Our history

London, born and blended since 1971

We've 50 years' experience of crafting the finest quality coffee. From revolutionary methods and commitment to quality to unforgettable successes that have made Costa Coffee the Nation’s Favourite* coffee shop, our story is as unique as our coffee.

But first, let’s start with how every good story should. At the very beginning.

The Costa Coffee story began back in 1971 when Sergio and Bruno arrived in London with a burning desire to make great tasting coffee a part of everyday life.

Setting up a small roastery in Newport Street, they committed to crafting the finest quality coffee.

It was here the Costa brothers blind-tested 112 variations of coffee before they tasted one good enough to be our signature blend. They named it ‘Mocha Italia’ and it remains our signature blend to this day.

Moving on up

In 1978, as demand for their coffee grew, so too did their premises, moving to South London where the brothers transformed a huge plot of grassland into a brand-new roastery.

The new site was located on Old Paradise Street, Lambeth, where the Costa Coffee roastery remained until 2017.

From here, Sergio and Bruno produced and distributed their signature blend to some of the most esteemed establishments in the city.

From strength to strength

In 1981, the brothers opened their first Costa Coffee shop in Vauxhall Bridge Road.

It was in this innovative shop that the brothers became the first coffee providers in London to serve Espresso and crafted Cappuccino in porcelain cups so that customers could experience coffee at its best.

Soon shops started opening up across prestigious locations in London, becoming destinations for fashionable Londoners.