The Missing Bean

Easily the best coffee in Oxford. Good quality cafe food of sorts that are rare in England. A shame that the quality of the service has declined noticeably, in speed and other basics, now that the owners seem to be at the cafe less often.

Gadda (Unverified), 21/08/11

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Thank you! I feel like I'm home the moment I step in the door. Please open another one!

sydneygirluk (Unverified), 23/07/11

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The coffee is excellent, and the place has a cosy atmosphere: it is predominantly a cafe where people come to chat rather than a coffee shop-cum-library. My major gripe is the waitstaff. They are very friendly, and certainly look like they walked out of some hipster neighborhood in Brooklyn. But they are incredibly slow, and seem to have an appalling work ethic. I have sometimes waited at the cash register for more than five minutes, watching three or four baristas joking with one another, or just drifting about without any of them acknowledging me or taking my order. Then it takes another small lifetime to get change after paying, because someone else just made a joke, and oh, isn't it funny. They behave as though the Missing Bean is their living room and some of us have happened to stroll by. Or, they'll just close 15 mins early because it's been 'slow'. I appreciate that the place is going for a laid-back atmosphere, but there's a difference between laid-back and lazy.

av (Unverified), 17/07/11

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Best coffee I've had in Oxford - actually, make that this side of the Channel. It's a completely different experience from the stuff served in chain coffee bars or even many other independent places - a rich, complex flavour rather than just burnt - and the drinks are nicely small and strong rather than being topped up with too much milk like those at certain American establishments.

As an (admittedly coffee-obsessed) student, I don't find the prices oppressive - they're slightly lower than most chains, and you know the profits are going straight to the friendly guys who served you rather than some faceless corporation.

I now make a detour to go here on my way to morning lectures. Sandwiches aren't half bad either, even if the choice is a bit limited - but then that's not really what you go for.

OH (Unverified), 22/04/11

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Easily the best coffee in Oxford! Run by ex-antipodeans who know their coffee, and who make super espresso-based coffees. Best coffee this side of the Tropic of Capricorn.

Oz (Unverified), 02/09/10

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There are not many places that fill me with joy when it comes to great coffee outside of London, but the boys and girls at Missing Bean have certainly mastered the art of everything great when it comes to coffee and nothing but the coffee. Keep up the great work, and all credit to you and your roaster.

James Hoffman (Unverified), 13/08/10

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Without any doubt Missing Bean is the number 1 venue for great coffee in Oxford, and just where do your buy your coffee beans????

Bigphil (Unverified), 11/08/10

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This place opening up last year was like heaven to a coffee-starved antipodean experiencing the woeful attempts at coffee found at all chain cafes in England.

The Missing Bean has in my opinion the best coffee in Oxford, including flat whites (for all you homesick antipodeans). Well made, beautifully presented, with excellent customer service.

There is a little bit of food, reasonably priced (the BLT ciabatta is great) but as the owners say, it's all about the coffee.

(Tea, hot/iced chocolate and juices are available for non-coffee drinkers. And try the affogato in summer!)

JF (Unverified), 29/07/10

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Interesting little place, this. The clientele is mainly students, which is fine, I guess. The decor is clean and functional- laminate floor is a naff betrayal of the building's character, but I guess a practical solution nonetheless.

The place is small and invariably full. Don't be put off... Sitting is not strictly necessary to enjoying a decent coffee, and it is exactly this that the Missing Bean does exceptionally well. The espresso is absolutely top-notch: nice beans, made in a good, clean machine. The cappuccino is carefully prepared and (depending on who makes it) as good as it gets, this side of Venice.

All the food is only average, but this is the sort of place you come to for a fix of really excellent, reasonably-priced coffee. It is, in fact, in my opinion the finest coffee in central Oxford.

Food Boy (DI User), 14/07/10

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Best coffee in Oxford, no doubt! Friendly staff and amazing, creamy Flat Whites. Not much food though, but this is a proper coffee shop (not like the big chains - I won't mention names) and that's why you would go there, for the coffee.

KA (Unverified), 12/05/10

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