Pin these stellar coffee shops in Devon on your Google Maps for elevated brew experiences and excellent eats
Sacred Grounds, Exeter
Located in the light-filled atrium at the back of McCoys Arcade, this contemporary vegan cafe is a delightful find for quality caffeination in Exeter.
The baristas pull shots of Triple Co Roast espresso from a snazzy Rocket Espresso machine. The roastery’s Jumpstart blend – showcasing dark chocolate, nut praline and maple syrup flavours – delivers a velvet-smooth coffee when paired with steamed alt milk.
Alongside coffee, an innovative and exciting plant-based menu is the focus. Creative brunch dishes made from seasonal ingredients include the award-winning “poached eggs” and signature french toast (the current summer edition features vanilla and rose macerated strawberries, whipped choc cream, strawberry and vanilla syrup, and toasted coconut rose mint and lime. Yum).
Keep an eye on socials for regular seasonal events and supper clubs.
51° North Coffee Co., near Braunton
Comprising a speciality coffee roastery, cafe and artisan bakery, 51° North Coffee Co. offers discerning visitors an experience for the senses.
All of the high-grade beans used to craft velvety flat whites and speciality pourovers in the open-plan unit have been roasted by founder Justin Duerden. He and the team ethically source single-origin coffees then roast them on-site until they develop unique flavours, as evidenced in their mainstay roast Full Moon ( a natural roast from Uganda yielding notes of baker’s chocolate, palm sugar, roasted pecans and dates).
The speciality brews are complemented by droolworthy baked goods kneaded that morning by Rupert’s Bakehouse. Gloriously indulgent babka, cinnamon socials (filled with custard) and classic cinnamon buns are just three delicious examples of what’s on offer. An all-day brunch menu offers more substantial eats. Local ingredients are utilised in drinks and dishes where possible, including the milk which is sourced from a nearby farm.
Don’t leave without a bag of on-site roasted coffee to relive the 51° experience at home.
Meraki, Woolacombe
Consistency is king at this coastal coffee shop. No matter how far the queue snakes down the street in summer, or how chilled the pace in winter, its espresso is always on-point.
Located a few hundred metres from Woolacombe Beach, Meraki is a busy hive of activity when the sun’s shining. Surfers prop their boards against the whitewashed exterior while they sip a perfectly executed cup of coffee, while walkers grab a seat inside to refuel with brekkie sourdough rolls or stuffed croissants after a stomp through the dunes.
The baristas are always happy to talk regulars, or Meraki first-timers, through the latest guest roasts and recommend their favourites from a collection of homemade cakes that line the counter.
Discover more coffee shops in Devon with the Indy Coffee Guide South
Lilac Bakery, Exeter
Making the short walk across the river from Exeter city centre to this contemporary bakery and coffee shop on Cowick Street is a must for anyone hitting Devon’s capital.
An eye-widening spectrum of dough-based delights provides a snapshot of the season. They are scoffed quicker than what may typically be considered socially acceptable, but that’s ok, as all visitors to this heralded cafe are in the same greedy boat. Sweet confections such as lemon curd, vanilla custard and Italian meringue cruffin are joined by gone-in-minutes creations like mortadella, béchamel and parmesan pain suisse.
Rest assured, the gang know their way around a brew bar as well as they do a kitchen, and visitors can pair the luscious edibles with an espresso, batch filter, V60 or AeroPress.
Circle, Topsham
A cafe, plant shop and gallery rolled into one, this Fore Street hangout is a haven of greenery, caffeine and creativity. It’s likely you’ll pop in for a flat white and leave with your coffee, a bag of treasures from local makers and a new monstera for the living room. You can even pick up a Coffee Arabica plant to start growing your own green beans.
Co-founder Fay Clement worked at Exploding Bakery, one of Devon’s first speciality cafes, before setting up Circle in 2021, so a dynamite coffee is guaranteed. As well as a house espresso from Roastworks in Willand, Fay and partner David source beans from other top South West roasteries. The beans are then transformed into crema-rich espressos and whistle-clean V60s.
Enjoyed reading our pick of five of the best coffee shops in Devon? Discover some of our faves in Cornwall.
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