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

BILL’S RESTAURANT

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

CEREAL KILLER CAFE

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

DARK SUGARS COCOA HOUSE

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

DOMINIQUE ANSEL BAKERY

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

GRANGER & CO.

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.

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

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

If you want to get fat, go to London. The British city has cuisines from all over the world, and the sheer number of options is mind-boggling to say the least.

Meal times are never dull when in London, and we always look forward to the next meal because our list of places to check out never ends.

Getting this done was hard, because it is hard to point down to just one or two favourites. But here’s a Guide to 14 of Our Favourite Food Places in London; first-timers to London should visit all of these to have a fair glimpse of what London can offer!

#1 ASSA KOREAN RESTAURANT

Assa is our go-to Korean restaurant when in SoHo, London. The prices are relatively affordable (by London’s standard) and the Kimchi Pork Stew (£22) is the tastiest.

If you are with friends, or simply feeling extra hungry, go for their value-for-money set. For £35, you get a Korean stew with kimchi, rice cake, two bowls of rice and two drinks.

53 St Giles High St
London WC2H 8LH, United Kingdom
Daily: 12pm – 12am
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road

#2 BIG EASY

We found a lobster shack that can rival Burger and Lobster. At £20, you get a whole Maine lobster that is beautifully grilled, complete with fries and side salad. And it comes with a complimentary cocktail, too!

Not too sure if we were extremely lucky or what but on the several occasions we went, the lobsters were significantly huger than B&L’s, and the meat was a lot fresher. It is now a pit stop for us when in Covent Garden.

It has also one of the best kept-secrets in London. On every Monday, you can get UNLIMITED servings of a platter of North Carolina Chopped Pork, BBQ Chicken and St Louis Pork Ribs with Coleslaw, Beans and Fries for just £19.90. And it comes with a pint of beer too.

12 Maiden Ln
London WC2E 7NA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 3728 4888
Mon to Wed: 12pm – 11.30pm
Thu to Sat: 12pm – 12.30am
Sun: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square

#3 BURGER AND LOBSTER

This – the famous Burger and Lobster. Where do we even start?

The concept of Burger and Lobster is brilliant. There are only three items on the menu – burger, lobster and lobster roll – and at £20 each, they represent fantastic value.

A whole fresh lobster grilled/ steamed (choose the steamed option), accompanied by a generous bowl of lemon butter dip, a side salad and a bucket of fries. All for only £20.

Burger and Lobster has the winning formula: a sexy crowd, sexier cocktails, unpretentious and fun atmosphere, and brilliant food at unbeatable price. As much as Burger and Lobster has become a place where every tourist would go to, it still remains as a must-visit dining destination in London.

6 Little Portland St
London W1W 7JE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7907 7760
Mon to Thu: 12pm – 10.30pm
Fri & Sat: 12pm – 11pm
Sun: 12pm – 10pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus

#4 DINNER BY HESTON BLUMENTAL

If you are a fan of Chef Heston Blumenthal – chef and owner of The Fat Duck – you definitely have to drop by Dinner by Heston Blumenthal at the swanky Mandarin Oriental, Hyde Park.

On a budget? Opt for lunch instead of dinner with the three-course sample menu – very reasonably priced at £36.

Dinner by Heston Blumental is a concept that banks on the comfort of ancient recipes. How the culinary team will surprise you is with its modern interpretations of these age-old traditional recipes, without steering away too far from its original ideas and tastes.

When you are at it, please do yourself the favour and order the Tipsy Cake. The famed dessert is reason enough for us to go back just for it.

66 Knightsbridge
London SW1X 7LA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7201 3833
Daily: 12pm – 2.30pm, 6.30pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Knightsbridge

#5 DISHOOM

It is no secret that Dishoom is our (and many others’) favourite Indian restaurant in London. Mystically sexy, Dishoom should be on everyone’s bucket list when visiting London. From its menu and price points to its decor and ambience, no other Indian restaurants come close.

