Seeking the best coffee in North Devon?

We are big coffee fans at Cottages On The Coast and we love nothing more than visiting one of the great independent coffee shops in North Devon and Exmoor. We make it our mission to hunt down the best coffee in North Devon. These Coffee Houses are not just purveyors of great coffee, but many use coffee beans from South West suppliers or bake their own cakes and pastries in-house.

We’re all going on a coffee hunt…

We are blessed to have no shortage of great local independent coffee shops in North Devon – to list them all would make this blog unwieldy! However, we have put a list together of our personal favourites – these are truly the places to find some of the best coffee in North Devon and Exmoor. Many of these, and more, also feature in the South West & South Wales Indy Coffee Guide; a worthwhile purchase if you want to always ensure a top-notch coffee.

Supporting other independent businesses

We’re also proud to promote these businesses as we know how hard they work to both support other independent businesses, local causes and to protect the environment. If it’s takeaway you’re looking for then the majority of our local coffee shops now use eco take away cups. However, we’d encourage you where possible to bring your own cup – some of the establishments even offer a discount if you have a reusable cup with you for takeouts.

Our opinion – the best coffee in North Devon

So, here’s our view on the best coffee locally (in no particular order).

Enjoy reading, and why not do it whilst enjoying a coffee and a sweet treat?

Charlie Fridays, Lynton

We have been fans of Charlie Fridays from the start. They serve Extract Coffee, from Bristol-based coffee roasters, alongside delicious homemade food and cakes. In fact, we’re such fans of this particular coffee that it’s a full-time resident in our coffee machine at home.

The coffee and food at Charlie Fridays are great, but so is the warm welcome and chilled vibe.  The team here are always looking at ways to push the boundaries, whether it be via the décor, menu choices or evening events they host.

Great coffee, great place, great team!

Annie and the Flint, Ilfracombe

I stumbled upon this place when I was driving along Ilfracombe High Street a few years back.  It must be a good sign that I have never needed to try another coffee house in Ilfracombe, as this will always be my venue of choice (not to say there aren’t others who are also exceptional – but I’m a creature of habit!).

This coffee house offers a cosy, modern feel and delivers a smooth-tasting coffee from the popular Cornish coffee roaster, Origin. It also serves a good range of cakes and food AND was the first cafe in Ilfracombe to become plastic-free! A big hit in our books.

Croyde Coffee (in, well, Croyde!)

If you are visiting Croyde Beach, then make sure you make time to grab a coffee from Croyde Coffee Station.  They are located at the ‘Ruda’ end of the beach on the walkway down. Croyde Coffee have their own brand of coffee, which is hand-roasted in small batches.  This delivers a rich, fresh-tasting coffee that is perfect for a morning stroll across the beautiful Croyde beach.

If you want a coffee fix for your holiday accommodation, then you can also buy Croyde Coffees ‘coffee bags’ from the post office in Croyde. Whilst not quite the same as a freshly ground coffee from the cart, they do a good job!

Heartbreak Hotel Coffee, Braunton and Woolacombe

The brainchild of Ella and Jo, Heartbreak Hotel started life as a converted horse box in Woolacombe, opposite Combesgate Beach. Known for its quality coffee, in-house bakes and the ever-popular doughnuts, its popularity grew so much that they opened a coffee shop in Braunton. All backed by a super friendly team, this now acts as a perfect spot to catch up with friends over a perfectly crafted coffee.

Also, if you have ever wondered if blueberry and white chocolate cheesecake or salted caramel works as a doughnut filling, then this is the place to go!

Meraki Coffee, Woolacombe & Braunton

This dog-friendly, side street gem is just a short walk from Woolacombe’s sandy shore. Serving quality coffee from the Devon Coffee Company,  this easy-going coffee shop is the perfect place to enjoy a bacon sandwich brunch after a morning surf.

They have also now opened their Braunton Pizzeria in the daytime. So you can get a steaming hot latte (or whatever your coffee of choice is) and a stack of pancakes for breakfast if you’re holidaying closer in this direction.

