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Best Coffee Shops in London
Whether you’re a straight-up black or a grande, iced, sugar-free, vanilla latte with soy milk kind of person you can get your coffee fix at these gems. Read on for our round-up of the best coffee shops in London.
What was once a temporary passion project is now an award-winning multi-roaster speciality coffee shop open seven days a week. Batch Baby is serving up speciality coffee from all over the world on the border of Islington and Hackney. They celebrated their two-year birthday in late 2023 and were awarded the Grounds of Innovation award by BRITA UK. Stop by for great coffee, great food and great vibes.
OZONE
With a roaster, coffee bar and eatery all under one roof Ozone isn’t just a place to grab a cup of joe, but somewhere to enjoy brunch, lunch, dinner and a few cocktails too. But their on-site roasted coffee is still the main attraction and that eggs benny just happens to go well with it, right?
Monmouth has become a Borough Market staple which means it’s often busy, but if you brave the queues you’ll be rewarded with one of the best brews in London. They do a mean espresso but it’s the classic single cone filter coffee, roasted down the road in Bermondsey, that’s the winner here. Buy beans whilst you’re there so you can feed your Monmouth addiction at home.
ROSSLYN
Rosslyn is an Irish and Aussie-inspired coffee house pouring shots without the pomp. These guys only care about what tastes good, offering seasonal coffees carefully selected each and every week. Expect a flat white like none other and great conversation with the baristas behind the bar.
CLIMPSON & SONS
- Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
- Saturday: 8:30 AM – 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Climpson & Sons have been roasting beans in London for years, so it comes as no surprise that they serve up one of the best cups of coffee in town. It’s a chilled out spot during weekdays and you won’t be able to resist ordering a pastry too!
Attendant is the kinda place where you can have a coffee at a urinal. Although this place is housed in a 19th-century public toilet it’s far from shit, and they do everything in house from roasting their beans to making cakes.
The Gentlemen Baristas have a constantly-expanding portfolio of excellent coffee shops around London. While some are pretty small and more of grab and go kind of places, a couple have spacious seating and an expanded food menu. Our favourite of the bunch has to be the one of Union Street in Southwark, which is part of the Jerwood arts space. The seating is in a bright (and warm) greenhouse and there’s usually some interesting art installations next door to have a peak at too. On the food menu you’ll find a selection of salads, toasties (hello truffle mushroom and cheese), plus more substantial plates such as salmon on rye and avocado on toast. Fresh juices, cakes, pastries and, of course top notch coffee, seal the deal.
An espresso bar, cocktail bar and restaurant, Grind does everything we love. With locations across London, they serve up food from brekkie right through until late, but it’s those espresso martinis and hot flat white Russians that keep us coming back. This cafe-cum-cocktail bar brews a stellar cup of joe, a right array of juices and a menu of £6 cocktails which is practically unheard of these days.
Taking inspo from Aussie coffee shops, Kaffeine is all about great coffee, good food and a friendly service. The coffee is spot on every time and with a weekly changing menu you’ll never get bored of the grub either; think breakfast brioches, tiramisu icing friands and healthy salads.
The King’s Cross outpost of Caravan not only boasts a large industrial dining room but a separate coffee bar and on-site roastery. They take their coffee very seriously, so not only can you buy it freshly poured but you can order a whole range of blends and kit to improve your own coffee game. But we think the best way to enjoy it is on the side of one of Caravan’s bangin’ brunches.
St David Coffee House is a real hit with the locals and does some of the best coffee around with Square Mile espresso and rotating filters. And the artwork covering the walls is all by local artists and for sale and you’ll probably end up with more than just caffeine fix here.
PARADOX
When it comes to coffee, these guys pay attention to the finer details and that means the latest kit, top-notch baristas and a smooth running service (to make their super smooth brews obvs). You’ll find the Paradox coffee cart at Netil Market, serving up a whopping range of guest roasts as well as their own too.
Ginger & White is a proper family run cafe that serves up Square Mile coffee, an all-day brunch and lots of homemade cakes. Everything has been tried and tested and there’s nothing shabby about this place – you are in Hampstead after all darling.
CABLE CO
Cable Co know a thing or two about coffee. Serving up Climpson & Sons beans, alongside guest local roasters these guys will make sure your coffee is absolutely perfect before serving. And with lots of superfood smoothies, this place won’t just give you your caffeine fix.
