London is home to some of the best cafes in the world.
The diverse city that houses people of different cultures brings about a myriad of ideas and inspirations, and this has translated into the exhaustive array of thematic cafes, coffee-making techniques and culinary impressions, and architectural wows.
Good cafes are sprawled all over the British city. From residential neighbourhoods to CBD to the bustling city centre, good cafes are everywhere.
It is an endless quest and we are constantly being awed by new joints with every visit. It took us several years to visit numerous cafes in the city and here’s our picks on London’s best cafes and coffee shops.
ALLPRESS
Allpress may be small in size, but its popularity is huge. This coffee house in Shoreditch is perpetually packed on weekends.
Locals love their beans, which Allpress sources from all over the world and roast them in-house daily. It is also good to know that they supply many cafes in London.
58 Redchurch Street
Shoreditch
London E2 7DP
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street
ASSOCIATION COFFEE
This is one popular outlet in the CBD. Association Coffee boasts an industrial-looking interior with bare bricks and low tables. It sits near to The Gherkin, and their speciality coffee is what keeps the place packed every day.
We love a good breakfast at Association Coffee because there will always be a curated selection of handcrafted sandwiches and pastries that are prepared fresh every morning.
10-12 Creechurch Lane
London EC3A 5AY
Tel: +44 20 7283 1155
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Aldgate/Liverpool Street
BEANY GREEN
A sister cafe of the popular Daisy Green, Beany Green is an outlet off Shoreditch, and it sits within a compound called Broadgate Circle that is surrounded by corporate offices. We prefer it on weekends when it is free of crowd and busy executives.
The menu is pretty similar to Daisy Green’s, with favourites such as the Fancy Bacon Roll (£12) and Avocado on Charcoal (£7).
Broadgate Circle
1 Broadgate Cir
London EC2M 2QS
Tel: +44 20 7628 5888
Mon to Fri: 6am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street
Not to be confused with Australia Celebrity Chef Bill Granger’s restaurant—Granger & Co—Bill’s Restaurant started off as a tiny shop in East Sussex and it has expanded to a massive empire with 20 outlets in London alone.
Bill’s is an all-day restaurant serving everything from breakfast to bedtime, and everything in-between. To be fair, Bill’s is not a dining destination and the food is not out-of-the-world. But the prices and portions are very reasonable and it is something you can rely on when you want a simple English meal without breaking the bank.
36-44 Brewer St, London W1F 9TB, United Kingdom
Tel: 0207 287 8712
Mon to Wed: 8am – 11pm
Thu to Sat: 8am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Tube Station: Piccadilly Circus
BISCUITEERS BOUTIQUE AND ICING ROOM
This is a must-visit for everyone who takes a trip to London. Biscuiteers Boutique And Icing Room in Notting Hill is really a whimsical biscuit boutique that sells the prettiest handcrafted biscuits that are widely popular in London. Lots of gift options are available in the boutique, as well as biscuit-decorating classes.
The sit-down area is a cosy one, complete with turquoise seats and marble tables. Biscuits are at £3 each, with gluten-free options available. They definitely taste as good as they look.
194 Kensington Park Road
London, W11 2ES
Tel: +44 20 7727 8096
Mon to Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove
BLUEBELLES OF PORTOBELLO
Tucked away in a quiet corner of Portobello Road and far from the madness of the weekend market is Bluebelles, a neighbourhood cafe for the residents. Its primary decor of white walls and bricks makes it an inviting space.
The menu features several all-day brunch items such as Bluebelles Mess (£8.50)—which is essentially French Toast—and Green Breakfast (£9.50). Many of the dishes are vegetarian, too. We also had loved the Bread & Butter Pudding (£4).
320 Portobello Road
London, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 8968 4572
Mon to Fri: 8am – 4.30pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 4.30pm
Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove
BRIKI
This was an accidental find for us as we were roaming around Exmouth Market. Roomy and spacious, Briki is a charming coffee joint that exudes rustic charm. Its coffee is more on the acidic side—which may not please everyone—but their in-house bakes are simple pleasures to enjoy.
Grab a seat by the windowsill, eat a blueberry muffin and sip cappuccino while looking out to the world that passes by.
67 Exmouth Market
London, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7278 8745
Mon to Thu: 7.30am – 7pm
Fri: 7.30am – 8.30pm
Sat: 8.30am – 8.30pm
Sun: 8.30am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Angel/Farringdon
BROOKLYN COFFEE
Situated in between Spitalfields Market and Brick Lane Market, Brooklyn Coffee is a monochrome-looking coffee house by the main road. Accessible and convenient, the small cafe is all about coffee from different origins.