Wild Thyme Cafe, Braunton

Situated in the heart of Braunton, this eclectic café has a range of healthy food, juices and smoothies.

The owners are also passionate about the coffee they serve, so much so that they have developed their own coffee brand, ‘Kope’. This is hand-roasted in small batches of no more than 1kg at a time to guarantee quality. Greg also trains all the baristas himself to make sure the coffee is being served just the way it should be!

51 Degrees North Coffee, Braunton

51 Degrees North got its start as a small coffee cart popping up at key spots around Braunton. These days, the cart still makes appearances at festivals, events, and private functions across North Devon, and their roasted coffee can be found in a handful of local pubs and cafés. But if you really want to see what they’re all about, their warehouse café and wholesale hub in Braunton is the place to be, with their full range of speciality coffees on offer.

It’s not just about great coffee though! 51 Degrees North is all about doing things ethically and sustainably. They work with South West suppliers wherever they can, use biodegradable and recyclable coffee accessories (even their coffee van is solar-assisted and completely plastic-free!). They also offer barista training and support for other businesses, sharing their expertise with coffee lovers across North Devon.

Block, Barnstaple

This family-run Coffee House and Restaurant is situated on the historic Butchers Row in Barnstaple.

This hip hangout is another one that serves smooth, well-crafted coffee from Cornish roastery Origin. All served in retro 70’s stoneware alongside lovely homemade global food and sweet bakes.

Whilst this isn’t a blog about food, we can’t mention Block without recommending you most definitely have some of their delicious food with your coffee. Brunch? Lunch? They’ve got you sorted!

The Feel Good Larder, Barnstaple

Tucked away just off the high street in the heart of Barnstaple, The Feel Good Larder is a cosy, independent café specialising in wholesome, gluten‑free food and expertly brewed coffee.

This hidden gem serves speciality brews using ethically sourced organic beans from Extract Coffee in Bristol — the beans come from Uganda and Honduras, and supporting the farmers is an important part of their ethos.

The coffee menu goes beyond your usual cappuccinos and flat whites too, with a range of speciality filter coffee that changes regularly, giving you the chance to taste different beans and flavours as the season and roaster’s collection changes.

Boston Tea Party, Barnstaple

Boston Tea Party have an unfussy mission – to serve simple and well-prepared food and drinks. This family-owned, West Country chain has often been at the forefront of ethical issues, including being the first café to ban the use of single-use cups. In October 2024, they celebrated saving over 1 million cups from landfill.

The Barnstaple branch is set right in the heart of the town, adjacent to the Cattle Market car park. Its central location means it acts as a great social hub to get together with friends and family to enjoy one of their coffees. In addition, if you really need to check in on work whilst you’re here, you can hook up to the internet and watch the world go by. The coffee itself is a really good all-rounder, smooth and well-balanced. They do a full range of coffees, including iced coffees.

The Glorious Oyster, Instow

Set in an enviable location by the Dunes in Instow, it acts as a great place to eat and drink. This café serves great seafood specials and cakes, but today it is the coffee we are focusing on.

They use beans from the ethical Cornish Roaster, Sabins, who hand roasts the beans in small batches to capture the quality and individual taste. This attention to detail certainly delivers in the tasting, with a bold-tasting coffee that goes down smoothly with a homemade cake!

Coffee Cabin, Appledore

A lovely, cosy coffee shop based on the Quay in Appledore. They do a full range of great coffees and a good selection of plant-based milks, for those who prefer them.

The staff are friendly, and the food and cakes here are delicious and fresh! All of this makes a great spot to enjoy a coffee in this picturesque fishing village.

If you’re staying in one of our Cottages on the Coast properties, then check your welcome pack, and you will find recommendations for the independent coffee shops closest to your accommodation.

Feel free to drop us a line if you stumble upon an undiscovered gem on your holiday – we’re always looking for new places to get a quality coffee!