A full flavoured coffee wheel at this Speciality Coffee Shop and Roasters.

With tantalisingly fruity filters, abundant seating in store and an emphasis on traceability, it should come as no surprise that this coffee shop and roasters is a staple for locals and visitors alike.

When asked where to find a good cup of coffee in Nottingham, many people will mention Cartwheel. Located in Beeston and with a previous location in the city centre, this recommendation comes not only from the quality of the coffee but also the warm community environment that has flourished within this cafe and roasters. We visited midweek on a sunny lunchtime break. As we approached the smell of freshly ground coffee wafted out from a barely open window hatch, luring us in. The tables outside were filled with people chatting and sipping, while a glance upwards saw people typing away on laptops at open windows on the upper level. Not a bad office for a day we mused.

Cartwheel in its current location was once The Bean. Owned by Cartwheel founder Alex’s mother, he grew up working in the cafe and returned with his wife Becci to curate a space that celebrates roasting and consuming speciality coffee- first in the city centre and now here in Beeston.

We stepped inside and were greeted warmly by the baristas at the wooden counter. To our right the room extended into a long open space, filled with large sturdy tables. A stairway at the back leads you upstairs where high countertops cater for laptop workers and students alike.

Coffee Jargon

Cartwheel are constantly changing their coffee menu, based on what they’ve been roasting up. The day we visited was hot and in a cycle induced haze we deviated from our usual filter option and went for a Japanese iced brew. Tom has talked about this process in his review on Okende if you’re interested in learning more. We went with an Ethiopian filter, Danche WS which the barista had told us was lovely and fruity. For the flat white we went for the current house espresso, Las Gaviotas, from Columbia.

Returning outside to a shaded table, the coffees landed soon after, ice crackling in the cold brew. The filter brew was sweet and refreshing, with notes of raspberry coming across in juicy bursts. Cherry undertones lingered on, creating a deliciously fruity cup. The flat white was light and very delicate. A hint of citrus was balanced out with a nuttier base. It’s a lighter roast than you’ll find elsewhere which sets it aside from high street chains.

Conclusion

The coffees we tried and most others roasted and produced by Cartwheel, are named after the farms or cooperatives from which they come. This underscores Cartwheel’s ethos of traceability and encourages you to discover the origins of your coffee. In choosing quality over cost Cartwheel sets a standard that the coffee industry should seek to emulate.

With outstanding filter coffee flavours and staff that seek to engage, spend a few hours in Carthweel and feel joyous leaving.

Where to find Cartwheel Coffee:

1 Stoney St,

Beeston,

Nottingham,

NG9 2LA