Billy's Specialty Coffee — Restaurant in Nijmegen

Small place, always almost full but h Finding a place to sit is not such a problem but being noticed is. I sat here in the morning but 2 waitresses looked at me , and just kept walking by me..no good morning, nothing so I had a bad feeling but then finally a young lady asked me if I would like to order ( no, I was just sitting there all dressed up just to sit and look pretty 😀). But seriously, I am a coffee fanatic and it HAS to be decent ..it was BARELY decent..espresso... double espresso but SOUR! Acidic ..too much oxidation or low quality beans but nooo. i only drank it because I neeeeeeed my fix .my drug..but I am too polite to send it back and demand a decent espresso..Then I remember that I am in the Netherlands and honestly..most places cannot make good espresso....pfff. Morocco and Spain and Italy and Portugal make the best coffee..

OK. I wanted to order pastries... something sweet to go with my sour coffee, but the waitress said I should go look at the vitrine to see what they have. I gathered that they either change their supply regularly or that this young lady didn't know what they have. Not on the menu? But anyway, I saw that the pastries were realllllly good...churro cookie with cream filling.. pistacho and chocolate cookie with cream....yummmm. So, these were so good..(hence 3 stars) but the Coffee is NOT good and it's probably due to oxidation either from machine and/or poor quality beans.

So, overall, it is barely ok place..new in my neighborhood but hyped...not a café if coffee is barely drinkable.. OWNERS AND MANAGERS: PLEASE CHECK YOUR COFFEE QUALITY...SOURRRRR. ZUUUUUR

Also, no sugar was offered or given with my espresso...look at photo....pfff

Also, never did I get menu or asked if I wanted to eat breakfast...maybe I would have liked it..but not given a menu ....hmmmmm. Missed chance

A bit strange to not get a menu or be greeted properly after sitting. A friend joined me too and he agreed that coffee neeeeeeds help..

He had cappuccino and said it was OK. Yeah...

My journey through the world of specialty coffee led me to @billys_specialtycoffee, a recommendation I owe to the insightful barista at Gesha. Stepping into Billy’s felt like walking into cozy bar for any coffee lover, especially for someone like me who has a soft spot for @blommerscoffee roasts – their craft is nothing short of magical.

With a warm welcome from the waiter and the barista’s invitation to take in the aromas of their coffee selection, I was in my element. The ability to smell before choosing is a ritual I adore. My choice? The Bombe - Ethiopia. The promise of strawberry, mango, and fig notes had me intrigued, and the reality was a harmonious blend of subtlety and flavor – not as pronounced as other Ethiopian varieties I’ve tasted, yet oh so delightful.

The best part? The barista joined me later, sharing a moment to talk about the nuances of the coffee, a gesture that made the experience at Billy’s truly special.

To ease off the caffeine high, I ended with a cappuccino. Though the blend’s name escapes me, the taste lingered pleasantly.

Every sip at Billy’s was a step further in my coffee adventure, a reminder that the joy of coffee is as much in the cup as it is in the connection and...

Basically - this is the platonic ideal of coffee shops. Such a cozy, warm, accommodating vibe in all aspects, from the choices made in the interior design / decor and colours used everywhere, to the healthy and delicious comfort food they serve, to the super super friendly, genuine and warm staff and owner that are always up for a chat. Been all over the world, this is one of my favourite such spots, if not my fave. Such a "little sanctuary" vibe. Great spot to journal, study, work at. Set up in a way where even if it were a bit busier inside, you'd still not easily feel crowded. Oh and their resident coffee guru reeeaaally knows his stuff - they always have their house blend (which is great and perfectly balanced to please all tastes), and one rotating bean type that differs each week. Try out a cortado with a unique bean some time and really taste some interesting flavours! I'm sipping one now that's got a hint of magnolia in...