(taken at Monocle Cafe)
Like Lorelai
Gilmore, I like coffee like I like my oxygen. A cup or mug is constantly in
hand whether or not the caffeine boost is necessary (though it usually is).
While I can’t claim to be any sort of bean connoisseur, I could arguably
qualify as a coffee shop expert… at
least going by Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000 hour rule.
An avid
list maker, coffee shops are routinely on the top of my travel itineraries.
This inclination often elicits eye-rolls from travel companions who will let me
know in no uncertain terms that they didn’t travel all the way to whatever
foreign city just to try their cafes. Despite these objections, I’ve made it to
hundreds of coffee shops/cafes around the world (well, within America and
Europe anyway) and feel somewhat equipped to judge each city on the merit of
its best coffee shops.
The past few months in London have
allowed me ample time to properly assess the British café culture. So I though
I would share my top five so far. My choices are made based on location,
atmosphere and, of course the actual coffee. Also I did not including cafes
that have outposts abroad (and many of them are quite small and only have a
single location).
18 Chiltern Street, London W1U 7QA
Even if you’ve never read through
an issue of Monocle magazine, you
will get a strong sense their company ethos upon entering this café. The
connection might feel a bit forced as you first enter the café and are
bombarded by copies of their magazine and branded tote bags for sale, and
Monocle 24, Monocle’s radio station, constantly on air. However, moving beyond this initial reaction,
there is a bit of a Japo-Nordic inspiration that culminates in a space that is
not only sleek and business meeting friendly, but also relaxing.
9 Windmill Street, London W1T 2JF
Sharps Coffee Bar is particularly
original in their concept of cafe/barber shop. While that phrase might scream
obnoxious hipster to many, that’s not the feeling when you walk in. Since the
space is primarily a barbershop the café has a pretty relaxed vibe. So you’re
free to enjoy your coffee with a nice view of the parade of sharp-looking men
strolling in and out at all times.
40 Store Street, London WC1E 7DB
Store Street Espresso, just down
the road from Sharps, is another great place to enjoy the afternoon. Preferably
curled up in the back with a book (here, with The Master and Margarita which I
just finished). And if you forget your own reading material, they have a number
of novels on offer. Plus, when you finish your own book they’re happy to let
you trade it in for a new one.
| 49 Old Street, London EC1V 9HX |
Look Mum No Hands! is easily
one of my favorites thanks to its hilariously festive decorations. Bikes hang
on the walls and colorful streamers and party shop merchandise are always somewhere
to be found. Doubling as a cafe/bar/bicycle workshop, the place is the epitome of its Shoreditch location. Although I bet
it would do equally well in Williamsburg. After 5pm you can switch in that
coffee cup for a glass on cheeky vino, which in my opinion is the perfect end
to a productive day.
1 comment:
I will definitely have to keep these cafes in mind for any future travels to London! They look so hip but relaxing.
TFM BLOG
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