
Coffee consumption nearly doubles tea sales in UK as café culture evolves
Coffee overtakes tea as Britain’s preferred hot drink with 533 million packs sold in 2023. The surge is driven by younger consumers and on-the-go purchases, while cafés evolve into social and lifestyle hubs focused on premium food and innovative drink offerings.
Coffee has unambiguously taken the crown from tea as Britain's favourite hot beverage, marking a significant cultural shift in the UK’s drinking habits. Recent data reveals that Brits purchased over 533 million packs of coffee in the year to March 2023, almost double the number of tea packs sold in the same period. This change is particularly visible in the on-the-go market, where for every takeaway tea, five coffees are ordered, reflecting coffee's overwhelming dominance as a go-to drink for busy consumers.
Among younger Britons, aged under 35, the preference leans even more heavily towards coffee, with just 25% favouring tea compared to 37% who prefer coffee. An increasing number in this demographic also opt for alternative hot drinks, such as hot chocolate, indicating a broader diversification of tastes. While tea remains embedded in British culture—still enjoyed daily by around 63% of the population—the rise of coffee is defining the contemporary café culture in the UK.
This evolving coffee culture transcends simple caffeine consumption, morphing into a lifestyle trend connected to wellness, identity, and social interaction. Cafés are no longer merely places to grab a quick drink; they have become informal offices, social hubs, and spaces for creative engagement. This transformation presents a fresh challenge and opportunity for coffee shop operators, who must now pivot from being mere pit stops to becoming dynamic centres of customer loyalty and frequent footfall.
Crucially, the food offering is an essential part of this equation. Research shows that 62% of consumers prioritise food quality when choosing a café, above factors like convenience or value for money. Sweet and savoury bakery items—croissants, paninis, and wraps—are incredibly popular and are often ordered alongside coffee, with 68% of customers typically ordering a sweet treat with their drink. This trend underscores how the food component is vital in securing repeat visits and standing out in a saturated market.
Despite the increasing loyalty to favourite chains, with 58% of Brits visiting coffee shops at least once a week and 9% daily, consumer openness to trying new outlets remains high, with 92% willing to explore new venues. This fluid loyalty underlines the importance of continuous innovation, whether in menu offerings or the café atmosphere, to attract and retain customers.
Major players like Costa Coffee, boasting over 2,000 UK outlets and 40 million users annually, continue to lead the market. Meanwhile, Starbucks, though still significant with over 1,000 locations and substantial revenue, has seen a recent dip in footfall, suggesting that familiarity alone may no longer guarantee dominance. Meanwhile, Pret A Manger has been expanding in suburban and travel locations with a menu designed to feel fresh and functional, catering to evolving customer preferences.
Interestingly, smaller and newer brands are also shaking up the scene. Emerging chains like Blank Street have seen turnover soar by over 500%, driven by small-format stores, trend-conscious matcha-forward drinks, and savvy branding that appeals to younger consumers. Similarly, Jenki has carved out a niche with its focus on ceremonial-grade matcha and holistic wellness, offering a distinctive alternative to traditional coffee experiences. Esquires Coffee is also notable for targeting suburban consumers and adapting to hybrid working trends by creating community-focused cafés where guests are encouraged to linger and enjoy substantial food options.
The volume of coffee consumption in Britain is staggering, with an estimated 98 million cups drunk daily, equivalent to 528 cups per person each year. This rise is a significant jump from 15 years ago, when consumption stood at around 70 million cups daily. The drinks menu itself has rapidly diversified, now featuring options like cold brews, adaptogenic blends, and plant-based milk alternatives that appeal to younger, wellness-focused consumers. An emphasis on drinks that are visually appealing and “Instagrammable” reflects the growing importance of aesthetics alongside flavour.
In response to these trends, some operators are incorporating globally inspired food items such as bánh mì baguettes, Mediterranean wraps, and Middle Eastern savouries to diversify menus and capture the interest of adventurous consumers. These influences offer a way to stand out in the increasingly competitive coffee shop market.
Events like the London Coffee Festival provide a snapshot of the sector’s vibrancy. This showcase of global roasters, barista competitions, and flavour innovations reveals the deep creativity driving the market. Here, functional wellness drinks like mushroom coffee and turmeric blends are becoming mainstream, and start-ups with strong digital and social media strategies demonstrate the importance of branding and customer engagement in today’s market.
To stay competitive, coffee operators need to reimagine their food offerings, focusing on freshness, quality, portability, and flavour innovation. They also need to explore different formats—from drive-thrus to cosy neighbourhood cafés—to meet changing customer habits, especially those influenced by hybrid working patterns. Loyalty programmes, digital pre-ordering, and sustainable packaging are increasingly standard expectations.
Finally, connecting with customers through storytelling around food origins, sustainability, and craftsmanship will play a crucial role in enhancing the customer experience. As Britain's café culture continues to boom, success will hinge on offering more than just coffee—delivering distinctive food, innovative formats, and a strong narrative that resonates with a diverse and evolving consumer base.