The 20 Best Cafés & Coffee in London

A family-run East End caff on Bethnal Green Road since 1900, with a Grade II-listed marquetry interior and the warmest welcome in London — the Pellicci family will likely know your name by your second visit. Fry-ups, pasta, and banter. Cash only, closed Sundays, done by mid-afternoon. This is the real thing.

Tucked inside the covered arcades of Brixton Village market, Federation is a small Australian-influenced café that has been a cornerstone of the area's food scene for over a decade. The espresso is excellent and the flat whites are among the best south of the river. The setting inside the market is lively and characterful, surrounded by independent food traders from around the world. It's a perfect starting point for exploring Brixton Village and Market Row.

Westminster's legendary 1946 caff — black-tiled Art Deco exterior, formica tables, and your order bellowed across the room when it's ready. The full English is generous, fast and around a tenner, minutes from Tate Britain. Expect a queue at peak times and a system: order at the counter, sit when told, move when shouted at.

Set inside a beautifully restored Victorian public toilet beneath the streets of Fitzrovia, Attendant is one of London's most architecturally distinctive cafés. The original porcelain urinal stalls have been converted into individual booth seating, making it genuinely unlike anywhere else in the city. Coffee is serious and well-sourced, and the food menu — avocado toast, granola, eggs — is reliable and fresh. The underground space means it can feel cramped and warm during busy periods.

The Delaunay is a classy Austrian-German cafe on Aldwych serving schnitzel, soufflés, and Central European classics that hold their own against Vienna's best. The service is exemplary and the setting elegant, making it ideal for pre-theatre dining or special occasions—though it gets noticeably loud when full, and prices reflect central London.

A working café housed inside St Mary Aldermary church in the City of London, offering excellent coffee (£3.90), sandwiches, soup, and hot chocolate in a stunningly atmospheric setting with ornate ceilings. It's ideal for working or reading, though you'll need to book a laptop seat after 10 a.m., and dedicated work desks with power sockets cost £10 (includes one free coffee).

A historic café set in the atmospheric crypt beneath St Martin-in-the-Fields church, just off Trafalgar Square, with 30 years of popularity among locals and tourists. Order from the self-service counter—try the chicken orzo, salads, or sandwiches—then find a seat among the beautiful brick-vaulted ceilings and arches. It gets very busy, especially at peak times, so expect queues and potentially shared tables.

A New Zealand-founded roastery and café that helped define London's third-wave coffee scene and remains one of the best in the city. The large industrial space in Old Street is airy and well-designed, with an excellent all-day brunch menu that goes well beyond the basics. The coffee programme is serious — single origins, careful extraction — and the staff are knowledgeable without being precious. It can get very busy on weekend mornings when the brunch crowd descends.

A hugely popular brunch and cafe spot on Drury Lane serving expertly made eggs dishes, quality coffee, and fresh pastries. Must-tries include the Egg Pastrami, Eggs Benedict, and Eggs Royals—reviewers rave about generous portions and impeccable execution. Arrive early (before 9am) or expect a queue of 20+ minutes, though staff move the line quickly.

A beloved French bistro in Soho serving classic brunch and lunch dishes in a charming, dog-friendly setting. Order the steak tartare, Croque Monsieur, French toast, or poached eggs with avocado—though quality can vary slightly between visits. Note that the steak tartare texture has been inconsistent according to regulars.

Founded by World Barista Championship winner Gwilym Davies, Prufrock is a cornerstone of London's specialty coffee scene and a training ground for many of the city's best baristas. The large, light-filled space on Leather Lane is relaxed and welcoming, with excellent espresso and filter options alongside a small food menu. It's a great place to have a genuine conversation about coffee if you're curious. Can be quiet mid-afternoon, making it ideal for working or reading.

One of London's most respected independent coffee roasters, operating since 1978 with a cult following among serious coffee drinkers. The Borough Market branch is a narrow, atmospheric space where you queue for exceptional filter and espresso drinks alongside freshly baked pastries. Get the filter coffee of the day and arrive early on weekends as queues can stretch out the door. Cash only at the Borough location, which catches some visitors off guard.

A tiny, authentic Swedish bakery tucked down a side street near Covent Garden that feels like a genuine secret despite its central location. The cardamom buns and cinnamon kanelbullar are among the best in London, and the coffee is Scandinavian-style — clean and well-made. The space holds only a handful of people so most customers take away. It's a wonderful pit stop during a day in the West End without the tourist-trap pricing of the area.

A specialty coffee shop in central London serving Indonesian-inspired drinks and pastries. Order the Arenga Sugar Coffee or kopi tubruk (traditional Indonesian coffee), and try the pandan chiffon or marble cake—though cake quality can be inconsistent between visits. The quiet location just off Piccadilly Circus offers a peaceful escape with friendly staff and both terrace and indoor seating.

A small, highly-regarded specialty coffee spot on Riding House Street known for outstanding espresso drinks like flat whites and lattes with skilled latte art. The owner is friendly and creates a warm, local atmosphere that regulars clearly love. Fair warning: it's tiny and gets packed quickly, so you may need to take your coffee to go rather than linger.

Batch Baby is a specialty coffee cafe in De Beauvoir that's earned serious local love for rotating single-origin beans and knowledgeable staff who explain the differences between origins. Get the batch brews (Ethiopian and Colombian options mentioned), excellent pastries like the fig Danish, and creative seasonal sandwich specials with witty names. Expect queues on weekends, especially mornings, and note they don't allow laptops or tablets on weekends.

A specialty coffee cafe in Marylebone focused on single-origin, light-roasted coffees with an extensive pour-over menu. Order a pour-over if you want to explore interesting beans from different origins and processes, or go for their excellent flat whites and cortados. Prices are on the higher side, though reviewers say it's worth it for the quality.

Specialty coffee shop on Leather Lane serving single-origin espressos with customizable milk options and carefully sourced beans. Order by flavor profile—reviewers rave about the Filadelfia, Inmaculada, and Rwandan options, plus pastries—and expect friendly, knowledgeable baristas who get the details right. No caveats are evident from the reviews provided.

A welcoming cafe in Covent Garden that trains adults with learning difficulties and disabilities for employment—making every visit meaningful. The coffee, chai lattes, and fresh sandwiches are genuinely good and reasonably priced, with a cozy, supportive atmosphere. One heads-up: they serve all drinks in takeaway cups even if you're sitting in, and the toilet cubicles are extremely cramped.

Calico Coffee is a specialty coffee shop on Lower Marsh known for knowledgeable baristas, carefully sourced beans, and skilled latte art. Order their single-origin coffees (like the Honeymoon Ethiopia), flat whites, or cappuccinos, and pair with their sesame cake. Fair warning: expect to pay around £14 for a specialty coffee, and seating is limited—especially busy at lunch and weekends.