139 Commercial Street
Shoreditch, E1 6BJ
Mon to Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat: 8am – 5pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street/Liverpool Street
CARAVAN COFFEE ROASTERS
If you find yourselves in King’s Cross, this is one cafe to stop by at. Or you can travel to King’s Cross for it; it’ll be worth it. Sitting in the UAL campus is this chic, industrial-like cafe that boasts a huge sitting space and fresh coffee aroma.
The guys here roast their own beans, and we also love the savoury mains such as Quinoa and Baked Eggs.
Granary Building
1 Granary Square
London N1C 4AA
Tel: +44 20 7101 7661
Mon to Fri: 8am – 10.30pm
Sat: 10am – 10.30pm
Sun: 10am – 4pm
Nearest Station: King’s Cross
Enjoy your happy cereal bowl at the cutest place in London. Cereal Killer Cafe—the first cereal-speciality cafe in United Kingdom—is a dream come true for cereal lovers. Located along Brick Lane, Cereal Killer Cafe sells a huge range of branded breakfast cereals.
Watch our video of Cereal Killer Cafe here.
139 Brick Lane
London, E1 6SB
Tel: +44 20 3601 9100
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street
CREAM CAFE
A spacious outlet in Shoreditch for a cuppa is Cream Cafe. It is set beside an apparel boutique, and while nothing special, it is a quiet space that has affordable drinks if you need to rest your feet.
31 New Inn Yard
London, EC2A 3EY
Tel: +44 7767 621 632
Mon to Fri: 8am – 4pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Shoreditch High Street
COVENT GARDEN GRIND
This is one coffee joint you must pop by when in Covent Garden. Grind is a sexy chain that has several outlets in London, but what makes them so amazing is that every outlet has a different look whilst still bearing the hipster Grind DNA.
Covent Garden Grind sits on a quieter street in the otherwise bustling Covent Garden, but we could do with some quiet time away from the crowd with green juices, coffee and bakes. Oh, free wifi too!
42 Maiden Lane
Covent Garden
London, WC2E 7LJ
Tel:+44 20 3019 1801
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 8pm
Sun 10am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
CURATORS COFFEE GALLERY
Need a pit stop in between shopping at Oxford Circus? Curators Coffee Gallery it shall be. This coffee house is strategically located in the heart of Oxford Circus, just farther up from Topshop.
The people here sure love their coffee, and while there is a fixed menu, there is often surprises. Do check out their featured coffee of the moment, where they use special beans combined with seasonal ingredients to intrigue with what they call their ‘creations’.
51 Margaret Street
London W1W 8SG
Tel: +44 20 7580 2547
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 6.30pm
Sat: 8.30am – 5pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
CUTTER & SQUIDGE
Cutter & Squidge is a humble family business that started off and got really popular with pretty desserts. Their shelves are always filled with pastel-coloured gems and tall cakes, and anyone who walks by will not be able to resist stepping in.
Cutter & Squidge is popular for their biskies, which are pretty much like macaron/ biscuit sandwiches. Our favourite flavour is the S’more Biskie and Passion Fruit Pearl.
20 Brewer street
Soho
London, W1F 0SJ
Tel: +44 20 7734 2540
Mon to Wed: 9.30am – 8pm
Thu: 9.30am – 9pm
Fri: 9.30am – 10pm
Sat: 11am – 9pm
Sun & PH: 11am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus/Picadilly Circus/Leicester Square
DAISY GREEN
Possibly one of the best cafes in Marble Arch, Daisy Green is two streets away from Selfridges & Co. It is an Aussie-style cafe with wholesome breakfast and brunch items, and there are both indoor and outdoor seating.
Go for the Salads of The Day, or the many other healthy and gluten-free options on the menu.
20 Seymour Street
London, W1H 7HX
Tel: +44 20 7723 3301
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat: 8am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Marble Arch
Located along Brick Lane, Dark Sugars Cocoa House is a chocolate heaven. They offer a huge range of chocolates, all made from scratch.
But what you must not miss is the special hot chocolate which is topped off with a huge pile of chocolate shavings made of dark, milk and white chocolate.
DEPARTMENT OF COFFEE AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Established in London’s iconic Leather Lane Market in 2010, Department of Coffee And Social Affairs has gone from strength to strength in recent years and it has currently 12 coffee shops across London. Not too bad for a coffee shop that only started 7 years ago.
14-16 Leather Lane
London, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7419 6906
Mon – Fri: 7am – 5.30pm
Sat: 9.30am – 4pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane
The world famous Dominique Ansel Bakery has a new outpost in London. Located in the quaint Belgravia district, Dominique Ansel Bakery’s arrival in London is great news for fans of their legendary Cookie Milk Shots, Cronuts and Frozen S’mores.
Dominique Ansel Bakery London also has the Dosa Mille Feuille (£7.50)—an London exclusive dessert—which is a delicate puff pastry “dosa” shell with hazelnut coffee, whipped Chantilly, lemon curd and candied lemon peel.
