Steeped in rich history, London abounds with character, from baroque period buildings and bosky parks to mediaeval alleyways and charming libraries. As such, few pleasures in life are as enjoyable as unwinding in a London coffee shop. A steaming cup of coffee paired with a muffin or pastry in this old city is not only an incredibly Instagram-worthy affair – it’s a delightfully soothing break.
Read on to discover the best coffee shops in London.
Tease: Mayfair and South Kensington
Tease is a coffee shop with specialised health brews made by leveraging superfoods, adaptogenics, and high-quality ingredients. As a self-proclaimed wellness coffee bar, Tease aims to help its patrons achieve their health goals without sacrificing the winsome flavours of sugary lattes.
The menu features a range of adaptogenic lattes, organic matchas, detox waters, refined-sugar-free brews, smoothies, breakfast bowls, and vegan soft serves. Guests can expect delectable sweet treats and beverages, which they can indulge in guilt-free.
This cafe chain prides itself on its warm ambience, achieved with its trademark yellow colour palette and an affable hospitality team. Bright hues, Pinterest-worthy cups, and holistic health drive the Tease franchise.
Anya Cafe: Belgravia
Anya Hindmarch has enamoured London’s fashionistas with her flamboyant prints and eccentric concepts. Like her handbags, her cafe on Belgravia’s Pont Street embodies her quirky charm with playful desserts, inventive afternoon teas, and gorgeous packaging.
The stately designer nook is belied by its hilarious offerings: here you’ll find
cartons with wide-eyed cartoon characters, tea cakes with smiley faces, and goofy eyeballed cupcakes litter the cafe’s displays. Cappuccinos wear expressive eyes, and pastries don fashionable apparel – indeed, afternoon tea here is an absolute riot.
Guests can take home cute tin cans filled with anthropomorphised biscuits, chocolate matchsticks, or cookies.
Omotesando Koffee: Fitzrovia
Omotesando Koffee is London’s very own Japanese retreat, tucked away from the bustle of Tottenham Court Road. A grand poster child of Japanese coffee culture, it is a world of its own.
Omotesando was established in Omotesando Hill in Tokyo. It quickly snowballed into a global franchise, putting Japanese coffee on the world stage. Communal bar seating lines the London establishment with minimalist wooden interiors and soaring floor-to-ceiling windows.
Its philosophy is driven by the concept of “shokunin,” which means “an unwavering dedication to one’s craft.” So, Omotesando is led by a sole barista, and guests get to marvel at the entire process of their coffee being made. The menu is subsequently rather limited, featuring a standard house blend, a weekly single-origin special, and iced cappuccinos. Kashi, a Japanese pastry, makes for the perfect accompaniment.
Layla: Notting Hill
Layla is a cream-hued neighbourhood bakery perched on Portobello Road in Notting Hill. At this understated, chic establishment, the treasure trove of sweet treats takes centerstage. Upon entering, guests are welcomed with the aroma of freshly baked buns and crisp cortados.
At Layla, an assortment of speciality coffees, loose leaf teas, spiced buns, attractive cookies, sandwiches, sausage rolls, and tarts are on offer.
Within just months of opening, this lovely café became one of the busiest spots in Notting Hill, quickly rising to a thriving coffee haunt. Still incredibly popular, Layla has been featured in the Financial Times, CN Traveler, and Luxury London.
Dark Arts Coffee: Homerton
Dark Arts Coffee is not easy to find, nestled in a rail arch between Homerton and Clapton. With its offbeat atmosphere and impeccable brews, this hidden gem is the perfect coffee shop for the days you’re aching for something a little different.
This quirky London coffee shop is adorned with memorabilia from bygone days, from vintage posters to biker paraphernalia. The cafe’s team, led by Kiwi Bradley Morrison, boasts a quality coffee roasting background, guaranteeing that signature golden coffee crema. Dark Arts coffee beans are available for sale at their online store.
Climpson & Sons: Hackney
Climpson & Sons is an institution in east London known for its speciality roasts. Dating to 2002, it began as a humble market stall on Broadway Market. With 22 years under their belt, Climpson & Sons has become the authority on ethical coffee sourcing, roasting, and brewing – and it is now a B Corp-certified coffee producer.
Climpson & Sons has crafted nine speciality brews, ideal for enticing coffee epicureans. “The Baron” is the producer’s most exported and popular brew and features in many restaurants and cafes around the world. Their blends often tease the tongue with surprising flavour profiles, from cocoa to apple and citrus.
This renowned Hackney café bears a rustic, rural charm, with pretty pastries and an evolving menu handwritten in cursive on the glass windows. A fragment seemingly from an enchanting fictional village, passersby often pause to examine and explore this beautifully bucolic alcove.
TomTom Coffee House: Belgravia
TomTom is one of Belgravia’s most loved breakfast spots, with decadent coffees, brunch fiestas, and salads.
Residing within a leafy enclave, TomTom is a classy coffee haunt with a chic ebony-hued facade, sparkling white interiors, vintage bar stools, shabby-chic bistro furniture, and old-fashioned white tiling. Located in one of London’s most minted postcodes, TomTom is an ideal place for breakfasting with a view.
Its old-school magnificence is further emboldened by its fashionable lattes that feature intricate latticework shamrocks, scrumptious pancakes, and wholesome breakfast eggs. TomTom’s hot chocolate and avocado toast in particular have received widespread acclaim.
Ralph's Coffee: Mayfair
Eminent designer Ralph Lauren – of polo shirt and sleek silhouette fame – established his very own flagship coffee shop on New Bond Street in Mayfair.
Much like his fashion legacy, Ralph's Coffee is the epitome of elegance, sophistication, and finesse. Rich wooden panelling, a handsome bottle-green bar, and shining coffee machines harmonise to evoke a truly opulent bistro. Ralph Lauren’s signature green shade imbues the milieu with grandeur, marking the furniture, the cups, and even the napkins. Reminiscent of his trademark brand imagery, the cafe is also dolled up with touches of gold, as seen on the table rims and vintage upholstery.
Commenting on his inspiration behind the coffee shop, Ralph explained, “I’ve always loved the English—not just their style, but their way of living. Their tradition of taking time out for a cup of tea fits perfectly with the addition of our Ralph's Coffee & Bar.”
Ralph’s Coffee offers a designer afternoon tea package, inventive cocktails, desserts, and, of course, the honest-to-goodness coffees.
Marchesi 1824 by Prada: Mayfair
Marchesi is a historic labour of love created by the iconic luxury fashion brand Prada. Established more than 200 years ago in Milan, this elegant coffee shop found its way to London’s affluent Mount Street.
Residing within a baroque Victorian structure, Marchesi is steeped in aristocratic splendour. Luxuriant carpets, tufted emerald hued chairs, intricate tilework, pistachio green accent walls, and pastel-coloured chocolate boxes adorn this regal coffee shop.
Campari-starring aperitivo sessions, rich holiday desserts, creamy brews, and sourdough panettone are some of Marchesi’s elevated offerings that truly set it apart from other West End cafes. A Mayfair institution, Marchesi is a London coffee shop not to miss.
Final take
Speciality brews, character-filled atmospheres, and toothsome confectionery are some of the world’s simplest joys – especially in London, where history and lore lurk in every corner. Whether it’s an adaptogenic latte in Tease or a quirky teacake at Anya Café, these nine London coffee shops are among the best in London.
