The best coffee shops and cafés in London
The arrival of speciality roasters Monmouth in Covent Garden in 1978 paved the way for the drink's 'third wave', and by 2007 we had our first World Barista Champion in James Hoffmann, who set up east London roastery Square Mile the following year.
Today, there are thousands of coffee shops across the city, from one-off indies serving exclusive roastings of single-origin beans to fast-growing chains and designer imports. And the most popular order? The flat white – a nod to our friends in Australia and New Zealand.
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best coffee in London. Find out more below, or for further London inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, pubs and bars, shopping and things to do.
Abuelo
If you like your coffee with a side order of slick design, head to this architect-owned spot minutes from Oxford Circus. Grab a magazine, sit at the marble bar and cool down with an iced matcha or latte made with dulce de leche.
Abuelo's owners combine Argentinian and Australian heritage, so the single-origin beans all hail from the Americas via Wogan roastery in Bristol. There's a short brunch menu and, mercifully, no Wi-Fi, so expect to see people chatting rather than stooped over their laptops. There's another branch in Covent Garden.
Algerian Coffee Stores
The aroma of freshly roasted beans greets you as you stand in line at this cult-status coffee shop that's stood on this spot since 1887. Most people are here for beans to use at home, with prices displayed on hand-painted wooden boards, but you can buy a shot of the house formula rossa espresso to take away for just £1.20 – or £2 for a flat white or cappuccino. It opens at 10am so it is not one for the early birds.
Calico Coffee
Lucky Waterloo-bound commuters can drop into this zen-like space for a quick caffeine fix on their way to the office. For those who want to take their coffee appreciation up a notch, head for the counter at the back.
Here, rare beans are precision-brewed by a champion barista to show off their complexity and can be enjoyed as part of a three-way flight at the wooden bar. Everything is impeccably designed – from the ceiling light to the takeaway cups – so you'll struggle to tear yourself away.
Fleet Street Press
London's legal eagles survive on coffee from this indy spot almost opposite the Royal Courts of Justice. Take a seat in the window and watch the silks from Middle Temple rush past as you sip an espresso made with beans from Press's Herne Hill roastery. The owners champion small suppliers, so you'll find craft sodas from Sipp'd, cakes from Lockdown Bakehouse and loose-leaf Milkwood Teas. The den-like basement is perfect for an intimate tête-à-tête and there's a sister site on Chancery Lane (closed at weekends).
Formative
Designed as a place to showcase coffees from Formative's own Essex roastery, this airy, minimal space is a go-to for all those beanheads out there. The owner is a world espresso champion, so staff are well versed in the brewing arts yet not remotely snobby. Experiment with a 'split shot' – one serving of espresso, one of cortado – to compare the seasonal roasts, such as the fruity Berry Jam, with and without milk. It's a handy stopover en route to Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace (though closed on Sundays).
Kaffeine
This buzzing café on Great Titchfield Street takes its inspiration from the owner's native Melbourne so you can expect great hospitality, appealing food and, of course, fab coffee. Order a long black or flat white alongside brunch favourites, eye-catching salads or an Anzac biscuit. Coffee connoisseurs can geek out with a tasting flight of espresso or cortado shots from some of the world's best roasteries. Just minutes from Oxford Street, it's the perfect pit stop when you're shopped out. There's a sister branch nearby on Eastcastle Street.
Monmouth
Tourists make a beeline for this open-fronted coffee house on the edge of Borough Market – and with good reason. The baristas prepare flat whites and iced lattes using Monmouth's own impeccably sourced espresso blend and each day, there's a guest filter coffee chalked up on the blackboard along with helpful tasting notes. Perch at one of the counters or nab a spot at the shared central table. It's a paper cup-free zone so bring your own or borrow one for a £5 deposit. Branches in Bermondsey and Covent Garden.
Nagare
Coffee shops don't come much prettier than this Japanese-influenced place in a Grade II-listed Georgian building opposite Spitalfields market. Tourists and office workers line up to order at the wooden counter, choosing from the seasonally changing coffees roasted exclusively for Nagare at Curve in Margate or one of the special guests on frequent rotation.
