Your guide to the best coffee shops in London: 2021 edition

The behind the scenes one: Watch House roastery, Bermondsey

With its modest litter of coffee shops in central London locations, the Watch House has for some time been a popular pitstop for Londoners looking to natter or work as they sip a quality brew. Now, the brand has launched a sixth location – a roastery and lab – on Bermondsey’s Maltby Street. The opening coincides with the launch of the Watch House’s new subscription service, House at Home. The offering comprises five signature coffee blends split into three powerfully-named categories: rituals, ventures and rarities. A visit to the roastery is a chance to fully immerse yourself in the grind of making modern coffee.

The feminine one: Rosslyn, the City

Established in 2018, this sleek, feminine coffee bar claims to offer ‘all the attention to detail and high standards of an Australian cafés combined with the warmth and community of an Irish pub’. In reality, its location in the heart of the City sees it flooded with the polished finance crowd, but its pretty ceramics – mugs are yours for £28 a pop – render it worth the trip from elsewhere.

The chic Japanese one: Omotesando Koffee, Fitzrovia

The first European branch of Japanese coffee shop Omotesando opened in London last December to much fanfare. With its chic, minimalist interiors, glass paraphernalia and glossy coffee counters, Omotesando has brought something a little different to the city’s coffee scene. The original branch was opened in Tokyo's Omotesando Hills by Eiichi Kunitomo-san. Further outlets soon followed in other major Southeast Asian cities: Singapore, Hong Kong and Bangkok. While Omotesando serves a boutique cup of regular coffee, their iced blends come with a playful twist – such as with a foamy, chocolaty layer of bubbles on top.

The Victorian one: the Attendant, Fitzrovia

What do you do with a disused Victorian toilet? Turn it into a (highly Instagrammable) coffee shop – that’s if you’re Ryan and Bosh, co-founders of the Attendant, anyway. Head down the stairs of the Fitzrovia branch and you’ll find an underground den of exposed light bulbs, green and white tiled walls, and seating split up by porcelain structuring vaguely reminiscent of a Victorian toilet bowl. Yes, your coffee break may be interrupted by a flurry of influencers keen to get the perfect shot for the ‘gram, but fear not: neither here nor at the other branches of the Attendant, in Clerkenwell and Shoreditch, is the quality of the coffee (or indeed the breakfast) compromised.

The white, bright one: % Arabica, Broadway Market and Covent Garden

% Arabica, Kyoto's ice-cool speciality coffee shop, landed in Broadway Market and Covent Garden – virtually simultaneously – in a cascade of quality coffee beans and branded linen totes, all wrapped up in the brand’s signature minimalist design. This is quality coffee for the new-age crowd.

The Instagrammable one: Palm Vaults, Hackney

If your coffee being Instagrammable is as important to you as the taste, then look no further than Palm Vaults in Hackney. As if the pastel-coloured interiors and array of potted greenery weren't enough, the café serves drinks in shades of pink, green and various other colours, too. Traditional coffee? Certainly not. But this will be the prettiest cup of caffeine you’ll find in the capital. Phones at the ready…

The quaint-meets-hip one: The Gentlemen Baristas, various locations

Quaint village shop collides with hip, urban hangout at The Gentlemen Baristas – which you can find across the central south-east of the city. Hustle your way into one of their branches and you’ll see the coffee shop’s tagline – ‘well-mannered coffee’ – come to fruition in the dedication that goes into pouring the ‘perfect’ cup; filter coffee is slow-dripped into glass vats (not dissimilar in appearance to those you would have used in chemistry class at school). These guys are also keen to teach others the art and you can take a course at the Store Street branch in Fitzrovia, where you’ll learn the fundamentals of what goes into brewing a decent cup of coffee.

The buzzy one: Monmouth Coffee, various locations

The original Monmouth Coffee shop, perched on the edge of Borough Market, is over 40 years old, but judging by the swarms of coffee lovers around its doors, business is showing no signs of slowing down. Whether you’re looking for an expertly brewed cup or some beans to take away, be prepared to queue whichever branch you go to – and rest assured it’ll be worth it.

