The 7 Best Coffee Shops In Birmingham

Need a pick-me-up? Birmingham’s coffee scene has had somewhat of a Renaissance over the past few years, with artisanal and specialty spots opening up across the city. Coffee has gone beyond workers and night shifters quickly needing that functional caffeine buzz. It’s about enjoyment – taking your sweet time to sip a silky coffee while catching up with a pal. And if you want to only be drinking the best of the best, stick to these seven spots. Here are the best coffee shops in Birmingham. Just maybe don’t hit them all up in one go.

Coffee enthusiasts: Run, don’t walk, to 200 Degrees. The Colmore Row location is cosy and charming, with exposed brick walls and low-lit lighting. It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy weekend morning. Brummies absolutely love their coffee, it’s undoubtedly a stand-out in the city. It’s so good that they’ve even set up a Barista School, and you can buy their own 200 Degrees coffee beans to have your favourite cup at home. This is a coffee shop that was seriously born out of a love for coffee, with their own Roast House. And they’re strictly a coffee spot, so don’t come hungry. Although, they do serve delicious pastries.

The 7 Best Coffee Shops In Birmingham, How do these rankings work?

1. 200 Degrees

Coffee enthusiasts: Run, don’t walk, to 200 Degrees. The Colmore Row location is cosy and charming, with exposed brick walls and low-lit lighting. It’s the perfect place to spend a rainy weekend morning. Brummies absolutely love their coffee, it’s undoubtedly a stand-out in the city. It’s so good that they’ve even set up a Barista School, and you can buy their own 200 Degrees coffee beans to have your favourite cup at home. This is a coffee shop that was seriously born out of a love for coffee, with their own Roast House. And they’re strictly a coffee spot, so don’t come hungry. Although, they do serve delicious pastries.

2. Medicine Bakery and Gallery

With locations in the Mailbox and on New Street, Medicine Bakery and Gallery is hot on the Birmingham coffee scene. Their New Street location is particularly popular for remote workers and students, but they also serve up a delectable brunch. There’s a soothing cafe ambience here, and the flourishing plants and ceiling windows add to the peaceful energy. Their baked goods of doughnuts, cronuts, and cinnamon buns are famously good – they’re hard to resist, so leave some room after brunch. And of course, there’s the coffee. No good coffee shop is worth its salt without exquisitely roasted beans that make the perfect silky cup, and that’s exactly what you’ll get at Medicine.

3. Saint Kitchen

Sitting in the heart of St Paul’s Square, Saint Kitchen is a stylish yet friendly place to grab your favourite cup. It’s a popular weekend hangout spot, namely for its classic brunches (with a Saint Kitchen twist) and Middle Eastern-inspired lunches. And of course, they take their coffee seriously. They source their expertly roasted coffee beans from Origin Coffee Roasters. And even if you’re going with a pal that doesn’t love coffee as much as you, their Kokoa Collection single-origin hot chocolate or loose-leaf teas are just as good.

4. Quarter Horse Coffee

As one of the only coffee shops in the country to roast its beans in-house, the dedicated team at Quarter Horse Coffee are serious about delivering you the best cup in Birmingham. The interior is stripped back and unassuming, but don’t be fooled – their coffee is out of this world. It’s the kind of place where you’ll always have that second cup. You can even order their own roasted coffee beans online so you can try your new favourite coffee at home. Basically, if you like really good coffee, hotfoot to Quarter Horse Coffee.

5. Faculty Coffee

Faculty is your one-stop-coffee-shop. It’s where you can not only pick up an expertly crafted cup, but you can also understand more about it. The ideal spot for coffee connoisseurs who fancy kicking their knowledge up a notch. Faculty is essentially a coffee classroom, so the name is fitting. There’s a stripped-back, industrial vibe – perfectly complementing Brum’s hardworking history. Savour a coffee made with precision and love in this no-frills setting. They serve up specialty teas and delicious cakes, too.

6. Urban

Since they launched in 2009 it’s totally fair to say that Urban have changed the entire coffee scene in Birmingham. The popular coffee emporium has added a Jewellery Quarter location into its repertoire, so now there are two Urban spots to choose from. They’re dedicated to delivering only the best coffee, made with only the best beans. Their two locations are always buzzing with hard-at-work freelancers, students, and those that simply just want a cake and a coffee. And while good coffee is in Urban’s DNA, they also put on regular events. Think: Lebanese nights, Blues Bashes, and Sober Clubs.

7. Yorks Cafe & Coffee Roasters

Yorks Cafe is one of the coolest coffee shops in Birmingham. Or, should we say, two of the coolest. The popular coffee spot has two locations – one on New Street and one in the Ikon Gallery. Both locations are always buzzing with energy and the tables are nearly always full. The joyful, loud music goes perfectly with the satisfying sound of the coffee machine – it’s the perfect place to spend a cheerful weekend morning. Complement your excellent coffee with a classic brunch, or try out one of their Middle Eastern-inspired dishes.