There is nothing flashy about the exterior at Kobean. Housed in a low brick building in Heaton Moor, with planters framing the entrance and a scattering of outdoor seating, it has the appearance at first glance of a dentist’s office maybe.
But step inside and the atmosphere changes. Sunlight pours through the windows, bouncing off pale walls and wooden surfaces to create a space that feels calm and bright.
The café’s roasting heritage is impossible to miss. Towards the back of the room sits a Giesen roaster, positioned almost like a centrepiece. Everything is roasted, brewed and served in-house, with a changing list of rare varieties and experimental micro-lots.
It’s run by Kobe and Emelia and while I was there I had one of their filters.
On the wall, a pair of illustrated posters, Always Something Brewing, follows coffee from seed to cup, with little scenes for roasting and brewing. They’re the work of a graphic artist from Texas.
There are communal tables, simple furnishings and warm natural light, which combine to create a space that feels accessible whether you’re dropping in for a quick espresso or settling down for an afternoon.
Kobean Coffee Roasters | 3 Hawthorn Grove, Heaton Moor, SK4 4HZ | Open Wed to Sat 8am to 4pm, Sun 9am to 3pm, closed Mon and Tue | Motorcycle parking: on Heaton Moor Road | Instagram: @kobeancoffeeroasters