Sure Chief Coffee does a good cup of joe, who wouldn’t with Workshop Coffee and Drip Coffee at hand?! But Chief Coffee is the BOSS because it’s filled with classic pinball machines from the 80s & 90s; think Cactus Canyon, Monster Bash, Medieval Madness and Cirqus Voltaire, and they even offer lessons if you’re a bit rusty.
FWD:COFFEE
Formerly known as Fix, you can still get your fix without the fuss at FWD:Coffee. Serving up their own blends of Climpson & Sons, and lots of pastries and treats, it’s the perfect place for an afternoon pick me up, and they also have a pretty bangin’ playlist.
BLIGHTY CAFE
Blighty Cafe is all about the community and don’t just do coffee and brunch. Oh no, these guys host life drawing classes, yoga lessons, table tennis and much much more. And if you just wanna enjoy your full English and coffee in peace, you can always chill out in their sunny garden.
WATCHHOUSE
WatchHouse have set the standards for modern coffee, making it one of our fave places to enjoy a brew in town. There’s six different houses all serving the speciality stuff and good food, but we love the OG Bermondsey branch.
KURO
This is one of the capital’s newest coffee haunts and has taken inspiration from Japanese minimalism (which means amongst the loud houses of Notting Hill you really can’t miss it). Expect a full body house blend, fruity single origin options and a matchaccino that’s made from some of the best matcha around.
PRUFROCK
Prufrock aims to support local producers and small scale growers, serving coffee from Square Mile alongside featured roasters from all across the world including Five Elephant, Coffee Collective, La Cabra and so many more. We’re also big fans of their brunch, with the likes of the Prufrock Benny and ice-cream brioche sando on the menu.
INTERMISSION
The clue’s in the name, yep Intermission are all about taking time out of the daily grind for a coffee (and a sustainable one at that). These guys not only ensure equality is met within the supply chain, but also cause no unnecessary harm to the planet too. Located just outside of West Hampstead station, they’re serving up brews fresh from their local roastery so you can drink good and do good.
FORMATIVE
The lack of quality coffee on offer in this part of town is what drew founder Kissick to set up Formative and these guys put ALL their attention on the coffee. The drinks menu is short but sweet including espresso, flat white, latte, and filter coffee (brewed on V60), and you won’t find any info on the origin or processing as these guys wanna remove the faff when it comes to coffee. But what we do know is that the coffee is good, and you can enjoy it to-go or inside Formative’s minimalist granite, marble and wood interior.
VIOLET
Violet is an East London institution serving up Dalston roasted Allpress coffee alongside cookies, whoopie pies and cupcakes with seasonal buttercreams. This place even has the royal seal of approval as founder Claire Ptak was the woman behind Harry and Meghan’s wedding cake. Impressive, eh? So if you’re strolling the streets of Hackney, this is where to head to for a pit stop.
ALLPRESS ESPRESSO
Allpress has been roasting coffee for over 30 years and serving their speciality brews in London since 2010 so you can be sure they know how to make a decent brew. They’ve got an espresso bar on Redchurch Street but their Dalston spot is extra special; located inside a restored joiner’s factory it’s got loads of light, space and mid-century vibes. They roast their own coffee in-house at their Dalston site, using a temperature-controlled Hot Air Roaster for their coffee’s signature sweet and smooth taste. And their classic breakfast (eggs and soldiers, avo toast, toast and jam) and lunch (paninis including Salt Beef Russian, Salmon and Celeriac, and Aubergine Farinata) selection is sure to go down well with anyone.
NOLA
Local couple Anthony and Josephine set up NOLA as an embodiment of all their favourite cafe experiences from around the world. Their coffee is roasted in collab with award-winning roasters Bailies in Northern Ireland and they work hard to keep their coffees seasonal, constantly changing their selection to bring new coffees to Peckham. There’s also an all-day brunch menu, locally-baked sourdough, sandwiches, bagels and fresh pastries too.
OLD SPIKE ROASTERY
Old Spike is the UK’s first social enterprise, speciality coffee roastery with spots in Peckham, Piccadilly and Elephant & Castle. Their mission is to help reduce homelessness in the UK and they’re doing it through brewing fresh, seasonal coffee. Do good and get your caffeine fix, sounds ideal to us.