But to be honest, we thought that it was nothing special; you are better off sticking with the Cookie Milk Shots and Frozen S’mores.
17-21 Elizabeth St
London SW1W 9RP
United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7324 7705
Daily: 8am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Sloane Square / Victoria
EGGBREAK
Sitting at Notting Hill Gate is Eggbreak, a cosy all-day cafe that we really love. Well, its name should suggest that its menu is all about eggs, and the egg dishes vary across the day. But regardless of whether you are going for breakfast, lunch or dinner, the many egg items here won’t disappoint.
We loved the Corn Cakes (£11) that is served with an interesting sriracha Hollandaise, and this star item is available throughout the day.
30 Uxbridge Street
London, W8 7TA
Tel: +44 20 3535 8300
Daily: 8am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate
EMBASSY EAST
Located on Hoxton Street, Embassy East is a hidden gem that offers excellent food and great coffee. On the menu, you can find comforting dishes such as Eggs on Toast (£5), Classic Cheese Toasties (£5), and our favourite Meat Sandwich (£11) which is stacked with slow-cooked beef cheek, kimchi fried egg and greens.
Come here for breakfast and coffee after visiting Hoxton Street Market—the oldest street market in Hackney.
285 Hoxton St
London N1 5JX, UK
Tel: +44 20 7739 8340
Mon to Fri: 9am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Hoxton
ESPRESSO BAR MOZZINO
There is no lack of cafes in SoHo. We have our favourites, and Espresso Bar Mozzino is one that we regularly head to because while there is nothing fancy, the coffee is always reliable. Plus, we love the seats by the window where natural sunlight streams in and keeps us warm!
74 Broadwick Street
London, W1F 9QZ
Tel: +44 79 6987 5968
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 7pm
Sun: 12pm – 7pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
EVERBEAN
Everbean sits on Avery Row, which is farther up from Bond Street. We call this the Boyfriends’ Corner, for bored partners when their other halves are shopping at Victoria’s Secret and other boutiques along New Bond Street.
The cafe has a mezzanine, making the space very breathable and homely. The daily fresh bakes include red velvet cakes and brownies.
30 Avery Row
Mayfair
London, W1K 4BB
Tel: +44 75 7261 5440
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5pm
Sat: 10am – 6pm
Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Bond Street
FARM GIRL CAFE
Farm Girl Cafe might just be the loveliest cafe in Notting Hill. Run by Australians, this secret hideout farther up from Portobello Road Market is a gorgeous Aussie-style cafe that promotes casual afternoons over wholesome food. There are both indoor and outdoor seats, but the outdoor has so much more to offer.
Bask in Spring and smell the flowers while sipping the famous Lavender Latte and Rose Latte (£3.60). The range of wholesome food includes a gluten-free Berry Buckwheat Pancakes (£10) with coconut shavings, and the classic Aussie-style Avo Toast (£7.50).
59a Portobello Rd
London, W11 3DB
Tel: +44 20 7229 4678
Mon to Fri: 8.30am – 4.30pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
Sun: Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate
FEDERATION
Nestled within Brixton Market is Federation, this is the locals’ haunt outside of Central London. The small cafe has a menu of drinks, but of course, people come here for their coffee.
Unit 77-78 Brixton Village Market
Brixton
London, SW9 8PS
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest station: Brixton
FERNANDEZ & WELLS
Fernandez & Wells is a common name in SoHo. With several outlets within the zone, you would be able to guess that this cafe is extremely popular with the locals. Good coffee, laidback vibes; our only gripe is the expensive sandwiches.
1-3 Denmark Street
London, WC2H 8LP
Tel: +44 020 3302 9799
Mon & Tue: 8am – 11pm
Wed to Fri: 8am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road
FIX COFFEE
Established in 2009, Fix Coffee aims to deliver good coffee—using its FIX coffee blend roasted by Climpson & Sons—and service to East London.
There are two outlets at 126 Curtain Road and 161 Whitecross street.
126 Curtain Rd, London EC2A 3PJ, UK
Tel: +44 20 7033 9555
Mon to Fri: 7am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 8am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street
FLAT WHITE
Yet another popular coffee house in SoHo, Flat White serves exceptional coffee. Established in 2005, the cafe takes pride in spreading the coffee culture from Australia and New Zealand, and the Londoners sure love it here!
17 Berwick Street, Soho
London W1F 0PT
Tel: +44 20 7734 0370
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
FOXCROFT & GINGER
Hearty bakes and fresh hot English breakfast; that is what Foxcroft & Ginger is well-received for. Sitting at the tip of SoHo, this two-level cafe is unpretentious and quaint. Coffee is decent, and the menu is affordable.
