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.

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.

Address

27a Foley Street W1W 6DY

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.

Address

16 ½ Neal's Yard, WC2H 9DP

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.

Address

66 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7QJ

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.

Address

23-25 Leather Lane EC1N 7TE

restaurant

Ginger & White

A well-known place to get a good cup of joe among Hampstead Heath strollers, this hip café serves artisan coffees poured by stylish baristas (who’ll happily help you choose from its daily changing menu of food, even if there’s a queue). Stock up on a flat white and fresh sourdough sandwich, then head to the heath to enjoy a picnic lunch.

Address

5a Perrin's Ct, London NW3 1QS

restaurant

The Coffee Jar

A hole-in-the-wall-style café, The Coffee Jar is a hero among Camden hang-outs. Decked out with rustic wooden furnishings and serving up a fine menu of baked goodies, the snug north London establishment may have a laid-back feel, but don’t be fooled – it takes its coffee very seriously.

Address

83 Parkway, London NW1 7PP

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.

Address

Unit 77-78, Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8PS

restaurant

Megan's by the Green

You might have seen pictures of this spot’s flower-blossom decor and fairy-light-strewn ceiling plastered across Instagram and wondered if all the hype was to be believed. Well, we’re here to confirm that this café-come-restaurant does, refreshingly, live up to its reputation. Make your selections from an all-day menu of healthy snacks, pastries and artisan roasted coffee, then head over to Parsons Green to enjoy it in the fresh air.

Address

57-69 Parsons Green Ln, London SW6 4JA

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.

Address

21-23 Tooting High Street Tooting SW17 0SN

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.

Address

E5 Bakehouse, 395 Mentor Terrace, London Fields, E8 3PH

Climpson and Sons Cafe, East London

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.

Address

67 Broadway Mkt, E8 4PH

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.

Address

213 Old Street, London EC1V 9NR

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.

Address

59A Portobello Rd, W11 3DB

restaurant

Coffeeology

Joining the legions of caffeine joints that line Ravenscourt Park’s surrounding streets, Coffeeology gets our vote for its artisan roasted coffee beans, which might just make the best brew we’ve sipped in London. There, we’ve called it. Grab an espresso and walk on over to the park for a refreshing screen break in the great outdoors.

Address

308 King Street, London W6 0RR

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.

Address

19-21 Lonsdale Rd, NW6 6RA

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