From modernist to minimalist, here are the cafés in London with an aspirational aesthetic.
London is known for its diverse café culture, from trendy oat flat whites to strong espresso, the city isn’t short on great coffee. At the heart of this ever-growing collection of cafés, are a number of spots that are fusing great coffee with sophisticated cool interiors. Cameras at the ready, here is FACT’s curated list of cafés in London with cool interiors.
Abuelo Marylebone
Originally opening in Covent Garden, the Marylebone branch of Abuelo is the perfect fusion of great coffee and even better design. The mother-daughter duo venture by Lynette and Cloe de la Vega combines Australian brunch with Latin American flair. The Marylebone outpost is the bigger, wiser older sibling, platforming the duo’s knowledge in design through their multidisciplinary practice, Prototype Studio. The space features vintage paper lamps paired with warm wooden furnishings and elegant red accents. The mixed marble counter provides a sleek backdrop for baristas to create delicious coffee.
Where: 7-11 Cavendish Place, London W1G 0QD
When: Sunday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday to Saturday 9am to 8.30pm
Contact: abuelocafe.co.uk
Café Petiole
The latest addition to Somerset House’s culinary offerings, Café Petiole is a plant-based spot that oozes Marie Antionette with its pastel tones The calming interiors were designed by the female-led studio Duelle, which is based in London and Milan. It nods to the botanical world honouring the cafe’s name, which refers to the stalk that joins the leaf to the stem. Other whimsical details feature ‘Peony’ paper pendants handmade by Colin Chetwood and antique 1930s bentwood chairs. Leading the food offerings is head chef and founder Rishim Sachdeva (also from the plant-based restaurant Tendril in Mayfair).
Where: South Wing, Somerset House, Strand, London WC2R 1LA
When: Tuesday to Sunday 9am to 6pm.
Contact: cafepetiole.co.uk
Café Vins
Café Vins is an edgy daily espresso bar and bookstore, founded by its in-house creative team Studio Vins. Just off Carnaby Street this hidden gem serves the creamiest coffees in a design-focused space. Steel furnishings with hints of red provide a cool setting for a serious caffeine fix. Studio Vins works on unique concepts, events and branding projects for various lifestyle brands. The studio and café are in constant collaboration, valuing high-end branding and visual storytelling through its retail experience and design. The drinks menu covers coffee, matcha, teas, yuzu-based drinks, and seasonal specials.
Where:1 Marlborough Court, Soho, London, W1F 7EE
When: Open daily 8am to 6pm.
Contact: https://www.cafevins.com
Omotesando Koffee
What was once a quaint coffee shop in a residential area of Tokyo, Omotesando Koffee has become an internationally recognised boutique coffee chain with locations across Japan, Singapore, Hong Kong, and the UK. The London branch’s iconic cubic kiosk and minimalist interiors were created by Singapore-based studio Perinelli Design, which incorporated traditional Japanese materials, such as charred cedar boards and granite stepping stones, to create a sense of home and cultural authenticity. The founder Eiichi Kunitomo takes inspiration from the four-part structure of Japanese literature, Kishōtenketsu, following the idea that every detail, from the grind, the setting, the espresso drip, to the steaming of the milk and any finishing touches, are all as important as each other.
Where: 8 Newman Street, London W1T 1FB
When: Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm.
Contact: ooo-koffee.com
Rose Bakery
Getting up to Rose Bakery is no mean feat, as visitors must climb the stairs of Dover Street Market London to reach it. When you arrive, you enter one of the coolest cafés in London. Part of the department store since 2004 it is now a favourite spot for creatives and coffee fanatics alike. The stripped back interiors feature stainless steel and wooden details, with singular tables almost evoking a classroom. This is a no nonsense spot. The seasonal menu of Mediterranean-style light meals and delicious cakes sit beside a stacked drinks list, particularly the famous Rose latte.
Where: Dover Street Market London, 18-22 Haymarket, London SW1Y 4DG
When: Monday to Sunday 11am to 6pm.
Contact: london.doverstreetmarket.com
Sevente
Found on Hackney Road, Sevente feels like you’re stepping into someone’s very stylish East London living room. This specialty coffee and wine bar serves up great drinks across a concrete bar, with even better vibes and gorgeous interiors. Lounge on a red Togo sofa and soak in the modern chic interiors, which nod to 1970s Italy. The space looks after its guests, fusing great taste, design, and art. Beans roasted by Emilio’s Coffee have become a fan favourite, alongside the Sevente beetroot matcha, as well as alcoholic drinks like Emilio‘s Nightcap (a twist on the White Russian).
Where: 283 Hackney Road, London E2 8NA
When: Tuesday to Sunday 8am to 11pm.
Contact: sevente.co.uk
Toklas Bakery
Found between the Strand and the River Thames, Toklas Bakery has become one of the staple cafés in London. Its Italian marble and wood counters are host to a variety of treats throughout the day. The morning sees the bakery serve favourites like croissants, pain au chocolat, cinnamon, and cardamom buns. These can be washed down with coffee from Assembly Roasters in Brixton. As lunch rolls around, sandwiches and strecci arrive with fresh salads and soups. An open plan setting with concrete pillars provides a cooler ambience to offset the warmth of the baked goods.
Where: 9 Surrey Street, Temple, London WC2R 2ND
When: Monday to Friday 8am to 5pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am to 3pm.
Contact: toklaslondon.com