At Costa Coffee, we’ve always believed you need passion to create perfection. Primarily because that’s what Sergio and Bruno ~ the Costa Brothers ~ believed.
London, born and blended since 1971
We’ve over 50 years’ experience of crafting the finest quality coffee. From revolutionary methods to unforgettable successes that make our story as unique as the taste of 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 our founders, Sergio and Bruno Costa, arrived in London with a burning desire to make great tasting coffee a part of everyday life. Setting up a small roastery in Central London, 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.
The Costa Brothers tried 112 different coffee blends in the search for their favourite, which remains our signature blend that we use today.
Our Signature Blend
Our iconic Signature Blend is the perfect combination and balance of delicate Arabica and strong Robusta beans, precisely slow roasted for a minimum of 18 minutes to ensure the beans keep their hearty flavour, rich aroma, and smooth taste.
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.
Before we opened our famous coffee shops we sold our coffee beans to prestigious hotels in London, such as The Ritz, and they were delivered in style by famous London black cabs.
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.
Costa Coffee in Gibraltar
Costa made its debut in Gibraltar in March 2015 in Casemates Square. Since then, the company has expanded & opened several locations in Gib.
Today, Costa Coffee Gibraltar operates a total of six stores across the Rock. Costa Coffee Gibraltar forms part of Sandpiper Gibraltar, and as of today, proudly employs over 45 employees.
