London's Borough and Bankside neighbourhood, on the South Bank of the River Thames, has long been a popular destination for locals, tourists and food lovers alike. And in recent years, exciting new openings have made the area a specialty coffee destination in its own right. Whether you're after a post-market caffeine hit or want to elevate your lunch-break coffee game, this guide has you covered.
Bankside stretches from London Bridge in the east to Blackfriars Bridge in the west, and includes some of London's top attractions like The Shard, Borough Market and the Tate Modern. It's also home to some world-class restaurants, bars and markets. I've lived a short stroll away for well over a decade and it's also been a pleasure to watch the local coffee scene expand and evolve.
In this guide, I'm sharing 10 of my favourite specialty coffee shops in Borough and Bankside, most of which I've visited dozens of times over the years. From standout coffee roasters to beautifully designed coffee shops and brunch spots, my list will help you find your new favourite.
Borough & Bankside Specialty Coffee Guide
Caravan's bright and spacious Bankside eatery is a fab place to visit for a quick cortado at the outside tables, a lazy brunch with a single-origin pourover, a post-dinner espresso — and everything in between. The coffee is roasted in their North London roastery and always tastes delicious. Although I usually go for brunch, they're open all day, with pizzas, sharing plates, cocktails and wine all on offer.
Caravan is located at 30 Great Guildford Street, SE1 0HS. Website. Instagram. My review.
The Gentlemen Baristas offer a distinctly dapper approach to specialty coffee. Sadly, several of their coffee shops have now closed but the Borough location is still going strong. It's standing-room only inside, but there are benches outside — or get your flat white to go and take it for a walk through nearby Borough Market.
The Gentlemen Baristas is located at 11 Park Street, SE1 9AB. Website.
All of Hagen's London coffee shops are characterised by beautiful design alongside thoughtfully brewed coffee. Hagen derives from the Danish for 'haven' and appropriately enough, their Borough coffee shop is a haven away from the hustle of Borough Market, tucked away in the arches of Borough Yards. Take a seat at one of the leather stools next to the marble-topped counter or at the window and enjoy your espresso-based coffee — and the elegant surroundings.
Hagen Espresso is located at Unit 223, Borough Yards, Stoney Street, SE1 9AD. Website. Instagram. My review of Hagen's Mayfair location.
The original Lantana in Fitzrovia was one of the
first Australian brunch cafés I discovered in London and its south-of-the-river sister is just as lovely. It's located a short walk from Borough Market but still gets busy at brunch o'clock so it's worth booking ahead. Both the filter coffee and the espresso-based drinks are great and if you've missed breakfast, there's an all-day menu, with cocktails and wine, to take you into the evening.
Lantana is located at 44-46 Southwark Street, SE1 1UN. Website. Instagram. My review.
It still surprises me that there aren't more coffee shops in and around Borough Market because Monmouth Coffee almost always has a queue. That's because one of London's first specialty coffee roasters is still one of the best, and they brew and sell excellent coffee, from a wide range of origins. They'll brew you a filter coffee with any of their varieties, or keep it simple by ordering the featured coffee of the day. Espresso drinks taste just as good.
There's some seating inside the café but at busy times you may be better off getting your coffee to go — bring your own reusable cup or borrow one of Monmouth's for a small deposit. Pro tip: if you want to buy beans, you can join the shorter queue on the right-hand side.
Monmouth Coffee is located at 2 Park Street, SE1 9AB. Website. Instagram. My review.
I was delighted when a new specialty coffee shop opened up inside my local library, some years ago, and I still stop by Mouse Tail whenever I'm borrowing or returning books. Their coffee is from
Mission Coffee Works and if you're feeling peckish, they also have various pastries, sweet treats, sandwiches and even pizzas on offer.
Mouse Tail Coffee is located at John Harvard Library, 211 Borough High Street, SE1 1JA. Website. Instagram. My review.
Nagare's original location, in Spitalfields, was my favourite London coffee opening of 2023. The third Nagare is located — appropriately enough — in the Triptych Building, a stone's throw from the Tate Modern and the river. The spacious café is beautifully designed and a tranquil place for an impeccably brewed pourover or espresso drink, like the
piccolo brewed with Phil & Sebastian coffee, which is featured in this post's header image.
Nagare offers a very well-curated selection of coffees from roasters around the world, as well as unique signature drinks, like the
refreshing maple fizz I tried. Don't miss the delicious baked goods, like the mentaiko mochi roll topped with spicy roe or any of the gorgeous cakes.
Nagare is located at Unit A, Eastern Building, 2 Triptych Place, SE1 9RD. Website. Instagram. My review (of the original Nagare).
A little off the beaten track, Origin Coffee is well worth tracking down under the arches just off Southwark Bridge Road. Based in Cornwall, Origin has long been one of my favourite UK coffee roasters and their Southwark coffee shop is a relaxed and attractive place to stop for coffee. Whether you choose one of the single-origin pourovers or go for an espresso-based drink, your coffee will be brewed to perfection. Unfortunately, they no longer serve brunch but they do have cakes, pastries and espresso soft serve.
Origin Coffee is located at 84 Scoresby Street, SE1 0XN. Website. Instagram. My review.
I came across Saint Nine, on Southwark Street, during those difficult days of lockdown, and Laith and his friendly, knowledgeable team offered not only consistently excellent coffee in a small but gorgeously designed café, but also a sense of companionship and connection. From the striking mural on the back wall to the thoughtfully selected and carefully crafted coffees on offer, Saint Nine remains one of my favourite coffee shops in London.
Saint Nine is located at 67 Southwark Street, SE1 0HX. Instagram. My review.
One of the newest specialty coffee openings in the area, Scenery Coffee is located in a historic former school building on Union Street. I came across their coffee — with its beautifully designed packaging — at a
coffee shop in Brighton and was even happier to learn their roastery and café was much closer to home. There are some really special coffees on the menu — try one as a filter coffee or espresso, and if you like it, you can buy the beans to take home. They also serve breakfast, lunch and light bites, and there's a lot of seating in what must have been one of the former classrooms, a bright, relaxed space.
Scenery Coffee is located at 171 Union Street, SE1 0LN. Website. Instagram. My review.
No comments:
Post a Comment