9 places to drink coffee in London

***Rachel Khoo would like to thank all the inspiring people who helped make the Khoollect studio a hive of creativity. Although the Khoollect studio’s doors have now closed, you can keep up with Rachel’s newest adventures on RachelKhoo.com and on Rachel’s Instagram and Facebook pages – and, continue to enjoy the Khoollect website’s stories and recipes, which will remain available.***

If you’re a coffee fanatic, you’ll know that London has some of the greatest selection of coffee shops and baristas around. From edgy East London joints to sleek spaces in Soho – there’s a shop for every taste, mood or time of the day. Here’s a selection I’ve come across and loved in London:

Cable Co, Kensal Rise

Conveniently a local to Khoollect HQ, Cable Co is my first stop on my way to the office. The beans are from Climpsons, East London – expertly made and always delicious. They have dairy free options in both their coffees and their cakes, aswell as interesting* smoothies and toasties.

*there’s some cool ingredients in there.

Ben’s House, Fitzrovia

As the name so lovingly suggests, Ben’s House is as welcoming as your childhood home. With a team of smiling people, great coffee, sausages rolls and other snacks, it’s a firm favourite of mine.

Prufrock Coffee, Clerkenwell 

Not just for coffee lovers, but illustration lovers too. Prufrock is a great place to go for meetings, breakfast or catching up with old friends. Spacious and airy, with good food too.

China Plate Espresso, Stoke Newington

Cockney slang for ‘mate’, China Plate is a little gem in its neighbourhood. Plentiful avo on toast, a chilled-out environment, perfect coffee and a pretty good magazine selection too.

Tap Coffee No. 114, Fitzrovia 

A classic. A few shops too!

E5 Bakehouse, London Fields

Great for commuters and Broadway Market go-ers, E5 is one of London Field’s finest. Famous for their bread and pastries, they also make a mean flat white.

Fingers Crossed Cafe, Rectory Road

A strangely wonderful place – tiny and crammed but ever-so charming – Fingers Crossed is one of those places you want to tell everyone about, but at the same time want to selfishly keep to yourself.

119 Lower Clapton Road, Clapton 

There’s something about this coffee shop that always makes me smile. I think it’s because it was my local when I first moved to London or maybe it’s that they serve giant chocolate croissants.

Craving Coffee, South Tottenham

You’ll think city mapper is playing a trick on you when you arrive here, but yes it’s an industrial estate next to a recycling centre and some abandoned, burned out cars. Craving Coffee is a special little place that I love on a lazy Sunday. Great coffee and menu too!

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lara messer

Lara is Khoollect’s Creative Editor. This London-based Glaswegian is the creative behind the camer...

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Prefer iced coffee? Read our tips for brewing a chilled one at home.

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