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The coffee scene in Falmouth is brimming at the seams with great places. This student town appreciatse a good cup of joe (probably because far too many students rely on it to get the extra fuel in the tank that they need). We’ve explored all of the best cafes in Falmouth, focusing on their drinks, ambience and food offering.
For those of you new to Falmouth, this is the quintessential British seaside town with those unique cafes that have come to characterize the British seaside landscape. It’s a little pocket of joy on the water, and the best place to experience it at one of these cafes.
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1. Good Vibes Cafe
Nestled in a charming old terrace house, Good Vibes Cafe truly lives up to its name with its welcoming atmosphere and incredibly friendly baristas. They serve a varied menu of espresso-based drinks and herbal teas. For the coffee aficionados among us, Good Vibes gets its beans from Origin Coffee Roasters.
The best way to enjoy Good Vibes Cafe is to head upstairs to the cozy, home-like setting that the team has created. One of the best cafes in Falmouth, this is the go-to brunch spot for many locals. The menu features a number of creative takes on British cafe classics like beans on toast and bacon sarnies. They consistently deliver on quality and freshness, and you’ll want to laze the day away here.
The Good Vibes breakfast, which is their take on a fry-up, is certainly not to be missed. In my opinion, the homemade beans are the star of the show, but the locally sourced meats also bring a lot of flavors to this dish.
A vegan version of the Good Vibes breakfast is also available and it’s tasty enough to rival the regular, with the meats having been replaced with homemade hummus and avocado.
2. Dark Pony Coffee
Dark Pony stands out as a true gem for specialty coffee lovers in Falmouth. Unlike so many other cafes, Dark Pony hasn’t committed itself to just one roaster; instead, they keep things exciting with a constantly rotating selection of guest roasters. The best way to experience the range is to to try one of their expertly crafted hand-brewed filter coffees.
Either way, you’re almost always guaranteed a unique tasting experience at Dark Pony, which can be quite a joy if you’re drinking as much coffee as I do.
The interior of the cafe is a study in elegant simplicity, with the seating area uncluttered to create an easier space to relax in, and their large shopfront window allowing an abundance of light to stream in. It’s the optimal space in Falmouth for getting some laptop work done – and also ensuring that you’re somewhere you can be fed and watered.
Also, their homemade cakes aren’t just complements to the coffees, they’re absolutely fantastic on their own and not to be missed. Get a treat to accompany your coffee, certainly, but you could easily visit Dark Pony just one of their irresistible soft-baked cookies (and we love cookies).
3. Espressini Artisan Coffee
Espressini has two homely rooms with seating, and you sure can count on them to be playing some funky beats. Their batch brew offers an especially tasty option for filter coffee, rivaling the best cafes in Falmouth. And if you’re concerned about their bean supplier, no need to worry because they use Yallah Coffee Roasters.
Espressini offers a seasonal food menu which includes hot sandwiches, brunch options and homemade sweet treats. The eggs benedict is my repeat order but there are many options, and virtually everything they deliver to your table is a testament to their commitment to quality and creativity.
Regardless, you won’t regret finishing off with a slice of their legendary carrot cake. I’d go so far as to say that you’ll need to return to Espressini for a slice if you accidentally forgot to order it.
4. Olfactory Coffee
A recent addition to the high-street, Olfactory started life as a roastery in nearby Penryn – and to this day, they use their own in-house roastery. During their days supplying beans to cafes in Falmouth and across Cornwall, they’ve learned what truly makes the perfect cup of coffee.
That journey from local bean supplier to full-fledged cafe has given them a wealth of knowledge that means an absolutely excellent cup of coffee for you.
The space is bright and open with a light wood décor, the perfect spot to enjoy one of their slamming flat whites. The coffee is roasted up the road and they are always bringing new flavors to their cafe. With two espresso blends and three different types of filter coffee beans, you’ll be hard pressed to get bored of this coffee shop.
5. Beacon Coffee
One of the original specialty coffee shops in Falmouth, Beacon Coffee first opened its doors in 2018. They have always been a pioneer in Famouth’s speciality coffee movement, and I have no doubt that they’ll continue to innovate and bring more to the scene.
They serve up some of the very best beans from the UK and Europe, which means there is no doubt that you can always find an interesting taste in this small but lovely shop.
Longstanding in the community, they were voted into the top 50 coffee shops in England by Big7Travel. The interior is a modern coffee shop décor, white walls and light birch wood. Some people say this is the best specialty coffee shop in Falmouth, we will leave it up to you to decide.
Whether you’re a coffee connoisseur or a casual sipper, Beacon Coffee promises an exceptional experience – and they’re committed to delivering on that experience every single time.
6. Forty Five Falmouth
Forty Five is small, quaint and doubles as a micro-roastery. That’s right: they roast their own beans in store. Small batch roasting means a reliably fresh and unique cup every time. The little shop offers a few tables inside and a couple seats outside. You can even watch the coffee-making process from bean to cup right in front of you.
The location is perfect for takeaway as it’s close to the picturesque harbor and abundant public seating. The owner is very much at the helm here; from coffee roasting to drink pouring, it’s mostly a one-man show with the help of his family and close friends. That passionate commitment to quality (and his own reputation) shines through in every sip.
7. Three Little Birds
Three Little Birds has changed the game when it comes to brunch and many other cafes in Falmouth are jealous of the rave reviews (I suspect). Their menu is focused on seasonality and local produce. Despite being located slightly out of town, people in the area absolutely make the effort to visit this coffee shop.
Not only is the food great but the space is inviting, too. The team has a passion for knowledge and innovative thinking which they give to the world through the learning workshops they host.
Fresh and creative dishes is how they’ve made their name, but definitely do not sleep on their coffee. Hosting many of the world’s very best roasters, they stay on top in a world of always changing specialty coffee. Visiting Three Little Birds is the best way to stay in the loop with evolving flavors.
Honorable Mention: Dough an Dowr
We simply cannot not mention Dough an Dowr. Though not exactly a traditional cafe given they operate out of a converted horse box near Gyllyngvase beach, these hardworking brothers are slinging solid specialty coffee and world-class sourdough bagels.
They certainly look the part (coffee served with a beanie on is better, you understand), and the coffee delivers. They are takeaway only, but that means you can go enjoy your coffee in the nearby gardens or at the beach.
With many options of bagel fillings, both meat lovers and vegans are well catered for. I absolutely need to recommend the ‘B.A.R.T’ and ‘Cheeky Halloumi’ for an explosion of flavor. On the espresso machine, they use Olfactory’s Knockout roast for a flawless coffee every time. There is always something to keep you satisfied at Dough an Dowr.
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