Their menus differ during different times of the day, and while we love the classic lunch/ dinner menu, the breakfast is what we would get out of bed for. Be there as early as 8am to avoid long queues.

22 Kingly Street, London W1B 5QB
Tel: +44 20 7420 9322
Mon to Thu: 8am – 11pm
Fri: 9am – 12am
Sat: 9am – 12am
Sun: 9am – 11pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus

#6 DUCK AND WAFFLE

Everyone visits Duck And Waffle for two things – the splendid view overlooking the city of London from the 40th floor of Heron Tower, and the signature dish – Duck and Waffles (£15 during breakfast, £17 all day) – which gave the restaurant its name.

Duck and Waffle opens 24/7, but reservations are still recommended anyway because they are perpetually booked.

Heron Tower, 110 Bishopsgate
London EC2N 4AY, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 3640 7310
Open 24 Hours
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street

#7 FLAT IRON

There is only one dish on the menu at Flat Iron restaurant – the Flat Iron steak. The steak may not be of the best cut but at £10 for a steak, it is considerably cheap and warrants a visit.

You can order accompanying sides such as dripping cooked fries, creamed spinach, and roast aubergine.

Occasionally, they would offer special and better steak cuts at seasonal prices, as well as surprises such as burgers.

17 Beak St
London W1F 9RW, United Kingdom
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus

#8 LANTANA

Lantana is an all-time favourite brunch spots in London, and it is arguably the best. There are three outlets in the city, but we like to patronise the one on Charlotte Street.

It is a casual Aussie-style café with very relaxing vibes that is perfect for brunch over hearty food, coffee and pastries. If you are there for breakfast, you must try the English Muffin Breakfast with sausage patty, fried egg and bacon. The chilli jam is to die for.

The Asian Duck Rice surprised us. The ingredients – duck, pancetta, cucumber and chilli jam – elevated this seemingly ordinary dish to something quite special, and to us Asians, nothing beats the comfort of a fried rice dish.

13 Charlotte Pl, Fitzrovia
London W1T 1SN, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7637 3347
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Goodge Street

#9 KANADA-YA

We have tried numerous ramen shops in London, but sadly, most of them are catered to the Westerners’ palate and nothing near to how authentic Japanese ramen would taste like in Japan.

Kanada-ya is an exception. The tonkotsu ramen is exactly how a good pork broth ramen is supposed to be, with rich and flavourful broth, pork slices flavoured egg with a runny center, fungus and leek.

64 St Giles High St
London WC2H 8LE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7240 0232
Mon to Sat: 12pm – 3pm, 5pm – 10.30pm
Nearest Station: Tottenham Court Road

#10 MAISON BERTAUX

One of the oldest patisseries in London is Maison Bertaux, our go-to place for a quiet afternoon tea in London. They offer many beautiful cakes and rustic pastries. Make sure you try their almond croissant.

28 Greek St
London W1D 5DQ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7437 6007
Mon to Sat: 8.30am – 11pm
Sun: 9.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square

#11 NEW FORTUNE COOKIE

After trying several roast ducks in London, New Fortune Cookie won our hearts with the best roast duck in London. Better than our previous favourite, Gold Mine. And better than the famous Four Seasons.

And at £9.50 for half duck – as compared to £13 at Gold Mine and £13.50 at Four Seasons - it is the cheapest option. The staff here are friendlier, and we like how we do not feel pressured to leave. In case you have no idea, the staff at Four Seasons will always chase you out once they see that your plates are empty.

1 Queensway
London W2 4QJ, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7727 7260
Daily: 12pm – 11pm
Nearest Station: Queensway

#12 PATTY AND BUN

We have said it before and we will say it again: Patty and Bun’s Smokey Robinson burger is hands down the best burger in London.

