Coffee rev comes top of the list in the same way that Lambrini would come top of the list of most bought wine by students.
Lambrini is wine flavoured and it gets you drunk.
Coffee Rev sells hot brown liquid which gives you a hit of caffeine.

I’m a coffee connoisseur. I own all the professional equipment, I buy fresh beans, grind them, configure my machine and pour perfect ristrettos. I’ve attended barista courses, and I know “good” coffee.
And I’ve built up a taste by drinking a lot of it.

If you only go out for a coffee once a week as a special treat and it all tastes similar no matter where you buy it from, then that is fine, you fall into the majority of the general public. I suspect most people think Coffee rev tastes OK, which is why they still do business. But if you are one of the few with taste, then you would know better.

Just googled them and came across your review. Book cases, old furniture, homemade food, and coffee. Sounds fantastic.

I’ll pay them a visit and let you know what I think of the coffee. To be honest the place sounds so inviting that even if I had a cup that was less than stellar I’d be willing to give them the benefit of the doubt.
I’m much more critical of the big faceless coffee chains with manufactured atmosphere. If you’re in a rush for a take away cup you know exactly what you’re getting, but if you’re sticking around there’s a lot to be said for the feeling you get at a warm and inviting independant coffee shop.

I’ll try and get round to visiting them this weekend.

Spoilt for Choice – they tune their grinder depending on the weather. Really understand coffee. Strong but nice Lattes

Marcos – nice tasting coffee. Can be a little weak, but usually well made. Ask for an extra shot.

Cafe Neros – I was a big fan in London, but the one on Eccy Road can’t seem to get it right. I don’t understand what they are doing wrong as Nero beans are beautifully aromatic. I keep giving them the benefit of the doubt, but they disappoint me every time. Weird.

Cafe Latino – only been in once. Nice tasting coffee, a little weak for my tastes though. Order extra shot.

Coffee Revolution – weak, burnt tasting. Typical old school coffee house that keeps going purely because it was one of the first on the market, during a time when cafe lattes and capuccinos were new and exotic. Survives entirely on former reputation and because Joe Public doesn’t have a discerning palette. Coffee tastes awful to the initiated, but Coffee Revolution has a great location, plenty of customers and they probably don’t care.

PJ Taste – Gorgeously roasted beans shipped in from Lucca italy, but inconsistent. Depending on who makes the coffee you will either get the finest cup ever to grace your lips or you’ll get something that tastes like filthy dishwater.

Nonnas – Depends on who makes it. Great beans and I’ve had some truly truly award winning espressos, but some of them do tend to over-extract when they make lattes and capuccinos. Occasionally I get a take-out that I have to pour away, because of the bitter taste following overextraction.

Starbucks – bitter coffee but plenty of milk makes it drinkable. Also you know what you are getting from SBs as the machines are idiot proof. Scores well for consistency. Press a button, espresso shoots out. Only trouble is I’ve found that because everything is done (in machine) that if it isn’t cleaned properly then the coffee can taste dirty. From experience I’d say the machine is cleaned mid-week or before the weekend.
Another point to mention is that, because its all done in machine, if get your coffee made directly after they’ve done a decaffinated cup you’ll get that horrific decaffinated residue and pukey aftertaste mixed in with your drink.

Costa – a big chain but very drinkable coffee. They’ve started introducing idiot proof machines, but machines with separate grinders and ground holders (it stops them from needing cleaning as often as starbucks) so the taste is more consistent. You know what you’re getting with no mess. I’m a big fan. Especially of the Sheffield branches. That’s because the Waterstones Orchard square Costa used to have a regional barista champion. It’s clear she had plenty of involvement training the staff as 99% of the time the coffee tastes like it was made by angels.

Cafe Nova – Worst experience ever. Went in there shortly after they opened. Maybe the girl hadn’t been taught properly but she made the one inexcusable espresso mistake and I’ve never been back. She hit the dispense water button twice. Hit one – nice expresso thick crema, all the oils. Hit two – flushing water through used beans flushing the burnt tasting over-extracted water based rubbish into my cup. Joe Public probably thinks they’re getting more coffee for there money. What do they know?

These are the ones that immediately sprung to mind. There are loads I’ve missed.
Hope this helps you coffee lovers out there.

I know, I know … I’m a geek.