Nine Specialty Coffee Shops To Visit in King's Cross, London

When I returned to King's Cross recently, exploring the London neighbourhood's specialty coffee scene was high on my agenda. While there's been a *lot* of change since I created my 2019 King's Cross coffee guide, many of my favourite cafes are still going strong, alongside some excellent new additions.

Tasting the 'Best of British' on a Borough Market Food Tour

I've lived near London's Borough Market for 13 years and often visit for a bite to eat. I've always wanted to take a food tour to get an expert's take on the best things to eat and drink and learn more about the market's storied history, so I was delighted when Eating Europe invited me to experience one of their London food tours.

52 Fun and Unique Things To Do in London

You’ve been to the British Museum, explored the Tower of London and Westminster Abbey and queued for crumble at Borough Market... What's next? Luckily, London has many more memorable experiences up its sleeve — here are 52 of my favourites.

Revisiting Riding House Cafe — A Fitzrovia Brunch Favourite

I first visited Riding House Cafe, in London’s Fitzrovia neighbourhood, in 2011, soon after it opened. I’ve been back many times since — for breakfast, dinner and everything in between. But it had been a while since my last visit so I was delighted when they invited me back to try their new brunch menu.

Five Days in Brussels: Sights, Bites and Golden Nights

My last trip to Brussels was 10 years ago, and even then, I was supposed to be going to Paris. This time, I was back in the Belgian capital for five days during the recent heatwave. I was working for most of it, but I managed to see a fair bit of the city — and found some wonderful places to eat, drink and wander.    

Eight Specialty Coffee Shops To Visit in Brussels

In June, my job took me to Brussels where I spent five days in the Belgian capital for World of Coffee. I didn't have a lot of free time but I still visited eight great specialty coffee shops and tasted coffee from even more Belgian roasters at the show.

Castles, Coffee and Cake in Bergisches Land, Germany

While visiting my friend in Solingen, Germany, we ventured out to explore the Bergisches Land. After climbing Germany's highest rail bridge the day before, we took things at a slower pace, visiting Burg Castle — Anne of Cleves' childhood home — and enjoying Bergische Kaffeetafel, a regional coffee and cake tradition.

10 Specialty Coffee Shops To Visit in Vienna

Coffee house culture in Vienna dates back to the 17th century and was even formally recognised by UNESCO in 2011 for its intangible cultural heritage. Vienna is one of the world's best cities for coffee and cake, and today, it's also a great destination for lovers of third-wave specialty coffee shops.

How To Spend a Long Weekend in Vienna

Vienna is a city of superlatives — and a few surprises. Famous for its musical history, world-class museums, coffee house culture and elegant architecture, Vienna is also the world's greenest city. And yes, even its hot dog stands are UNESCO listed! Whether your tastes are highbrow or lowbrow, the Austrian capital is perfect for a long-weekend break.

Best Bermondsey Specialty Coffee Shops — A Local's Guide

Bermondsey's connection to coffee dates back to the 19th century, when its warehouse complexes stored coffee and other goods. More recently, the southeast London neighbourhood has become a top specialty coffee destination, with a mix of local coffee shops and top-notch roasters. I've lived in the area since 2012 and today I'm sharing my favourite Bermondsey specialty coffee spots.

The Caffeine Chronicles: Workshop Cafe & Academy, Belgravia

As signs of spring emerged last weekend, I headed out into the sunshine. My destination? Belgravia, where one of my favourite London roasters, Workshop Coffee, has returned after a year-long absence with a gorgeous new specialty coffee shop.

Six Specialty Coffee Shops To Visit in Cannes

I've been visiting Cannes for over two decades and until recently, there was little in the way of specialty coffee in the French Riviera city — unless you count the pourovers I brewed at my parents' place! Over the past few years, that's started to change and in this guide, I'm rounding up some of my favourite specialty coffee shops in Cannes.

How To Spend Two Days in Flores and Tikal, Guatemala

The tiny, rainbow-hued Isla de Flores was my final destination in Guatemala. I spent two days there: enough time to explore the island’s architecture, take a boat trip on Lake Petén and visit Tikal, the spectacular Mayan archaeological site.

My 2025 Coffee, Food and Cocktail Favourites

I'm taking a break from my Guatemala and Belize blogs to pick out some of my favourite specialty coffee shops, restaurants, bars and individual dishes from all those I visited for the first time in 2025, in London and on my travels around the world.

Best Specialty Coffee Shops in London — A Local's Guide (Updated 2026)

I've been writing about London's first forays and then larger leaps into specialty coffee since I started this blog in 2007. This London specialty coffee guide, first created in 2017 but regularly updated with my latest discoveries, now includes over 150 of my personal favourite coffee shops, based on my own experiences from Crouch End to Clapham, Dalston to Deptford and beyond.

Five Specialty Coffee Spots To Visit in Croydon

For the past year, I've been working in East Croydon once a week and I've been exploring the area on my lunch breaks. That has, of course, included tracking down the best specialty for specialty coffee. I'll keep this guide updated with new discoveries, but for now, read on to discover my five favourite specialty coffee shops in Croydon.

How To Spend a Perfect Weekend in Brighton & Hove (Updated 2026)

With its bustling beachfront, labyrinthine lanes filled with independent shops and eateries, thriving cultural scene and bohemian, inclusive spirit, Brighton and Hove has it all. It’s one of my favourite places in the UK and as I have family nearby, I visit every few months. Located 55 miles south of London on the Sussex coast, it's an easy day trip but to make the most of all Brighton has to offer, why not spend the weekend?

A Caffeinated Day Trip to Leigh-on-Sea

Last Saturday, I took a day trip to Leigh-on-Sea: a new-to-me seaside destination that's just a 45-minute train journey from London. Once a busy fishing port, Leigh has stacks of character with cobbled streets, historic buildings and wide array of restaurants, cafes and shops, as well as a lovely sandy beach.

Nine Specialty Coffee Shops To Visit in Palma de Mallorca

When I wasn't visiting Palma de Mallorca's cathedrals, castles and coves, I made time to explore the city's burgeoning specialty coffee scene. Mallorca has several specialty coffee roasteries, as well as many other cafes serving coffee from top roasters from mainland Spain and beyond. The brunch offering is impressive too. Read on to find out my favourite coffee discoveries in Palma.

How To Spend a Perfect Day in Notting Hill

Colourful houses, a world-famous carnival and market and, of course, a film with a certain H. Grant and J. Roberts. These are just a few of the images London’s Notting Hill conjures up. But there’s a lot more to the neighbourhood than elegant architecture and *that* movie. My one-day itinerary will help you uncover Notting Hill’s rich cultural and social history, and make the most of its excellent dining and shopping.