The Rustic Bean in Cherwell

Lovely little cafe. Very nice decor and welcoming of us and our dog. Very rustic menu - simple food incredibly well done and presented. latte coffee was a proper/decent cup and a sourdough bacon sandwich was exceptional.

No idea why this only has two stars as it’s a perfect cafe, delicious food, yummy cakes and really good coffee

So let me start with saying on the day (2/01/23) it was a full house. we placed 3 orders one after the other and where all sat at the same table. our drinks came out in dribs and drabs and took over 10min for 3 coffees and a tea. the sandwiches which I must say mine was nice came out in no order at all. my order was for 2 sandwiches 1 arrived then the others arrived 20 minutes later then finally 15 minuets after that mine arrived. people at other tables got there's before I did and they had ordered after me I was not the only one who had this problem the couple at the table behind had the same problem. There was no organisation ether at the front of house or in the kitchen. this is what lets this place down when it is busy i expect they just could not cope with the numbers. would I go again yes but only if it was not as busy sorry.

Always friendly staff very helpful. Excellent coffee and cakes, croissants from their own bakery across the road. Always a great stop while in town.

I came to get a coffee and kids hot chocolate, welcome was none non existent no friendy smile or welcome. incorrect price on till and display screen, seemed too much bother to correct. Hot choc a bit big for kids l, coffee nice.

I was a wee bit disappointed because previous reviews looked very good. The “rustic” decor was pretty quaint. And I liked the latte. However, I also had a mocha, which I found strangely bitter. Two of us had a cake, neither of us were impressed - mine was orange and cranberry, though I thought it almost tasteless and rather dry.

Have walked past lots of times but today had time to kill so decided to stop for coffee and cake. Good coffee, service and fantastic Danish (baked by sister shop opposite). Would have been 5 stars but arriving at lunch time with queues forming being asked what you wanted and where you were going to sit was a bit like being interogated. No time for dithering here! That said staff are polite friendly & efficient and bring your food and drink to the table which is nice.

This café is a short walk from The Mercure hotel where we were staying. It is open early in the morning so we called in for breakfast. It has a pleasant interior, we enjoyed coffee and croissant which was reasonably priced.

I was wandering around Banbury town with half an hr to spare before my train, unsure about whether I wanted a coffee or not, and which cafe to go to. On such a cold day, most cafes had ques and staff looked stressed - it was likely I wasn't going to grab a coffee at all! Then I received an inviting welcome from a member of staff at The Rustic Bean, who encouraged me to come into the warm and try their offerings. From the moment I walked toward the cafe to the moment I left, this person naturally went above and beyond what a barista usually does - making me feel welcome and seen to. I believe the person's name is Nash. They had pride in their work as they brought out my latte with a beautiful rippled heart in it - and generally just brought chilly Parsons St alive with a smile. Top service.

We often stop here for a coffee when we are out walking the s Dog. As we can sit outside. Beautiful coffee and hot chocolate to die for. Worth a visit.

I really like the Rustic Bean but what is going on at the moment. I understand that its Halloween but I go out for coffee to have a relaxing and enjoyable experience. I don’t want to have horrible masks and creepy images and a creepy clown watching me use the toilet. I always thought of the Rustic Bean as being a classy cafe, but at the moment its just turned into a horrible experience. Also all the “decorations” terrify my children. So at least for the time being I’ll be going to Waitrose for my relaxing coffee mornings.

Great spot to meet up with a friend for a coffee and piece of cake. The baked goods are fresh - and there are excellent gluten free options. The coffee itself is quality - and the iced latte is properly falvourful. In summer, their milkshakes are hard to beat.

The assumption seemed to be if the cakes are gluten free we should know they contain nuts. I didn't and that could have had consequences. So please see to your allergy information. Your customer service could do with an attitude adjustment when dealing with a complaint. The shop was clean and pleasant and my tea was nice.

A tiny sliver of almond on top of the cake gave it away just in time. "Of course" they said "it's gluten-free. Everything is made with nut flour." They took it back (after it was paid for) but didn't offer an alternative until we pressed. Not everything has an allergy warning so beware. The coffee was good.

Walking around the marvellous town that is Banbury, we passed the Rustic Bean earlier in our visit. I made a mental note. We called in on our way back to the car. Fabulous white chocolate drink, top quality Cappuccino. Excellent service from a young man in the café. Highly recommended.

We have been using the rustic bean since it opened. Stacey and his staff are always friendly. Coffee abs cake is always amazing!

Bought a sausage roll and a Cornish Pasty. Roll quite good, Nice crumbly pastry for Cornish but completely flavourless. Better from Ginsters at 1/3rd the price.

