Best 20 Coffee Roasters UK (2026): Tried, Tested & Rated by a Hospitality Expert
If you’ve ever spent a Saturday morning chasing that perfect cup, you’ll understand the thrill of finding a roaster who just gets it. After more than a decade working in hospitality, visiting hundreds of cafés, and ordering beans from nearly every corner of the UK, I’ve learned something simple but true: great coffee doesn’t just taste good, it feels good.
From London’s precision roasters to Yorkshire’s community-led pioneers, here are the twenty best coffee roasters in the UK right now, tried, tested, and loved by someone who drinks way too much of it.
Top 5 Coffee Roasters - Editor’s Best Rated Picks (2026)
Curated List of the Best UK Coffee Roasters
1. Balance Coffee (London)
Best for: Health, flavour, and purity
Balance Coffee sits at the intersection of clean living and exceptional flavour. Every bag is lab-tested for moulds, mycotoxins, and pesticides, making it one of the few UK roasters that truly prioritises wellbeing without compromising on taste.
I first brewed their Stability Blend on a quiet Sunday morning. The smell was pure indulgence: cocoa, toasted nuts, and that kind of sweetness that makes you stop what you’re doing. You can feel their sourcing integrity in every sip. What's even better? None of the jitters or crashes as promised.
Read the full Balance Coffee review.
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2. Assembly Coffee (Brixton, London)
Best for: Data-led sourcing and modern flavour
Assembly feels like the future of coffee. Their approach blends science, collaboration, and total transparency. Each origin comes with full data on yield, producer income, and sensory scoring, which builds real trust.
When I visited their Brixton HQ, I was struck by how calmly they roast. No hype, no fluff, just focus. Their single-origin filters are some of the most articulate brews I’ve tasted in years.
3. Volcano Coffee Works (Brixton, London)
Best for: Carbon-neutral, café-quality blends
Volcano started in a small Brixton unit and has grown into a carbon-neutral roastery that still feels personal. They roast coffee that’s approachable, vibrant, and designed for everyday drinkers.
Their Mount Blend carries sweet fruit and cocoa notes that hold beautifully in milk, and their subscription model makes it easy to keep your mornings consistent.
5. Rounton Coffee Roasters (North Yorkshire)
Best for: traceability, and local craft
Rounton Coffee has built a name around care, from farm relationships to the way they educate drinkers. They roast in the North Yorkshire countryside, surrounded by the sort of calm that seeps into every bag they ship.
I’ve met the team at events, and their sincerity stands out. The taste reflects that: full-bodied, comforting, but never heavy. It’s a cup that feels like home.
5. Extract Coffee Roasters (Bristol)
Best for: Sustainability and craftsmanship
Extract Coffee is a B Corp-certified roastery built on community, ethics, and craft. Their roastery sits in a converted warehouse filled with the nutty, caramel scent of fresh roast days. The roastery is absolutely huge (I’ve been there), as they primarily do wholesale coffee.
They work closely with farmers and social enterprises to create blends that serve purpose and pleasure in equal measure. Their Original Espresso delivers a syrupy body with dark chocolate depth.
The Rest of the Best: UK Coffee Roasters Worth Knowing
6. Origin Coffee (Cornwall)
Origin Coffee has been a cornerstone of the UK’s specialty scene since 2004. Their philosophy is built around direct trade and long-term partnerships with farmers, creating complete transparency from seed to cup.
Their Resolute Espresso and San Fermin blends deliver smooth chocolate tones with a touch of red fruit, making them crowd-pleasers for both espresso and milk drinks. Origin’s roastery in Helston and cafés across London continue to showcase why they’re leaders in ethical, high-grade coffee.
7. Square Mile Coffee (London)
Founded by world barista champions James Hoffmann and Anette Moldvaer, Square Mile helped define modern UK coffee culture. Their precision-led approach focuses on balance, consistency, and clarity of flavour.
The Red Brick Espresso is a staple across countless cafés, offering a sweet, rounded profile with notes of caramel and fruit. Every roast reflects their scientific attention to detail and unwavering pursuit of excellence.
8. North Star Coffee Roasters (Leeds)
Leeds-based North Star has built its reputation around sustainability and community impact. The team works directly with growers, investing in long-term projects that strengthen farming communities while maintaining exceptional cup quality.
Their blends deliver lively citrus brightness balanced by chocolate smoothness — a reflection of their ethical mission and refined roasting craft.
→ Shop North Star Coffee Roasters
9. Workshop Coffee (London)
Workshop introduced a minimalist, Scandinavian-inspired approach to roasting that prioritises transparency and origin expression. Each coffee is selected for clarity, showcasing terroir and natural sweetness rather than roast character.