Messy, greasy and finger-licking good, the Smokey Robinson Burger (£8.50) comes with everything you need in a burger – caramelised onions, bacon, smokey mayo, cheese, tomato, lettuce, and a juicy beef patty.

Beyond the amazing burger, the mood at Patty & Bun is hippy and loud; you instantly feel cool just by dining there. It truly delivers a unique and complete burger experience.

22-23 Liverpool St
London EC2M 7PD, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7621 1331
Mon & Tue: 11.30am – 10pm
Wed to Fri: 11.30am – 11pm
Sat & Sun: 11.30am – 9pm
Nearest Station: Liverpool Street

#13 PRUFROCK

Prufrock has achieved cult status in London and it is widely recognised as one of the best coffee shops in the city. The coffee here is rich, creamy and well-balanced; indeed, it is easily the best cup of coffee you can find in London.

There is a small selection of sweet and savoury baked goods to go along with your cuppa.

Its flagship cafe on the bustling Leather Lane in Clerkenwell also offers coffee tastings, training and events.

23-25 Leather Ln
London EC1N 7TE, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7242 0467
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Chancery Lane

#14 THE MUFFIN MAN

Have you heard? These are the best scones in London!

The Muffin Man is an old-school English tea shop in Kensington 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) comes with a pot of tea, two toasted scones with jam and Devon cream.

If this still ain’t a quintessential British experience, we don’t know what is.

12 Wrights Ln
London W8 6TA, United Kingdom
Tel: +44 20 7937 6652
Mon to Sat: 8am – 8pm
Sun: 9am – 8pm
Nearest Station: High Street Kensington

For more recommendations, read our London travel guide on what to eat and where to go to.

“It is difficult to speak adequately or justly of London. It is not a pleasant place; it is not agreeable, or cheerful, or easy or exempt from reproach. It is only magnificent.”

Simply only magnificent, and nothing less indeed.

London is our favourite city in the world, and it is a favourite for many too. It is not difficult to understand why, for the British city has so much to offer and is so very live-able. Wake up to amazement every day, live it up like the Brits, and go to bed each night thanking all your lucky stars that you are in London.

Here are 35 reasons to love London, and it is but the tip of the ice berg. You have to set foot in that part of the world to understand why it is home for so many.

#1 THE INSTAGRAM-WORTHY RED TELEPHONE BOOTHS

Because they are so iconic and everyone loves taking photos of and with them.

#2 AN UNFORGETTABLE MEAL AT BURGER & LOBSTER

What is London without a meal at one of the most popular restaurants? Whole grilled lobsters at £20, anyone?

#3 THE BRITISH ACCENT AND FAMILIARITY OF THE ENGLISH CITY

Every bit of London rings a bell and the familiarity of the places, street names, language and food feels like we are at our second home. And, let’s face it – Brit accent is the sexiest.

#4 THE ONE-AND-ONLY BUCKINGHAM PALACE

Who knows if you might be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge?

#5 THE ICONS OF LONDON – BIG BEN AND LONDON EYE

Take a stroll along Westminster Abbey and breathe in the essence of London. The magnificence of Big Ben is one sight to behold, and you can go on a round on the London Eye to see the majestic city from high above.

#6 HANG OUT AT SOHO

The sexiest and most happening hood is none other than Soho, where you can find an eclectic mix of restaurants and cafes, and little local boutiques and theatres. Peppered with character, and always worth a stroll.

#7 HAVE A PICNIC AT HYDE PARK

Pick a day, enjoy it to the fullest, and have a picnic at Hyde Park. Spot the big friendly swans who are ever ready to pose for your cameras too!

#8 SELFRIDGES & Co – EVERY SHOPAHOLIC’S DREAM

Shop till you drop at this one-stop luxury mall with all the highly coveted luxury labels and high street brands. Just remember to increase your credit limit before your trip! Tax refunds can be done within the mall, too.

