There’s nothing like a nice cup of coffee and a fresh pastry to help you recharge.
Whatever the time of year, it’s always nice to settle down in a cosy coffee shop for a bit of alone time. Bring a good book, listen to a podcast, or just sit in silence while you people-watch — there’s something therapeutic about it. As we all know, London has plenty of pretty cafés to choose from, whether you like the interiors warm and atmospheric, or bright, colourful, and airy. We’ve rounded up some of the most comfortable coffee shops for you to recharge with a hot cup of coffee or tea.
1. The Gentlemen Baristas, Piccadilly
The Gentlemen Baristas have just opened their flagship roastery and coffee house in the heart of Piccadilly, introducing the area’s newest coffee temple! The cosy shop offers specialty brews, or ‘well-mannered coffee’, as they call it, plus an all-day menu featuring breakfast, brunch, and late lunch, so it’s a perfect spot to spend a cool autumn day with a cup of coffee. 162 Piccadilly, W1J 9EF.
2. Kipferl, Islington/Angel
This lovely Austrian café and kitchen is nestled in the equally charming Camden Passage in Angel, where you’ll find plenty of small stores and eateries to get lost in. Kipferl is famous for their Austrian cakes (and schnitzels, if you’d rather pair your coffee with that), and is an overall lovely place to spend an afternoon. Make sure to try their famous Austrian “Sachertorte” cake, it’s the closest you’ll get to enjoying an authentic “Kaffee und Kuchen” (coffee and cake) experience in London. 20 Camden Passage, N1 8ED.
3. Café in the Crypt, Trafalgar Square
In London we’ve got coffee shops in churches, in abandoned public toilets, and a bunch of other weird places where you wouldn’t expect to find coffee. Café in the Crypt, as you might suspect, is located underneath a church, in the crypt of St Martin-in-the-Fields Church near Trafalgar Square. It’s quite literally a place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city underground, and with brick-vaulted ceilings and gravestones, it has a part spooky, part cosy atmosphere. If you’re looking for a low-lit place with unique vibes, Café in the Crypt is it. St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, WC2N 4JH.
4. Tomtom Coffee House, Belgravia
Tomtom Coffee House is a specialist coffee shop on the corner of Elizabeth Street, right across from the pretty pink Peggy Porschen Belgravia. With quality coffee and bright, airy interiors, you can easily while away an afternoon here and feel right at home. Pair your latte with their freshly baked cakes, brownies, flapjacks, or homemade Poilâne toasties. 114 Ebury Street, SW1W 9QD.
5. Fabrique Bakery, Notting Hill
Fabrique Bakery is an artisanal stone oven bakery and café from Stockholm, with several locations across London. With fresh-out-of-the-oven pastries and a few selected seats, it’s a really sweet place for a relaxing pit stop, and not just because of the countless croissants and buns you’ll find there. 212 Portobello Rd, W11 1LA.
6. Trade, Old Street
You may know Trade’s popular Commercial St and Essex Road locations, but the newest of the bunch can be found on Old Street. The independent coffee shop is known and loved for its good coffee (like all cafés on this list, of course), as well as delicious breakfast, brunch, and lunch dishes. All three shops are also insanely comfortable and cute, making Trade a true winner. 47 Commercial Street, E1 6BD.
7. Nordic Bakery, Piccadilly Circus
Nordic Bakery lures guests in with their freshly baked Scandinavian bread, cakes, and pastries, and they end up staying for a cup of coffee in the cosy shop. If you’ve ever tried an authentic traditional Nordic cinnamon bun, you’ll know exactly what awaits you here, and that should be reason enough to pay this place a visit. 14a Golden Square, W1F 9JG.
8. Luminary Bakery, Camden
This little bakery serves amazing coffee, cinnamon buns that are *to die for*, and is also actively fighting for women’s empowerment. The Camden and Stoke Newington locations are both rather small, but what they lack in size, they make up for with lots of charm, quality food, and fresh brews. 47 Chalk Farm Rd, NW1 8AJ.
9. Angie’s, Chiswick
Also known as “Angie’s Little Food Shop”, this independent neighbourhood café offers coffee, breakfast, fresh salads, and lunch, and is a favourite amongst locals. With an airy, colourful space and a tasty food selection, it’s easy to understand the hype. 114 Chiswick High Rd, W4 1PU.
10. Exmouth Coffee Company, Aldgate East
Located just a short walk from Spitalfields Market is this unassuming coffee shop with trendy interiors, a more private tucked-away corner in the back, and an incredible amount of delicious baked goods and light bites. It’s a great spot to rest with a cup of coffee or tea after a stroll around the market. 83 Whitechapel High St, E1 7QX.
11. Boys’N’Berry, Fulham
Boys’N’Berry is a delightful little café in Fulham, serving fresh coffee in cute mugs, delicious pastries, and an impressive selection of breakfast, brunch, and all-day dishes in a trendy environment. 839 Fulham Rd, SW6 5HQ.