Afternoon tea can be big business in London, but the capital’s coffee culture is lively and the city is home to a growing number of quality coffee shops. We’ve combed the capital to serve the best cups of Joe in town.
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Holborn Grind
Part of the Hoxton Hotel in Holborn, this hipster café ensemble serves early morning latte to late-night coffee cocktails. Excellent signature coffee blends are served alongside an edited breakfast menu with smashed avocado on toasted sourdough and coconut milk porridge. Snacks are available throughout the day. In the evening, take a seat at the long bar and sip an espresso martini or flat white Russian.
Nearest Tube Station: Holborn.
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Nordic Bakery, Soho
This Scandinavian-style cafe in Golden Square is a great option for a solution to fika (the Swedish tradition of pairing coffee and cake). Fresh, minimalist interiors provide a tranquil escape from Soho’s nearby neon-lit streets, but the coffee is served hot and strong. Nordic delicacies such as rye bread sandwiches, baked pancakes with blueberry jam and cinnamon buns are served at the hotel’s bakery.
Nearest tube station: Piccadilly Circus.
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Café Monmouth, Covent Garden
Expect to wait in line for a caffeine fix at this Covent Garden hot spot. The store may be small, but it has been a major player in the coffee scene since it began serving strong beers in 1978. The fine roasted filter coffees are ethically sourced from individual farms, estates and cooperatives and there is always a tasty selection of cakes. and cakes on sale. There are additional stores at Borough Market and Bermondsey. Monmouth Headquarters and Monastery on Maltby Street can only be visited by appointment.
Nearest tube station: Covent Garden.
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Ozone coffee roasters, Shoreditch
This bustling coffee shop near the Old Street Silicon Rotunda has energized the neighborhood’s tech startups since 2012. Beans are roasted in the industrial-chic basement that’s decorated with exposed brick, brushed metal, and leather seating. A traditional drum roaster is used to create your own mixes, and the shop serves a tempting selection of brunch dishes.
Nearest tube station: Old Street.
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Kaffeine, Fitzrovia
When it comes to coffee culture, Australia is way ahead of the game, so it’s no surprise that some of London’s best coffee shops are run by Australians. One of the best antipodes suits in central London is Kaffeine, a stylish place in the heart of Fitzrovia. The powerful beers are made using a Synesso Cyncra machine (known in the industry as the holy grail of espresso machines). There is a weekly menu of savory dishes and a counter stocked with baked goodies.
Nearest Tube Station: Tottenham Court Road.
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The Monocle Cafe, Marylebone
As classy as the eponymous magazine, this elegant cafe sits on a beautiful street in the town of Marylebone. The beers are from London-based Allpress Espresso, and the food comes from all over the world, including cakes from Fabrique Bakery in Stockholm and cakes from Japanese Patisserie, Lanka. Scandinavian blond wood interiors provide a quiet stop on nearby Oxford Street.
Nearest tube station: Baker Street.
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Bar Italia, Soho
Open 24 hours a day, this Soho stalwart is the perfect place for a late night (or early morning) pickup. Opened in 1949 by Lou and Caterina Polledri, it soon became a hub for London’s Italian community and many of the original accessories including the red and white Formica tables and the Gaggia espresso machine remain. It is a popular place to watch European football matches, as the lively crowds often spill onto the streets of Soho.
Nearest Tube Station: Leicester Square.
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Coffee Federation, Brixton
This small but perfectly formed spot in Brixton Village may have a laid back vibe, but it’s serious about coffee. The espresso menu is constantly changing to keep things interesting for curious caffeine eaters, and the beans are roasted at a nearby market unit. The cakes are courtesy of Brixton-based Brick House Bakery, and the larger dishes are from Salon Brixton.
Nearest Tube Station: Brixton.
