Not a large chain in sight, these guys know their beans – and what to do with them. Discover where to find the best coffee in London with these top independent coffee shops.
1. Batch Baby
A London "coffee crawl" is incomplete without a visit to Batch Baby, a specialty multi-roaster just a short walk from Haggerston station. For a Sunday well spent: order your brew of choice to-go and wander along the Regent's Canal towards King's Cross for a spot of shopping at Coal Drop's Yard.
Where: Haggerston (43 De Beauvoir Rd, N1 5SF)
2. Prufrock Coffee
Spacious Leather Lane cafe, Prufrock Coffee, was created by former World Barista Champion Gwilym Davies. As well as serving top-notch espresso with milk (by the ounce), it runs a barista training centre for pros and amateurs to practice making the perfect cup.
Where: Holborn (23-25 Leather Lane, EC1N 7TE)
3. Dark Arts Coffee
If you're looking for the good stuff, it's worth travelling to Homerton in north-east London just to visit the original Dark Arts Coffee site and roastery. Expect a focus on high quality with ethical beans sourced from around the world and freshly roasted in-house – don't forget to buy a bag to take home on your way out.
Where: Homerton (1-5 Rosina St, E9 6JH)
4. The Attendant
An old Victorian toilet might seem an unusual spot for an espresso bar, but not when you see the beautiful ironwork outside and inspired new use for the original porcelain urinals at The Attendant in Fitzrovia. The coffee comes from Caravan on Exmouth Market, and the milk from a small farm in Somerset.
Where: Fitzrovia (27A Foley Street, W1W 6DY)
5. Soho Grind
The sibling of the popular Shoreditch Grind and younger ventures Holborn Grind and London Grind, this hideaway incorporates the relaxed vibe found in the other members of this mini chain with Soho style. At Soho Grind, you can sample unique blends of coffee using its own Grind & Co. House Espresso Blend or linger into the night for cocktails.
Where: Soho (19 Beak Street, W1F 9RP)
6. Kaffeine
With its two West End shops, Kaffeine has become a staple of the London coffee scene – and being an Australian/New Zealand operation, it knows a thing or two about flat whites. It also runs courses in "latte art" and other essential coffee-making skills.
Where: Soho (66 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7QJ and 15 Eastcastle Street, W1T 3AY)
7. Ground Control
Specialising in Ethiopian coffee, Ground Control near Angel is the public face of the Ethiopian Coffee Company. Pop in for the Daily Filter, which throughout the week changes to a different region of Ethiopia. Ask nicely and the baristas might even give you a run down of the tasting notes!
Where: Islington (61 Amwell Street, EC1R 1UR)
8. Monmouth Coffee
Monmouth is like the farmers' market of coffee shops: sourcing, roasting and brewing its own coffee. Its stores can be found in Covent Garden, Borough Market and Bermondsey, where you can sample its latest espresso blend.
Where: Covent Garden (27 Monmouth Street, WC2H 9EU), Borough Market (2 Park Street, SE1 9AB), Bermondsey (Unit 4, Discovery Estate, St James's Road, SE16 4RA)
9. Coffee Island
Perfect for coffee nerds, you can make your own customised coffee blend at Coffee Island – just moments away from Leicester Square and Covent Garden. You can even choose how your coffee is brewed, including pour over, Chemex, AeroPress, Syphon and cold drip.
Where: Covent Garden (5 Upper St Martin's Lane, WC2H 9EA)
10. Workshop Coffee
When it's not roasting, brewing or selling top-end coffee beans and hardware, Workshop Coffee is holding workshops on how to brew at home. Or you could just visit one of its two London outlets in Marylebone and Fitzrovia. You may even be able to pick up your order at the same time!
Where: Fitzrovia (80 Mortimer Street, W1W 7FE), Marylebone (1 Barrett Street, W1U 1AX)
Pay a visit to one of London's best breweries as night falls, or check out more foodie things to do in London.
