The best coffee shops and cafés in London

Telegraph

a day ago

Like many world-beating cities, London is fuelled by coffee. Although the capital was an early adopter of the brew back in the 1600s, tea reigned supreme for several centuries.
The arrival of speciality roasters Monmouth in Covent Garden in 1978 paved the way for the drink's 'third wave', and by 2007 we had our first World Barista Champion in James Hoffmann, who set up east London roastery Square Mile the following year.
Today, there are thousands of coffee shops across the city, from one-off indies serving exclusive roastings of single-origin beans to fast-growing chains and designer imports. And the most popular order? The flat white – a nod to our friends in Australia and New Zealand.
All our recommendations below have been hand-selected and tested by our resident destination expert to help you discover the best coffee in London. Find out more below, or for further London inspiration, see our guides to the city's best hotels, pubs and bars, shopping and things to do.
Abuelo
If you like your coffee with a side order of slick design, head to this architect-owned spot minutes from Oxford Circus. Grab a magazine, sit at the marble bar and cool down with an iced matcha or latte made with dulce de leche.
Abuelo's owners combine Argentinian and Australian heritage, so the single-origin beans all hail from the Americas via Wogan roastery in Bristol. There's a short brunch menu and, mercifully, no Wi-Fi, so expect to see people chatting rather than stooped over their laptops. There's another branch in Covent Garden.
Algerian Coffee Stores
The aroma of freshly roasted beans greets you as you stand in line at this cult-status coffee shop that's stood on this spot since 1887. Most people are here for beans to use at home, with prices displayed on hand-painted wooden boards, but you can buy a shot of the house formula rossa espresso to take away for just £1.20 – or £2 for a flat white or cappuccino. It opens at 10am so it is not one for the early birds.
Calico Coffee
Lucky Waterloo-bound commuters can drop into this zen-like space for a quick caffeine fix on their way to the office. For those who want to take their coffee appreciation up a notch, head for the counter at the back.
Here, rare beans are precision-brewed by a champion barista to show off their complexity and can be enjoyed as part of a three-way flight at the wooden bar. Everything is impeccably designed – from the ceiling light to the takeaway cups – so you'll struggle to tear yourself away.
Fleet Street Press
London's legal eagles survive on coffee from this indy spot almost opposite the Royal Courts of Justice. Take a seat in the window and watch the silks from Middle Temple rush past as you sip an espresso made with beans from Press's Herne Hill roastery. The owners champion small suppliers, so you'll find craft sodas from Sipp'd, cakes from Lockdown Bakehouse and loose-leaf Milkwood Teas. The den-like basement is perfect for an intimate tête-à-tête and there's a sister site on Chancery Lane (closed at weekends).
Formative
Designed as a place to showcase coffees from Formative's own Essex roastery, this airy, minimal space is a go-to for all those beanheads out there. The owner is a world espresso champion, so staff are well versed in the brewing arts yet not remotely snobby. Experiment with a 'split shot' – one serving of espresso, one of cortado – to compare the seasonal roasts, such as the fruity Berry Jam, with and without milk. It's a handy stopover en route to Westminster Abbey or Buckingham Palace (though closed on Sundays).
Kaffeine
This buzzing café on Great Titchfield Street takes its inspiration from the owner's native Melbourne so you can expect great hospitality, appealing food and, of course, fab coffee. Order a long black or flat white alongside brunch favourites, eye-catching salads or an Anzac biscuit. Coffee connoisseurs can geek out with a tasting flight of espresso or cortado shots from some of the world's best roasteries. Just minutes from Oxford Street, it's the perfect pit stop when you're shopped out. There's a sister branch nearby on Eastcastle Street.
Monmouth
Tourists make a beeline for this open-fronted coffee house on the edge of Borough Market – and with good reason. The baristas prepare flat whites and iced lattes using Monmouth's own impeccably sourced espresso blend and each day, there's a guest filter coffee chalked up on the blackboard along with helpful tasting notes. Perch at one of the counters or nab a spot at the shared central table. It's a paper cup-free zone so bring your own or borrow one for a £5 deposit. Branches in Bermondsey and Covent Garden.
Nagare
Coffee shops don't come much prettier than this Japanese-influenced place in a Grade II-listed Georgian building opposite Spitalfields market. Tourists and office workers line up to order at the wooden counter, choosing from the seasonally changing coffees roasted exclusively for Nagare at Curve in Margate or one of the special guests on frequent rotation.
Sweet treats are displayed in a handsome glass case and come with a Japanese twist – perhaps miso caramel cashew alfajores. The Bankside branch is handy for the Tate Modern and there's another in Soho.
Prufrock
Founded by a former World Barista Champion, this popular Clerkenwell spot attracts serious coffee heads but it's also a really mellow place to hang out, perhaps at a booth table with a breakfast bun and a flat white.
Now owned by east London's Square Mile, you'll find the award-winning roastery's blends and single origin coffees alongside special guests. The friendly baristas can guide you with helpful tasting notes and there's a training school in the basement for professionals and home enthusiasts if you want to perfect your brewing skills.
Qima Café
It's all about provenance at this Yemeni coffee spot in Warren Street's foodie quarter. Qima's owners source beans from smallholder farmers around the world that they use to make classic espresso-based coffees, pour-overs and signature drinks, including the qishr latte. Coffee has been cultivated and consumed in Yemen since 1500, giving the country a 200-year head start on Europe. Don't miss the delectable and Insta-worthy cakes and desserts from the in-house pastry team, such as the 'crookie', a cookie croissant mash-up with hazelnuts and salted caramel.
How we choose
Every café in this curated list has been tried and tested by our destination expert, who has visited to provide you with their insider perspective. We cover a range of budgets, from neighbourhood roasteries to high street favourites – to best suit every type of traveller's taste – and consider the food, service, best tables, atmosphere and price in our recommendations. We update this list regularly to keep up with the latest opening and provide up to date recommendations.
About our expert
Amber Dalton
I have lived in London for more than 25 years, where I work as a journalist specialising in food and travel. When I'm not checking out the latest dining spots, find me sipping a pint of cask ale, ideally in a pub garden.