3 Berwick Street, Soho
London W1F 0DR
Mon: 8am – 7pm
Tue to Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus
FRIENDS OF OURS
Friends of Ours is extremely popular and queues are often spotted. It sits farther up from Shoreditch, on Pitfield Street.
The menu is quite unlike your usual brunch fare, but mainly Australia-influenced. The brilliant plating is a plus point, and explains why they often get Instagrammed.
61 Pitfield Street
London, N1 6BU
Tel: +44 75 4593 9751
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat: 9am – 5pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Old Street/Hoxton
GAIL’S ARTISAN BAKERY
They may be a chain, but they are an impressive one at that. Gail’s Bakery—one of our favourite haunts—is recognised by its iconic red and white exteriors, and when you step into the bakery-cafe, a shrine of fresh bakes awaits.
Daily bread, cakes and pastries are displayed on the windowsill and by the counter. There are always so many to choose from, but we always return to the loaves (if you’re lucky to see the Lemon Drizzle Loaf, get that!) and Maple Pecan Drop Scone. Coffee’s pretty great too; we like ours with less acidity and with chocolatey notes.
71 Abbeville Road
London SW4 9JW
Tel: +44 20 8673 8017
Mon to Sat: 7am – 7pm
Sun & PH: 8am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Clapham South
GINGER AND WHITE
A little travelling is worth the while because Ginger And White is one of those quaint cafes in the quiet residential area for a peaceful afternoon with family and friends. Situated in Chalk Farm (Zone 2 of London), this cosy space is a favourite among families who reside in the hood.
Rustic bakes include the all-time favourite Stem Ginger Loaf with Cream Cheese Icing, and on the menu, there is the Sweet Potato Hash that comes in a generous portion. If you like acidic coffee with a strong bitter aftertaste, this place is for you.
Belsize Park
2 England’s Lane
London, NW3 4TG
Tel: +44 20 7722 9944
Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Sat & Sun: 8.30am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: Chalk Farm
The famed Australian chef, Bill Granger, has an outpost in London—Granger & Co. The Notting Hill outlet is where you should head to for breakfast.
It is perpetually packed with keen cafe-goers, and everyone flocks to the cafe for its Ricotta Hotcakes (£12.50). They are indeed the best in the world, served with banana and honeycomb butter, and its texture threads on a perfect balance of density and fluffiness.
There is another outlet at King’s Cross should you not want to stand in line at the Notting Hill outlet, because the average wait for a table is 30 minutes.
175 Westbourne Grove
London, W11 2SB
Tel: +44 20 7229 9111
Mon to Sat: 7am – 11pm
Sun & PH: 8am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Notting Hill Gate
HEJ COFFEE
When in the Bermondsey hood, you must drop by Hej Coffee—a Swedish-style cafe with coffee and bakes. Distinctly recognized from far because of its creamy green building, Hej Coffee is a favourite among locals and residents for its carnival blend coffee with has tasting notes of milk chocolate, caramel and stewed fruits, as well as the famous Cinnamon Buns.
There is also a resident florist within the space where you can bring home some of the freshest blooms of the season.
1 Bermondsey Square
London, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 3441 4544
Mon to Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat: 8.30am – 5pm
Sun: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: London Bridge
HOLBORN GRIND
Holborn Grind is our favourite Grind outlet. Its distinct honeycomb and copper-filled interior is every bit chic and sexy. While it is a relatively small outlet, the cafe remains highly popular among locals.
Fresh sandwiches, good coffee, and free wifi. Yes, we love Holborn Grind a lot.
199 High Holborn, Holborn
London, WC1V 7BD
Tel: +44 20 7242 4534
Mon – Wed: 7am – 10.30pm
Thu: 7am – 11pm
Fri: 7am – Midnight
Sat: 9am – Midnight
Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Holborn
JOE AND THE JUICE
This pink bar needs no introduction. Popularly known as the “gay cafe”, Joe And The Juice is a simple, homely space. Don’t be put off by its outright support for homosexuality, because this is where you can use a fruit juice break.
46 Dean Street
London W1D 4QD
Mon to Thu: 8am – 8pm
Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square/Piccadilly Lines
KAFFEINE
Tell people you want to visit London’s cafes and many would point you to Kaffeine. Its original outlet in Marylebone got famous for its award-winning coffee and unpretentious vibes. It isn’t very big though, and seats aren’t exactly the cosiest for a morning-long chat.
The original Kaffeine is located at 66 Great Titchfield St, while they have another branch at 15 Eastcastle Street.
66 Great Titchfield Street
London W1W 7QJ
Tel: +44 20 7580 6755
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 6pm
Sat: 8.30am – 6pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus/Goodge Street
KAHALIA
Everyone stops in their tracks to stare at the cake display at Kahalia. Of coffee and cakes, this small Brick Lane joint is a quaint respite from the hustle and bustle of the market.
