Author: espressolovin

Enjoys a nice coffee in pleasant surroundings, with perhaps the option to walk around and take in the scenery. Company optional.

Allan’s, Tooley St (nr London Bridge, Hays Galleria)

image

This small place on the corner beside the modern More London development looks French, but is more cosmopolitan than that.

Two tables and bar seating for four are expanded on by another four tables outside on the side street, in the sun. The layout is surprisingly charming.

The coffee is average. Tobacco overtones but without a lot of bitterness. Some will like it, but it’s not my preferred style.

There’s a good selection of food – sandwiches and pastries – but most importantly they make fresh pancakes. Fabulous.

Coffee ***
£1.50
Environment ****
Food ***+

Prufrock Coffee, 25 Leather Lane EC1 (Hatton Gardens diamond district)

image

Prufrock is another gourmet coffee shop in this area offering great coffee and urban industrial chic. It does it well. More space, apparently more child-friendly, and very good tasting espresso. Staff can be a bit aloof, but not in a nasty way – just a bit distracted.

Espresso *****
£1.80
Environment ****
Service ***

Tito’s, Exmouth Street

image

Tito’s is a decent, friendly little Spanish-speaking place in a convenient location. About eight small tables inside and a further few in the pedestrianised street outside, they serve a good variety of sandwiches and pastries, and also hot food like burritos and pasta. Unfortunately, the day I was there, the almond croissants were stale. Shame.

Coffee ***
£1.40
Environment ***

The Onion Cafe, 1 Sicilian Avenue, WC1A 2QH (nr. Holborn tube / Bloomsbury Sq / British Museum)

image

Small but with lots of seats – many outside on the pedestrian walkway – this little cafe is one of many on Sicilian Avenue. Sandwiches and salads are available and the staff are friendly and efficient.

Coffee *** (Lavazza, well made)
£1.90 (drink in is pricey, but you are 5 minutes from the British Museum)
Environment ***

Four Seasons Hotel bar, Westferry Circus, E14 (Canary Wharf / Westferry DLR)

If you are lucky enough to be at the Four Seasons Hotel in Canary Wharf, then be prepared for a pleasant coffee surprise. The bar in the main reception can make you a fabulous ‘ristretto’ style espresso – ask for Cataldo, the Sicilian-Canadian barman if he’s available.

The coffee is thick, short and strong, so you’ll probably want to ask for a glass of water to help wash it down.

Coffee *****
Environment *** (fancy hotel reception style…pleasant but bland)
Cost – I didn’t like to ask! I’d guess £2.50 (it was added to a tab…)