If you like your cafés how I like my avo-on-toast and my dating app matches (as attractive as possible), then you’ve come to the right place. Allow us to point you in the direction of two Soho cafés that haven’t just been named some of the most beautiful in the city; they’ve been named some of the most beautiful on the whole darn planet. Oh, London – you strike again.
The Telegraph recently listed what they believe to be the 50 most beautiful cafés in the world. And look. we’re certainly not in the position to disagree with their rankings, because two beloved London coffee joints made the top five. The cream crema of the crop, if you will.
Bar Italia
This Frith Street favourite was ranked as the third most beautiful café on earth. Bar Italia has been lighting up the streets of Soho with its iconic neon sign since 1949 (pardon the rhyme). The legendary and lively late-night spot serves up (almost) around-the-clock refreshments, opening its doors from 7am to 4am every day to feed, water, and – most importantly – caffeinate its loyal customers.
Bar Italia oozes authenticity and charm; brewing delicious cups of Italian coffee from a vintage Gaggia coffee machine – which has been doing its thing for over fifty years. The spot originally opened as a social hub for London’s Italian community – and is now nothing short of a Soho institution. It’s a real little pocket of history in the heart of tourist-town, and well-deserving of it’s third place spot on The Telegraph’s list.
Algerian Coffee Stores
Coming in at number four on the list of the most beautiful cafés in the world is another twinkling gem in Soho’s treasure trove of cafés. Algerian Coffee Stores is the joyfully-bright and endearingly-cluttered coffee shop on Old Compton Street. Another spot that’s stood the test of time, Algerian Coffee Stores has been pouring cups of coffee since 1887 when it was opened by an Algerian man named Mr Hassan. It’s managed to survive two World Wars and still be hailed for its beauty and allure – which is wildly impressive considering that I can’t even survive two tube journeys without looking utterly bedraggled.
Algerian Coffee Stores changed owners in 1946 but since then, has remained in the same family for three generations. Although there’s no seating inside, customers are welcome to stand and sip or grab and go. They stock a whopping eighty types of coffee and have almost a century and a half of expertise, so you know you’re in good hands. You’d think that this would mean they’d hoick the prices up, but no. You can get your caffeine fix here for as little as £1.50 for an espresso and £2 for a cappuccino. Can you brew-lieve it?