#9 A DELIGHTING FOOD TRAIL AT BOROUGH MARKET

This is the ultimate and most visually-arresting farmers’ market and there is nothing to not love here! From fresh produce to a delectable mix of local food and snacks, Borough Market is sure to delight anyone and everyone.

Read our guide on the top reasons to visit Borough Market when you are in London.

#10 ALL THINGS VINTAGE AT PORTOBELLO MARKET

If you love vintage finds and quirky picks, then this world’s largest vintage market is for you! Do take note that it is only open on Saturdays for the antiques and second-hand goods.

#11 A QUAINT NEIGHBOURHOOD – NOTTINGHILL

One of the many quaint neighbourhoods in London is Nottinghill – lined with pretty pastel houses and blooming flowers, it is one morning stroll we’d gladly take all over again.

#12 LITTLE VENICE & CAMDEN MARKET

Punk lovers gather here on weekends, but beyond those acquired merchandise, we fell in love with the Venice-like environment and the art of dining by the canals. There is a marvellous spread of street food here too!

#13 STAY AT AIRBNB APARTMENTS AND LIVE THE BRIT WAY

What better way to experience a local culture than to put up at a local apartment and adapt to their lifestyle? Airbnb apartments are aplenty, and the wide range caters to travellers with all sorts of budget. If you want a backpacker style, you’d find apartments at less than £100 per night. But splurge a bit more and you get lovely units that are strategically located, thematically designed and fully furnished.

Our favourite neighbourhood to stay at is Soho for its sheer convenience and vast availability of food and shopping options around the vicinity. In the day, we woke up to cool mornings and had breakfasts at the many cafes within the hood; at night, we packed groceries and cooked at our kitchen while the crowd came alive and started partying.

Airbnb is offering all ladyironchef readers US$25 travel coupon to book your next holiday accommodation. Simply click on this link, sign up and get US$25 on your first booking on Airbnb.

#14 FOR THE LOVE OF LONDON, HARRODS

No one leaves London without making a trip to the world famous departmental store and exchanging friendly banters with the giant Harrods bear! All the iconic souvenirs are found here, alongside a more-than-splendid food hall and many exhilarating levels of shopping for refined goods like shoes and bags, perfumes and cosmetics, home products and books.

#15 THE FINEST OF LONDON AT FORTNUM & MASON

An emporium off Piccadilly Circus that houses the best picks of London – think the many kinds of English tea, jams in a hundred variations, cookies in the most elegant tins, chocolates and truffles… you get the idea. This is one pit stop you have to make when in London.

#16 INDULGE IN THE ART OF WATCHING MUSICALS

Watching musicals is a very Brit thing to do, and theatrical art is one so highly appreciated and well-received among both locals and visitors to London. There are so many to choose from; even if you watch one every night, it’ll take you some months to tick all of them off your list.

#17 THE STUNNING DISPLAY OF THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA

If there is only one musical to catch when in London, it is undisputedly Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom of The Opera. This award-winning musical is an all-time gold, and runs daily on a full house at the prestigious Her Majesty Theatre. The stunning display will have you understand what The Music of The Night truly means.

#18 SHOPPING REDEFINED AT OXFORD STREET

Or Bond Street. Or Regent Street. You’ve got all your favourite brands congregated in this area – UK labels Miss Selfridge & Topshop, Chanel & Hermes, J-crew, H&M… yes, you are welcome.

#19 VALUE-SEEKING AT PRIMARK

Primark is a shopping paradise for many because this mega Irish retail store redefines affordable shopping with its diverse range of merchandise. Think basic tops and tshirts at £3 and shoes at £10. And you’d be delighted to know that the quality is nowhere near inferior!

#20 HAVE A QUINTESSENTIAL AFTERNOON TEA AND SCONES

Why, how Brit! Put on your best dress and spend an afternoon at one of the many elegant tea places at London; sip tea and eat scones, because nobody says no to such elegance.

#21 LIVE IT UP AT PICCADILLY CIRCUS

The Times Square of London, Piccadilly circus is one absolutely happening and popular area – to dine, to shop, and for musicals.