Lovely rustic hipster vibe. Friendly staff. I tried their house roast and their single-origin, both as espresso. The house roast is a solid, flavourful coffee. The single-origin has subtle smokey notes and a deeply chocolatey finish that develops as it lingers. Good job guys! :)

Very impressed with the friendly service of this independent local business. Best latte I have had and will certainly be going back.

We love it here! Really good coffee, certainly the best in Banbury, and a great place to sit and relax or work. Very good choice of vegan cakes too.

Excellent coffee. Shunned the motorway services and topped in Banbury, on the way from north wales to London. Parked at the market square (£1.20 for one hour).

Possibly best coffee in town. Too bad it was closed so many months. At least if you ask them for something they don't know how to make they are trying!

As always excellent quality coffee made at the correct drinking temperature together with a delicious Danish pastry. Keep up the good work guys and looking forward to September move to the Quay.

First coffee from here post lockdown, great coffee as always! Popped in to grab a takeaway cup of coffee. Quick, easy and friendly service. Great to support an independent coffee shop, especially during these times!

Best coffee house in Banbury. Have the best milkshakes in all different flavours and have easily the best hot chocolate in Banbury ☕️☕️

Lovely cosy coffee shop - our coffees tasted great, as did the cakes. Will definitely visit again when in the area.

Lovely place, decor and pleasant staff. Highly recommend the orange Tunisian cake with a huge luxury hot chocolate.

Tried this coffee shop in December after Xmas and back again in the New Year. It has great coffee and tried the carrot cake too which was lovely. It is so much better than other coffee shops in Banbury and reasonably priced. Would definitely recommend!

Pros - Good independent coffee shop. Cosy and warm inside. Well decorated for Christmas. Cons - Charges extra to customise your coffee (decaf / non-dairy milk).

Really nice flat white. I’ve become a bit of a coffee snob since living in New Zealand. So it is not very often that you find an independent coffee shop that serves a good flat white.

The Rustic Bean is run by very nice people. They are welcoming, talented and have great products, both to eat and drink. They are also mildly chaotic.I would be sorry for them if they lost trade because they could not keep track of who had ordered what, serve it in rotation and within a reasonable time scale. I hope they also solve their card machine glitch soon, as during my visit I watched more than a few potential customers turn round and make a sharp exit, presumably because they were not carrying cash. Truly, the food is excellent. I have eaten in more expensive places both here and abroad and had offerings of a poorer quality. I would work there for a week for free clearing tables and washing up if they would teach me how to recreate their chicken soup at home.Find a quiet moment, guys, to talk about how to make your service smoother and you are on to a winner. And consider publishing that chicken soup recipe.

Great for when I'm looking for a great cup of coffee however I've noticed more recently a lack of labelling to denote what is vegan or even vegetarian which is strange because I remember when it first opened it was my go to for a slice of vegan cake.

It has been many years since Banbury had a first rate independently run cafe. This is it. The coffee is first rate, hot, very tasty and, if you have cappuccino, with a delicious creamy froth. Cakes, sticky buns, gluten free cake, all excellent. Lovely staff, ok it can take a bit of time to serve you, but only because their prep area is small and the hot drinks are made with care and attention. It is worth the wait! Lunchtime food is also very good. Go there.

Finally a decent independent coffee shop in Banbury centre! Friendly staff, fresh pastries and great coffee all within a relaxed rustic setting with character.

To say that I loved The Rustic Bean would be an understatement. I was visiting family in Banbury for a few of weeks this past August, and I went to the Rustic Bean probably 11 or 12 times.

Sad that I'd only give 2 stars but, after ordering lunch my wife had to sit and wait 10 minites(food getting cold) before my plate arrived, what I find shocking is that the only item on the plate that required cooking was 2 eggs.. won't be returning anytime soon.

We visited the place on September of 2019. The Granola plate was amazing and the fruits were so fresh!!! The espresso was so good!!! And of course the brunch plates was one of a kind.

I must be getting old, because I am fixating on cleanliness. I have noticed that the 'big boys' like Costa and Caffe Nero are getting dirtier and dirtier (although the coffee is still OK). At rustic bean, the coffee and food is very good. The service is personal and friendly and there is a pleasant atmosphere. Its sometimes hard to get a seat, but that's hardly a criticism, but more a tribute to its rapidly grown popularity. In addition, they clean the tables fairly smartly and the staff seem 'invested' in creating a good customer experience. My first choice now when in Banbury.

Coffee was good although as or more expensive than London. Air conditioned which was welcome on a hot day.

Lovely coffee shop in Banbury, all of our drinks were delicious and the service was really good too. The milkshake went down a treat! Looking forward to the next time we visit Banbury to go back!

