Vincafe - Larnaca

South Coast Specialty Coffee is on Mackenzie Beach in the middle of the bar ghetto area, next to Caffe Nero. A fair old trek from Larnaca Marina. A large seating area outside on artificial grass, inside the serving area, half of the inside taken up by a kids play area. When I visited there were proposals to charge for this as supervised, at a guess because parents were dumping kids unsupervised. First impressions, a ghastly corporate chain. The coffee is Taf, not only Taf but Taf competition blend. It was not good. Far better than if I had gone to Caffe Nero, but Taf should be far far better than this. A cold brew tower. Was it for show? No, used for cold brew. I was offered a sample. It was not good. Concentrate and undrinkable. The explanation, we serve with ice, the ice melts. No. Make not as concentrate, serve cold, with one large ice cube at minus 22C that slowly slowly melts and does not dilute the drink. Follow the example of how cold brew is served at The Underdog in Athens. A neat touch, when coffee served, a card with a QR code. Scan and if wish, complete a survey. Back door access to personal data? I would rather be provided with a card with information on the coffee. A sign outside Best Coffee in Larnaca. Asking for trouble when not. Taf coffee is far better than this in Athens. Miyu Coffee in Protaras is serving Taf coffee, not even competition blend, and better than this. Outside Larnaca Marina, Nick’s Coffee Bike, by far the best coffee in Larnaca is in another league. That is not to say South Coast Specialty Coffee is serving bad coffee, far worse coffee is served in the corporate coffee chains, but Taf should be far far better than this, especially if using competition blend, and no, it is not the best coffee in Larnaca, that accolade belongs to Nick’s Coffee Bike, though may have been true before the coffee bike was outside the marina. South Coast Specialty Coffee is not a coffee shop let alone a specialty coffee shop, it is a tacky bar serving coffee. It is not doing Taf any favours their coffee being supplied out of the back door by a coffee shop in Nicosia. It is quite a trek from Larnaca Marina to Mackenzie Beach. There are plans afoot to develop the beach. Not a good idea, though please get rid of the artificial grass. What is needed is a shuttle bus service, an electric bus, from Larnaca Marina, or at least the Bus Stop, to Mackenzie Beach either free or one euro. The money earmarked for Mackenzie Beach would be far better spent on pedestrianising the seafront and the back streets of the old town. I visited this bar cum coffee shop two years ago, I have not been back since. To see what Taf coffee should be like apart from visiting their coffee shop in Athens try the coffee at Koffea in the old town. There are three coffee shops worth visiting in Larnaca, Koffea (serving Taf coffee) Paul’s Coffee Roasters and Nick’s Coffee Bike (the bike has has been retired and sits in a coffee shop of the same name). Too many places are claiming specialty coffee when they are not. Beans of q grade above 80 is a given, but have to be freshly roasted no more than three weeks old, top quality equipment, each dose carefully measured and ground prior to brewing, and skilled baristas who know how to make coffee and do justice to the grower and roaster. It is two years since my one and only visit. One can but hope has improved.

Literally, the best coffee I have ever had! Fantastic ambient and great service. I highly recommend this place.

Speciality coffee, well trained baristas and a lovely relaxed environment. Also a great ice cream selection on display.

Good coffee, great cake (even one vegan cake-but a little overpriced for the size . A lot of space (and plugs for people who need to do some work. They serve (or at least ask coffee in ceramic cups when ordering for here, selling reusable straws (would love to see if they could use reusable straws for the drinks in house too . Unfortunately the fresh juice will get served in single use plastic cups (even if you order for here . but if you order the juice in a glass straight away you can enjoy a fresh juice without any plastic trash... All in all can recommend

Very pleasant atmosphere inside and out. The staff are very friendly. Best Lattè here. I highly recommend it.