The Caffeine Chronicles: 15grams

While killing time in Greenwich a few weeks ago, I happened upon 15grams, a speciality coffee shop on Greenwich Church Street, on the corner of Greenwich Market. It was a sunny Sunday and there was a big queue and no room to sit, so I got a cortado to go, which I enjoyed so much I knew I had to return for a more leisurely visit.

I was back two weeks later and in the interim, the protective perspex screens on the counter had been taken down, making it even easier to admire the handsome coffee bar. The décor is very mid-century with wooden panelling and black tiling, pistachio green and maroon accents and a comfy armchair at the back, which would be perfect for curling up with a book (and a coffee). The café itself is long and slender, with the counter running along one side, with a long, narrow table running along the window just opposite. There are a couple more tables outside on the pedestrianised passage to the market.

To get to the coffee, you first have to make it past the impressive selection of pastries and baked goods on display in front of the door. These are from my local bakery, St John, and include doughnuts, croissants, muffins and cinnamon buns. I enjoyed one of the latter on my second visit when I was there in time for a late breakfast. They also sell sourdough bread to take away, and a few items of coffee-making kit.

As you'd expect from its name, 15gram focuses on espresso-based coffee drinks, brewed on the sleek Synesso. They roast their own coffee and use their A Damn Fine Blend to brew most drinks, which combines coffees from Colombia and Brazil. I had a cortado on my second visit as well, and both coffees were well brewed, the coffee tasting smooth and sweet with a little milk.

Retail bags of 15grams beans are also on sale, with four single origins available during my visit: a Costa Rican, a Kenyan, an Ethiopian and a decaf Colombian. The colourful packaging, with its geometric design, coordinated nicely with the rest of the aesthetic; in fact, if I had to guess, the design may even have taken some inspiration from the very cool Bauhaus Ausstellung poster on display on the wall. And if you can't make it to Greenwich, you can order beans online.

It was bustling on both of my visits — the seats soon fill up during busy times — and the staff were very welcoming despite the constant queue.

15grams. 28 Greenwich Church Street, London, SE10 9BJ (Greenwich rail). Website. Instagram.

For 150+ more of my favourite coffee shops in London, you can also check out my London speciality coffee guide.