Where To Drink Great Coffee And Matcha In London
London… even just thinking about this city makes me feel nostalgic.
I’ve said this before, but there are a few places in the world that I genuinely consider home. Not because I was born there, but because of the years I spent there, the people I shared them with and the memories I made along the way.
For me, Brighton will always be one of those places. I spent some of the most important years of my life there, studying, working, living with my sister and later watching her family grow. It was home then, and in many ways it still feels like home today.
And when I think of Brighton, I automatically think of London.
The two have always gone hand in hand for me. I spent so much time in London over those years that I genuinely know the city like the back of my hand. I’d often jump on the train first thing in the morning and spend the entire day there. Sometimes it was for meetings, sometimes for Fashion Week, sometimes for shopping, but very often it was simply because I wanted to. I’d wander around my favourite streets, stop for coffee, browse a few shops, meet family or friends for lunch and head back to Brighton in the evening. Looking back, those slower days are probably the ones I miss the most.
One thing London has always done exceptionally well is coffee. Long before matcha became everyone’s favourite order, London already had an incredible speciality coffee scene, and every time I come back, there’s another beautiful café waiting to be discovered. These are the places I genuinely love returning to whenever I’m in the city.
1. Monocle Café
Address: 18 Chiltern Street, Marylebone, London W1U 7QA Best for: speciality coffee, matcha, breakfast What to order: matcha latte, pastries, porridge Vibe: minimal, calm, Scandinavian-inspired Good to know: sunny terrace, Monocle magazine café
Marylebone has always been one of my favourite parts of London, and somehow Monocle feels like it belongs there more than anywhere else. It’s the kind of café I always end up returning to, whether I’m meeting someone or simply have an hour to myself.
I usually order their matcha latte, especially if the weather is nice enough to sit outside. They also have a lovely selection of pastries, breakfast options and porridge if you’re stopping by in the morning. It’s never trying too hard, which is exactly why I love it. Just really good coffee, beautiful design and one of those terraces where you could happily spend far longer than you originally planned.
2. Milk Beach
Address: 19–21 Lonsdale Road, Queen's Park, London NW6 6RA Best for: brunch and speciality coffee What to order: ricotta hotcakes, flat white Vibe: bright, Australian, relaxed Good to know: expect queues on weekends
This isn’t somewhere I’d recommend if you’re simply looking for a quick takeaway coffee. Milk Beach is the kind of place you visit when you actually have time to enjoy your morning.
Their Australian-inspired menu is one of my favourites in London, and everything feels beautifully simple without ever being boring. If you’re planning one proper brunch during your trip, this would definitely make my shortlist. The coffee is excellent, but the food is really what makes people travel across the city for a table.
photo: @milkbeachlondon
3. Arabica
Address: 3 Rochester Walk, Borough Market, London SE1 9AF Best for: Borough Market coffee stop What to order: cardamom latte, pastries Vibe: vibrant, cosy, Middle Eastern Good to know: inside Borough Market
Whenever I’m around Borough Market, I almost automatically end up stopping here.
I love that Arabica feels slightly different from London’s typical speciality cafés. Their Middle Eastern influence runs through both the food and drinks, and the cardamom latte is absolutely worth trying if you want something other than your usual coffee order. It’s the perfect little pause before diving back into one of London’s busiest markets.
image credits: @arabica_unitedkingdom
4. Jenki
Address: 8 Stoney Street, Borough Market, London SE1 9AA Best for: matcha lovers What to order: ceremonial matcha, strawberry matcha Vibe: Japanese, minimal, modern Good to know: viral on TikTok, often busy
If you’re serious about matcha, don’t skip Jenki.
Unlike many cafés where matcha feels like an afterthought on the menu, here it’s the entire reason people visit. Their matcha comes directly from Japan, and you can genuinely taste the difference. The strawberry matcha has become one of London’s biggest TikTok favourites, but personally I still love keeping it simple with their classic ceremonial matcha. Sometimes the original really is the best one.
5. Wolfox at The Savoy
Address: The Savoy, Strand, London WC2R 0EZ Best for: elegant coffee breaks What to order: flat white, matcha latte Vibe: luxurious, peaceful, timeless Good to know: inside The Savoy Hotel
Sometimes it’s less about the coffee itself and more about the entire experience.
Walking into The Savoy always feels special, and stopping for coffee there somehow turns an ordinary afternoon into something memorable. If you’re already exploring Covent Garden or walking along the Thames, this is one of my favourite places to escape the crowds for an hour.
6. YUM TEA London
Address: 29 D'Arblay Street, Soho, London W1F 8EU Best for: premium matcha, Japanese tea What to order: ceremonial matcha, hojicha latte Vibe: authentic, minimal, calming Good to know: perfect Soho matcha stop
If there’s one place I’d recommend to anyone who genuinely loves matcha, it’s YUM TEA. While London has no shortage of cafés serving matcha these days, this is one of the places where it’s clear that tea isn’t just another item on the menu – it’s the main event.
I love stopping by whenever I’m in Soho. The atmosphere feels calm despite the busy streets outside, and everything is beautifully simple. Their ceremonial matcha is wonderfully smooth, while the hojicha latte is a great choice if you’re looking for something a little different. Whether you’re already exploring Soho or simply searching for one of the best matcha spots in London, this is definitely worth adding to your list.
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7. Blank Street Coffee
Address: 10 Berners Street, London W1T 3NP Best for: takeaway coffee and matcha What to order: iced matcha, seasonal drinks Vibe: modern, colourful, fast-paced Good to know: You'll find Blank Street all across central London
Blank Street has become impossible to ignore, and honestly, I completely understand why.
There seems to be one on almost every corner now, which makes it incredibly convenient when you’re spending the entire day walking around London. Their seasonal drinks regularly go viral online, especially the matcha menu, and they’re one of those places I end up visiting simply because I know exactly what I’m going to get every single time.
photo: @blankstreet
8. Matchado
Address: 5 Chiswick Common Road, Chiswick, London W4 1RR Best for: authentic Japanese matcha What to order: ceremonial matcha, matcha soft serve Vibe: minimalist, peaceful, Japanese-inspired Good to know: worth the trip from central London
If you’re looking for another great matcha spot in London, Matchado is definitely one to have on your list. While the Chiswick café is the location featured here, they now have several cafés across London, making it easy to stop by whichever one is closest to your plans.
Everything revolves around high-quality Japanese tea, and it’s clear that matcha isn’t simply another drink on the menu – it’s their speciality. From a beautifully prepared ceremonial matcha to creamy matcha soft serve and seasonal drinks, it’s the kind of place that’s become a favourite among London’s growing matcha community.
photo: @matchado_london
London’s coffee scene changes constantly, and that’s one of the reasons I never get tired of coming back. There will always be another café opening, another matcha everyone is talking about or another neighbourhood worth exploring.
But these are the places that have earned a permanent spot on my own list. Whether you’re visiting London for the first time or you’ve been dozens of times before, I genuinely think every single one of them is worth adding to your itinerary.
