High Grade Coffee

High Grade is a specialty cafe and roastery in the Old Truman Brewery courtyard on Brick Lane, run by Liam and Stevie since 2017 under the motto passion over profit. Liam came to coffee as a bike mechanic working in a Leather Lane market shop that happened to sell decent coffee, and the habit grew from there. Everything is roasted on site on what the team calls the world's lowest carbon emitting roaster.

The range is 100 percent arabica, single origin and SCA approved, with named blends for espresso and filter such as No Brainer, First Sip and Golden Ratio, plus a decaf. The team makes its own food too, and the roastery also sells brewing gear and guides for home. The team describes itself as hopelessly enthusiastic nerds, and the cafe has the friendly, unpretentious feel to match.