The Scandi ones: Bageriet, Fabrique and Ole & Steen, various locations

Let’s get one thing straight, you can’t go to a Scandinavian coffee shop in London without ordering a 'kanelbullar' (that’s Swedish for cinnamon bun) or Danish pastry of some sort to go with your coffee. But while the Scandis have their sweet treats down to a fine art, the Nordic nations are also known for their coffee.

Three of the best in London – each with a branch dangerously close to the Culture Whisper office – are tiny Swedish bakery Bageriet (with its gingerbread house-esque shop window of goodies), Danish bakery Ole & Steen (with its sinfully good Cinnamon Social Slice) and Stockholm export Fabrique (hello Swedish sandwiches and yet more cinnamon buns).

Fabrique wins our vote for coffee, though. With fairtrade organic beans from the Johan & Nyström roastery in Stockholm – a brand set up by coffee-loving friends dedicated to brewing through the ‘slow roast’ method that allows flavours to develop to their fullest – this is a little bit of Swedish quality in our very own capital.

The roasting-on-site one: Ozone coffee, Shoreditch

A staple in London’s quality coffee scene, Ozone is one of the city’s few coffee shops that also boasts an on-site roastery. Not only that, this New Zealand export supplies its quality beans – which are roasted at the Shoreditch branch – to other top-notch coffee shops in London, several of which feature on this list. Head here to enjoy brunch at the large communal table circling the open kitchen; to work in one of quieter, sectioned-off workspaces; or simply to enjoy a fresh-as-it-gets coffee overlooking the roastery below.

The eco-friendly one: Nude Espresso, Spitalfields

As the name would suggest, espressos are very much the focus here, but a commitment to reducing energy consumption is at the heart of this coffee shop’s ethos, too. Since installing a Loring Smart Roast – supposedly the most eco-friendly roaster on the market – in 2014, the coffee shop has eliminated its need for an afterburner and managed to reduce energy consumption by an impressive 80%. So, for a coffee to speed you on your way while doing your bit for the planet, Nude Espresso is the place to head.

The Filipino one: Kapihan

Bringing the little-known café culture of the Philippines to London are British-Filipino siblings David and Nigel Motley, who have opened a new coffee shop, Kapihan, a stone’s throw from Battersea Park. Having co-run the now permanently closed Kape and Pan – a Southeast Asian specialty coffee shop at SOAS – the brothers know a thing or two about making a café sing. Here, visitors can try the nation’s signature brews along with freshly baked filipino breads and merienda (snacks). The pan de coco (sweet coconut bread) and savoury pan de adobo (salty bread filled with pork belly and shoulder) are said to be heavenly.

The icy one: Opso, Marylebone

Stirring up the coffee scene is Opso, a Greek tapas spot that serves some of the finest summer brews in town. Once you’ve tried one of their icy blends – such as the Cappuccino Freddo where the milk sits impressively above the coffee before filtering prettily down – you’ll never be able to stomach a Starbucks frappuccino again.

The hipster one: Allpress Espresso Bar, Shoreditch

Take a walk down trendy Redchurch Street in Shoreditch and you’ll soon find yourself amidst the crowds outside this neighbourhood coffee hotspot. Popular with the hordes of bearded and beanie-wearing hipsters, you’ll have to fight your way in to order. But if it’s a cool location you’re coveting, or the chance to sip a cup of coffee that’s been roasted and blended on site, Allpress is worth the wait.

The warehouse one: Caravan, various locations

There’s plenty on the menu at this all-day dining joint, but its coffee is worth the visit alone. Take a seat in the buzzy, laid-back industrial-style space and try a cup of their own-roast Caravan blend – it’s fruity and works well as an espresso, flat white or even an iced brew. Those in a rush can also march straight up to the counter and order theirs to take away.

The traditional one: Saint Espresso, various locations

While the bare brick walls and pendant lights of this seemingly hip cafe might hint at style over substance, they're serving up one of the best cups of Joe you’ll get in town. As the name would suggest, the team behind Saint Espresso practically worship the coffee bean and throw a lot of thought into the coffee they make. Sit at the communal bench and strike up conversation with other coffee enthusiasts, or tuck yourself away in a quiet nook to sip your cup in peace. For those who are so impressed they want to take more home, Saint Espresso also sell a range of coffee, grinders and reusable cups.