#22 LOTS OF GOOD CAFES AND COFFEE PLACES

Connoisseurs are in heaven, for London has one of the best brews in the world. And the cafe scene is world class. We had so much fun cafe-hopping and drinking cappuccino every day!

Read our guide on London’s top 25 independent cafes and coffee shops.

#23 ENDLESS BURGER OPTIONS

Not the most glamorous dining option, but burgers are our favourite messy affair. There are many impressive burger joints, and we are sure after having one good one in London, you’ll never look at burgers the same way again.

Read our guide to London’s Best Burger Restaurants.

#24 THAT GORGEOUS TOWER BRIDGE

No, this is not London bridge. This icon of London is called Tower Bridge, and is a mandatory photo spot. By the way, London Bridge is the grey and rundown-looking one right across it. Now, stop mixing up their identities. Thank you very much.

#25 TAKE A DAY TRIP TO STONEHENGE

Remember the stone formation we used to see on our Windows XP wallpaper? This is it. Take a day trip out to Stonehenge and marvel at the mystery that is left untold for so many centuries. We’d love to think of this as a must-see in everyone’s bucket list.

#26 IT IS A TOYS HEAVEN AT HAMSLEY

Toys heaven for both kids and adults alike! This massive toy store houses all the cutest merchandise; even the grown-ups have fun just from taking a tour around the shelves!

#27 PEOPLE-WATCH AT TRAFALGAR SQUARE

A popular spot to gather and people-watch is a Trafalgar Square. Enjoy the random street performances by talented buskers, or watch the world go by and master the fine art of doing nothing while sipping latte.

#28 FOSSILS AND MORE AT THE NATIONAL HISTORY MUSEUM

It is a fascinating world in here at the National History Museum. History buffs and the curious minds will be intrigued by all the fossils and skeletons, and all that ancient civilization has to tell us.

#29 LIBERTY – A SHOPPING EMPORIUM

The monochromatic building on Regent Street is an avant-garde shopping destination for classy finds and luxury buys. Quite unlike your usual modern malls, Liberty is an emporium that boasts a – for the lack of a better word – Brit interior with a sophisticated shopping environment.

#30 COVENT GARDEN

What used to be a fruit and vegetable market is another happening area to hang out for both locals and tourists. Today, Covent Garden is well-loved for its curated shopping, bars and little restaurants. Sitting on the fringe of West End, Covent Garden is a pit stop for entertainment and art lovers. The renown Royal Opera House sits proudly on this ground too.

#31 TAKE A WALK AT MAYFAIR

A prestigious area in Central London, Mayfair houses the most five-star hotels and luxury properties in London. Fancy taking a walk and breathing in the elegance of the area? Or do a little shopping at the exclusive boutiques? For classical music lovers, the Handel House Museum is also situated at Mayfair, to commemorate the late German-born baroque composer George Frederic Handel who eventually made London his home.

#32 A DISTINGUISHED BREAKFAST AT THE BREAKFAST CLUB

Dubbed as the best breakfast place in London, this small joint at Soho sees a long queue every day. With a casual 80′s interior, hippy music and a menu of comfort breakfast classics, you are in for a hearty and very filling (portions are relatively huge!) meal over at The Breakfast Club.

#33 A SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE AT ST PAUL’S CATHEDRAL

Embodying the spiritual life and heritage of the British nation, St Paul’s Cathedral is the most highly recognised Cathedral for worship. Religious souls seek inspiration and enlightenment here, and visitors from all over the world are welcome to join the hourly prayers where they can pray in their own languages.

#34 MADAME TUSSAUD’S FLAGSHIP MUSUEM

Since she first opened doors to her wax museum on Marylebone Road, Madame Tussauds’ wax models have been a nationwide hit. Its flagship outlet at London is packed with visitors every day. And since it is impossible to ever meet Picasso and Charlie Chaplin, and even sheer luck may not have us bumping into Kate Winslet and Lady Gaga, why not exchange friendly banters with their life-size wax models at the museum?

