TABXTAB joined the Notting Hill coffee scene in 2017 featuring a simple, modern atmosphere, with dark wood tables and a custom-made concrete counter. Products from local artisans are sold on site, such as handmade KANA ceramic cups (which their drinks are served in). The coffee is made with beans from the highly acclaimed Amsterdam roastery, Bocca – which can’t be found in any other London café. Even in an area overrun with brunch spots, TABXTAB’s seasonal (and halal!) menu does not disappoint. Everything from the French toast with strawberries and cream to the egg and mushroom toast is a locally beloved dish.

KURO COFFEE is a Japanese-inspired café with white brick walls, light wood details, and minimalist decor. The pastries and sandwiches served are from KURO BAKERY, run by the same owners. Every ingredient here is thoughtfully sourced, from the full-bodied espresso to the Uji ceremonial matcha whisked to order. Check out the upstairs seating area if you want a quiet place to relax with your beverage and snap a few pics for the Insta feed.

Incensed by the lack of independent shops in her neighborhood, Marianne Brammer set out to create a home away from home in the middle of Kensington. Danish for home, Hjem is a Scandinavian coffeehouse with an on-site bakery, serving specialty coffees and open face rye bread sandwiches. Marianne uses carefully sourced organic ingredients to prepare homemade goods for the café, like the deliciously creamy almond milk and highly esteemed cardamom buns. Make your way out to the cozy hidden garden behind the shop when the weather’s nice, or bask in the warm, friendly atmosphere emanating from inside.

Hagen Espresso Bar was an idea born out of Copenhagen coffee culture, advocating for coffee as a social activity as well as a much needed midday pick-me-up. Packed with hygge Scandinavian vibes and freshly roasted brews, Hagen doesn’t give off that impersonal feeling that chain cafés tend to have, despite spanning 6 locations across London. Order at the takeout window for a quick cup, or enjoy a Danish pastry in one of the many comfy nooks throughout. Hagen also offers organic juices and kombucha for the non-coffee drinkers out there.

Founded in 2014, Story Coffee offers a bright and airy atmosphere among countless windows and expertly crafted cedar wood tables. The café focuses wholly on the quality of all ingredients and equipment utilized, streamlining every part of the coffee-making process so your drink tastes the same every time you order it. The rotation of available brews doesn’t disappoint, including Story’s own special roast you should definitely try if you get the chance. Brunch is served all day and comes highly praised by all who have tried it – sweet and savory options equally beloved. Do note there’s a strict no laptop rule on weekends, although they are allowed in certain areas of the café during the week.

Lauded as one of the best brunch spots in all of London, Milk boasts innovative dishes made with locally sourced ingredients in a trendy, Insta-worthy setting. There’s something for everyone from sweetcorn fritters with tomato salsa, to toasted banana bread topped with creamy tahini butter. Milk might be known for its artfully appetizing brunch but don’t sleep on the coffee – silky smooth and roasted to perfection. Make sure to get there early if you want a seat, however, as the tables tend to fill up fast.

Locals know Monmouth Coffee Company as one of the best cafés in London. Founded in 1978, the coffeehouse has always made bean quality and sustainability the most important aspects of the business. The owners spend much of the year seeking out the best single-origin beans to bring back to their roastery and sell in each of their 3 locations. All beans are roasted just days before being sold and served, making for some seriously fresh brews. Before you go, you should note that Monmouth does not serve drinks in single-use cups. You can stay at the café and use one of their mugs, bring your own travel cup, or rent a Monmouth reusable cup and bring it back next time you go for a refund of the rental price. This system was implemented to reduce waste and inspire conversations about how we can be more eco-friendly in our daily lives.

Founded on the desire for an amazing cup of coffee every day, % Arabica started out in Hong Kong in 2013 and has gone on to become an international delight across Europe and Asia. The shop was awarded Most Notable New Café at the London Coffee Festival not long after opening its first 2 locations in the city. % Arabica produces its own coffee, meticulously sourced and roasted. The entire menu comes highly recommended, but try the Spanish iced latte (made with condensed milk) for a sweet departure from the sharper flavors of a typical latte. Outside of the world class coffee, % Arabica offers a clean, minimalist café design with brick walls and light wood accents – a great spot to relax as you enjoy your drink.

Opened in 2009, Kaffeine was a trailblazer for the London café aesthetic and even won Best Independent Café in Europe and the UK. Commended for its particularly strong coffee, espresso shots are served with cold brewed cascara tea to cleanse the palate. If you can’t decide what to get, order the coffee flight to try several brews, or talk to a barista for recommendations. The food here is prepared on site with fresh, seasonal ingredients. If you come snacky, don’t overlook the banana bread – some say it’s the best in London.

Australian coffee techniques meet Argentinian cuisine at Abuelo, a family-owned coffeehouse and kitchen serving single-origin coffee and breakfast through dinner. The owners ran 5 cafés back in Sydney, where they were hailed as the “coffee kings” of the city. The space is meant to feel like your dining room at home, complete with warm lighting and a large communal table that sits 12. Check out the many homemade cakes available, which pair incredibly well with the coffee brewed to perfection.

Batch Baby opened in 2021 as a passion project by 2 coffee lovers who wanted to give hand-brewed filter coffee the spotlight it rightly deserves. The café itself is relatively large with a lot of seating options. The exposed pipes on the ceiling and pops of color throughout give the space a hipster vibe perfect for the Instagram feed. Cakes and toasties are available if you’re hungry, and don’t forget to check out the retail section, where they sell beans (rotated on a monthly basis) and various bottled beverages.

OAT is a vegan/vegetarian café with plenty of indoor and outdoor seating, offering Wi-Fi for those looking to work or study. Graffiti and stickers coat the exterior of the building, creating an artsy vibe that continues inside with black and white checkered floors and big, bright windows. Brunch consists of baked goods galore and coveted focaccia sandwiches – which you’ll be able to afford since there’s no extra charge for oat milk!

Australian café-inspired Brickwood offers specialty coffee blends and all-day brunch across 6 locations, all while maintaining its independently owned and operated charm. The basement has free Wi-Fi and is always open for people to work, while the outside courtyard is a great place to chill when the weather is nice. With warm lighting, specialty coffee, and freshly baked pastries, Brickwood Café is not to be missed for coffee lovers in London.

Monocle, the international lifestyle magazine and radio show, also runs a coffee shop on a quaint London street, and it doesn’t disappoint. The chic, yet cozy spot boasts 2 floors inside, plus an outdoor seating area perfect for people watching. Pastries are sourced from Fabrique Bakery, and more substantial bites from the surprisingly global menu (think taco salads and shrimp katsu sandwiches) are made in house. Monocle magazines are available to read as you enjoy your coffee, and there’s a small shop area selling books as well.

One of the only completely vegan coffee shops in London, The Fields Beneath is located underneath the arches of Kentish Town West Station. It’s a real neighborhood café, always packed with locals and is quite popular among vegans and non-vegans alike. All the food on offer is homemade, using locally sourced seasonal ingredients. The coffee is single-origin and always roasted to perfection. The café also uses many different brands of alternative milks, so you can choose which one you want to try in your coffee – a rare privilege worth mentioning.