happy to drink.  Many people come and enjoy a long coffee in the relaxing and cosy atmosphere. Lockwoods also does take out coffee now due to demand because it has been commented as the best coffee around."

• Cello Coffee House, Sheffield, S8 7BP
  From Youri: "Absolutely lovely people and great food!
  
  Cello Coffee House has now been visited! Read the entry here

• Opposite Cafe, Leeds
  Thanks to Lou for letting me know about Opposite Cafe, near the University (http://www.oppositeleedsuniversity.co.uk/ ): "We're an arty student hang out focussed on amazing coffee, fairtrade, organic, etc. We've won the northern barista championship twice". Thanks Lou, I look forward to visiting.
  
  Opposite is also recommended by Matthew: "May i suggest reviewing 'opposite cafe' in leeds--this multi award winning cafe is constantly over looked and has a thriving music,social and art scene as well as competition level coffee service with a smile+banter! and wonderful seating area both inside and out situated literally opposite the great hall steps of leeds university."
  
  Opposite Café has now been visited! Read the entry here

• Mini Mocha, Leeds

• The Big Coffee, Anlaby, East Yorkshire
  Recommended by Heather.

   

Cumbria

• Farrers Coffee Shop, Kendal, Cumbria

• Sedburgh (various)
  From Dorothe: "There are a few new coffee shops / cafes here in Sedbergh, which you might want to give a test drive. As your other entries include Kendal, Kirkby Stephen and Ambleside you must like it up here so why not pay Sedbergh a visit as we have a number of independent coffee shops. http://www.sedbergh.org.uk/ . Don't forget Farfield Mill Arts & Heritage Centre just outside Sedbergh, well wort a visit including their much visited coffee shop"

Northumberland, Durham & Tyne

• Brambles Coffee Shop in the Poplar Tree Garden Centre, near Durham.
  Brambles has now been visited! Check out the entry here

• Tea and Tipple, 18 Market Place, Corbridge, Northumberland, NE54 5AQ

• Salsa Café, 89 Westgate Road, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE1 4AE
  Thanks to anonymous poster for this message... "I love to go to the Salsa Cafe on Westgate road! Nice and dark and cosy and if you buy something from the bookshop opposite they give you a voucher for a free coffee!!!"

• Side Cinema Café, near Quaside, Newcastle upon Tyne. Open until 10pm weekdays.

• Belles & Herbes, Heaton, Newcastle.
  According to Ken... "It has nice coffee and great milkshakes. Nice teas and juices too. It also does proper food and has a lovely atmosphere: perfect for us, the middle-class, to enjoy and feel as though we are participating in something holistic and somehow authentic. Check it out!"

• Vennels, Durham
  From Hannah: "it's a little hard to find if you don't know where it is, but the cakes are well worth it when you do and the food is also excellent." (note from Cosy Coffee Shops.... I've seen Vennels and it's less of a coffee house and more of a place for getting lunch, but it looks great if that's what you're after)

• Cafe De Vie, Saville Row, off Northumberland Street, Newcastle
  From Tom: - "they do excellent tea, coffee and snacks. A high personal recommendation goes to the scones!"

• Well House Coffee Shop, Belford
  Recommendations from two different readers no less. The web site is www.wellhousehayloft.co.uk 

• Pilgrims Coffee House, Holy Island
  From Lisa: "I went to Pilgrims Coffee House on Holy Island with my Church group. What a find! real coffee made by a young team who make all their own food as well, try the crab sandwiches with home-made bread. My coffee came with a heart in the foam and lasted until the cup was emptied. The walled garden is beautiful, full of flowers and birds. You must go and try this place out, not only can you have ANY coffee you like/how you like it, but they seem to have a choice of at least 30 teas!"
  
  And from Ken: "This is a wonderful place - tucked away in a corner behind a stone wall enclosing a beautiful garden area with further tables inside. The coffee and hot chocolate are simply wonderful - not just the taste, but every cup is a work of art - see the video in the gallery section of their website to see what I mean! www.pilgrimscoffee.com Well woth the effortof checking the times of the safe crossing to the island! Go there! you won't be disappointed - Trust me!"
  
  Also recommended by Chris: "Can I quickly recommend Pilgrim's Coffee Shop on Holy Island - I notice you've been to Stables but we went in Pilgrim's yesterday when we visited and it was really nice. Homely inside, good selection of coffees, biscuits, cakes, etc, and a nice seating area outside when the weather is good. Very friendly staff and latte art on the cappuccinos / mochas!"
  