Sweet treats are displayed in a handsome glass case and come with a Japanese twist – perhaps miso caramel cashew alfajores. The Bankside branch is handy for the Tate Modern and there's another in Soho.
Prufrock
Founded by a former World Barista Champion, this popular Clerkenwell spot attracts serious coffee heads but it's also a really mellow place to hang out, perhaps at a booth table with a breakfast bun and a flat white.
Now owned by east London's Square Mile, you'll find the award-winning roastery's blends and single origin coffees alongside special guests. The friendly baristas can guide you with helpful tasting notes and there's a training school in the basement for professionals and home enthusiasts if you want to perfect your brewing skills.
Qima Café
It's all about provenance at this Yemeni coffee spot in Warren Street's foodie quarter. Qima's owners source beans from smallholder farmers around the world that they use to make classic espresso-based coffees, pour-overs and signature drinks, including the qishr latte. Coffee has been cultivated and consumed in Yemen since 1500, giving the country a 200-year head start on Europe. Don't miss the delectable and Insta-worthy cakes and desserts from the in-house pastry team, such as the 'crookie', a cookie croissant mash-up with hazelnuts and salted caramel.
How we choose
Every café in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood roasteries to high street favourites – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Amber Dalton
I have lived in London for more than 25 years, where I work as a journalist specialising in food and travel. When I'm not checking out the latest dining spots, find me sipping a pint of cask ale, ideally in a pub garden.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Mirror
3 hours ago
- Daily Mirror
'Simply magical' holiday destination named as 'UK's best summer escape'
The Lake District has been named the UK's best destination for a summer escape, but it matters when you visit. That said, one travel expert has shared her insight into when exactly to visit and how to prepare. It's no secret the Lake District boasts stunning landscapes, warm weather, and a wide range of outdoor activities. But Plates Express spoke to travel expert Katie Willis, founder of UK-based travel agency, to get an expert's intel. 'Summer is definitely peak season, so [the Lake District] is busier – especially during the school holidays, " says Katie. 'But the trade-off is well worth it. You get the full Lake District experience, from swimming in the lakes to ice cream in Ambleside.' Important to note considering a new heatwave forecast with maps reveals the exact date a 39C heat plume will scorch the UK. July and August are the Lake District's warmest months, with average temperatures ranging from 17°C to 22°C. The summer months also have the longest daylight hours, which is important if you're planning long days of hiking and boat excursions. 'The Lake District is simply magical in the summer. The scenery is alive with colour, the lakes are calm and clear, and the longer days give visitors more time to explore,' according to Katie. 'It's the perfect mix of nature, charm and adventure, all just a drive away for most people in the UK.' 'This mad holiday activity combines near-death experiences with cheese and wine' UK's most remote and underrated train station that rivals Hogwarts Express line Popular summer activities include hiking scenic trails like Friars Crag or the Old Man of Coniston or boating on Derwentwater or Ullswater. The villages of Grasmere, Hawkshead, and Keswick are also worth exploring. If you are keen to avoid the densest tourist crowds, Katie suggests planning your trip for the end of May or early September instead. The weather during these periods is still very pleasant and some hotels and B&Bs also offer lower rates during these off-peak weeks. No matter when you set off for the Lake District, you should prepare your vehicle for the long drive. Even navigating the country roads themselves can be tricky for those without experience driving on the narrow roads with sharp bends. 'Always check your car thoroughly the day before your trip, not on the morning you leave,' says a spokesperson from Plates Express. 'This gives you time to sort any issues. They continue: 'Check your lights, fluid levels, tyres, and number plates – and plan your route in advance. Mobile signal can be weak in parts of the Lake District, so download your maps if needed.' Prior to hitting the road you should double-check the tread and inflation of your tires–as they can wear down quicker during warm weather and on country roads like those of the Lake District. Be sure to top up your coolant, check your oil and - though it's tempting for long drives - do not overload your boot. That said, you should have plenty of water on hand for long summer drives.