135 Brick Lane
London, E1 6SB
Mon: 9.30am – 7pm
Tue to Fri: 8.30am – 7pm
Sat: 9am – 7pm
Sun: 9am – 5pm
KONDITOR & COOK
Founded in 1993 by German born baker Gerhard Jenne, Konditor & Cook offers a wide range of cakes and confections with seasonal variations. It has several outlets across London, but the flagship store is the swanky cafe at 30 St Mary Axe, also widely known as The Gherkin—an iconic symbol of London.
The Gherkin
30 Saint Mary Axe
London EC3A 8BF
Tel: +44 844 854 9369
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street/Tower Hill
LANTANA
One of the best breakfast spots in London, Lantana is a casual and relaxing Aussie-style café, perfect for brunch or to catch up with your companion over coffee and pastries.
If you are there for breakfast, you must try the English Muffin Breakfast with a sausage patty, fried egg and bacon. Otherwise, try the Asian Duck Rice. It is essentially fried rice with pancetta, fried egg, cucumber and chilli jam. It doesn’t sound like much, but believe us, it is that good.
Unit 2, 1 Oliver’s Yard
55 City Rd
London, EC1Y 1HQ
Tel: +44 20 7253 5273
Mon to Tue: 7.30am – 10pm
Wed – Fri: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
LOOK MUM NO HANDS
Primarily a cafe for cyclists to rest their wheels, Look Mum No Hands is every bit catchy as its name is.
There are both outdoor and indoor seating, and there is a merchandise corner where cyclists can enquire about and spend their money on bicycle-related everything.
49 Old Street
London, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7253 1025
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 10pm
Sat: 8.30am – 10pm
Sun: 9am – 10pm
Nearest Station: Barbican
L’ETO CAFFE
Not your average dessert bar. L’eto Caffe is well-known for their massive desserts display by the window, and we guarantee it will stop you in your tracks. There is every kind of dessert imaginable – cupcakes, crumbles, brownies, pies, meringue… you name it, they would probably have it.
The best outlet would be the one in SoHo, where the collection is really comprehensive. They also have a savoury food menu, but we say don’t waste your pounds on those because they are less than impressive. Go straight for the desserts. We never leave London without a cake or two here!
They have an insane display of daily fresh bakes, and it is almost frustrating to pick just one. Every item baked and assembled with love, and you can almost smell the pastry chefs’ passion in every piece.
155 Wardour Street, London W1F 8WG
Tel: +44 20 7494 4991
Mon to Tue: 8am – 9pm
Wed to Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road
MILKBAR
Yes, we have another coffee outlet in SoHo for you. MilkBar was founded by the guys behind Flat White, and you bet their coffee is reliable and satisfying.
Gluten-free cakes and salads are available if you are after some light bites.
3 Bateman street
Soho
London, W1D 4AG
Tel: +44 20 7734 0370
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5.30pm
Sat, Sun & PH: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
MONMOUTH COFFEE COMPANY
These guys are really dedicated to coffee. Monmouth Coffee Company has achieved legendary status in the city for serving top quality coffee. The guys at Monmouth travel around the world to hand pick and source for the best coffee beans for their roastery.
Tip: Go to Monmouth Coffee Company at Monmouth Street (off Covent Garden). The queue is much shorter than the Borough Market outlet.
27 Monmouth Street
Covent Garden
London WC2H 9EU
Tel: +44 20 7232 3010
Mon to Sat: 8am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
MONOCLE CAFE
This famous Japanese-style cafe has an outlet in London, and it sits on Marylebone. While we did not quite fancy the breakfast we ordered, it is nonetheless a cosy outlet in the hood for a quick cuppa.
18 Chiltern Street
London, W1U 7QA
Tel: +44 20 7135 2040
Mon to Wed: 7am – 7pm
Thu & Fri: 7am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun: 8am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Baker Street
MURIEL’S KITCHEN
Stepping inside Muriel’s Kitchen had us falling head over heels in love immediately. A homely and well-designed space with velvet tub chairs, mosaic tiles, bird-cage lamps, and garden swing seats? Yes, they’ve got that covered.
Open from breakfast to bed-time serving delicious home-cooked comfort food—using local British ingredients—at inexpensive prices (most of the dishes are mostly priced under £10)? Checked.
36 – 38 Old Compton Street
London, W1D 4TT
Tel: +44 20 7434 0111
Mon to Sat: 8am – 12 Midnight
Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square/Piccadilly Lines
NAMA ARTISAN RAW FOODS
NAMA is every carnivore’s nightmare. There is no meat in here, and as its name suggests, (most of) its food are served raw. We had this Blueberry Pancakes that was life-changing; well that depends on your perspective.