#35 THE SHARD

Because it is not every day that you can find a triangular building as grand as The Shard of London.

For more recommendations, read our London Travel Guides.

We were in London for a week last month, and the sheer number of good cafes and coffee shops in the city amazed us. Some are like coffee institutions, some are casual joints, some make lovely outlets when you need a midday break, some are totally worth waking up for.

Whether you are looking for a nice spot to chill out and to have a light lunch, or to satisfy your caffeine addiction, here is our guide to London’s Top 25 Independent Cafes & Coffee Shops.

ASSOCIATION COFFEE

A sleek and well-designed cafe with an industrial feel, Association Coffee caters to executives working in the area, and every cup of coffee is prepared to a high standard. In addition to espresso, it also has a range of coffees that are continually changing. You can also get sandwiches, pastries and a variety of cakes to go along with the coffee.

10-12 Creechurch Lane, London EC3A 5AY
Tel: +44 20 7283 1155
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Aldgate/Liverpool Street

CAMDEN HOUSE COFFEE

A favourite among the locals living in the Camden neighbourhood, Camden House Coffee is a good spot to head to for a coffee break if you are visiting Camden Market.

30 Camden Road, Camden Town
London NW1 9DP
Tel: +44 20 7428 9477
Mon to Fri: 7am – 6pm
Sat: 8.30am – 5pm
Sun: 10.30am – 4pm

FERNANDEZ & WELLS

Small, homely and cosy, Fernandez & Wells is one of those hole-in-the-wall kind of neighbourhood cafes that we love. Fernandez and Wells may be a coffee chain – with six shops in London – but you can always depend on them to serve a reliable cup of coffee.

73 Beak Street, London W1F 9SR
Tel: +44 20 7287 8124
Mon to Fri: 7.30am – 6pm
Sat: 9am – 6pm
Sun: 10am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Piccadilly Circus

FLAT WHITE

Flat White was established in 2005 to introduce the coffee culture from Australia and New Zealand to London. It serves exceptional coffee made by their talented and passionate baristas, and we would even consider this an institution!

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

Another cafe that we like in Soho is Foxcroft & Ginger. Trendy yet laidback, it is a space where you can sit and linger with a cup of good coffee while escaping from the hubbub of the city. Need something to complement your coffee? They have an array of cakes and pastries like Chocolate Truffle Brownie, Chocolate & Orange Cake, Carrot Cake & Cream Cheese, and Croissant that are freshly baked on premise.

On the brunch menu, you can find a selection of dishes like Eggs Bennie, Veggie Frittata, Pancakes with bacon, and French Toast. Foxcroft & Ginger is a lovely cafe, if you ever find yourself in Soho, this all-day dining spot is the place to go.

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

GAIL’S ARTISAN BAKERY

What drew our attention to Gail’s Artisan Bakery was the aroma of the freshly baked breads. The talented bakers at Gail’s bake nearly 30 types of bread – including French Dark Sourdough, German Rye and Caramelised Garlic Bread – every day. If you love bread, you will fall in love with Gail’s Artisan Bakery.

Gail’s Artisan Bakery has 16 bakeries across the city, including Notting Hill, King’s Road, Bloomsbury and Soho.

128 Wardour Street
London W1F 8ZL
Tel: +44 20 7287 1324
Mon to Thu: 8am – 9pm
Fri: 8am – 10pm
Sat: 9am – 10pm
Sun & Bank Holidays: 9am – 7pm

JOE AND THE JUICE

Joe and the Juice has several outlets in London, but we like the Soho shop on Dean Street. While you can get sandwiches, salads and coffee, the spotlight here is actually the wide selection of fresh fruit juices.

