Calling all coffee lovers! What's better than a strong cup of caffeine to get you started for the day? We thought we’d round up our favourite coffee shops in the city of London (because we know our guests love testing out coffee). You’re spoilt for choice when it comes to coffee in the Big Smoke - but if you want real quality in a cup, take our 9 recommendations…
1. COVENT GARDEN GRIND
Covent Garden Grind is a local favourite coffee shop that also doubles as a cocktail bar. Because what’s better than cocktails and coffee? This place is always buzzing with Londoners stopping by throughout the day to get their coffee fix. And it’s no surprise why since the coffee is of such great quality. You can even get your hipster lattes here with beetroot, matcha and turmeric on the menu. The perfectly pink interior lends itself well for Insta-worthy photos, so sit back, relax in the pretty setting and sip on one of the best brews you’ll find in London. A coffee will set you back only £3.40.
It’s just around the corner from the historic Covent Garden square - so an great pitstop while exploring the famous area. Covent Garden Grind is part of the Grind group, with stellar coffee shops all over London
2. SHOREDITCH GRIND
And that leads us on to Shoreditch Grind, a sister coffee shop under the same umbrella as the latter (except it’s located in one of London’s coolest and most happening areas, Shoreditch). This coffee shops boasts the same coffee n’ cocktail concept as Covent Garden Grind, with amazing brunch options to feast on while you enjoy your morning dose of caffeine.
Very affordable, too. The baristas are experienced, friendly and know what they’re doing! The exterior is reminiscent of a 1950s American diner, which makes it all the cooler.
3. FLAT WHITE
You can’t come to Flat White and not order a flat white. Here, they serve up a killer flat white Antipodean style (how you’d get them in Australia and New Zealand). This involves a strong shot of espresso mixed with perfectly creamy milk - and it will be the best flat white you’ll ever order in London.
Right in the heart of bustling Soho, this coffee shop is just minutes walk from Oxford Circus and Trafalgar Square. The perfect place to tuck into coffee and cake after a busy day of sightseeing and shopping. Come here for “a damn good strong coffee", as the brand puts it.
4. KAFFEINE
Kaffeine is another popular independent Aussie/Kiwi-owned coffee shop in London, bringing the vibrant coffee culture from that part of the world right to the heart of Fitzrovia. This stylish spot is the best for 10/10 espressos, serving fantastic coffee from a Synesso Cyncra machine.
You can also buy the beans here so you can make your own killer brew at home. We recommend popping in for lunch as the food is excellent too with a changing menu offering seeded sandwiches, hot brioche baps and baked treats.
5. MONMOUTH COFFEE
We love Monmouth coffee and consider the owners pioneers in coffee roasting. The guys who opened Monmouth started roasting and selling coffee in 1978, doing it all from the basement of their first shop in Covent Garden, Now, there’s a second branch in Borough Market (just a 5 minute walk from our London Bridge hostel and right by the famous Borough Market).
After outgrowing the Covent Garden basement, they roast all the coffee in Bermondsey using a Californian roaster. All coffee beans are sourced from single farms, estates and cooperatives, so you know exactly where your coffee is coming from.
6. ALGERIAN COFFEE STORES
This coffee shop is over 100 years old and has been lying in the heart of Soho making and selling coffee and tea to the masses for all this time. It remains one of the best known coffee shops in the world. Why? The Algerian Coffee Stores has such a massive variety of coffee on offer. Selling more than 80 varieties of coffee from around the world, it will be impossible to find something you won’t like. They also sell a large collection of chocolate to go with your coffee. You can only get your coffee to go here as there is no seating. It’s also cheap!
7. PRUFROCK
Bespoke brews in a buzzing open plan cafe? Yes please. Prufrock is all about quality and expertise - so it’s no wonder baristas from all over the world come for training courses and workshops here. The filter coffee is stand out - the shop features three top scoring coffees each week at the brew-bar which is dedicated to hand-brewing.
The baristas here are truly experts when it comes to coffee so if you need a hand or any coffee recommendations, they can help you out. Tuck into a cake or pastry with your coffee. The banana bread (pictured) is to die for, just saying. All food served is sourced locally, for example dairy products are from Neal’s Yard and Northiam Dairy’s.
8. EVERBEAN
Ever been to Everbean? No? Well if you’re a caffeine addict on the hunt for a fantastic brew in Mayfair, you’d better head here. Everbean’s aim is to provide a means of escape for those working, living or visiting London’s frantic West End by bringing an air of British village life to their sweet little cafe. The coffee is sourced only from the best of London’s roasteries that use quality raw ingredients to create that perfect bitterness.
Not only do they take serious pride in their delicious coffees, but all their cakes, breakfasts and lunches are made from scratch, too.
9. WILTON WAY CAFE
Only those in the know will come across the Wilton Way Cafe, nestled between a hair salon and a vintage shop down a little side street behind the Hackney Empire. Here you’ll get the pleasure of tasting their special, smooth Antipodean flat white coffee - one of the best you’ll get in London.
We love that all the coffee beans, cakes and ingredients on their menu are all as fresh and local as possible, often buying from the likes of Borough Market and Neal’s Yard.