London, United Kingdom – A list of some of my favourite spots to grab a coffee or bake in London over the years. What are some of your favourite spots? Let me know if I have missed out on any of your favourites.

Special Guests Coffee 
It opened its flagship café in the Marylebone neighborhood late in 2024. The brand itself was founded earlier, in 2022, by two-time UK Barista Champion Paul Ross. The Marylebone café of Special Guests Coffee offers a minimalist yet elegant space that reflects its dedication to quality and craftsmanship. At the heart of the café are two long silver counters — one for espresso-based drinks and the other for hand-brewed pourovers — creating a dynamic and engaging coffee experience. Guests can choose from stools at the brew bar, which offer a front-row seat to the baristas’ meticulous brewing process or settle into small tables along the wall and padded window seats for a more relaxed vibe. The overall design is clean and modern, allowing the coffee and the craft behind it to take center stage. 

Address: 8 Aybrook Street, London W1U 4AW, United Kingdom 

Ozone Coffee  
With a founding history in New Zealand more than 25 years ago, Ozone Coffee opened in London more than 11 years ago and other than being an international specialty coffee distributor, it also has two cafe spaces in London located in Shoreditch and London Fields. Both outlets boast an industrial style spacious setting where you can enjoy brunch dishes along with good coffee.  Also on the menu, one of the better tea selections for a coffee shop, with options like rooibos, peppermint, and a few other quality herbal teas. 

Address:  Emma Street, London E2 9AP, United Kingdom 

Kuro Coffee 
Love this Japanese inspired minimalist space in Notting Hill, Kuro Coffee is probably the closest Tokyo coffee shop vibes I could get in London. It serves a small selection of pastries and coffee with a small dining space on level two which looks out to the charming Notting Hill neighborhood. You can also get your matcha coffee fix here.  

Address: 3 Hillgate Street, London W8 7SP, United Kingdom 

Nostos Coffee St James’s Park  
A specialty café located at Orchard Place, near St James’s Park and Victoria in London. This second outpost of the Nostos brand builds on the success of its original Battersea location, offering a refined and immersive coffee experience that blends Greek heritage with modern design and brewing innovation. The space features a bright, high-ceilinged interior with a large communal table, wall seating, and outdoor benches flanked by olive trees. At the heart of the café are two distinct coffee bars: one for expertly brewed espresso-based drinks and another “experience bar” for adventurous brews using equipment like the Slayer espresso machine and Origami Drippers. Nostos even customizes its brewing water using mineral concentrates to enhance flavor clarity. 

Address: 6 Orchard Place, London SW1H 0BF, United Kingdom 

Omotesando Koffee London  
A minimalist Japanese coffee bar located in Fitzrovia, just off Tottenham Court Road. Originating from Tokyo’s Omotesando district, the café is known for its meticulous, almost lab-like approach to coffee brewing — complete with baristas in lab coats and an open coffee station where guests can watch each drink being crafted with precision. The space is bright and airy, designed with a light wood aesthetic that reflects Japanese simplicity and elegance. While seating is limited, the café offers a calm, refined atmosphere ideal for a quick yet memorable coffee break. Signature drinks include smooth lattes, matcha, and cold brews, often accompanied by their signature “Kashi” — a caramelized baked custard cube. 

Address: 8 Newman Street, London W1T 1FB, United Kingdom 

Allpress Coffee London  
A flagship roastery and café located in Dalston, East London, serving as the UK and European headquarters for the New Zealand-born specialty coffee brand. Housed in a restored joiner’s factory on Dalston Lane, the space is bright and spacious with vaulted ceilings, wooden floors, and both indoor and outdoor seating — designed to reflect the brand’s global aesthetic while maintaining a local, community-focused feel. The café offers expertly brewed espresso and single-origin filter coffee, alongside a simple food menu of sandwiches, breakfast plates, and lunch dishes. It also hosts events like film screenings and supper clubs, and features a visible roasting operation powered by solar energy, where visitors can watch the entire coffee production process — from green bean delivery to roasting and packing. 