46 Dean Street
London W1D 4QD
Nearest Station: Leicester Square/Piccadilly Lines

LANTANA

For really good brunch and coffee, go to Lantana. It has firmly established itself as a hot favourite in London’s coffee scene.

Lantana is a casual and relaxing Aussie-style café, perfect for brunch or to catch up with your companion over coffee and pastries. We can sit here and chat all day long because the environment is too inviting. If you are there for breakfast, you must try the English Muffin Breakfast with sausage patty, fried egg and bacon.

13 Charlotte Place
London W1T 1SN
Tel: +44 20 7637 3347
Mon to Fri: 8am – 6pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 5pm
Nearest Station: Goodge Street

L’ETO CAFFE

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

KAFFEINE

Inspired by the coffee culture in Australia and New Zealand, Kaffeine is an independently owned cafe and espresso bar. It has been widely recognised as one of the most famous coffee places in London for setting a high benchmark for consistently good quality coffee. The café is bustling and always packed with regulars – a must visit for coffee lovers.

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

KONDITOR & COOK

Founded in 1993 by German born baker Gerhard Jenne, Konditor & Cook offers a wide range of cakes and confections – using organic, free-range eggs and natural butter – with seasonal variations. It has six 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

MAISON BERTAUX

Maison Bertaux, one of the oldest patisseries in London, is our go-to place for a quiet afternoon tea. They offer many beautiful cakes and pastries, but our favourite is their almond croissant.

28 Greek Street, London, Greater London W1D 5DQ
Tel: +44 20 7437 6007
Mon to Sat: 8.30am – 11pm
Sun: 9.30am – 8pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square

MONMOUTH COFFEE COMPANY

Monmouth Coffee Company is a true London institution. It 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.

Don’t be surprised to see queues outside the coffee shop when you are there. After having a cuppa, remember to bag a pack of Monmouth’s coffee home. They are available in whole beans (or ground to your specification).

27 Monmouth Street
Covent Garden
London WC2H 9EU
Tel: +44 20 7232 3010
Mon to Sat: 8am – 6.30pm
Nearest Station: Leicester Square

MURIEL’S KITCHEN

Stepping inside Muriel’s Kitchen had us falling head over heels in love with the café 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. Friendly staff that greet you and make you feel at home? But of course.

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. A gorgeous cake and display counter that makes you feel like a kid in Disneyland? We are sold.

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

NOTES COFFEE & WINE

Just a short walk from Trafalgar Square is Notes, a speciality coffee, food & wine company in Covent Garden. The cafe serves food such as pastries, eggs and toast throughout the day. During lunch, there is a range of salads, sandwiches and soups – nothing fanciful, just comfort food for the soul.

At Notes, they take their coffee seriously. Besides having a espresso-based coffee menu, it also has a dedicated brew bar for filter coffees. Also, there is a selection of popular wines, as well as some unusual wines that you cannot find elsewhere.

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

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.

Ottolenghi is listed in our guide to Top 10 Cheap Eats in London.

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

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. There are currently seven bakeries across London, but we like the one at Wellington Street in the heart of Covent Garden. The outdoor seats 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.

Primrose Bakery also has a second branch in Covent Garden, but we very much preferred the peace and tranquility of Primrose Hill.

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

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 chocolate, to praline, chocolate spreads in jars and hot chocolate, SAID dal 1923 is the real life Charlie & The Chocolate Factory.

41 Broadwick St, London W1F 9QL
Tel: +44 20 7437 1584
Mon to Sat: 8am – 11pm
Sun & Holidays: 11am – 7pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus

TAP

The original Tap at No. 26 Rathbone Place – just a short walk from Primark on Oxford Street – has been around for 4 years, and since then, they have opened two cafes in the area. Beat the summer heat with a Jam Jar Iced Latte – two shots of espresso with cold milk and a shot of sugar syrup.

