Address: WatchHouse, 199 Bermondsey Street, London SE1 3UW, UK
Website: watchhouse.com
Formative, Westminster
Tucked between Westminster and Victoria, Formative Coffee aims to create extraordinary coffee experiences in the midst of central London’s chaos. Founder Ian Kissick came to London to study computer science but found instead a skill for the world of specialty coffee: this ultimately led to Formative’s runner-up win in Sprudge’s ‘Best New Cafe’ 2020 and Kissick nabbing the title of UK Barista Champion in 2023. Formative has quickly gained a reputation as one of London’s top coffee spots since its opening in 2019.
Cutting down on distractions, Formative keeps things minimalist to ensure that coffee takes centre stage. Kissick’s approach to coffee is also refreshingly straightforward – customers simply choose between “Coffee A,” a medium to high bitterness blend ideal for milky drinks, and “Coffee B,” a sweeter, more acidic option perfect for espresso and filter. This simplicity is intentional and designed to make speciality coffee more accessible without overwhelming customers with information on roasters, origins, or processing methods.
Address: Formative, Butler Place, London, SW1H 0RH
Website: formative.coffee
Ngopi, Dalston
You don’t need to travel far to experience Indonesia’s flavours, traditions, and hospitality – just a quick hop over to Dalston. At Ngopi, you’ll find Indonesian single-origin coffees roasted on an Indonesian-made roaster, brewed into your usual favourites, and some more unique Indonesian-inspired brews. Their signature drink, Es Kopi Susu, is a must-try – a perfect balance of strong, slightly bitter coffee and sweet natural palm sugar syrup. The café’s name comes from the Indonesian phrase “Ngopi Yuk!” (meaning “Let’s have coffee!”), speaks of the cafe’s mission to share Indonesia’s rich coffee culture with the UK.
Beyond coffee, there is a charming selection of Indonesian-inspired snacks and light meals. Try the indulgent Indomie toastie, a delightful fusion of instant noodles with corned beef, cheese, and onion, all packed into a toasted sandwich. You can’t go wrong with classic Indonesian street foods like Gado-Gado and Martabak.
Address: Ngopi, 78 Dalston Lane, Dalston, London, E8 3AH
Website: ngopi.co.uk
Harrods Coffee Bar
Harrods Roastery, Knightsbridge
Why is a 170-year-old department store featured in a list of London’s best coffee shops? The meticulous renovation and subsequent 2017 relaunch of Harrod’s hallowed Food Halls reflects the store’s commitment to maintaining its legacy while still evolving with the preferences of today’s consumers.
