London has welcomed some truly special new specialty coffee shops in recent months. One of my favourites is Special Guests, a beautifully designed cafe in Marylebone that serves an exceptional range of coffees.
Long-time readers will know that I used to live in Marylebone. One of my favourite Sunday rituals was strolling down to Marylebone Farmers' Market for fresh produce. The market is still going strong and now you can treat yourself to an excellent post-shopping coffee at Special Guests on Aybrook Street — though if you're hoping for a seat, you may have better luck at a quieter time.
I've visited Special Guests a couple of times now. The first was on a Sunday lunchtime and both the market and the cafe were extremely busy. Despite the crowds, the knowledgeable and friendly baristas treat everyone as a special guest — whether you're deep down the specialty coffee rabbit hole or just after a really nicely brewed cappuccino.
The décor is simple but elegant, with two long silver counters at the heart of the space. Baristas serve customers and prepare espresso-based drinks on one side and brew pourover coffee on the other, creating a dynamic experience. The best seats in the house are the stools at the brew bar, where you can watch work the baristas work their magic. There are also a few small tables along one wall, and some padded window seats.
As well as several different espressos (including a low-caffeine option) in the hoppers, Special Guests' feature menu includes 12 single-origin coffees available as hand-brewed filter coffee. Their selection includes rare Panama Geshas, coffees processed with innovative techniques and some gems from their archives — carefully frozen for a second chance to shine.
On my first visit, I took up the barista's recommendation of a natural Colombia Gesha (£12) from their February 2024 release. This had beautiful floral and blueberry flavours and was a pleasure to drink.
When I went back, I opted for their new release, 032 — a natural Papayo coffee also from Colombia (£5). This time, I managed to snag a seat at the bar where I could watch the talented baristas preparing four pourovers in unison. It was great theatre and an even greater cup of coffee: the juicy cherry and strawberry notes came through wonderfully, especially as the coffee cooled.
Keen to try an espresso-based drink, I also ordered a piccolo. Brewed with a natural Ethiopian coffee, it was perfectly sweet and smooth, with latte art that lasted all the way down to the bottom of the cup.
There is also a small selection of baked goods on offer, as well as retail bags of their coffee to take home — just the 12 different varieties to choose from!
With its thoughtfully curated coffee menu, expertly crafted brews and warm service, Special Guests truly puts the 'special' in specialty coffee. It's well worth the trip even if you aren't a Marylebone regular!
Special Guests. 8 Aybrook Street, London, W1U 4AW (Tube: Baker Street). Website. Instagram.
For 150+ more of my favourite coffee shops in London, check out my London specialty coffee guide.
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