Homegrown Heroes: The London Coffee Shops We’re Visiting on our WFH Walks
In need of a caffeine fix? We’ve scoured the capital from north to south, east to west, to hand-pick the very best London coffee joints for your mid-morning stroll.
23 December, 2021
- Words by
- Grace Lee
For
For
many over-caffeinated Londoners, sometimes a homemade coffee
just won’t cut it. With this in mind, whilst many of us are now
working from home in the lead up to Christmas,
we wanted to shine a light on the neighbourhood coffee shops, cafés
and restaurants working hard to keep us caffeinated over the
festive period.
So we trawled the depths of London
from north to south, east to west to draw up a little black book of
caffeine fixers for your WFH walks. From parkside pit-stops to a
central London café housed in a former Victorian loo, this is our
A-Z of coffee hotspots across the capital.
Support your local: our definitive hit-list of independent
coffee shops in London
CENTRAL
restaurant
Attendant
London, United Kingdom
A former Victorian loo in the middle of Fitzrovia, this quirky
building has been significantly upgraded from its past life into a
cool design-led café, replete with an impressive menu of seasonal,
sustainable and ethically sourced food. Grab an espresso (and a
photo) at this historically significant caffeine joint before
meandering around Fitzrovia’s manicured streets, coffee in
hand.
restaurant
Jacob the Angel
London, United Kingdom
The brainchild of the team behind famed London outposts The
Palomar and The Barbary, this small but perfectly formed 10-seater
coffee house slots in exquisitely among the colourful shops lining
Neal’s Yard. Pick up a coffee and one of its signature
coconut-cream pies, then wander through Covent Garden’s dainty
cobbled alleyways at a leisurely pace. Although this spot has shut
shop for 2021, it’ll be opening in a new location in 2022 and,
quite frankly, we can’t wait to be first in when it opens its
doors.
restaurant
Kaffeine
London, United Kingdom
The perfect place for a mid-shop pit stop, this
Australian-inspired café situated between Marylebone and Fitzrovia
is known among locals for its flawless coffee and chilled
atmosphere – a rarity in this busy part of the capital. Pop in for
a carefully crafted cuppa and some soothing respite from the
crowds.
NORTH
restaurant
Prufrock Coffee
London, United Kingdom
A mecca for coffee aficionados, this Clerkenwell caffeine
hotspot and in-store barista school is headed up by two winners of
the World Barista Championships, so you’ll be served (and taught)
by the very best in the industry. There’s a daily changing coffee
and tea menu, with bespoke brews including a caffeinated
(alcohol-free) ale and a wonderfully wintery pumpkin spiced
latte.
restaurant
Ginger & White
restaurant
The Coffee Jar
SOUTH
restaurant
Federation
London, United Kingdom
Known for its one-of-a kind bespoke blend, Federation Coffee’s
house espresso changes with the seasons to cater to the tastes of
its many returning customers. The local community is at the heart
of everything this speciality coffee shop does, and it regularly
teams up with several other independents in Brixton Village,
including the Little Bread Pedlar. Insider tip: whatever you do,
don’t leave without a grilled-cheese sandwich in hand.
restaurant
Megan’s by the Green
restaurant
Brickwood Coffee & Bread
London, United Kingdom
Tucked into a cosy corner of Tooting Market, amid busy stalls
selling food, wine, vintage clothes and knick-knacks, you’ll find
Brickwood Coffee & Bread. This is by no means your
run-of-the-mill coffee shop. Select a cup of Brickwood blend, then
make a beeline for the gargantuan signature burrito or get stuck
into a sweet, toasted brioche with caramelised bananas and berry
compote.
EAST
restaurant
E5 Bakehouse
London, United Kingdom
Aside from the queue, which often snakes out from this Hackney
establishment’s front door, there’s quite simply nothing to fault
about E5 Bakehouse and its epic selection of homemade breads, baked
specialities and small-batch roasted coffee. Hang a right on your
stroll through London Fields and you’ll find this east London gem
nestled beneath the railway arches.
Climpson & Sons
London, United Kingdom
A combination of Climpson & Sons’ speedy service, charming
old-fashioned exterior and prime position on Broadway Market makes
this coffee shop one of our favourites in the area. Stroll down
this achingly cool market street for takeaway bites and vintage
finds, then pop into Climpson & Sons for a house-roasted
wake-me-up brew.
restaurant
Shoreditch Grind
London, United Kingdom
The original Grind, this Shoreditch superstar originally set up
camp at Old Street’s famed roundabout to service the caffeine needs
of the area. Now open 18 hours a day, it’s a magnet for all manner
of customers who come to enjoy everything from morning coffees to
after-work cocktails. Fancy a music hit? Pay a visit to the
recording studio upstairs for the full Shoreditch Grind
experience.
WEST
restaurant
Farm Girl
London, United Kingdom
Hanging plants, neon signs and faux-fur chairs dress up this
Portobello Road hang-out for its fanbase of west London yoga
enthusiasts and discerning foodies. Priding itself on its
above-average, nutritionally sound ingredients, the café is a
popular spot for breakfast, brunch and takeaway coffees. Arrive
early to avoid long queues.
restaurant
Coffeeology
restaurant
Milk Beach
London, United Kingdom
Keeping loyal to its Aussie roots, Milk Beach is a classic west
London brunch spot through and through. Expect simple, pared-back
wooden furnishings, rattan lampshades and strong coffee roasted to
perfection. Top of our menu hit list? Granny Elly’s banana bread,
served with espresso cream cheese on the side.