If you are a health junkie that is ever spontaneous to explore raw food that is good for health, drop by NAMA when you are in Notting Hill.
110 Talbot Road
London, W11 1JR
Tel: +44 20 7313 4638
Mon to Wed: 8am – 5pm
Thur & Fri: 8am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Westbourne Park
NORDIC BAKERY
This Scandinavian bakery-cum-cafe is famed for its dark rye bread and cinnamon buns. It does not have the fanciest interior, but the minimalism is something we can get used to. It is apparent that every outlet has its pool of regulars—mostly locals and expats who work in the respective vicinity.
14a Golden Square
Soho
London, W1F 9JG
Tel. +44 20 3230 1077
Mon – Fri: 7.30am – 8pm
Sat: 8.30am – 7pm
Sun: 9am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus
NOTES COFFEE & WINE
Notes Coffee & Wine has six outlets in London, and the group also has its own roastery. Specialising in two very popular beverage groups, Notes is like a coffee shop in the day where you can get sandwiches, oat porridge and coffee; when the sun sets, they transform into a hangout spot with craft beers, wines, charcuterie and cheeses.
31 Street Martin’s Lane
London WC2N 4ER
Tel: +44 20 7240 0424
Mon to Wed: 7.30am – 9pm
Thu to Sat: 7.30am – 10pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
NUDE ESPRESSO
As if Brick Lane market is not bustling enough, the whole world seems to go into Nude Espresso. These guys source, roast and brew their own coffee, and the open-concept roastery is quite show-stopping. Of course, coffee is amazing with very sweet chocolatey notes.
26 Hanbury Street
London, E1 6QR
Tel: +44 77 1289 9335
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 9.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Aldgate East
OTTOLENGHI
While Ottolenghi is more like a takeaway deli for fresh salads and delicious desserts than a proper dine-in cafe, it is one place that has our hearts and one that we always return to. Ottolenghi has an amazing array of desserts and pastries that make us go weak in the knees, and everything looks completely seductive.
63 Ledbury Road, London W11 2AD
Tel: +44 20 7727 1121
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 8am – 7pm
Sun: 8.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Bayswater
OZONE COFFEE ROASTER
This gem of Shoreditch is one pit stop you must make. Ozone Coffee Roaster is huge; with a cafe on the first level and a roastery in the basement.The people behind Ozone started their coffee business in 1998, roasting out of a small shop in Provincial New Zeland surf town; and damn, they sure roast and brew very good coffee.
The people behind Ozone started their coffee business in 1998, roasting out of a small shop in Provincial New Zeland surf town; and damn, they sure roast and brew very good coffee.
11 Leonard St
London, EC2A 4AQ
Tel: +44 20 7490 1039
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 9pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street
PAPER & CUP
There is this little cafe at a little corner of Shoreditch, and they are an online sensation. With its distinct blue shopfront, Paper & Cup has slowly crept its way through Londoner’s hearts—not just for its photogenic facade, but for its good coffee and laidback vibes.
Choose to sit outdoors and enjoy the calmness of the hood, or take a seat on the indoors which resembles a living room. Paper & Cup may be simple, but it serves honest drinks and a casual, comfy environment that keep locals going back.
18, Calvert Ave, London E2 7JP
Tel: +44 20 7739 5358
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street
PEGGY PORSCHEN CAKES
Ask around in London where to go for the prettiest cakes and most of them would direct you to Peggy Porschen Cakes. This pretty cake boutique sits on the junction of Elizabeth Street and Ebury Street, and it has an outstanding pink shopfront that you won’t miss.
Step in and smell the aroma of freshly baked cakes. Peggy Porschen is an institution in its own rights, and it even has a baking school right down the road.
Cupcakes are what they take pride in, though their tall sliced cakes often steal the limelight too.
116 Ebury St, Belgravia,
London SW1W 9QQ
Tel: +44 20 7730 1316
Daily: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Victoria
PEYTON AND BYRNE
Peyton and Byrne is a modern British bakery cafe with a neat display of pretty pastries, cakes and bread that are freshly baked every day.
The outdoor seats at its Covent Garden outlet are perfect for people watching as you sip some tea—choose from a range of 40 exclusive blends of tea—and some pastries.
44 Wellington Street
Covent Garden
London WC2E 7BD
Tel: +44 20 3422 1452
Mon to Thu: 8am – 7.30pm
Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 9am – 8pm
Sun: 9am – 7.30pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
PRIMROSE BAKERY
It is impossible not to like Primrose Bakery. The original shop at Primrose Hill started in 2004, and it has established a loyal fan base over the years. This cute little bakery serves one of the best, if not the best, cupcakes in London.
Other than cupcakes, Primrose Bakery also has an array of layer cakes, loaves and sliced cakes.
