Whether you’re looking for a new coffee shop to meet a friend or want to nurse a cuppa while reading a book alone, we got you covered. London is actually crawling with charming coffee shops that you’ll definitely enjoy.
In this article we listed our top 10 favourite coffee shops in the city and what we think of them.
1. Terry’s Cafe London
Website: https://terryscafe.co.uk/
Location: 158 Great Suffolk St, London SE1 1PE, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday 8AM-3PM
This beloved family-run coffee shop is the perfect place for affordable coffee and fresh food.
We absolutely recommend you to try their English breakfast. They have hearty portions that will leave you full and satisfied.
They’re also committed to using locally-sourced produce of the best quality. Their food and ambience makes you feel right at home.
They have a wide range of drinks to choose from to wash the food down. They have coffee, tea, smoothies, and fresh juices.
They even have cocktails, beer, and mocktails for day drinkers! Whatever you’re in the mood for, they have it.
2. Look mum no hands!
Website: http://www.lookmumnohands.com/
Location: 49 Old St, London EC1V 9HX, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Tuesday (8AM-4PM); Wednesday-Friday (8AM-10PM); Saturday (9AM-4PM); Sunday (10AM-4PM)
This cafe is a cyclist’s dream. Founded in 2010, it’s the first of its kind that combines coffee, beer, food, and a cycling workshop all in one place.
It’s also an exhibition space for all kinds of events related to cycling. It’s a great place for cycling enthusiasts to relax, have a cuppa or their chosen drink, and get to know people with similar interests.
This cycle cafe holds Tour de France screenings, book launches, screenings, workshops, art and photography exhibitions, and lm premiers in their space. It’s a safe place for cyclists to drink and even get a puncture repair if needed!
Yes, they have 4 in-house mechanics with a wealth of experience in repairing all kinds of bikes. Based on what we’ve seen, they’re efficient with fast turnaround times and really great customer service.
To add to this, they even have cycling merch and bikes available for purchase in their store. You can also check their offerings on their website.
As for the drinks and food, their regulars love their scrambled eggs and coffee. We, in particular, enjoyed their soya lattes.
So if you’re into cycling or are curious about it, we think this is a great and friendly place to start.
We do wish they had more consistent operating hours. Make sure to call or check ahead if they’re open before heading out there.
3. Prufrock Coffee
Website: https://prufrockcoffee.com/
Location: 23-25 Leather Ln, London EC1N 7TE, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday (7:30AM-4:30PM); Weekends (9AM-5PM)
If you’re a fan of minimalist spaces with good grub and drinks, Prufrock Coffee is a great place for you to hang out. Established in 2011 by three passionate coffee enthusiasts, this coffee shop has made its name in London for their great service and delicious coffee.
We like that their food is always, ALWAYS, made from scratch. So you can count on their food being fresh and sustainably-sourced.
Their philosophy is simple and straight to the point: To “serve coffee and food that makes you happy, with a service that makes you smile”. As a regular customer, we can attest to this.
Their staff are always friendly and warm. It’s a conducive place to work and meet with friends.
We do wish that they’re open for a bit later, however. Aside from that, we think that this coffee shop has made its mark and deserves a spot on our list.
4. Kaffeine
Website: https://kaffeine.co.uk/
Location: 66 Great Titchfield St., London W1W 7QJ, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday (7:30AM-5PM); Saturday (8:30AM-5PM); Sunday (9AM-5PM)
Kaffeine is an independent Aussie/Kiwi-owned coffee shop with two convenient locations in London’s Fitzrovia. They have amazing coffee and deli-style breakfasts, sandwiches and salads.
What sets them apart is that they have catering services that you can book for breakfast, lunch, or even dessert. They even offer free delivery in Fitzrovia and SOHO.
They also have coffee courses that you can enrol in to fully immerse yourself in the world of coffee. You can learn latte art or even have a one-on-one class.
5. Omotesando Koffee
Website: http://ooo-koffee.com/
Location: 8 Newman St, London W1T 1PB, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday (9AM-5PM)
This is a boutique coffee chain across SouthEast Asia. They have light wood interior details and a minimalist Japanese design.
The moment you enter their cafe, you’ll feel this calm wash over you. It’s a very serene place offering good coffee and desserts.
The staff are always so friendly when you walk in. It’s a safe space to have a good cup of your favourite drink and study or work, because it’s quiet.
Although they have really great-tasting coffee that’s also aesthetically pleasing, we particularly love their matcha because of how creamy and rich it is. It’s definitely a must-try!