The cosy one: Kaffeine, Fitzrovia

If you’re looking for a Soho coffee shop with a warm, friendly atmosphere – one to dive into to refuel, or to catch up with a friend – Kaffeine ticks all boxes. At either of its backstreet locations – on Eastcastle Street and Great Titchfield Street – you’ll be served a decent cup of Aussie-style coffee and, if you’re hungry, there’s an extensive menu of breakfast and lunch options to choose from, too. If you visit on a warm day, we recommend the iced coffee.

The people-watching one: Federation Coffee, Brixton

Federation Coffee is a popular spot with south Londoners keen to join the bustle of Brixton Village. While spots inside the coffee house are hard to come across – especially at weekends – tables outside are still under cover and make the perfect place to people watch. The beans here are roasted within the market itself and the house blend suits all sorts of orders – black or white, frothy or flat.

The workers' one: Timberyard, Seven Dials

This independent coffee shop at Seven Dials balances its minimalist decor with a lengthy counter piled high with sandwiches, baked goods and a range of healthy (and not so healthy) snacks. The concept behind Timberyard – or TY – is to offer a comfortable, wifi-fuelled space for independent creatives to come and work for as long as they like. The coffee menu is extensive too, so if you do stay for a while, you’ll have a chance to change your usual order and try something new.

The cherry-blossomed one: Feya, Marylebone

Elegant and contemporary, Feya in Marylebone is kitted out with marble surfaces, pastel interiors and even a white cherry blossom tree. Items on the menu are just as pretty; at the more substantial end of the scale, flower-encrusted smoothie bowls and similarly prettified avocado on toast will fill your stomach as well as your Instagram feed, while homemade tarts, sugar-dusted pastries and cakes will indulge your sweet tooth. Boutique tea brand Kusmi sits on the drinks menu, as does coffee from quality roasters Ozone.

The Down Under one: Antipode, Hammersmith

This little artisan coffee house claims to ‘bring a little of the magic from the laneways of Melbourne, and Sydney’s Bondi beach, to London’. Serving coffee supplied by Square Mile Coffee Roasters, quality is clearly core here, too. Plus, for those looking for something a little less buzz-filled than one of Antipode’s top-notch espressos, or indeed their flat whites, there’s a range of Aussie craft beers on sale to see you into the evening.

The neighbourhood one: But First, Coffee, Haringay

This cute little local serves coffee brewed at Shoreditch favourite: Ozone Coffee Roasters. Not only is it about quality here, it’s also championing coffee with a smile. Pop in for a quick caffeine fix or wile away a weekend morning at this friendly gem.

The ‘join the club’ one: Department of Coffee and Social Affairs, various locations

With its meeting rooms, coffee club and presence in virtually all corners of central London – not to mention its branches in other UK cities and stateside in Chicago – the Department of Coffee and Social Affairs is committed to spreading a love or artisan coffee. Enjoy an ethically sourced, locally roasted (at the coffee company’s East London roastery) brew on site; book in to use one of the coffee chain’s workspaces; or learn the skills of a barista at the chain’s own Coffee School.

The gadgety one: Electric Coffee Company, Ealing

This long-standing coffee house has been in business for over a decade now. Perhaps the key to its success is the fact the owners take the coffee-making process seriously – using different grinders for different coffee forms. (They even have a grinder to create the perfect decaf blend!) What’s more, they sell a range of coffee-making gadgets so you can recreate your cup of dreams at home.

The historical one: Jacob the Angel, Covent Garden

This independent coffee house in Neal’s Yard takes its name from Angel Inn, where a man from the Middle East named Jacob opened England’s first ever coffee shop in 1651. But if that's not enough reason to pay a visit, the café – from the team behind The Palomar and The Barbary – also happens to be a friendly spot serving freshly brewed coffee, scrumptious pastries, and savoury foods made in-house from locally sourced ingredients.