/ TOP 5 CAFÉS FOR... / London’s coffee shop scene can be a beast to navigate. With a quality café on almost every corner, it’s easy to stumble into the wrong spot when you’re seeking something specific. Don’t panic – we’ve asked our favourite influencers to break it down.
... THAT NEW CAFÉ SMELL According to Jeffrey Young, founder of the London Coffee Festival and editor of the London Coffee Guide
“It’s great to see thriving innovation of new concepts in the London coffee scene. These are just a few of the new openings that we have now added to this year’s London Coffee Guide.”
1. VISIONS CANTEEN 31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch The younger sister of Lanark Coffee + Sandwiches, Visions Canteen is a great spot to enjoy a well-brewed Dark Arts coffee alongside one of their famous ‘sandos’. Park up next to their giant window and watch the cool Shoreditch crowd go by.
3. ROASTING PLANT COFFEE 4 Borough High St, Borough Like Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, but for coffee. Roasting Plant has just crossed the pond from the US and has brought an exciting coffee experience to London Bridge.
4. KISS THE HIPPO COFFEE 50 George St, Richmond Sleek and modern, Kiss the Hippo Coffee is a place any coffeelover will enjoy. Head to the back of the shop and watch their dab-handed roaster in action.
2. OMOTESANDO KOFFEE
5. COFFEE STUDIO 7GR.
Rathbone Square, Fitzrovia Located just off Oxford Street, this is Japanese mini-chain Omotesando’s first European opening, and they’re already impressing with their highquality handling of the Assembly beans.
139 Clapham Rd, Clapham Originating from Italy, 7Gr. brings exceptional brewing skills and attentive service to South London. This is a great space to work or socialise with friends over a well-extracted coffee.
Kiss the Hippo
… A LOOMING DEADLINE According to Giulia Mulè, food & travel writer/photographer Instagram: @mondomulia
“As a freelancer, coffee shops are my second home, so I know what to look out for: reliable Wi-Fi, comfortable seats, ample plug sockets, a great playlist, friendly staff and – last but not least – exceptional coffee. Here are my favourites.”
1. TIMBERYARD SEVEN DIALS 7 Upper St Martin’s Ln, Covent Garden Timberyard Seven Dials is without a doubt one of the best cafés for freelancers in London – it even has a boardroom. All your food and drink needs are taken care of with their locally roasted (by Climpson & Sons) Timberyard coffee, great bakes and sandwiches from local suppliers.
2. DEPARTMENT OF COFFEE AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS
Omotesando Koffee
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7 Westferry Circus, Canary Wharf From one small Aussie café, Department of Coffee and Social Affairs has turned into one of the biggest speciality coffee chains in London. I love their original store in Leather Lane, but for working remotely the new space in Canary Wharf is perfect.
3. PRUFROCK COFFEE 23-25 Leather Ln, Clerkenwell This Leather Lane coffee shop and barista training space, serving Square Mile Coffee, is a mecca for coffee enthusiasts and worker bees alike. You’ll find an army of Macbook nomads tapping away at all hours of the day.
4. THE HOXTON 199-206 High Holborn, Holborn The lobby at The Hoxton in Holborn has the style and vibe of a trendy co-working space, except it is completely free for anyone to use. There are large tables and comfy sofas to share and great food prepared by on-site restaurant Hubbard & Bell.
5. ORIGIN COFFEE 84 Scoresby St, Southwark Origin Coffee in Scoresby Street is one of four London outposts of the popular Cornish roastery. Housed in a railway arch near Southwark station, this airy and bright coffee shop is one of my favourite places to work from.