Ireland and Northern Ireland

• Butler's Chocolate Café, Dublin
  Thanks to Flo for this message... "Check out Butler's Chocolate Cafe in Dublin. It does lots of different coffees and teas and hot chocolates (such as white hot chocolate, marshmallow hot chocolate and cookie hot chocolate) AND you get amaaaazing better-than-thorntons chocolates for 37 euros each. We had six, each one was brilliant. And you get a complimentary chocolate when you buy anything. x"
  

• St Clements (a small chain), Belfast

Scotland

• Beech Tree Café, Dunblane (2 Beech Road, Dunblane, Perthshire, FK15 0AA. A couple of minutess off the A9)

• Black Medicine, Nicolson Street, Edinbugh
  From Louise: "I would like to recommend Black Medicine on Nicolson Street in Edinburgh....it really has it all...fantastic atmosphere, great coffee, driendly staff, good food and mixed clientele!"
  
  Black Medicine has now been visited! Read the entry here.

• Skyreburn Tea Pot, Skyreburn (A75 in Dumfries and Galloway)
  From Jon: "Ok so it's at the side of the A75 and it's a small wooden cafe but it sells gorgeous coffee and the it's right on the shoreline so you can look out across Skyreburn Bay at the Water of Fleet and forget about things for a while."

• The Cocoa Tree, 9 High Street, Pittenweem, Fife KY10 3TL
  From Chris: "a chocolate shop, but with a fantastic coffe shop as well - great coffee, well served and with friendly and attentive staff. The hot chocolate is someting to die for."
  From Felicity: "I can endorse the recommendation for the Cocoa Tree cafe in Pittenweem"

• Indulge, Auchterarder
  The Birnam Institute, Birnam
  From Felicity: "In Perth & Kinross, we have some excellent independent cafes - especially Indulge in Auchterarder (fine coffee and super homemade cakes and veggie savouries); The Birnam Institute (a community run arts venue with good cafe and Beatrix Potter exhibition - she spent her childhood holidays here) in Birnam (adjacent to Dunkeld); Gloagburn Farm Shop at Tibbermore (one of Perthshire's first and best farm shops with tasty coffee and food - family run, they only serve what they like themselves); Loch Leven's Larder Farm Shop, near Milnathort (again family run on own farm, using own produce, with fantastic views and walks)."  --- it sounds like not all of these are coffee shops but thanks anyway Felicity!

• D'nisi Coffee Company, Kirkintilloch and Hamilton (two branches, with 2 more opening in near future).
  From Ronnie: "Best coffee i've tasted."

• Zulu Lounge, Edinburgh
  Recommended by George.

Wales

• Zanzibar Coffee Shop, Colwyn Bay, North Wales
  From Zanzibar Coffee Shop: "Highly regarded by locals, this friendly coffee shop bills itself as 'a haven of tranquility in a busy world'. And it is: reasonably priced 'fairfrade' coffees, speciality teas and freshly cooked locally sourced food. Their homemade soups are legendary, with customers even requesting their favourites! It's often packed at lunchtimes and even at other times. It's not unusual to see many tables occupied by business and professional people using the wifi (free with their coffee) with their laptops and holding a meeting."

• Shot in the Dark, City Road, Cardiff
  From Valerie: "Have frequented here since it opened and the atmosphere is lovely and cosy unlike the chain coffee houses"

• Garlands Coffee House and Eatery, 4 Duke Street Arcade, Cardiff CF10 1AZ
  From Michelle: "All tea and coffee is fair trade and organic; food is freshly prepared on the premises."

• The Big Rock Cafe, Porthmadog, Wales 
  From Miranda: "It has everything you want in a coffee shop - excellent menu, friendly staff and a real atmosphere that you just don't get in places like Nero's or Starbucks. They have lots of quirky little extras, like numbered rubber ducks for your food orders and cartoony, hand-drawn notices everywhere advertising their specials. Everything is Fair Trade and organic and it's the kind of place that's difficult to leave!"

• Harrison's, Sycamore St., Newcastle Emlyn, Carmarthenshire, SA38 9AJ, Wales
  Recommended by Nicolas.

Worldwide

• Nordaggio's, Tulsa, Oklahoma, U.S.A 
  From Drew: "I wanted to suggest to you a great coffee shop in the most unlikely location. Originally from Seattle, the owner, Tor Nordstrom, has two locations and a previous employee spawned her own shop called Shades of Brown. Nordaggio's specializes in high-quality Northern Italian roast espresso, all roasted on location, great latte art, macchiatos, and gelato too! One of the best coffee shops in the heart of America."

   

Suggest a coffee shop