Nude Espresso Roasters, Hanbury St (Spitalfields/Brick Lane)

I’ve not been in this part of London for months, and it’s lunchtime, so many café places have queues out the door. I’m lucky enough to wander into the cavernous Nude Espresso Roasters for a lovely, dark, bitter but in a nice way espresso.

There are two big tables and benches at both windows. 60s hits play. It’s nice.

Coffee *****
£2
Environment ***

Alchemy, Ludgate Broadway / Carter Lane (City Thameslink / St Paul’s)

A new cafe near the end of Carter Lane – close to the City Thameslink exit – this is a coffee purist’s spot. The energetic guys behind the coffee machine know their coffee, and offer advice and cheerful suggestions as well as lessons every Thursday evening.

I tried the ‘Elixir’ espresso blend from El Salvador, Ethiopia and Bolivia – which was lovely. There’s also single estate – from Guatemala.

There are 12 stools around the windows and the modern interior is uncluttered and simple. There are a few items to eat – croissants and the like.

Coffee *****
£2
Environment ****

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

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 ***