Address: 55 Dalston Lane, London E8 2NG, United Kingdom 

Monmouth Coffee 
With outlets in popular Borough Market and Covent Garden, Monmouth Coffee is perpetually packed when we visited both outlets. Nothing fanciful except a solid coffee selection and some cakes to go along. Forget about snagging a seat, opt for takeaways instead. 

Address: Various locations 

Arôme Bakery  
A celebrated patisserie that artfully blends classic French baking techniques with bold Asian-inspired flavors. Co-founded by French pastry chef Alix André and Singaporean restaurateur Ellen Chew, the bakery is known for its inventive creations like Miso Bacon Escargot and Gula Melaka Coconut Twist, alongside traditional favorites such as croissants and pain au chocolat. Located in Covent Garden and Marylebone, Arôme offers a minimalist, modern space where pastries are baked fresh daily. It’s a go-to spot for those seeking a unique and refined bakery experience in the heart of London. 

Address: 27 Duke Street, London W1U 1LE, United Kingdom 

Pophams Bakery  
An artisanal bakery and restaurant with locations in Islington, London Fields, and Victoria Park. Known for its hand-crafted viennoiserie pastries and sourdough bread, Pophams blends traditional baking techniques with seasonal ingredients to create a cozy, elevated café experience. Beyond pastries, they also serve fresh pasta, house-roasted coffee in collaboration with Ozone, and a curated selection of homewares made by local artisans 

Address: 197 Richmond Road, London E8 3NJ, United Kingdom 

Layla Bakery  
A charming neighborhood bakery located in Ladbroke Grove, West London. Known for its rustic interior and warm, communal atmosphere, Layla specializes in artisan pastries, top-quality sourdough, and specialty coffee. The bakery emphasizes seasonal ingredients, wild grains, and traditional baking methods, offering standout items like pistachio cream brioche, cinnamon & cardamom rolls, and blood orange danishes.  

Address: 332 Portobello Road, London W10 5PQ, United Kingdom 

Jolene Bakery (Redchurch Street)  
A cozy, heritage-grain-focused bakery and café nestled in the heart of Shoreditch, London. With its salmon-pink façade and handwritten signage, the space exudes a warm, artisanal charm that draws in passersby. Inside, visitors are greeted by a beautifully arranged display of sourdough loaves, Danish pastries, and cookies, all laid out on brown paper with handwritten labels. The bakery is known not only for its delicious baked goods and specialty drinks like iced chai, but also for its commitment to sustainability — using compostable cups and supporting regenerative food systems. Outdoor benches offer a relaxed spot to enjoy a pastry and coffee while soaking in the vibrant energy of the neighborhood. 

Address: 67 Redchurch Street, London E2 7DJ, United Kingdom 

Sourdough Sophia  
A beloved micro-bakery based in Crouch End, North London, known for its dedication to traditional sourdough baking. Founded by Sophia Handschuh and her husband Jesse during the COVID-19 lockdown, the bakery quickly grew from a home kitchen operation into a pastel-pink-fronted neighborhood staple. The bakery specializes in 100% naturally leavened sourdough loaves, rye bread, croissants, and other pastries — all handmade with just flour, water, and salt. With a strong community ethos, Sourdough Sophia offers online ordering for local pickup and delivery across areas like Haringey, Muswell Hill, and Finsbury Park.  

Address: Various locations  

Monocle Cafe 
We love the magazines, that’s a given fact. There aren’t many Monocle Cafes worldwide, London being one of the lucky cities. This hip cafe in Marylebone does Allpress Coffee, as well as a pretty solid food menu of sandwiches, chicken curry and Scandinavian breakfast. 

Address: 18 Chiltern Street, Marylebone, London W1U 7QA, UK 

Ranted by The Ranter