Society Café, Oxford
Society Café is an independent speciality coffee shop on St Michael's Street in central Oxford, a few steps from Cornmarket. It serves Origin Coffee as its house roast alongside guest coffees, with loose-leaf teas, single-origin hot chocolate and cakes from local bakers, in a bespoke designed space.
Photos
Society Café
The coffee
Origin Coffee Roasters supplies the main espresso, while guest and filter coffees come from roasters around the world, so there is usually something different to try. Non-coffee drinkers get proper hot chocolate made with single-origin chocolate and loose-leaf teas. Staff are happy to talk through the guest options, which change over time.
The space
The café was dreamt up by Adrian Campbell-Howard and his wife after a trip to Morocco in 2011. Bristol's Shape Studio designed it, and the lights, chairs, tables and bar were all made to order. The aim was somewhere comfortable where anyone feels welcome, which makes it a good place to sit for a while rather than just grab and go. In 2019 the founders announced plans for regular customer cuppings and coffee events.
Using it on a visit
St Michael's Street runs between Cornmarket and New Inn Hall Street, so the café is central for the Oxford Union, Broad Street and the colleges. Pubs such as The Grapes and restaurants like Treadwell are steps away for later, and the George Street Hotel is around the corner. Amorino and the Handlebar Kitchen are also close by.
Highlights
- Origin Coffee house roast
- Rotating guest filter coffees
- Single-origin hot chocolate
- Bespoke designed interior
- Central St Michael's Street location
Good to know
- Cakes and pastries come from local suppliers.
- Central location a short walk from Cornmarket.
Frequently asked questions
Nearby
Sources: independentoxford.com