London Guide for Coffee Lovers

If you’re a coffee lover and a traveller, chances are the first thing your eyes search for when you arrive in a new city is a good café. If you’re visiting London you’re in luck: the city is home to plenty of exceptional (even award-winning) cafes and coffee shops whose expertise in making the perfect cup of coffee is meticulously and painstakingly honed. The following are just a few of the must-visit cafes in the city.

Freshness matters

Nothing combats fatigue better than a good cup of espresso. Despite its name, Nude Espresso is nothing rude! What you will find is an exceptional cup of your favourite caffeinated concoction. The café operates its own coffee bean roaster in house, so you can rest assured that not only do these people know what they are doing, but that they are doing it incredibly well, if one is to judge by the throng of customers.

Notes Coffee is another café that is totally dedicated to the craft of making the best cup of coffee possible. To say that the café’s baristas are passionate about the taste and quality of their brews is an understatement - so pay them a visit to experience it for yourself.

Surprising Flavours

Some cafes aren't afraid of blending different flavours and experimenting with their coffee to delight and surprise the palate. If you think your local Starbucks has already nailed every possible coffee concoction, think again! Workshop Coffee, for example, operates at four stores around London, each of which offers a unique range of incredibly creative coffee flavours. Its Cult of Done espresso, for instance, is infused with orange blossoms and spiked with a dark chocolate taste with a sweetness reminiscent of a ripe peach.

Getting to the Heart of the City

Reaching the heart of London—especially those places where the best coffee shops or cafes are located—is fairly straightforward. You can jump straight in a convenient Gatwick airport taxi if you’re flying in (there are also a few public transport options available, but you may have to expect a long walk with your luggage at the other end). A Gatwick airport taxi is probably your best bet, in terms of convenience, security, and speed. The drivers of these shuttle services are trained well to be courteous and thoroughly knowledgeable of London’s best places, from the well-known landmarks to the charming hole-in-the-wall coffee shops. You never know, you may get some 'locals only' coffee shop tips before you even get started on this list!

Lukas Johannes is a driver for Shuttle Direct. If you’re looking for a Gatwick airport taxi, Shuttle Direct provide pre-booked shuttles to major destinations all over Europe. Wherever you travel, Shuttle Direct can make sure that you don’t miss your car on your holiday abroad.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.