The Guardian
7 hours ago
- The Guardian
Pope Leo XIV gets rock star welcome from young Catholics at huge vigil
Hundreds of thousands of young faithful feted Pope Leo XIV like a rock star on Saturday at an open-air prayer vigil outside Rome, after the head of the Catholic church made a dramatic entrance by helicopter. Pilgrims began crying and cheering when the white military helicopter descended over the sprawling site in Rome's eastern outskirts. Organisers said more than 800,000 young pilgrims from 146 countries around the world had assembled as part of a Jubilee of Youth – and perhaps as many as 1 million. Smiling from his popemobile, the first US pope waved to throngs of screaming young people lining his route, many running for a better vantage point. They had already spent the day in the hot sun listening to music, praying and talking with fellow Catholics. 'The pope is here' announced an excited voice over the public address to thunderous applause from the crowd. But the tenor of the event became more solemn and contemplative as the pope took to the stage, carrying a large wood cross. 'Dear young people, after walking, praying and sharing these days of grace of the Jubilee dedicated to you, we now gather together in the light of the advancing evening to keep vigil together,' Leo, 69, told them. In the crowd was French pilgrim Julie Mortier, 18, whose voice was hoarse from singing and screaming for hours. 'We're too happy to be here. Seeing the pope, that's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,' she said. Event organisers said people had continued to arrive during the vigil and that it was possible that attendance numbers had reached 1 million. Most pilgrims said they would camp overnight for a Sunday morning mass at the site led by Leo. That will mark the culmination of the week-long youth pilgrimage, a key event in the Catholic church's Jubilee holy year. Some in the crowd were so far away they could not see the massive stage with a golden arch and towering cross that dominated the open area – which at more than 500,000 sq m was the size of about 70 football fields. 'I'm so happy to be here, even if I'm a bit far from the pope. I knew what to expect,' British student Andy Hewellyn said. 'The main thing is that we're all together,' he said ahead of the pope's appearance, as other young people nearby played guitars, sang or snoozed in the sun. Italian broadcaster Rai called the event a Catholic 'Woodstock', as throughout the day nearly two dozen musical and dance groups, many of them religious, entertained the crowds. In a video message, Italian prime minister Giorgia Meloni welcomed pilgrims to the capital, who were 'praying, singing, joking among themselves, celebrating in an extraordinary party'. The Jubilee of Youth, which began on Monday, comes nearly three months after the start of Leo's papacy, and 25 years after the last such massive youth gathering in Rome under Poland's pope John Paul II. Early on Saturday, groups of young people set off from central Rome for the venue in Tor Vergata. They were ready to spend the next 24 hours surrounded by a crowd of people and sleep under the stars. Victoria Perez, who carried a Spanish flag, could not contain her excitement at seeing 'the pope up close'. 'It's the first time I'm going to see him, and I can't wait,' the 21-year-old said, looking forward to a 'night of prayers under the stars'. French pilgrim Quentin Remaury, 26, said he had been inspired by the late pope Francis's rousing message to youth during a 2016 visit to Krakow, Poland. 'Pope Francis told us to 'get off your couches', and that really gave me a boost,' he said. Throughout the week, attenders participated in church-planned events, such as confession at Circus Maximus, one of Rome's top tourist spots. On Friday, about 1,000 priests were on hand, with 200 white gazebos serving as makeshift confessionals lining the hippodrome where chariot races were once held in Ancient Rome. The pilgrimage unfolds as under-30s navigate economic uncertainty, the climate crisis and international conflict, with some pilgrims travelling from war-torn areas such as Syria and Ukraine. Samarei Semos, 29, who said she had travelled three days from her native Belize to get to Rome, said she hoped Leo would have a strong say about 'third world countries'. The Vatican said that before the vigil the pope had met and prayed with travellers accompanying an 18-year-old Egyptian pilgrim who died on Friday night. Rai News reported that the young woman had died of a heart attack on a bus while returning to her lodging from an event in Rome. Amid tight security, more than 4,300 volunteers and more than 1,000 police were watching over the vigil, organisers said.