Their single origins, such as Kii AB (Kenya) and Los Altos (Nicaragua), demonstrate exceptional precision, bright, clean, and complex.
10. Climpson & Sons (Hackney, London)
A pioneer of East London’s specialty movement, Climpson & Sons remains one of the city’s most respected independent roasters. Their Broadway Blend offers a nostalgic espresso profile - rich, nutty, and chocolate-forward.
They continue to champion sustainable sourcing and local community projects, proving that quality coffee and conscious business can thrive together.
11. Dark Woods Coffee (Huddersfield)
Roasting from a converted textile mill in Yorkshire, Dark Woods bridges the gap between artisan and approachable. Their blends consistently win national awards for their balance of sweetness, texture, and crowd-pleasing flavour.
Under Milk Wood is a highlight - mellow caramel, toffee, and soft spice with a smooth, lingering finish.
12. Hundred House Coffee (Shropshire)
Hundred House combines artistry with technical mastery. Their roastery doubles as a creative space, partnering with local artists through their Art + Industry project.
Each roast embodies balance and depth, with expressive fruit tones and creamy textures. Nom Nom Espresso stands out for its buttery body and soft acidity - coffee with both craft and personality.
13. Colonna Coffee (Bath)
Led by three-time UK Barista Champion Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, Colonna Coffee explores coffee through science and precision. Their range includes whole beans and high-performance compostable capsules that rival freshly ground coffee in clarity and aroma.
Every product reflects their philosophy: innovation through data, design, and detail.
14. Horsham Coffee Roaster (West Sussex)
Horsham Coffee is known for making ethical, traceable coffee accessible to everyday drinkers. The team sources directly from smallholder producers and roasts with a focus on balance and sweetness.
Their Kenya AA and Workhorse Blend are perfect examples - clean, juicy, and reliable from cup to cup.
15. Round Hill Roastery (Somerset)
Round Hill’s pink packaging has become synonymous with bright, fruit-forward coffee. The Somerset-based roastery focuses on light roasts that celebrate sweetness and origin character.
Their coffees are lively, tropical, and nuanced - a favourite among home brewers and baristas who value clarity and balance.
16. Kiss the Hippo Coffee (Richmond, London)
Kiss the Hippo merges design, sustainability, and precision roasting. As one of the UK’s first carbon-negative roasteries, they set the standard for environmental responsibility in specialty coffee.
Their George Street Espresso offers a smooth, chocolatey base with subtle fruit - elegant and consistent across every brew method.
17. Clifton Coffee Roasters (Bristol)
Clifton has been quietly leading the UK coffee education space for over two decades. Their Bristol HQ houses one of the country’s best training centres, and their roasts are clean, sweet, and balanced.
Their EQ Seasonal Espresso captures the spirit of their approach - dependable, syrupy, and delicious in milk.
In this article we’ve covered everything there is to know about beans and ground coffee, but if you’re searching for the ultimate list of the UK’s best coffee pods brands, check it out.
→ Shop Clifton Coffee Roasters
18. Quarter Horse Coffee (Birmingham)
Quarter Horse combines café culture with micro-roasting precision. Their Birmingham roastery produces small-batch espresso and filter coffees that highlight depth and sweetness.
Their Dark Horse Espresso delivers notes of toffee, cocoa, and roasted nuts — a smooth, comforting profile ideal for everyday drinking.
19. Ozone Coffee (London)
Born in New Zealand and now a major player in London’s café scene, Ozone blends Antipodean hospitality with roasting expertise. Their cafés in Shoreditch and Bethnal Green have become hubs for great coffee and conversation.
The Empire Blend captures their signature style - smooth, rounded, and perfectly balanced for milk drinks.
20. Pact Coffee (Online)
Pact revolutionised UK home brewing with its direct-to-door subscription model. Every coffee is freshly roasted, ethically sourced, and fully traceable — delivered within days of roasting.
Their rotating single origins keep things fresh for everyday drinkers looking to step into the world of specialty coffee.
Final Thoughts
After years of tasting, brewing, and exploring the best coffee roasters in the UK, and talking to the people behind the beans, one thing stands out to me: the UK coffee scene is thriving because it’s built on values.
From the lab-tested blends of Balance Coffee to the ethical networks of Origin and the artistry of Hundred House, this generation of roasters isn’t just selling coffee. They’re shaping culture, one cup at a time.
If you’re new to speciality coffee , start with one of the Editor’s Choice roasters above. Brew slowly. Smell the aroma before you sip. You’ll taste not just coffee, but craftsmanship, curiosity, and care. If you’re curious to try the best mushroom coffees on the market, head over to our expert guide.