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 the perfect 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

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 sanitized. 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

TIMBERYARD AT SEVEN DIALS

At the intersection of Tower Street and Monmouth Street is Timberyard at Seven Dials. The café is nicely done up, and we love the vibe of the place. Beyond the excellent coffee and delicious baked goods, what makes Timberyard a place that you can return to is the idea of getting a table by the side of the window to watch the world go by.

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

WORKSHOP COFFEE CO COFFEE

The original Workshop Coffee Co started in Clerkenwell, and this charming and elegant coffee shop currently has locations in Marylebone, Holborn and Fitzrovia. Its newest Fitzrovia outlet is located just off Regent Street, and it feels 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.

Workshop Coffee Co serves an espresso-based menu, filter offerings through the Aeropress and Fetco CBS brewers, as well as a small selection of food.

80A Mortimer Street, Fitzrovia
London W1W 7FE
Mon to Fri: 7am – 7pm
Sat & Sun: 9am – 6pm
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus

For more recommendations, read our London’s food & travel guides.

Borough Market is one of the largest and oldest wholesale and retail food markets in London. There are many things to see and do when you are on a holiday in London. If you are a food lover, a trip to Borough Market should be on the top of your list. Even if you are not a hard-core foodie, do not drop this off – really, you will not regret.

There are many goodies at Borough Market, but I will not be going into details as it is something that you must experience for yourself. Instead, I will share with you some of the things that you must see, do and eat at Borough Market.

Have a meal at Roast Restaurant

Start your adventure at Borough Market with a meal at Roast Restaurant. Perched above the Market, Roast uses seasonal ingredients to create classic British cooking. Otherwise, you should at least get the delicious pork belly sandwich from Roast-to-go (located at the foot of the lift to the restaurant).

Le Marche du Quartier’s duck confit sandwich

Speaking of sandwiches, there is another stall just a stone’s throw away from Roast-to-go, and they dish out excellent duck confit sandwiches. Le Marche du Quartier really changed my opinion of duck meat altogether.

Brindisa’s chorizo sandwich

Brindisa, one of the most famous shops at Borough Market, sells all kinds of Spanish produce. What you must not miss, however, is their legendary chorizo roll. Be prepared for a little queue, though.

A massive pan of paella.

This is perhaps one of the most visually-appealing stalls in Borough Market. I think the picture of the paella says it all. Make sure you try it when you are there. A box of warm paella certainly works wonders, especially on a cold and rainy day.

Very good salt beef sandwich

Any time is a good time to sink your teeth into a massive Salt Beef Sandwich. If you do not already know, this popular local snack is loaded with so much goodness – shredded deli red meat that is cured in brine, and thick and chunky pickles that burst with juice with every bite, all wrapped in lightly toasted wheat bread. And, good ol’ classic mustard to top it off is a fail-proof way to complete a sandwich.

I am still salivating and missing it so incredibly as I am typing this paragraph.

Coffee from Monmouth Coffee Company

Monmouth Coffee Company is one of the best and most renown coffee places in London. They roast coffee from single farms, estates and cooperatives.  A caffeine addict? Then you must not leave before getting yourself a cup of coffee here. But, be prepared, because the queue is going to be quite a pain.

As I bought a cup of hot Potato and Leek Soup from this stall that prepares their pots of goodness with home-grown ingredients and take my leave from Borough Market, it brought me so much joy and calmness. Whenever I travel to, I have always been fond of visiting local markets to feel the culture and learn more about what the locals eat and buy on a daily basis. But quite inexplicably, this trip to London’s famous Borough introduced me to produce and creations I never thought would be possible, yet at the same time, I see familiar food that are presented and appreciated in different ways. Sometimes, the simplest ways can be so heart-warming, and we really do not need caviar and truffle to please us everyday.

London Borough Market
8 Southwark St, London SE1 1TL, United Kingdom
Opening Hours – Thu: 11am – 5pm, Fri: 12pm – 6pm, Sat: 9am – 4pm
Nearest Tube Station: London Bridge