UK Coffee Shops Menu & Price Comparison 2025
If you’ve ever stood in a queue at Starbucks wondering whether you should’ve gone to Greggs instead, you’re not alone. With high street coffee prices creeping up (and up) and up (and up), it pays to know who’s serving value, who’s overcharging for oat milk, and which chains are the most work-friendly if you’re lugging in your laptop.
We’ve reviewed and compared ten of the UK’s biggest coffee chains, looking at prices, drink ranges, caffeine strength, calories, and the all-important workspace vibes. Below you’ll find a full breakdown and links to each dedicated guide.
UK Coffee Chains Compared: Price, Caffeine, and Vibes
| Chain | Flat White Price | Caffeine (mg) | Workspace Friendly? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Costa | £3.35 | 325mg | Yes – Spacious, sockets, popular with remote workers |
| Starbucks | £3.65 | 150mg | Yes – Good Wi-Fi, long stay friendly |
| Caffè Nero | £3.25 | 160mg | Yes – Cosy and quieter than Costa/Starbucks |
| Greggs | £2.40 | 197mg | No – Takeaway focus, no Wi-Fi |
| McDonald’s | £2.19 | 250mg | Mixed – Good Wi-Fi, but loud and busy |
| Black Sheep Coffee | £3.60 | 250mg+ | Yes – Trendy but limited seating |
| Tim Hortons | £2.49 | 200mg | Mixed – Depends on location |
| GAIL’s | £3.80 | 170mg | Mixed – Lovely, but not designed for laptops |
| Coffee #1 | £3.00 | 180mg | Yes – Relaxed atmosphere, decent seating |
| Pret A Manger | £3.25 | 271mg | Yes – Subscription-friendly, mid-tier seating |
Full Coffee Menu Guides (with Prices & Tips)
1. Starbucks Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
Covers hot, iced, and Refresha drinks. Includes calories, caffeine strength and how to get more from the Starbucks Rewards app. Explore the full Starbucks UK menu with 2025 prices and drinks, including caffeine content and loyalty rewards.
2. Costa Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
Still the UK’s biggest chain, Costa’s menu is massive, from Frappes to Chai Lattes. We break down seasonal specials, prices, loyalty perks and caffeine. See our full Costa Coffee 2025 menu breakdown with prices, specials and workspace tips.
3. Caffè Nero Menu and Prices 2025
More espresso-focused than most chains. We also cover their seating setup and Nero Rewards. View the full Caffè Nero menu with prices and rewards info, ideal for remote workers.
4. McDonald’s Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
Often overlooked but surprisingly strong (and affordable). This is our full review of McCafé coffee. Check out the McDonald’s McCafé coffee range, prices, and how it stacks up for freelancers.
5. Greggs Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
Budget-friendly and always nearby. We tested the full range and found out if Greggs coffee is underrated or overhyped. Read our honest Greggs coffee review and menu guide, including caffeine levels and how to get the best value.
6. Black Sheep Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
Cool indie vibes with surprisingly premium pricing. They also serve stronger coffee than most, here’s how they compare. Discover the full Black Sheep Coffee menu, pricing, strength and vibes compared.
7. Tim Hortons Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
Canada’s finest (allegedly). We’ve reviewed the UK version of Tim’s coffee lineup, with prices, size quirks, and workspace verdict. See the Tim Hortons UK coffee menu, prices and workspace suitability in 2025.
8. Coffee #1 Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
South West stronghold with good coffee and decent seating. One to try if you’re in Wales or Bristol. Explore the Coffee #1 drinks menu and how it compares for quality and cost.
9. 200 Degrees Coffee Menu and Prices 2025
Specialty-level coffee with actual baristas. More niche, but worth tracking down if you want something beyond the big brands. Take a look at the 200 Degrees coffee menu and pricing, a great option for remote workers.
10. GAIL’s Bakery Coffee Menu UK 2025
More than a bakery, GAIL’s serves high-end coffee, and we rated it surprisingly well for workspace and caffeine. Here’s our full GAIL’s Bakery coffee menu, plus workspace tips and pricing.
Which Coffee Chain Is Best in 2025?
If you’re going for pure price, McDonald’s wins. For caffeine? Costa. For workspace and seating? Probably Nero or 200 Degrees. For trendiness, it’s Black Sheep or GAIL’s.
And if you want the best bang for your bean? Read our coffee loyalty schemes guide to stretch every stamp, point and reward app.
Want to know which coffee chain has the most caffeine? Or who to get the best coffee from for home? Check out:
