It’s been a chilly winter and there’s no sign of Spring popping up any time soon, so of course that makes our delighlightful capital the perfect place for a spot of caffeine culture. London has no shortage of brilliant coffee shops; beautiful spaces of calm, delicious pastries/cakes/light dishes, and of course, lovely coffee. But where are the best ones? Who are our favourites? And what makes them the kind of place you want to visit again and again and again?
Well…
Prufrock Coffee, Farringdon
This beautiful little spot in Leather Lane is all dark woods, funky music and a to die for selection of cakes and brunch-y menu items. They have a great selection of coffee tools, coffee books and a whole library of coffee beans for you take take home if you’re a true coffee aficionado.
Drink this: Flat white.
Eat this: Salted caramel tart.
Saint Espresso, Angel
Plenty of lighting and a great aesthetic design, this super modern space makes a great backdrop for keen photographers. It’s a very calm space, perfect for a little “me” time, and I love reading my kindle with a drink in the corner. With Mork as their hot chocolate supplier, you can expect one of the best dark, richly unctuous hot chocolates in London, and is usually my go to if I’m not in a caffeine mood. Go, relax, check out Saint Espresso for yourself.
Drink this: Hot chocolate.
Eat this: Dense chocolate brownie.
The Department Of Coffee & Social Affairs, Carnaby & other locations
Opening in 2010, the DOCASA has bloomed in popularity, spreading out to 16 (!) locations in London alone- all of which operate on the ethos of top quality coffee served in a homely environment by lovely staff who know how to grind a bean.
With each location sporting a different aesthetic look, you’ll need to spend some time trying each one out until you find your favourite, but whichever you visit, expect a great cup of coffee.
Drink this: Latte.
Eat this: Classic Lamington.
Over Under Coffee, Soho & Kensington
With New Zealand roots, Over Under Coffee is the perfect mix of Oceanic coffee skills paired with great, tasty, colourful brunching. Somewhere between speciality coffee shop and all day cafe, either location is a great sport for a filling breakfast and hearty plate of something wholesome. With comfy seating and plenty of natural lighting flooding the bustling space, it’s a great place to spend an hour or two on a lazy morning.
Drink this: Cortado & one spoon brown sugar.
Eat this: Avocado on toast, poached egg.
Milk, Balham
Known more for the beautiful plates of their delicious brunch than anything else, the coffee itself at Milk is worthy of a little extra loving. This quirky space is a fun mix of electric neon touches and rustic homeliness, and makes for a pretty backdrop if you a fan of taking aesthetically pleasing photos. Yes, it’s slightly hipster and on the weekend you can expect a queue out the door, but the quality speaks for itself and Milk is definitely worth the hype.
Drink this: Hot Chocolate/ Cappuccino.
Eat this: The Young Betty.
