Bex's Coffee and Food Awards: 2021 Edition

Welcome to the 11th edition of my annual specialty coffee and food awards, where I am highlighting some of my favourites from the coffee shops and eateries that I visited for the first time this year. 

The Caffeine Chronicles: Where's Fred's

On my way back from the Borealis light installation at Guildhall Yard on Thursday evening, I happened upon an A-board for a specialty coffee shop and wine bar tucked away off Old Jewry, just around the corner from Bank Station. Intrigued by the name, Where's Fred's, I stopped by the next day. I didn't find Fred but I did find some very fine coffee and brunch in the handsome townhouse setting on Frederick's Place.

How To Spend a Long Weekend in Porto

My second, and last, foreign trip of the year was to Porto last month. I spent four days in the Portuguese city and was treated to warm weather, blue skies and bright sunshine. It was a welcome break from the near-constant rain and greyness of November in London. I've already written about Porto's great specialty coffee spots, but read on to find out what else I got up to, and where I ate, drank and shopped.