The Caffeine Chronicles: The Barn, Fitzrovia

The Barn has long been one of my favourite European specialty coffee roasters so I was excited to hear that they were opening their first London coffee shop. I've been to several of the German roaster's coffee shops in Berlin and was actually visiting their Mallorca café the week the London location opened. Since my return, I've been a couple of times. It's a great addition to Fitzrovia — already an excellent neighbourhood for coffee.

The Barn is located on Charlotte Street, which has many great restaurants, cafés and bars. (Way) back in the day, I did work experience at an advertising agency a few blocks up the road. Walking along Charlotte Street always brings back fun memories (including a video shoot that proved challenging due to inclement weather!). Luckily, the weather was much better when I visited The Barn!

Inside, the café is attractively decorated with exposed-brick walls and a large L-shaped counter that takes up much of the space. There are stools next to the brew bar, and several more small tables along the side wall and at the front, by the window, as well as a couple of seats on the tiny outdoor space out front.

The Barn is known for their exceptional single-origin coffees and they had a wide range of different coffees available to try. The menu even includes an espresso flight where you can try two or three coffees. 

On my first visit, I was in a bit of a rush and just dropped by for an espresso to take away. The barista actually gave me two different espressos to try, but it was the Ethiopian whose super-sweet and fruity flavours won me over. 

When I returned the following week, I had more time and so ordered the Bex special: a piccolo and a pourover. This time there were two different Costa Rican espressos on offer; I went for the Corazón de Jesús, which has lovely velvety chocolate flavours with a little milk. The latte art was impeccable too.

As for the pourover, it was hard to choose among the three coffees available: a natural Rwandan, a natural Costa Rican and a washed Kenyan. I do have a thing for naturally processed coffees but on this occasion, the flavour profile of the Kenyan Gachenge spoke to me. The barista brewed it beautifully and the juicy blackcurrant and hibiscus notes really came through.

They also have several seasonal drinks on the menu — cold brew, espresso tonic, matcha lime soda and an iced matcha latte — plus some cakes and pastries behind the counter. If you need to stock up on coffee beans for home, you'll find a big selection of retail bags on the shelves near the counter. The Costa Rican Los Toños sounded particularly tasty, with papaya and strawberry notes.

Although I've been able to find The Barn's coffees in UK coffee shops and coffee subscription services over the years, it's great that they finally have a home of their own in London. But their arrival also reminds me that I really need to plan another trip to Berlin!

The Barn. 36 Charlotte Street, London, W1T 2NJ (Tube: Goodge Street). Website. Instagram.

For 150+ more of my favourite coffee shops in London, check out my London specialty coffee guide.