London's Best Cafés

Jolene Bakery & Restaurant is a laid-back neighborhood spot in London known for using flour from regenerative farming. It has a relaxed, welcoming feel all day, with simple menus that change regularly and a warm, friendly atmosphere.

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Jonathan Alphandery

Foodie, restaurateur

Jolene is great, all day dining place, from pastries and coffee in the morning to a super nice and casual dinner menu.

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Layla Bakery is a cozy neighborhood spot in London, known for its warm atmosphere and freshly baked goods. You can enjoy a drink in handmade ceramics or grab something to go, with the counter regularly offering new seasonal treats. This inviting setting makes it easy to relax and pick up a tasty loaf or a sweet bite.

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Malgosia Minta

Food journalist

Cosy, neighbourhoody bakery and cafe, which should be on your list if you are into butter and layers. . Aside of staples like croissants or iconic pistachio pan suisse, everything time to come here you will find on the counter some new seasonal treats, both sweet and savoury . Sit down and enjoy on side, sipping a nice cup of coffee (mind a lovely handmade ceramics) or grab for take away with an loaf of bread of juicy focaccia.

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Towpath is a relaxed café along Regent’s Canal in London, offering a peaceful escape from the city. It has a casual, open-air setting where you can sit by the water and take in the view. Walk-in seating makes it easy to drop by with friends or spend a quiet moment on your own.

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Kenneth Nars

Creative Director

Towpath Café is a busy summertime outdoor oasis along Regent’s Canal in Haggerston in the North East. The all day café, run by Lori De Mori and Laura Jackson, is a wonderful green escape from the city with breakfast, brunch, lunch and weekend dinner. The menu is a mixed bag of delicious, simple dishes, everything from walnut porridge and granola to Egyptian eggs, taramasalata with radishes to roast lamb chops and smoked mackerel, dessert cakes and fig leaf soft serve. Walk in only, terrace seating and a few tables under the roof.

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Norman’s Cafe is a relaxed, no-frills spot in London that serves up straightforward British cooking. It’s open for breakfast and lunch, with occasional dinner service, and offers a friendly setting to enjoy a real taste of the local cafe scene. The simple decor, warm staff, and changing menu give it a genuine charm without any fuss.

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David J Constable

Writer & Underwear Model

The Great British Cafe remains a cultural institution that’s as compelling as it is a cultural treasureThe cafe on Junction Road is perched unassumingly between an upholstery shop and an off-license on a scruffy stretch leading to Archway. It has no hype-stoking publicist or former Masterchef winner at the stove, but the buzz is real. Buddies Richie Hayes and Elliot Kaye opened the old-school British cafe in November last year, mid-pandemic. They gutted and renovated the entire place in just two months. Inside is small and unfussy, with simple tables and chairs. There is a framed Bobby Moore World Cup 1966 photo on the wall next to a humming refrigerator lined with cans of Stella and juice cartons. They have a black-white chequered tile floor and red-white chequered fabric curtains. Each table is fixed with the Holy Trinity of ketchup, brown sauce and Colman’s English Mustard.The menu is concise and direct, brilliantly priced with the Full English works and rotating weekly menus. Looking at Instagram, I can see that lunch options vary, from kedgeree, fish pie, pea risotto, chicken tikka masala and kippers on toast. Simple food done well. They also offer dinner and natural wine on Thursday and Friday evenings.

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HELMA Café + Wine in London offers comforting plant-based and vegetarian meals guided by the seasons. The casual, family-like setting makes it easy to relax and enjoy responsibly sourced food. This homely spot was created to share a genuine love of thoughtful cooking and welcoming hospitality.

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Jonathan Alphandery

Foodie, restaurateur

My favourite local café, serving nourishing vegetarian food in a relaxed way.

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Dark Arts Coffee in London roasts its beans in the UK and has earned a loyal following for its relaxed atmosphere and focus on quality. People often call it one of the best spots around, making it a favorite for anyone seeking a satisfying cup.

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Jonathan Alphandery

Foodie, restaurateur

Dark Arts is the best coffee place in town in my opinion.

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Eggbreak is a relaxed spot in Notting Hill that serves a variety of egg dishes for breakfast and lunch. It’s a cozy neighborhood hangout where you can expect a laid-back vibe, though you might need to queue at busy times.

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Margaux Koopman

Foodie

One of my favourite brunch spots in Notting Hill.The sweet potato rösti with goat cheese and poached egg is the best thing on the menu.The restaurant is so small so you will probably have to queue.

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Katsute 100 is a welcoming Japanese tearoom with several locations in London, offering a calm spot to slow down in the busy city. They source carefully chosen teas from smaller producers in Japan and pair them with freshly made pastries. It’s a cozy place to take a break, enjoy a taste of Japan, and step away from the everyday rush.

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Santiago Lastra

Chef

Katsute is a Japanese tea shop with a great selection of matcha, oolong, hojicha, different types of Japanese tea. They also do pastries with mochi—like mochi cakes, mochi mousse, mochi tiramisu and other Japanese-inspired pastries. You can have a religious experience having tea and Japanese pastries here. Several locations in London.

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Jolene Redchurch Street is a tiny bakery in Shoreditch serving fresh, daily-baked goods and coffee from morning to afternoon. As the smallest of the four Jolene bakeries, it’s a cozy spot to pop in for a quick break or a relaxed visit. The daily changing menu brings variety, making it a welcoming stop for anyone exploring the neighborhood.

Recommended by

Kenneth Nars

Creative Director

Tiny bakery on trendy Redchurch Street with amazing baked goods and coffee.The smallest of the four Jolene bakeries, the shop att Redchurch Street in Shoreditch is a tiny room selling amazing baked goods from morning until afternoon. In the morning it’s all croissants and pain au chocolats, and the lunchtine sausage rolls and sandwiches are not to be missed. Cakes, sourdough bread and coffee-very good, too.

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Violet Cakes is a cozy pastry spot in Hackney, London, led by Claire Ptak. Locals appreciate its relaxed atmosphere and the care that goes into each creation, making it a welcoming place to enjoy something sweet.

Recommended by

Santiago Lastra

Chef

An outstanding pastry shop by Clair Ptak. Outstanding Pastry shop led by the incredible Claire Ptak; go for great coffee, pastries and also the best cakes in London.

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