Ah, London – where the love for coffee runs deeper than the Thames. Whether it's sipping iced lattes under the summer sun or cosying up with a steaming cuppa joe in the winter chill, locals are always in pursuit of that perfect caffeine fix. But with so many cafés popping up around every corner, finding the crema the crop can be a tall order. Fear not, java connoisseurs; whether you're craving a velvety flat white, a bold espresso, or a creamy latte, we've brewed up a list of the best coffee shops in London.
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Best For: Americano
The Black Cab Coffee Co
Once a quirky pop-up in a converted London cab, this cosy café has now found its permanent home, complete with a coffee roaster churning out beans in a scenic oasis by the River Thames. More than just a roastery, The Black Cab Coffee Co in Battersea is a café-bar and event space where locals come together to enjoy quality food and hot drinks. The coffee takes centre stage here (obvs) with classic options like Americano, made using single-origin beans mixed into unique, small-batch blends, alongside twists such as the rose petal and beetroot latte.
Take a break from the daily grind and hop on board The Black Cab Coffee Co.
Best For: Iced Latte
Grind
With eight locations sprinkled throughout the capital, from Covent Garden to Liverpool Street, chances are you've stumbled upon a Grind or two in your iced caramel latte-seeking adventures. Serving up java joy since way back when, Grind knows exactly how to turn coffee into an art form. The beans are sourced straight from their London-based roastery, ensuring top-notch quality within every sip. Adding a touch of sweetness to the rich taste of their blends, iced lattes are made using a subtly flavoured coffee of your choice in beaut highball glasses. Plus, with their recent lineup of cold coffee cans, it's never been easier to grab a boost of energy on the go.
Grind is your go-to joint for quirky coffee shops in London and the coolest iced latte in town.
Best For: Mocha
Biscuiteers
At home in charming Notting Hill, Biscuiteers is one of London's most picturesque cafés, adorned with a timeless black and white colour scheme that's just begging to be photographed. But it's not just about the looks here; this cute coffee shop crafts plenty of beautifully decorated hand-iced biscuits and a stellar range of java delights. Step into this unmistakably Parisian-style bakery bursting with an array of tempting hot drinks and grab a Beatrix Potter biscuit to enjoy alongside a delicious cup of their indulgent, nutty and chocolatey mocha goodness.
A favourite among Londoners and visitors alike, many flock to this Biscuiteers just to snap a selfie with its fairytale-esque exterior.
Best For: Macchiato
Attendant
Make your coffee game stronger than ever with a silky cup of a double-shot macchiato served in a late-nineteenth-century gents’ toilet. Yes, you heard that right. Attendant is a specialty coffee bar housed in a converted former Victorian loo, perfect for a weekday pick-me-up. This tiny venue is scattered with small tables and rammed with a young and hip crowd gorging on brioche bun sandwiches and seasonal coffee blends in a super Instagrammable space.
Attendant is the perfect place to relax with a cup of coffee and while the hours away.
Best For: Espresso
Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe
If you're in need of a caffeine fix, why not go straight to the source and experience the roasting magic firsthand in Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe? At the Dalston hub, coffee enthusiasts can revel in spacious seating, lofty ceilings, and a menu bursting with expertly crafted espressos and smooth filters, all while watching the roasting in action. With brunch plates to match and a tranquil front garden for sunny sips, it's no wonder Allpress reigns supreme in London's coffee kingdom.
Step into Dalston's radiant Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe, where every sip is a taste of perfection.
Best For: Cappuccino
Jolene
Bakery by day and restaurant by night, Jolene, named after the famous Dolly Parton song, is a charmingly quaint cafe tucked away in Newington Green. Within its moody, neutral-toned interiors lies the ideal setting for leisurely catch-ups over a steaming cup of rich, beautifully balanced cappuccino with the perfect amount of foam, accompanied by a heavenly crème brûlée Danish. Every morsel tells a story, crafted with care by skilled artisans who mill their own flour and bake their own bread in-house.
Jolene is the go-to hangout for locals looking for the perfect cup of coffee.
Best For: Flat White
Flat White
Looking for the best independent coffee shops in London? Infused with Aussie and Kiwi charm, Flat White brings a taste of Down Under to the bustling streets of Soho. With a focus on espresso-based brews, flat whites (hence the name) steal the show here, with each cup being a masterpiece of velvety and creamy textures. The expertly foamed milk adds to the indulgent experience, forgoing latte art for a perfectly blended brew that will leave you craving for more.
If you're in need of a caffeine fix paired with delectable café fare in Soho, Flat White is the place to be.
Best For: Filter Coffee
Monmouth Coffee Company
Monmouth Coffee Company, a Covent Garden icon since 1978, serves up meticulously brewed drinks, tracing its roots back to the days when artisanal coffee was still a niche concept. Exuding a warm, preppy British charm, their java selection is consistently excellent, offering various single-origin varieties complemented by a range of baked pastries. Their specialty filter coffee is made using Finca Malacara A from El Salvador and modifiers of your choice in a ceramic filter cone. So whether you're sipping in the wood-panelled mezzanine or grabbing a bag of whole beans to go, this cosy haunt is a London coffee legend not to be missed.
Monmouth Coffee Company is a mocha lover's paradise in the heart of London.
Best For: Latte
Farm Girl
On the hunt for famous cafes in London? Successfully bringing Melbourne's brunch culture to London, Farm Girl in Notting Hill and South Kensington needs no introduction. Serving their Instagram-famous, multi-coloured hot drinks in an equally beaut cafe environment, their rose and lavender lattes are must-tries. Made with holistic ingredients and The Roasting Party's rich Drake coffee beans, these vibrant concoctions are topped with pretty elements such as actual rose petals and dried lavender. Keep your camera at the ready.
Spruce up your Instagram feed with Farm Girl's brew-tiful lattes.
Best For: Cortado
Café Leon Dore
Craving a caffeine kick after your retail romp? Take a breather at Aimé Leon Dore's chic Greek-style haunt tucked inside their Soho flagship store. The café, aptly named Café Leon Dore, promises both fashion and a taste of the Mediterranean, exuding sophistication with its marble floors, walnut panelling, and charming corner terrace. While the menu may be short and sweet, it packs a punch with one of the best specialty coffees in London like the unsweetened barista-favourite cortado as well as decadent croissants in almond, chocolate, or plain varieties. Plus, the alfresco seating is prime real estate for people-watching and snapping your next IG masterpiece with a steaming cup of cortado in hand.
Best coffee shops in London with a view? Café Leon Dore is the perfect spot for a caffeine pit stop amidst your shopping adventures.
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