69 Gloucester Ave, London NW1 8LD
Tel: +44 20 7483 4222
Mon to Sat: 8.30am – 6pm
Sun: 9.30am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Camden Town/Chalk Farm
PRUFROCK COFFEE
We’ll go out on a limb to say that Prufrock Coffee—located on Leather Lane—has the best coffee in London. Out of the numerous coffee shops that we went to in London, Prufrock Coffee serves the most consistent and balanced cup of coffee.
The cafe on its own isn’t the cosiest nor most photogenic, but we would travel to Leather Lane any time for its cuppa that is so smooth and robust in every sip.
23-25 Leather Lane
London, EC1N 7TE
Tel: +44 20 7242 0467
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane
SACRED CAFE
Fans of antipodean style cafes, gourmet coffee, herbal teas should drop by Sacred Cafe. It has four outlets in Central London and the coffee shop at Kingly Court is a great pitstop after shopping at Carnaby.
13 Ganton St, Carnaby, London W1F 9BL
Mon to Wed: 7.30am – 10pm
Thu & Fri: 7.30am – 11pm
Sat: 9am – 11pm
Sun: 10am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
SAID DAL 1923 ANTICA FABBRICA DEL CIOCCOLATO
A chocolate lover’s heaven—that’s how we would describe SAID dal 1923, the London outpost of a popular chocolate shop in Rome. From chocolates to praline, chocolate spreads in jars and hot chocolate, SAID dal 1923 is the real life Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.
Try the hot mocha. We will leave you to find out about it.
41 Broadwick St, London W1F 9QL
Tel: +44 20 7437 1584
Mon to Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun & Holidays: 11am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
STORE ST. ESPRESSO
Heading to the British Museum? Stop by Store St. Espresso for breakfast first! They have three outlets, but the one on Store Street is the one you should go to. If you have a penchant for long windows with natural sunlight streaming in, this cafe is for you.
Store St. Espresso is evidently a popular spot for breakfast goers and all who need a quiet space to work at. While you are at it, grab yourself a Flat White (£2.70), Matcha Latte (£3.20), Avo Toast (£5.50) and its seasonal bagels.
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Goodge Street
TAP COFFEE
TAP is hands down our favourite coffee house in London. It has a few outlets all over Central London, but the one we like best is TAP Coffee No. 114. It is situated in Soho, and is a light-filled space with bench tables.
The coffee is consistently good, and croissants are always fresh and flaky, and we really love the £2.50 Porridge with unlimited toppings.
26 Rathbone Place
London W1T 1JD
Tel: +44 20 7580 2163
Mon to Fri: 8am – 7pm
Sat: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road
TAYLOR ST BARISTA
Tucked along Brooks Mews in Mayfair, Taylor St Barista is another pit stop for coffee after shopping at Oxford Street and Regent Street. The coffee shop offers its house blend, Rogue Espresso, as well as a selection of single origin and coffees from around the world.
Taylor St Barista also has branches at many locations in London, including Shoreditch, Canary Wharf, and Liverpool Street.
22 Brooks Mews, Mayfair
London W1k 4DY
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5.30pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
TIMBERYARD
Timberyard has two outlets in London—Seven Dials and SoHo. Having been to both, we love the Seven Dials branch for its spacious interior and the SoHo branch for its homely and colourful vibes.
Do check out their daily display of fresh bakes which ranges from brownies to loaves and scones. They also have a range of cold-pressed juices for the health-conscious or if you do not prefer the slightly acidic coffee.
7 Upper St Martin’s Lane
Seven Dials
London WC2H 9DL
Mon to Fri: 8am – 8pm
Sat: 10am – 8pm
Sun: 10am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square
THE ATTENDANT
The Attendant is probably the only toilet café in London. Located in a former Victorian underground public lavatory with most of the original features being tastefully preserved, this nondescript place is almost too easy to miss.
Be rest assured that it is completely clean and sanitised. If any, it is one cool outlet to hang out at over some fresh brew and brownies; it is not every day that you can dine in a toilet café.
Basement 27A Foley Street
London W1W 6DY
Tel: +44 20 7637 3794
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus/Goodge Street
THE BOROUGH BARISTAS
A chic interior and highly trained baristas make up The Borough Baristas. Since its opening in 2011, the coffee house has impressed many with their artisanal coffee which they roast themselves in the UK. Every cup of coffee comes with impressive latte art—an testament to the baristas’ strict training—and they take pride in using local products for everything on their menu.
60 Seymour Street
London, W1H 7JN
Tel: +44 20 7563 7222
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 4.30pm
Sat: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Marble Arch
THE COFFEEWORKS PROJECT
Take a little walk down from the Blackfriars Bridge and you will find The Coffeeworks Project—a spacious cafe with a fairly sexy industrial interior. We love the mismatched seatings and the random pots of hanging plants.