Best coffee in Banbury. In the old town, in parson Street. Small place but with air-conditioning and nice staff.

Great coffee, food and excellent staff and decor! The bar at the window is a great spot to sit with a book or laptop and relax and watch the world outside go by.

We’ve all bought coffee from so many outlets and usually seen it as adequate. “Did the job”.

What a lovely place: staff are friendly; coffee is good; small range of interesting, quality meals and very pleasant surroundings. Cakes and pastries looked appealing too, but didn't indulge. You can tell how much thought, care and effort has been put into this gem.

Had lunch of bruschetta it was really good . The best coffee, nice little independent cafe with a good ambiance considering a customer with a toddler was watching baby shark on iPhone it stays with you all day . Nice to have a good cafe in a Banbury

Met a friend here for coffee and had a lovely time drinking delicious coffee being somewhere in Banbury that had a buzz about it. Will definitely be going back.

I tend to avoid big coffee chains as they tend to be a little bit soulless, so this little coffee shop in the town is a godsend.

I had started going to The Rustic Bean in my own a while ago for a coffee whilst in town. On this Sunday. 19th May 2019 I took my wife in while we we out shopping. There were only a few people in the cafe, and 2 staff behind the till not serving anyone. My wife asked for a milkshake which was advertised, and astoundingly, the charmless middle- aged female staff member replied abruptly, “we are not doing milkshakes as we might get busy”. My wife and I looked at each other, looked around the mainly empty cafe, turned around and left. I would give ‘The Rustic Bean’ a wide berth in future, the unpleasant experience was too ridiculous for words, and upset my wife.

Been open maybe a year , recently started doing lunches . Absolutely excellent , simple stuff like crushed avocado and poached eggs , NY deli pastrami etc , £7 per person . Pleasant atmosphere too , friendly staff, good coffee and free wi-fi. Surprisingly for Oxfordshire's second largest town, there are few independent cafes , this one is really good. Highly recommended . Does shut late afternoon .

As usual the coffee was excellent, atmosphere is nice with a buzz but not so loud that you can't talk to the person next to you. Vegan cake selection is good along with price.

I'm a regular to The Rustic Bean since it opened last May. It's without a doubt the best coffee in town. The staff are always friendly and I'm so pleased they have finally decided to do brunch. Personally I wouldn't go anywhere else now.

I believe in supporting independent coffee shops as they are the ones perfecting the art of coffee making. They make the best here, strong & dark coffee with perfectly stretched milk to give it that creamy lightness which the chains just can't do. My only niggle is the one size in the lovely pottery cups which is just on the small size for me ideally but I'm often happy to have two. The food is wonderfully fresh and seemingly 'home' prepared. I'm a smoker so the chairs/tables in the pedestrianised street also make it a perfect cafe for me, on a fine day especially.

I was very pleased when the rustic bean coffee shop first opened. We are so lucky to have this in Banbury. By far the best coffee I have ever had. Keep up the good work! The staff is always friendly, inside of the shop and atmosphere is absolutely amazing.

The Rustic Bean - does exactly what it says on the tin! Lovely interior decor with a rustic design and excellent ambience. Had some delicious pastries and a massive pot of tea all of which were beautifully presented. Would highly recommend a visit (or two, or three...).

An easily accessible town centre coffee shop. It serves a variety of delicious cakes and hot drinks. It’s not huge. There is seating inside and out but in general the seating suits groups of four. Very relaxed atmosphere yet busy.

Very dark interior, noisy, gentleman serving seemed harassed and surly. Coffee took absolutely ages to arrive - sadly, this new shop promised a lot but offered little

When you open the door this looks, feels and smells like an artisan coffee lovers type of place. A welcome change from the big chains like Starbucks and Costa etc. With a nice rustic interior decor, it is an ideal venue for a relaxed coffee and cake. But I do feel it misses a trick or two. I liked the coffee (my partner not so keen - a matter of personal taste), so why not offer more than one type of coffee bean? In fact for an artisanal coffee house, I'm not sure what the coffee was. It's not particularly well signed or advertised ('roast of the day'), nor did they seem keen to promote or sell packs to visitors, which surely is a mistake? The other slight quirk is the rather obvious chaos that reigns. When I ordered, I had to compete with the interruptions of cross chat by staff, who appeared confused as to what was wanted and where it was going. And then most amusingly, my order of 2 cups of coffee and 2 cakes all arrived individually, spaced at 1 or 2 minute intervals and delivered by separate members of staff. Maybe trays have not yet been invented in Banbury?! So don't let my pedantry put you off, it's well worth a visit but it just needs a little polish and organisation - I wish them well.

