12 Best European Coffee Brands To Try

Every coffee lover’s dream is to taste every coffee blend from different countries. With that in mind, here are the best European coffee brands.

Despite being unable to produce its own coffee beans, Europe has still established a long history of roasting premium coffee blends. In fact, every coffee connoisseur wants to discover the best coffee brands in Europe since the third wave of coffee culture swept across the continent. In this article, we will introduce you to some of the best European coffee brands, particularly from France, Germany, and Italy. 

1. Carte Noire

One of the best European coffee brands is Carte Noire. The French company’s way of blending pure Arabica coffee beans to create a luxurious flavor is one of the reasons why it has earned the number one spot on this list. It is recommended to drink this coffee black, but you can also add a splash of milk if you like a creamier taste.

Carte Noire offers a classic and decaffeinated blend of coffee that is available as ground coffee and instant coffee. These two options both have a balanced flavor with a strong aroma.

2. Dallmayr Prodomo Ground Coffee

Dallmayr is a well-known and respected German coffee brand. It is of the highest quality as it is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans. 

The Dallmayr Prodomo Ground Coffee is a medium roast coffee that has a full-bodied taste and a strong aroma that many coffee lovers prefer. The best thing about this coffee blend is that it is specially refined to remove irritants and bitterness while retaining all of its caffeine and flavor.

3. Leroux

Leroux is another well-known French coffee brand. Its most popular coffee – Leroux Instant Plain Chicory – is made with 100% chicory and has a bit of a nutty flavor. It is recommended to prepare this drink with water or milk, and you can also drink it hot or cold.

4. Jacques Vabre

Jacques Vabre differs from other leading European coffee brands due to its Robusta coffee beans. Robusta coffee beans give a somewhat different flavor that many coffee lovers prefer. French coffee made by Jacques Vabre is smooth and flavorful, with smoky undertones and a bit of a spicy flavor. This coffee also has a slightly bitter taste.

5. Jacobs Kronung Whole Bean Coffee

Jacobs is one of the oldest coffee companies in Germany and it is also one of the best German coffee brands. The company has been founded in the late 1800s and has maintained its status ever since. Although their coffee is sold mostly in Germany, Russia, and Austria, it is known internationally. 

The Jacobs Kronung Whole Bean Coffee is one of the many coffee products that come from the Jacobs coffee brand. Whole beans have the advantage of remaining fresher for longer, and you can control the way you grind these whole beans for the type of drink you are making.

Jacobs Kronung Whole Bean Coffee is a medium roast that has a nutty, mellow flavor. This coffee is very popular among average coffee drinkers for its low acidity and smooth texture.

6. Legal Le Gout

Legal Le Gout has produced delicious coffee blends and maintained its position as a top French coffee brand since 1851. The company is very particular about its recipe and uses only the best Arabica coffee beans. It avoids using GMOs and strives to provide its customers with the best coffee experience.

Legal Le Gout’s coffee has a rich flavor and a tempting aroma. It is best served black, but you can also add sugar and creamer if you prefer a sweet and creamy taste. In addition, you should consider using a French press to brew this coffee if you’re looking for the best possible results.

You may also be interested in reading our guide on how to make french press coffee at home.

7. Grand’mère

Grand’mère was founded in 1954 when René and Lucette, a married couple, opened a grocery store. They created a coffee blends to attract people passing by, hoping that the enticing aroma would lure customers into their store.

Grand’mère is one of the best French coffee brands. It is available as ground coffee, coffee capsules and whole beans. Two of its most popular coffees are the Classic French blend and the Corsica blend.

8. Eduscho Gala Nr. 1 Ground Coffee

The Eduscho Gala Nr. 1 is the first coffee blend on this list that is made from both the Arabica and Robusta coffee beans. This coffee has an intense, robust flavor.

Eduscho Gala Nr. 1 Ground Coffee is a dark roast coffee, so you can expect a smooth and flavorful and slightly bittersweet taste. If you are a true coffee aficionado, you will surely enjoy the sophisticated flavor and aroma.

This is also a pre-ground coffee, so unlike whole beans, you do not have to grind it fresh every morning. The 17-ounce bag, however, is ideal for one or two people to consume before it goes bad.

9. Barissimo Ground Coffee

The Barissimo Ground Coffee is another well-known German coffee brand made from 100% Arabica coffee beans. It is a medium roast grown using only organic farming practices, so you can be sure that these coffee grounds are 100% natural.

In addition to responsible farming, the Barissimo coffee blend is a high-quality product that has a full-bodied taste and a smooth texture. This coffee also offers a nice, warm taste without a bitter aftertaste, unlike some other coffees.

For most coffee connoisseurs, the regular roast is the ideal type of coffee roast — it is not too light, but it is also not too dark. So, you can enjoy this coffee on its own or by adding your favorite creamer and some sugar.

10. Tchibo Feine Milde Ground Coffee

Despite being a small brand, Tchibo is definitely one of the best coffee brands in Germany. For more than 60 years, this coffee brand has produced high-quality roasts from Arabica coffee beans.

Tchibo Feine Milde, which translates to Tchibo Fine Mild, should give you an idea about its flavor profile. 

This ground coffee is made specifically for drip coffee makers — one of the most common ways to make coffee. You cannot make a fresh cup of Joe without whole beans, but you can rely on these coffee grounds to make a great cup of coffee.

While dark-roast lovers may find the flavor too mild, mild-lovers will enjoy this coffee’s rich flavor. Don’t let the name deceive you, though. This coffee is not weak, flat, or bland — and definitely not bitter, either!

11. Illy Classico Whole Bean Coffee

Our top choice for the best Italian coffee brand is the illy Classico Whole Bean Coffee. illy, like Lavazza, can trace its origins to Old World Italian coffee culture and continue to provide a consistent and reliable product.

One remarkable feature of this product is that the coffee beans are sourced through Direct Trade. You may be familiar with Fair Trade coffee; Direct Trade is a recent movement streamlining the supply chain. In reality, this means that illy collaborates with coffee farmers on a global scale. 

You may also be interested in reading our guide on the 9 reasons why Fair Trade coffee is worth buying.

This coffee blend does not have too many complex flavors, but it stands out for its satisfying classic coffee flavor. The illy Classico Whole Bean Coffee is made from 100% Arabica coffee beans, and you can expect a strong chocolate flavor with smoky undertones. 

However, one big drawback to this delicious coffee is that it costs as much as it tastes. All in all, we believe that illy Classico is still the best Italian coffee.

12. Lavazza Gran Espresso Whole Bean Coffee Blend

Our top pick for the best Italian espresso is the Lavazza Gran Espresso Whole Bean Coffee Blend, which is made with beans from Brazil, Honduras, and Uganda. It has a dark, chocolaty flavor with lots of crema and has enough complexity to create a delicious shot of espresso. 

The Lavazza Gran Espresso has a distinct, slightly spicy flavor that distinguishes it from other coffee blends. It has a dark and full-bodied taste, so you should not expect a lot of fruity notes. 

Not a fan of espresso? Then, feel free to use your French press to brew this coffee — just make sure to grind the coffee beans a bit more coarsely than usual in order to extract the complex flavors without too much bitterness.

You might also enjoy the Lavazza Super Crema Whole Bean Coffee Blend for its honey and fruit flavor notes. These flavor notes can stand up well in a strong shot of espresso, but they are also mellow enough to make an enjoyable pot of drip coffee. 

You may also be interested in reading our guide on the 8 best US coffee brands of 2022.