Their most-lauded desserts, on the other hand, include canele and kashi. It’s a great place to go to if you want a taste of Asia without leaving London.
6. Rosslyn Coffee Queen Victoria Street
Website: https://www.rosslyncoffee.com/
Location: 78 Queen Victoria St, London EC4N 4SJ, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday (6:30 AM-6PM); Saturday (8AM-4PM); Closed on Sundays
If you’re a passionate coffee enthusiast that’s particular about their coffee, we think this place is perfect for you. They’re a small, industrial-style coffee shop serving excellent espresso drinks, tea, and baked goods that are to die for.
James Hennebry and Mat Russell, the founders of the coffee shop, are all about simplicity. They don’t really care about fads, their focus is making coffee that tastes good.
In their own words, this is what their cafe offers in a nutshell: “All the attention to detail and high standards of an Australian cafe combined with the warmth and community of an Irish pub brought together in a way that best serves modern day London”.
They also feature coffee from leading roasters around the world like The Coffee Collective (Copenhagen), Proud Mary (Melbourne), Switch (Tokyo), SEY (New York), and Origin (Cornwall).
If you’re the type who brews coffee at home, you can even buy beans from them. We can vouch for the superior quality of their coffee beans that make the perfect cup.
7. Formative Coffee
Website: https://formative.coffee/
Location: 4 Butler Pl, London SW1H 0RH, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday (7:30 AM-5PM); Saturday (9AM-3PM); Closed on Sundays
Their cafe is nestled between Westminster and Victoria in central London. We love how conducive this place is to study or get work done.
It has a modern feel to it and cuts all distractions so you’ll really get to focus. Not to mention, they serve a mean cuppa.
Their space is wonderful for learning the craft and science of coffee, so it’s great for coffee enthusiasts.
What sets them apart is they also have an online shop where you can get your coffee, tea, and even equipment for an affordable price.
8. Attendant Coffee Roasters
Website: https://www.the-attendant.com/pages/fitzrovia
Location: 27A Foley St, London W1W 6DY, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday (8AM-4PM)
What struck us about this coffee shop is how quirky it is. It’s definitely a place with character.
Did you know that this place was actually a former Victorian toilet? They transformed it into the specialty coffee and brunch cafe it is today.
Just a bit of history, it was built in 1890 and was abandoned in the 1960’s. It was dormant for 50 years before they restored it.
Aside from its rich past, this coffee shop also has great coffee with their own seasonal espresso blend with only the best machines. If you’re hungry, they also have home-style breakfast and lunch.
Do know that they don’t really take reservations and operate on a first come, first served basis. Their friendly baristas are warm and welcoming and will assist you if you have any concerns.
9. The English Rose Café and Tea Shop
Website: http://theenglishrosecafe.co.uk/
Location: 4 Lower Grosvenor Pl, London SW1W 0EJ, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Sunday (9AM-6PM)
If you’re looking for a charming and vintage coffee shop for that old school feel, this is the perfect place to visit. You can have afternoon tea here with some of their delicious pastries and cakes.
After trying their coffee and staying in their shop, it’s not hard to see why they’re proud winners of the TripAdvisor Traveller’s Choice Awards (Formerly Certificate of Excellence) for six years in a row: 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020.
They’re warm, friendly, and the interiors of the cafe makes you feel right at home. It’s a good cafe to visit if you’re meeting a friend or if you want some quiet time alone.
If you’re hungry, they also serve light lunch and salads. Check out their full menu here.
10. Drury 188-189
Website: https://drury188189.co.uk/
Location: 188-189 Drury Ln, London WC2B 5QD, United Kingdom
Operating Hours: Monday-Friday (8AM-5PM); Weekends (8AM-6PM)
Going here is a unique and funky experience. They’re best for hangouts with friends over craft coffee drinks, lunch, and pastries.
Opening their doors in 2016, this independent coffee shop is actually a joint venture of two best friends who quit their day jobs to dive deep into this industry. They’re passionate for what they do and it shows.
We love the solid community they have built in this place. It’s really a safe space for people to enjoy each other’s company over yummy food and drinks.
Simply put, their goal as a coffee shop boils down to three things: “smile, serve good coffee, serve good food with good/organic ingredients, and be as sustainable as possible”. We think they achieve this really well.
We think that this place definitely deserves all the good feedback they’re getting and worth a spot on this list.
These are some of the best coffee shops we found in London. Hope we were able to help locals and even tourists look for a nice place to chill and hang out.
Did we miss out on any? Make sure to let us know your thoughts!
By the way, here are some exciting things to do around in London that you can check out:
