London Cafés
With limited eating out options, one thing that is still allowed is takeaway, and I am thinking about takeaway coffee and snacks. So I have been on a Boris bike around London exploring some of the best options I could find. Hopefully you can explore some of these on your walks. Or if you are reading this after lockdown has ended - Actually sit down and enjoy your coffee.
Edit: Some places are changing their operation and may be temporarily closed. Please check before you go
One of the current London favourites. This Filipino cafe closes fairly early, and is a bit out of the way in Battersea… but it is worth the detour. Some tasty filipino brews, and best of all, the pastries! With flavours that you are not used to. To make sure you get some of the best things show up early, or preorder your baked goods! I highly recommend the golden latte, and the pan de coco.
My personal favourite. This French chain opened their new(ish) location on the cutest street in Belgravia, in a beautiful building and I can’t wait to be able to actually get to eat inside and not standing on the street. Sandwiches are delicious and the fox sugar cookies are a must! Not only are they super cute, they are also really tasty. They do have more locations in London, but this is the best one.
Chiltern Street is pretty much worth a visit in its own right, full of cute shops (and the potential celebrity spotting). So why not get some great coffee at the same time? Monocle isn’t just great looking it is great tasting too, so prepare to queue for your coffee. I can’t wait to be able to actually enjoy it sitting inside, people watching
The Attendant
27A Foley St, Fitzrovia, London W1W 6DY
(And 3 more locations in London)
Do you want your coffee from a toilet? In this case the answer is yes, definitely. This is a former public bathroom with some of the original toilet features preserved and incorporated into the design. Making the whole place a bit quirky and unique. If you are not put off by the toilets (and you shouldn’t be) this place does great coffee, and if you can you should grab some sandwiches or brunch items here as well. And like that isn’t enough, they might have some of the friendliest staff in London!
This place is a pink pastel heaven dedicated to gooey cookies. The shop itself is very cute and does cookies and coffee takeaway. My warning is that while the cookies are good (and with perfect gooey centres) I couldn’t finish it. They are very rich, so get some to share. Or bring back home so you can lie on the sofa after the unavoidable food coma kicks in.
Marchesi 1824
117 Mount St, Mayfair, London W1K 3LA
This is basically a posh bakery. But worth it for the building, the atmosphere immediately transporting you to Milano (at least in my head) and the people watching. Try some Italian pastries or treat yourself to something with insane amounts of whipped cream.
B Street Deli
88 Bermondsey St, Bermondsey, London SE1 3UB
Ok, so I might be partial in this one, but I couldn’t put this list together without mentioning at least one of the coffee places on Bermondsey street since I live around the corner. And with the amount of people I see on weekends walking around with a coffee, I can’t be the only one thinking that. This is one of the cuter places, which is also a deli and bakery. Grab something to go and have a walk around the neighbourhood!
Paul Rothe & Son
35 Marylebone Ln, Marylebone, London W1U 2NN
A London classic, owned by the same family in for generations since 1900. They make classic British sandwiches and the store is so cute, with what I assume is the original shelves. It’s the perfect place to pick up lunch, and yes, they do coffee as well
WatchHouse
36 Maltby St, London SE1 3PA
With six locations in London, each of them great looking, watchhouse now have their own roastery on maltby street. The perfect compliment to picking up a snack from somewhere nearby ( I would suggest 40 maltby streets weekly sandwiches).
BONUS
J. Evans
Warren St, Fitzrovia, London W1T 5NF
Ok, confession time. I have actually never been here. Because it is never been opened when I have been in the area. The store looks beautiful though, and the combo of coffee wine and beer sounds good. So if you are lucky to come by when it is actually open it might be worth a try!