Whether London basks in the rare sun, May ushers in its blossoms, or grey skies settle over the city, a comforting cup of coffee is never too far to uplift the mood. In step with Portobello Road’s eclectic spirit, its cafés blend conscious practices, inventive flair and global influences, serving some of the finest brews shaping London’s coffee culture.
This list captures the cosiest haunts tucked along Portobello’s quieter streets in the overarching creative neighbourhood of Notting Hill — each offering a distinctive coffee experience to suit every taste.
Farm Girl
Opened in 2015 by the Australian duo Rose Mann and Anthony Hood, Farm Girl is a wellness-focused cafe that brings the world of Aussie brunches and Grammable plating to this bohemian street. Its simple white-bricked exterior conceals rustic chic interiors that mix pastels, comfortable seating and gentle lighting — the perfect ambience for work or leisure. This flagship brand opened not only people’s hearts to its unique menu, but also London’s streets to two more branches, one in Soho and the other in Chelsea.
The day slows down or picks up with menu features that include everything from the refreshing rose latte, liquid gold, to the delicious butterfly matcha. Packing nutrition and taste, Farm Girl highlights like açai bowls with fresh fruit and granola, vegan coconut BLT and buckwheat pancakes imbue a plant-first approach to food, making it highly popular with fashion bloggers and London’s wellness crowd.
Where: 59A Portobello Rd, London W11 3DB, United Kingdom
Bluebelles of Portobello
Nestled behind the distinct blue exterior that stands true to its name, this family-run establishment has built a reputation for its warmth and authenticity. Founded around 2013, this artisanal cafe specialises in home-baked items and comfort food style brunches that can come across as comforting as a warm embrace on rainy afternoons. It presents a cosy charm featuring rustic wooden tables coloured a stylish shade every once in a while to lend a unique character. With both indoor and outdoor seating, Bluebelles of Portobello offers a versatile setup for workationers and those looking to relax with a quick bite and warm cuppa.
Cited as a “hidden gem” on Portobello by locals, the menu favourites include spongy pancakes with berries, eggs Benedict on toasted sourdough, in-house baked seasonal cakes and pastries, and pared down English classics like a bangers breakfast and siders. It is a deft balance of health, flavour and indulgence. The coffee here is renowned for its consistently strong flat whites and cappuccinos, the likes of which have amassed a loyal community, appealing to less touristy sensibilities.
Where: 320 Portobello Rd, London W10 5RU, United Kingdom
Lowry & Baker
Established in 2010, this quaint cafe hits the right note in more than one place. Independent and female-owned, Lowry & Baker pushes for a slow-food ethos with a sharp focus on local produce. Considered a favourite, especially by creatives living and working in the neighbourhood, it embodies a ‘best-kept secret’ kind of perception. An intimate, bohemian ambience is further softened by fresh flowers on the tables.
Menu features like the seasonal quiches and salads, shakshuka with sourdough and homemade cakes — with a special demand for its carrot cake — are highly popular with visitors. Every part of this cafe, while asynchronous, works in perfect harmony — from each flavour in the dishes packing an individual punch, to plating in mismatched crockery and vintage furniture defining the interiors. The only constant in these deliberately broken patterns is delicious coffee brewed from mindfully sourced Monmouth grounds.
Where: 339-341, 339 Portobello Rd, London W10 5SA, United Kingdom
Hermanos Colombian Coffee Roasters
In 2020, two Colombian brothers brought their Spanish namesake to the streets of London, and with it a globally renowned part of their heritage — fine Colombian coffee. Victor and Santiago intentionally centred their cafe around speciality coffee sourced directly from farmers back home and roasted to perfection in London. Inside an easily recognisable popping pink and red exterior, the hermanos foster a spirit of “culture, consideration and craft” through their farm-to-cup and sustainability-driven ideology. Featured in major publications like 5th Wave Coffee, British Vogue, Forbes, The Independent, and Time Out, the brand is also an award winner at the London Coffee Festival.
With a strong emphasis on coffee rather than food, the eatables’ menu here is limited to light bites like croissants and pastries. The grounds, on the other hand, boast a retail range that few other cafes offer. From tasting kits of six varieties, coffee pods, gift sets and subscriptions, each scale of fandom is addressed with elaborate packaging. Their single-origin Colombian beans are roasted in-house and come in seasonal notes, like hints of caramel, apple crumble and chocolate to cosy up the autumn. Loved for their pour-overs, iced coffees and flat whites, the brand has quickly gained a reputation among London’s aficionados — with its packages now adorning the shelves of Selfridges.
Where: 127 Portobello Rd, London W11 2DY, United Kingdom
345 Portobello
Opened in the 2020s, 345 Portobello is one of the youngest constituents in this neighbourhood’s cafe scene. Conceptualised as a stylish brunch cafe, this is an eatery with a contemporary European twist, clear from a cycle stand positioned in front of its gates and its design-led decor. Vegetarian as per western standards and also making space for vegan preferences, this is the only venue of its kind in this selection of cafes on Portobello Road. A vibrant mix of crockery and books spills beyond mere function, becoming part of the decor itself.
Its menu, focused on home-cooked food, is refreshed daily with repeat features including smashed avocado on sourdough with poached eggs, truffle scrambled eggs and artisanal pastries. Besides their high-quality espresso and filter and milk options, freshly pressed juices are also on offer. With a strong focus on presentation, this cafe is a desired destination for Instagram-friendly segments.
Where: 345 Portobello Rd, London W10 5SA, United Kingdom
Closing thoughts
Whether savouring authentic Colombian beans, settling in for a work-friendly session or simply enjoying the ambience, Portobello Road cafes offer well-rounded and well-grounded experiences. Within their inviting interiors, each cafe balances flavour, atmosphere and character, offering moments of comfort, creativity, and connection along one of London’s most iconic streets.