Pretty cakes and brownies are displayed out for your musings, and we’d say go right for the Lemon Drizzle & Poppy Seeds Cake (£2.75). Coffee here are of single origin beans, mainly from Colombia, Ethiopia and Papua New Guinea. They do pretty kickass cold brew at £3 too!
235 Blackfriars Road
London, SE1 8BF
Tel: +44 20 7928 8456
Mon to Thu: 7am – 5.30pm
Fri: 7am – 5pm
Sat to Sun: Closed
Nearest Station: Southwark Station
THE GENTLEMEN BARISTAS
The Gentlemen Baristas is farther up from Borough Market, and it is one of London’s best kept secrets. A two-storey cafe that focuses on coffee and providing coffee lovers with a homely environment—that pretty much sums up this place.
Your coffee will be amazing. The beans are ground to order, before being brewed in premium coffee machines; completed with a pretty latte art, no less! They also have a coffee school should you baristas-in-the-making want to hone your craft.
63 Union St
London SE1 1SG
Tel: +44 78 1646 1315
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat: 8.30am – 5pm
Sun: 10am – 4pm
Nearest Station: Borough/London Bridge
THE MAE DELI
The MaE Deli is everything a health nut would love. Whole wheat toasts, chia puddings and green smoothies; that pretty much makes up their daily menu. We like the idea of being able to build our own chia puddings, with the mixed berry compote and spiced apple being our favourite toppings.
21 Seymour Place,
London, W1H 5BH
Mon – Fri: 8am – 9pm
Sat: 9am – 9pm
Sun: 9am – 9pm
The Muffin Man is an old-school English tea shop that serves a variety of breakfast dishes, rustic cakes and scones.
Come here for tea and get the legendary scones, and you will be rewarded with crumbly, perfectly baked goodness. The Devon Cream Tea set (£6.50) is what everyone orders; it comes with a pot of tea of your choice, two toasted scones that is served warm no less, English strawberry jam and Devon cream.
12 Wrights Ln
London, W8 6TA
Tel: +44 20 7937 6652
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: High Street Kensington
THE RIDING HOUSE CAFE
You might remember Kaffeine, and you have to take notice of The Riding House Cafe, which sits directly opposite. The all-day brasserie is an extremely popular brunch spot (so reservations are very much recommended) in Central London.
The Avocado Benedict (£11) changed our lives, and there is a Lobster Benedict (£17.50) if you are craving some luxe. The Buttermilk Pancake (£9.50) are everything—fluffy and creamy, decorated with fresh berries, vanilla clotted cream and maple syrup.
43-51 Great Titchfield St
London, W1W 7PQ
Tel: +44 20 7927 0840
Mon to Thu: 7.30am – 11.30pm
Fri: 7.30am – 12.30am
Sat: 8.30am – 12.30am
Sun: 9am – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus
THE WREN
It is not every day that you can find a cafe inside a church. The Wren sits inside St Nicholas Cole Abbey, and opens daily from Monday to Friday.
Stained-glass windows and a peaceful environment, The Wren is a cafe for great coffee (they use coffee from Workshop Coffee Co.) and salads. Breakfast is all about freshly baked pastries at £2.20; while lunch would feature a range of seasonal salads at £7, as well as quiches at £5.50.
114 Queen Victoria street
London, EC4V 4BJ
Mon to Fri: 7am – 5pm
TOMTOM COFFEE HOUSE
There is a Tomtom Coffee House across Peggy Porschen Cakes, and it is a small outlet with a main communal table.
Truth be told, we did not think much of Tomtom Coffee House when we first went to Peggy Porschen Cakes. Obviously, we were wrong as we later found out that Tomtom Coffee House is a favourite amongst the locals staying in the neighbourhood.
Croissants are the breakfast staple here, where you can grab your piece from the communal table and help yourselves to the jam and spreads.
Otherwise, go for hot food on its breakfast menu. They have a different interpretation of the classic Bubble & Squeak, and instead of cabbage, the cafe uses kale. No potatoes too; because sweet potato mash is everything to love about Tomtom Coffee House’s Bubble & Squeak.
114 Ebury St, Elizabeth St, Victoria, London SW1W 9QD
Tel: +44 20 7730 1771
Mon to Fri: 8am – 5pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Victoria
WORKSHOP COFFEE
The original Workshop Coffee started in Clerkenwell back in 2011, and this charming and elegant coffee shop currently has locations in Marylebone, Holborn and Fitzrovia.
What makes Workshop Coffee different from the other coffee shops in London is that it is more like a coffee bar than a coffee shop—in a good, hipster way of course. The interior is inspired by the surrounding neighbourhood’s 19th Century British heritage with its Victorian Bohemia design.
80A Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia
London W1W 7FE
Mon to Fri: 7am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus