The (Oxford) Caffeine Chronicles: The Missing Bean Review

While I was visiting my parents this weekend, I spent a few hours in Oxford before catching the bus out to their village. I rediscovered a few old favourites, which I'll be rounding up in a forthcoming blog post. For now, though, I thought I'd review The Missing Bean, where I paused for a macchiato this afternoon.

Oxford finally gets an espresso bar!

Oxford isn't exactly famed for its independent espresso bars — sandwich shops, cafés and tea shops are much more common — and The Missing Bean claims to be the only independent speciality coffee shop in the city. I've been there with Papa a few times to pick up a post-early-morning-run coffee, but I've never drunk in before. The Missing Bean is always busy on Saturdays, especially on warmish Saturdays in June when students are seeking post-exam caffeination and there are plenty of parents in town. The place was rammed when I first got into town, just after lunch, so I came back a couple of hours later when the queue had subsided and I managed to score a stool in the corner.

Double mac

Located on Turl Street, just off the High, and surrounded by several Oxford University colleges, The Missing Bean is a cool place to hang out — the clientèle is almost entirely young and hip and there is a nice selection of cakes, pastries and sandwiches on offer. The window seats are also great spots for people-watching. I ordered my usual double macchiato, which was very good. The Missing Bean really is an excellent start for what I hope will be a burgeoning Oxford speciality coffee scene.

The Missing Bean. 14 Turl Street, Oxford, OX1 3DQ. Website.