Caffe Nero vs. Starbucks vs. Costa Coffee

There are just as many Starbucks here as in the states, and an equal or greater number of Caffe Nero and Costa Coffee shops. Within 3 blocks on the Wimbledon high street there are 2 Caffe Neros, 1 Starbucks, 1 Costa and 1 Coffee Republic (in addition to coffee shops in the train station and bookstores, and the crap espressos you can get from a machine in sandwich shops) Apparently tea is in danger of losing it's status as the preeminent English drink. I've even seen billboards advertising the benefits of drinking tea. If I was tea, I'd be afraid of coffee too. Everyone knows coffee is great, no billboards needed.

Since I'm in a new country I thought I'd try new coffee shops. Maybe it's just my rebellion to the proliferation of Starbucks in America, but I like Caffe Nero better. But because Caffe Nero is just as widespread here as Starbucks, it's only my foreign eye that is attracted to Caffe Nero as someplace different. However, I do think Caffe Nero has better coffee and espresso than Starbucks. As a result, they have better coffee drinks. The one exception are Starbucks' seasonal drinks. I love, love the Peppermint Mocha, Toffee Nut Latte, Eggnog Latte and Gingerbread Latte...but as they are only available for a limited time they are not enough to outweigh the overall better taste of Caffe Nero all year round.

Costa Coffee does have a pretty amazing mocha. In fact, it might be a little too much. I couldn't even drink the whole thing (and if you know me, that's pretty amazing). The best mocha I've ever had was still from Sitwells in Clifton. I probably need to try Costa a few more times until I can make a fair assessment of coffee quality.

I still haven't found any place with cappuccinos as good as Rohs Street. I'm sure they exist somewhere in London but it's going to take some more research.