19 April 2024
19 April 2024
Whether it’s for a pre-exhibition caffeine kick, a business meeting or catch-up with friends, these are our favourite coffee spots in Central/North! From Euston and King’s Cross to Bloomsbury – these are the best independent coffee cafés!
©MatthewWalder/RedemptionRoasters
Redemption Roasters, situated on picturesque Lamb’s Conduit Street, specialises in finely crafted, ethically sourced coffee. It’s made by specially trained-up young offenders from their roastery and barista training centre. Redemption has a cool and airy interior and is a great spot to sit in or for a grab-and-go. The array of tempting cakes on the counter, (such as the raspberry pastel del natal), mean you probably won’t leave with just a flat white. You can also order coffee online, which (with notes of peanut butter and honeycomb), means your coffee drinking is about to go to a whole new level.
Nearest station: Russell Square (Bloomsbury branch), Holborn (Holborn branch), Barbican or Farringdon (Farringdon branch), Liverpool Street (Broadgate Circle branch), Covent Garden (Covent Garden branch), Piccadilly Circus (Piccadilly branch).
Location: 84b Lamb's Conduit Street (Bloomsbury branch), 71 Lincoln's Inn Fields (Holborn branch), 55 Long Lane (Farringdon branch), The Pavilion, 3 Broadgate (Broadgate Circle branch), 40 Drury Lane (Covent Garden branch), 35 Jermyn Street (Piccadilly branch).
Official Redemption Roasters Site
©jamieorlandosmith/Frequency
Frequency is an independent coffee bar tucked away on King’s Cross Road and is a very well-kept secret. It’s the best place to get a finely crafted coffee if you’re in the area and you want to avoid a coffee chain. They make tasty empanadas too. Watching Justo or Joey make your drink is like watching a magic potion being made. They put a lot of care and attention into making their coffee, ensuring each cup is perfect. The milk is velvety smooth and the coffee has a distinct and rich taste. They also serve tea on a cute little tray with a tiny milk bottle. You can get a drink to-go or stop a while and sit in (we like the bench in the window).
Nearest station: King's Cross
Location: 121 King’s Cross Road
©CharlotteHu/HalfCup
Close to King’s Cross station, Half Cup is great for an after work catch-up with your friends. With brightly coloured flowers and birds adorning the walls, Half Cup is a lovely place to go for something a little bit different. They serve Nude coffee which is a winner straight off the bat but we also love the more unusual lattes–try the activated charcoal, the turmeric or beetroot. They are beautifully served with edible flowers on top and are especially delicious if you choose the coconut milk. The atmosphere is cool in the summer and cosy in the winter.
Nearest station: King's Cross
Location: 100-102 Judd Street
©Knockbox
Knockbox is a chilled out café on Lamb’s Conduit Street. Simple and satisfying, Knockbox serves artisan coffees and the best toasties for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Try the 'tuna melt', 'egg and spinach', or 'chicken and chorizo'. The almond croissants are also a great accompaniment to your latte for breakfast or elevenses. And, on your way out, treat yourself to a free cake bite from the plate by the door–we can confirm that the carrot cake is particularly good.
Nearest tube: Russell Square
Location: 29 Lamb’s Conduit Street
©TheEspressoRoom
Just a two-minute walk from Holborn tube station, The Espresso Room is the height of cool, decked out in palm print upholstery, reclaimed cinema seats and gym benches, plus they serve the best iced Vietnamese coffee around. The floor to ceiling glass windows make it a great place to watch the hustle and bustle of London life go by. Or, nab a seat at one of the benches outside on sunny days and enjoy one of their tasty sandwiches.
Nearest tube: Holborn or Russel Square (Bloomsbury branch), Covent Garden or Leicester Square (Covent Garden branch)
Location: 31-35 Great Ormond Street (Bloomsbury branch), 24 New Row (Covent Garden branch)
Other Locations: Canning Town/Canary Wharf