The Caffeine Chronicles: Four Corners Cafe

Love & Scandal wasn't my only stop on my tour of Lower Marsh last Friday. A few minutes south-west along the street is The Four Corners Cafe, which has been on my coffee to-do list for a while.  I had heard very good things about the coffee and the ambience and I wasn't disappointed.

I knew I'd reached the right place when I spotted the 'life's too short for shit coffee' sign outside the pistachio-green storefront. Inside, I was greeted with a host of monochrome and pun- and coffee-laden merch. The décor at Four Corners is fun and quirky, with a heavy emphasis on maps and travel. As a fellow cartophile, I took a seat next to a shopping guide to Mexico City and an old Japan train timetable and went to order my coffee.

Four Corners doesn't serve Aeropress or pourovers, but it does offer a Chemex for two (£6). In my post-cold phase, I wasn't quite up for that much coffee, so I ordered a macchiato instead (£2.20). They use Ozone coffee and although my mac was slightly wetter than I usually prefer, the coffee was strong, rich and chocolatey.

Speaking of chocolate, there were some amazing-looking cakes on the counter, including an Oreo cake (£3.50 per slice), but alas: my appetite was lacking. If you are looking for something more substantial, they serve a range of soups and sarnies and, if you come early enough, breakfast. Instead, I sipped my coffee while reading the latest issue of Caffeine magazine, and enjoyed the people-watching opportunities.

It was also nice to hang out in such a friendly cafe. The staff were chatty and helpful, and the long communal tables are great for groups. Basically, if you are in need of great coffee in the Waterloo area — especially if you are also seeking travel inspiration — check our Four Corners.

The Four Corners Cafe. 12 Lower Marsh, London, SE1 7RJ (Tube: Waterloo or Lambeth North). Website. Twitter.