We popped into this cosy coffee shop and had an amazing orange cake with tasty mochas The staff are cheerful and the atmosphere is chilled and relaxing. Take time out and treat yourself

Went here on Christmas Eve with my daughter. Excellent coffee and raspberry danish. Great service. Love the decor plus my favourite toilets - trust me, they are worth a visit! Nestled amongst my favourite shops in Banbury. This is now my favourite place for a coffee stop and a natter.

This coffee shop is so worth visiting, coffee and cakes are excellent, staff are really nice, design appeal of the shop is an experience. Rustic industrial style - just fascinating, visit the loo, it’s unique!!!!

Enjoyed an early morning coffee and cake here. Lovely atmosphere, a welcome pleasure having the music in the background, especially at this time of year! Recommended.

Was in town this morning and I fancied a coffee so I thought I'd try the Rustic Bean. So glad I did,had to wait a few minutes but it was so worth it.A really comfortable friendly atmosphere,so different to the major coffee shops,and the coffee was delicious,hazelnut latte complete with a small complimentary biscuit,a nice touch. Thoroughly recommended,I will be visiting again shortly

WOW what a lovely place to go for a drink and a piece of cake. We were welcomed with a big smile, the decor is outstanding with lovely crockery - very clean.

Popped in to this little gem on boating holiday, lovely decor and great service. Cakes and drinks tasted A*, would thoroughly recommend this local joint, beats all the chains hands down.

We wanted a coffee on a rainy Saturday afternoon. This friendly family-run independent was great. We chatted to the owner’s mum, and sampled the cakes - fantastic. Much better decor and far more fun than one the chains. Recommended.

The rustic bean is the jewel in Banbury's coffee crown outstanding service and decor with very good WiFi

Probably best coffee in Banbury but waited 10 mins for one coffee and wasn’t even busy. Proprietar also looks like he is doing you a favour serving you. Shame as I hate putting cash in the big multiples pockets. Grumpy and a bit rude - shame

I am a regular to the Rustic Bean since its opening, and I've always found it very welcoming. As. coffee drinker, it is different from what I would usually go for, however I find it incredibly refreshing and even a little indulgent. Moreover, once you've tried their artisan milkshakes, you will never be able to enjoy one any where else. They are one of a kind. The atmosphere is inviting, the interior is refreshing and well...'rustic'; providing a refreshing place to chill and relax between jobs.

Great coffee, nice surroundings, good selection of cakes, nice staff, lovely with tables outside too

The coffee is good. The cakes are delicious. Staff very friendly. Not the place to go if you are avoiding diabetes. There are no savoury options. Not even a plain croissant. The staff tell you they are looking into this...how much looking into does it take. The cakes are not priced. Why? The tables are cleared away pretty quickly, but are left covered in crumbs. The Rustic Bean is not alone in this.

Worth visiting if your a coffee lover as you won't be disappointed! Not tried the cakes yet but always look very tempting.

The coffee at The Rustic Bean was really enjoyable and having been tempted by the cakes and declining when I was at the coffee shop, I headed back before going home to take 2 slices with me.Both the carrot and cardamom and the Tuscan orange, cranberry and orange cakes are delicious and so moist!

A fab independent coffee shop, really lovely relaxed surroundings serving a great flat white and some very delicious cakes. Very helpful friendly staff too. If you are in Banbury and need a drink, I highly recommend that you call in.

Wow, I’m no coffee connoisseur, but I know a good cup of joe when I taste it!

We've found it hard to find a place in Banbury that offers everything you want from a coffee shop - excellent coffee (no bitter or burnt beans here), yummy cake (no sad victoria sponges!). I had the courgette, coconut and lemon - superb, fast and friendly service, and the cherry it has outside seating. Keep it up Rustic Bean!

Called in to check this out after reading an article in the local paper with the proprietor talking about the science of coffee making, and how his aim is to provide flavour and an experience not currently available in the town. It was a sunny day, so I bagged an outside table, rather than check out the hearty, rustic interior. My coffee took longer to arrive than you'd expect from the average barista, but it was worth the wait - coffee that for once fulfilled the promise of its aroma. I'll be back.

Only negative was they didn't have decaf. I'm not sure if they run out or don't do it but it was no bother. My friend ordered something and then changed her mind after payment. It was no trouble to amend the order. Lovely friendly people who gave outstanding service. I had a latte and it was gorgeous. This place is well worth the visit and the drinks are nicer than those commercial coffee places.

Visited this local newly opened coffee shop today and was pleasantly surprised by the taste of this coffee, its with certainty that much thought was put into which coffee beans they were going to be serving their customers they have gone for quality which is equally reflected in their decor. the atmosphere is very inviting and one can either feel engaging with environment or have personal space, a fine mix of perfection there. Definitely recommend you try this coffee shop !