If you are after a coffee that actually tastes like coffee, Happy Bean Coffee Bar on Bedford Place is hard to argue with. It is a small, independent, fully licensed place that takes its beans seriously, sourcing from Moonroast, a family-owned, award-winning specialty roaster based right here in Hampshire. That commitment to quality is not for show, either: the flat white, a rich espresso with velvety microfoam, is regularly called one of the best in Southampton.
Every week we pick 🏆 the 5 best 🏆 things to do in Southampton and send them to your inbox. Just one weekly email, no spam.
By submitting your email, you accept our Privacy Policy
The coffee is the obvious draw, but the food holds its own. Cakes and brownies are baked in-house, pastries come fresh every morning, and there are homemade savoury snacks alongside vegan and gluten-free options, including a gluten-free panini made to order. A raspberry croissant, flaky pastry filled with sweet jam, and a moist vegan chocolate brownie are the ones that keep turning up in reviews. For something colder, the iced coffee is well-made, and there is a refreshing peach tea if you want to skip the caffeine altogether. Prices sit comfortably in budget territory, with most coffees landing between £2.80 and £4.50, and a loyalty scheme that hands you a free hot drink after nine stamps.
What makes the place worth staying at, rather than just grabbing a cup and leaving, is the atmosphere. It is dog-friendly, inclusive, and welcoming to the LGBTQ+ community, with the kind of attentive service that makes it as easy to settle in with a book as it is to catch up with friends. That welcoming vibe is echoed in the reviews, which are consistently five stars: Ros Docker pointed to the coffee, pastries and friendly staff; Wendy Law called it the best coffee in Southampton with vegan milk and a great spot to hang out or work; Sam Rich praised the focaccia, the double espresso and the prompt service; and Zeynep Nevin Yetkin noted the hot chocolate, peach tea and raspberry meringue. Sarah Williamson even got a flower on top of her coffee.
Sustainability is woven into how the place runs, rather than tacked on. Fair trade is the baseline, and there is a genuine push to cut waste: bring your own reusable cup and you will be encouraged, and all disposable packaging is compostable or recyclable, with no single-use plastics anywhere. It is a small business that clearly cares about where its coffee comes from and where its packaging ends up.
Location helps, too. Bedford Place is a short walk from the city centre and packed with independent shops, restaurants and pubs, with convenient parking right next door, cycle lanes out front and the nearest bus stop on London Road, served by the Bluestar 1 and 2 and the Unilink U1A and U1E. The street is part of the city's independent nightlife and hosts small festivals and outdoor markets throughout the year, including the Carlton Place Market on the first Saturday of the month. For a reliable, friendly coffee with a bit of conscience behind it, Happy Bean is an easy choice.
