With signs of spring finally arriving in London, it's the perfect time to share some of my favourite coffee discoveries from the past few wintry weeks. Whether you're looking for standout London cafes to visit or great specialty coffee to brew at home, this round-up will keep you well-caffeinated.
The original Nagare in Spitafields was my favourite new coffee shop in 2023 and I've been back many times. Now, they've opened a second location just off Carnaby Street in Soho. Like the original, the second Nagare is beautiful and relaxing, with minimalist interiors and seating spread across several rooms. There's also a bench outside, which is a prime spot for people-watching.
The coffee is just as impeccable as at the original Nagare with welcoming, knowledgeable staff meticulously crafting each drink. I had a superb piccolo brewed with an espresso from Curve. Nagare is also a fantastic place to try out new and interesting roasters — I've tried coffees from Italian, Australian and Japanese roasters, to name just a few. And if you're feeling peckish, there are creative and tasty treats on offer, including their white chocolate and miso cookies.
Nagare is located at 2 Newburgh Street, London, W1F 7RD (Tube: Oxford Circus). Website. Instagram.
With the (slightly) sunnier weather tempting me away from my gym and back into outdoor running, I've often found myself in East Dulwich on weekend mornings. That's how I came across Kanella & Co, a family-run, Cypriot-influenced specialty coffee shop on Lordship Lane.
The coffee is from
Origin and the cortados I've tried on several visits have been spot-on. There's also a wide selection of sandwiches, pastries and other baked goods — the sausage bap was the perfect reward after a long run. Kanella can get busy at weekends, but you can usually find a table in this bright and spacious café. Or, take your coffee for a walk through the nearby
North Cross Road Market.
Kanella & Co is located at 106 Lordship Lane, East Dulwich, SE22 8HF (East Dulwich rail).
Website.
Instagram.
I wrote about the
original Saint Espresso in Angel over a decade ago and to this day, one of my photos remains my all-time most pinned photo on Pinterest! There are now several more Saints in the Canon (as it were), including a
handy location in Baker Street. But I'd never visited their Hackney Wick roastery, so when my friend alerted me to
Roll Boys' cinnamon roll residency, we were there in a flash!
Eager not to miss out, we arrived early on a Saturday morning. Luckily, given that it was a frigid winter's day, the queue wasn't too long and we were soon sitting inside the bustling roastery. I had a piccolo with the house espresso, which was excellent: smooth and well-balanced. They also sell retail bags of some delicious-sounding
single-origin coffees. As for the cinnamon rolls, I can recommend the pistachio and white chocolate, but I will have to go back for the three cheese and Marmite.
Saint Espresso is located at 13 East Bay Lane, Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, London, E20 3BS (Hackney Wick Overground or Stratford Tube) and
other locations.
Website.
Instagram.
Earlier this year, Michele from The Sip Emporium got in touch inviting me to try some coffee from their
carefully curated selection. Based in Surrey, The Sip Emporium offers delivery throughout the UK. Michele's vision is to make high-quality coffee accessible to everyone — especially those without a wealth of local roasteries on their doorstep.
Michele kindly sent me a couple of coffees to try, both of which I really enjoyed. The
Guatemalan Antigua coffee was right up my street: the juicy blackberry notes shone through when brewed as a V60 pourover. I don't drink a lot of decaf, but during these long winter evenings, it has been a real treat to sample The Sip Emporium's
Brazilian decaf. The Sugarcane decaffeination process enhances sweetness and acidity and the chocolate and caramel flavours came through nicely.
Disclaimer: The Sip Emporium kindly sent me two coffees to try, but the decision to write a review was mine and all opinions here are my own.
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