London's Growing Café Culture

London may not be the obvious choice when looking for a quiet cup of coffee. The city is unlike its European counterparts: freshly baked baguettes and standing bars aren’t commonplace. However, a unique type of café scene is growing – one of steaming pots of tea, intricate latte art and innovative pastry creations. Our editors have selected some of their favourite spots across the city.

South London

South London is swiftly becoming a haven for coffee-lovers, in part due to the communities of 20 to 30-something insomniacs and industrial warehouse-turned-brewery pop-ups. Popular cafés include Milk in Balham, which serves high-quality coffee and seasonal dishes, and Juliet’s Quality Foods in Tooting, an Australian business offering a rotating roster of coffee alongside delicious small plates. Over in Dulwich is Eric’s, a popular neighbourhood bakery offering a new selection of unique baked goods each week.

Central London

Nestled amongst the chaotic city centre are a selection of coffee sanctuaries, such as Flat White on Soho’s Berwick Street and Rosslyn, an Australian-Irish coffee hub featuring bright, industrial interiors. For a more elevated experience try Caravan Coffee Roasters at The Savoy, where you can enjoy locally roasted blends beside the legendary London hotel.

East London

East London has certainly gained a reputation for becoming a hotbed for the city’s “hipster” crowd. Broadway Market and Columbia Road are teeming with trendy professionals during weekends, while Stoke Newington is renowned for its multi-cultural roots. The Good Egg is a Jewish deli-café that serves traditional foods such as babka and lox bagels alongside Perky Blenders coffee, while the slabs of chocolate Guinness cake at The Spence Bakery are snapped up within minutes. Other coffee hangouts include Climpson & Sons, Esters, Lily Vanilli, The Bread Station, E5 Bakehouse and Hucks Café.

HACKNEY’S LILY VANILLI (LEFT) AND BROADWAY MARKET (RIGHT)

North London

With Hampstead Heath, Regents Park and Primrose Hill at its heart, North London offers the perfect environment for a relaxing coffee stroll. Amongst the slew of professionals, families and celebrities – Harry Styles is known to enjoy a cycle ride through Hampstead – are adorable cafés and eateries such as Ginger & White, TRAMPOLINE, EZ & Moss, Norman’s and Prufrock. Over in Kentish Town, Café Palestina and Rustique are two community cafés that combine delicious food and beverages with regular events and workshops.

West London

This affluent area of London is known for its manicured green spaces, pristine building facades and first-class cafés. Carbon Kopi is a small chain of independent coffee shops in Hammersmith and Fulham, serving sought-after coffee and sourdough toasties. Eggbreak in Notting Hill is a renowned weekend brunch spot, while other hotspots include Local Hero, Lift Coffee and Hagen Espresso Bar.

INDEPENDENT CAFES AND SHOPS LINE PORTOBELLO MARKET, NOTTINGHILL

While in town, we recommend visiting one of the popular ASMALLWORLD hotels in London. The Marylebone Hotel offers the perfect combination of a central location and five-star facilities, so you can reach any of London’s cafés with ease before relaxing in the on-site wellness centre, brasserie or bar. Of course, you can explore our full hotel offering on ASMALLWORLD Collection, where you can receive VIP benefits such as room upgrades, hotel credit, late checkout and more.