Times
7 hours ago
- Times
5 of the best UK waterfront spots to visit this summer
Summer evenings by the canal underpass anyone? Yes, from Leeds to Leith the country's towpaths, wharfs and riversides have become a breeding ground for cult cafés and buzzy bars. Read on for our five top waterfront spots. On Edinburgh's northern edge sits the historic port of Leith, a once industrial heartland turned culinary mecca, with the highest concentration of Michelin stars in Scotland. The jewel in this gastronomic crown is Heron, with its smart dining room and farm-to-table philosophy (think hand-dived Orkney scallops and Speyside lamb). It even made history back in 2023, when its chef patron, Sam Yorke, then 25, became the youngest chef in Scotland to earn a Michelin star. The Kitchin is another standout (also starred) with its surprise tasting menus — an upscale take on lucky-dip dining. The grandaddy of them all is Martin Wishart — which opened in 1999, winning its own Michelin star two years later — recognised for putting Leith on the foodie map. Newest to the scene is Barry Fish with a menu of just six main courses. Still scratching your head? The lemon sole with sauce vermouth comes highly recommended. If there's one place where you're guaranteed to find the off-duty fashion pack on a sunny Sunday, it's the Towpath. This seemingly unassuming café has a crowd of feverish devotees (famous fans include Keira Knightley and Alexa Chung), all flocking to nibble away on its small plates, served up on mismatched crockery. Towpath sits beside the Regent's Canal in east London, and is joined by a host of other stylish outposts, such as Route Haggerston, a café popular with freelance graphic designers, and Arepa & Co, which serves up Venezuelan brunch plates including toston avo (avocado mash on a plantain crostini). Take a left and you're at Kingsland Basin, home to the Hackney mums' favourite Toconoco, a Japanese café with a kids-first MO, including a designated play space. But if people watching is your top priority, grab an oat flat white to go from the local bottle shop and vegan café Helma, and park up on a bench. Set among the railway arches leading into Leeds station, Granary Wharf offers buzzy late-licence pubs, bars and restaurants that will take you from an afternoon tipple to dancing into the wee hours, plus panoramic views of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal. Locals kick things off with a bite at Livin'Italy, where Nonna's meatballs and fresh crab meat pici are popular. If the sun's out, Water Lane Boathouse is the place to be. Just move quickly — it may be one of the city's largest beer gardens but canal-view benches are a hot commodity. NoNo Wine Bar is a new addition to the fold, with more than 50 wines sold by the glass. Ale more your speed? Then try Salt, where the locally brewed stuff is on tap until 1am. Afterwards, head to the Canal Club for a boogie. And if you wake up with a sore head, the best morning-after destination is the cult café Bake, which has divine laminated pastries. Built in the 1810s on the Sheffield Canal, these former coal yards are now attracting the city's young arty crowd. Yorkshire Artspace is housed in the brutalist Persistence Works and art deco Exchange Place (top), providing studio spaces for more than 160 local artists including ceramicists, sculptors and jewellers — much of their work is on display at the city's Millennium Gallery. Residents to note include the leather worker Jonathan Hyde of Hyde Wares and the artist Ashley Holmes, who last year was a recipient of a Serpentine fellowship. During the day find these new-gen makers at the canal-front bar and pizzeria True Loves; then in the evenings at Plot 22, a nearby music venue and studio space hosting underground gigs. Once a month the entire waterfront is transformed into a bustling street food market and makers fair where you can, ahem, eat your art out. If it's views you're after, nowhere does it like Llangollen, a picture-postcard-perfect outpost tucked away in Denbighshire, Wales. On the banks of the River Dee, this small town is perfect for outdoor types who fancy a spot of walking, cycling, rafting or canoeing the Pontcysyllte aqueduct, a Unesco world heritage site. Chill out afterwards in the pretty Corn Mill with glorious views over the Dee's white waters, or head to the sun-drenched RiverBanc café, which has a brunch menu of dreams, including a slow-cooked beef brisket wrap. Fancy staying the night? Stick with the great outdoors and book Hydra ( an Instagram-worthy off-grid two-person hut five minutes' drive out of town with nothing but the Welsh hills and a couple of board games for company.
