London’s best coffee shops

If you’re looking for a relaxed, Australian-inspired oasis in the heart of the city to have your first coffee meeting of the day, Barbie Green is the place for you. Located within the historical ruins of St Alphage Church and the original City of London Wall dating back to the second century, Barbie Green is a truly unique venue to come to for a cappuccino and a spot of food. It serves a fantastic brunch from 8am-3:30pm weekdays, plus an extended all-day brunch until 7pm on weekends. Expect seriously stylish interiors, yummy sweet and savoury brunch plates, and a bright and airy dining space with large, fully retractable windows, which is perfect for watching the world go by.

Ozone Coffee is an award-winning coffee house, much-loved by Shoreditch locals for its artisan coffee, flavoursome food dishes and on-site bakery. The Ozone Coffee team takes part in some great social initiatives too, committing themselves to supporting local suppliers and minimising waste. The trendy Leonard Street venue is also dog-friendly, making it a great place to come with both your pals and your pooches after a stroll around East London! Naturally, Ozone Coffee has a huge range of quality roasts and rich, creamy coffees to satisfy your craving for caffeine. And if you don’t fancy your coffee hot, there are also fab iced coffees and cold brews.

Kaffeine truly is the independent coffee shop of dreams, what with its incredible speciality coffee, scrumptious baked treats, tasty food plates and laidback atmosphere. Kaffeine takes its inspiration from Australasian coffee culture, paying homage to the impeccably cool décor and relaxed vibes found in Aussie and Kiwi coffee shops. There really is something for everyone on the weekly changing menu too, with a range of options for paleo, vegetarian, plant-based and gluten-free diets. Plus, Kaffeine is just a stone’s throw away from Oxford Circus, making it the perfect place to come for some much-needed post-shopping fuel!

The Physic Garden Café is a coffee shop and café situated within the idyllic Chelsea Physic Garden, which is Britain’s oldest botanical garden established in 1673. It does a classic range of delicious coffees including americanos, lattes, flat whites, cappuccinos and mochas for just £3.95 each. If you’re feeling peckish, The Physic Garden Café also offers a British heritage inspired lunch menu, with seasonal plates including healthy salads and soups plus a selection of grilled meat and fish dishes. Warm up with a cup of joe inside the cosy café on colder days or take in some sunshine and fresh air at the al fresco terrace tables. 

If you need a little help waking up in the morning, head on over to Caffè Napoli in Bloomsbury for some strong Neapolitan espressos to perk you up. This cosy Italian coffee shop serves all the usual suspects including classic cappuccinos, velvety lattes, and full-bodied Italian espressos, as well as speciality options like coffee with Nutella, Coffee Granita and Shakeratos, which are iced espressos. And if you fancy a sweet treat too, Caffè Napoli also does incredible Italian pastries including authentic Sfogliatelle, which are to die for. 

Harrisons Coffee in Paddington boasts a beautiful backstory. The establishment came about after a Londoner travelled to Chile and fell in love: generations later, his great grandson returned to Britain and set up an authentic Chilean eatery. Here, they serve up speciality Allpress coffee in a variety of ways, from a simple Americano to a delightful café bombón, which consists of a layer of espresso and a layer of condensed milk. Don’t miss out on the empanadas here either, they’ve even been tasted and approved as authentically Chilean by none other than Pedro Pascal! 

Tooting is something of a hidden gem when it comes to food and drink, and one of its many excellent spots include the charming Green Monkey cafe, which is located just a few doors along from Tooting Bec station and is aptly painted in a vibrant green paint! Here, they use Nude Coffee Roasters East Blend, which is said to have tasting notes of red grape and caramel. They also serve up vibrant breakfast and brunch dishes, from the classic full English to warming shakshuka and indulgent stacks of pancakes. There’s even a handy hatch where you can just grab a coffee if you’re on the go!

This calming cafe is located within the South London Gallery in Camberwell, and is the fourth venue opened by the team behind Louie Louie. With large windows that let the daylight flood the space, and plenty of art to peruse nearby, this is a real sanctuary for brunch or lunch — think brioche rolls filled with eggs and bacon, and sourdough toasties overflowing with melty cheese. This can all be made even better with a coffee that’s been brewed with Redemption Roasters coffee, which actually provides professional coffee industry training to those in prison and those who are at risk of offending. 

If you like your coffee strictly Italian, then you’ll love Hoppers, which began life in a horse box outside of Bank station before it moved to a permanent location in Clapham North. It’s become a popular local haunt, and one where you’ll often have to queue for a little while, but it’s definitely worth the wait for its smooth and aromatic coffee. Plus, you can tuck into its all-day menu which features everything from brunch (including a build-your-own option and a caprese on toast), to freshly-made pizza and pasta dishes — its traditional bucatini carbonara alla romana is a particularly popular house signature.

At Starfish and Coffee, they’re serious about brunch and have taken inspiration from the glamorous brunch scenes of LA and Australia — you’ll want to snap an Instagram story every time a new drink or dish comes your way… The menu is as flamboyant as the decor here, and features kaleidoscopic yaki bowls, acai bowls and soul plates, as well as power lattes and coffees that come served in pastel pink crockery. At night, the lights go down, the music is turned up, and you can enjoy the eatery’s award-winning Ozone coffee in the form of an espresso martini instead!