Specialty coffee in Durham.
Only 5 places in Durham have made it onto Roasters so far, which makes every one of them worth knowing about.
Where Durham sits on the map
Ranked joint #48 nationally, Durham holds <1% of the specialty coffee listed in the United Kingdom, about 5 times the median city. One step up the national table is Worcester (6 cafés); one step down, Bournemouth (4 cafés).
In Europe, Durham ranks #281 of 1,928 cities on Roasters, in the same size band as Dijon, Sopron and Uherske.
Measured against all 3,601 cities on Roasters, Durham sits in the upper half, at #578.
Every café added in Durham moves it closer to the 30-café mark where Roasters starts publishing themed guides.
What makes a great café in Durham
Every listing in Durham on Roasters was added by someone who drank there, not by an algorithm or an advertiser. That keeps the 5 places on the map focused on coffee quality rather than foot traffic.
Reviews, photos and check-ins from the community decide how cafés in Durham surface in the app. No paid placements, no sponsored pins.
- Baristas who can talk through the menu
- Single-origin or light-roasted blends
- Roast dates within the last few weeks
- A grinder dialled in daily
Find every specialty café
in Durham.
See all 5 cafés in Durham on one map, check opening hours, and keep your own list of favourites. Free on iOS and Android.
About specialty coffee in Durham
How big is the specialty coffee scene in Durham?
There are 5 cafés and roasters in Durham on Roasters, which ranks the city joint #48 in the United Kingdom and #578 worldwide.
How does Durham compare with other cities in the United Kingdom?
Durham ranks joint #48 of 339 cities on Roasters in the United Kingdom. The median city there lists 1 café; Durham lists 5.
What other cities in Europe are comparable to Durham for coffee?
Looking only at the number of specialty cafés listed, Dijon (France), Sopron (Hungary) and Uherske (Czech Republic) are the nearest peers to Durham in the region.
What makes a café “specialty”?
Traceable, high-grade beans (80+ on the SCA scale), careful roasting and precise brewing. A specialty café can usually tell you the origin, variety and process of every coffee it serves.
Can I claim my café in Durham on Roasters?
Yes. Owners, managers and staff in Durham can claim their listing to manage hours, photos, menu and equipment, reply to reviews and post events or jobs.
Does the Roasters app cost anything?
The app and the full café map are free. Roasters Pro is an optional upgrade with advanced filters, unlimited lists and other power features.
