Bermondsey was known as 'London's larder' because its docks and wharves were once home to warehouses for coffee, tea and spices, among other goods arriving in London by boat. You can still find traces of this history in local names, like Java Wharf (no prizes for guessing what was stored there!).
Today, it remains a destination for foodies and specialty coffee lovers alike. It's home to one of London's OG coffee roasters, Monmouth Coffee, and over the years many other coffee spots have opened up in and around Bermondsey Street and Maltby Street Market, and deeper into Bermondsey. I'm a regular at most of them!
I've listed my favourites below (as usual, my very favourites are asterisked and have purple icons on my map). I created this guide in March 2026 and I'll update it regularly.
Bermondsey specialty coffee guide
Last updated: March 2026
Chapter 72
Crol & Co
I used to live around the corner from the original Crol & Co on Dunton Road. On the site of an old betting shop, it was a very welcome addition to the neighbourhood and I visited regularly. I even hung out there while waiting for the keys for my new pad on moving day.
Owners Vanessa and Nico have done a great job of making the café into a cosy and welcoming space. They serve well-brewed espresso-based drinks, smoothies, toasties and cakes, plus cocktails, wine and beer in the evenings. On a sunny day, I love sitting outside under the awning.
There's a bigger Crol & Co on Tanner Street, just off Bermondsey Street. The coffee is just as good but the food menu is more extensive. It's a fab place for a lazy brunch or a burger and a locally brewed beer.
Crol & Co is located at 77 Dunton Road, SE1 5TW (Tube: Bermondsey) and 9 Tanner Street, SE1 3LE (Tube: London Bridge). Website. Instagram. My full review.
* Monmouth Coffee Company
I've been visiting Monmouth Coffee's Covent Garden coffee shop for almost 20 years, and the legendary London roaster had been in business for 30 years before that!
When I moved south of the river, their Bermondsey roastery and brew bar in the railway arches of Dockley Road was just up the road. I went there most Saturday mornings after a run with friends. We'd drink coffee and I'd usually also stock up on beans.
I now live closer to the Borough Market Monmouth, but I still visit Dockley Road. The café is now located in a more modern space across the road from the roastery.
You can choose from a wide variety of single-origin coffees available as a hand-brewed filter coffee or on espresso. The knowledgeable and friendly baristas are on hand if you need help deciding what to order. I've enjoyed some really lovely Costa Rican and Ethiopian coffees over the past year.
Monmouth is located at 3 & 4 Dockley Road, SE16 3AF (Tube: Bermondsey) and other locations. Website. Instagram.
NoNo
NoNo is a micro-roastery and coffee bar on West Lane, a short walk from Bermondsey Tube. It's so small that there's no room for customers inside. Order at the window and then take a seat at the benches just outside, or walk a few blocks down to the river where you can enjoy your brew with a world-class London view (as seen in the header image).
On my most recent visit, I ordered a cortado with the house espresso blend — currently a blend of two Brazilian coffees and one from Colombia. My coffee was very nicely brewed, with sweet caramel and chocolate flavours with a little milk.
NoNo also sells retail bags of beans, excellent cookies and various locally produced pantry supplies, like jams and granola.
NoNo is located at 2 West Lane, SE16 4NY (Tube: Bermondsey). Website. Instagram.
Presse Books
Located at the southern end of Tower Bridge Road, near Bricklayers Arms, Presse Books is a bookshop, event space and cafe inside the Forma arts venue. The building was recently restored as part of an urban renewal project and there's a lovely rooftop garden.
The coffee is from Assembly and is consistently well brewed, with a small selection of espresso and filter options available and pastries and sweet treats to go with your drink. The staff are very friendly and its a relaxing place to sit and watch the world go by.
Presse Books is located at 140 Great Dover Street, SE1 4G (Tube: Borough or Elephant & Castle). Website. Instagram. My full review.
Urban Baristas
I first came across Urban Baristas across the river in Wapping and they've since expanded with more than 20 cafes across London. Their SE1 coffee shop is the newest addition to Bermondsey Street.
Inside, it's bright and airy with lots of seating available. In case you weren't aware of Urban Baristas' Aussie roots, there's a graphic on the wall detailing their journey from Bondi to Bermondsey. If only Bermondsey Beach were as appealing as Bondi!
The menu features espresso drinks, V60 pourovers and a range of matcha options. Since it opened, I've been a couple of times. On both occasions, my cortado was very well brewed, with sweet, milk chocolate flavours.
Urban Baristas is located at 135 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW (Tube: London Bridge) and other locations. Website. Instagram.
* WatchHouse
WatchHouse now has coffee shops across London and as far away as NYC. But their tiny Bermondsey Street coffee shop is where it all began. Located next to St Mary Magdalen Churchyard, the company takes its name from the church 'watch house' that the coffee shop now occupies.
Inside, it's beautifully designed, taking advantage of the slightly unusual layout and period features. Order an espresso-based drink or filter coffee at the counter and, if you're lucky, grab a seat at one of the small tables inside or out on the pavement. The coffee is always excellent and it's roasted just down the road...
...Which brings me to the WatchHouse roastery at Maltby Street Market. Located in one of the railway arches of Druid Street, WatchHouse uses the space to full effect with a curved red-brick coffee bar taking centre stage.
There's a brew bar where you can often try some very special coffees as a pourover. The usual espresso drinks are available too, as well as some delicious sweet treats and baked goods. You can glimpse the roasting operations through the windows at the back, and pick up some freshly roasted beans to brew at home.
WatchHouse is located at 199 Bermondsey Street, SE1 3UW (Tube: London Bridge), 36 Maltby Street, SE1 3PA (Tube: Bermondsey) and other locations. Website. Instagram. My full reviews: Bermondsey Street, the Roastery.
How to get to Bermondsey
Bermondsey is located in southeast London, just south of the River Thames. If you're heading to Bermondsey Street, the closest station is London Bridge (for the Northern and Jubilee Lines and mainline rail). Bermondsey Tube Station (Jubilee Line) is better for Maltby Street and the more eastern parts of the neighbourhood.
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