Secret City: The best London hotels for coffee lovers
Whether you’re looking to catch up with a novel or hunker down in front of your laptop, coffee always helps get the job done – and these London hotels are clamouring to be your next caffeine fix. With ethically sourced beans, top-drawer machinery and attractive décor, these hotel-run coffee shops make for far more inspiring spots to lounge, get work done and consume flat whites than your average high street chains. From hipster haunts in Shoreditch to pretty hideaways in Mayfair, these are the best hotels in London to get a slice of coffee culture.
Workshop Coffee at The Pilgrm
Sink into the leather banquettes and black marble side tables at Workshop Coffee, The Pilgrm’s trendy ground-floor espresso joint – a much welcome oasis amongst the busy commuter traffic coming from nearby Paddington station. The beans are sourced from farms in East Africa, South and Central America, and are rotated according to season. Upstairs, an airy, plant-draped lounge serves impressive cocktails with an all-day menu.
Read the full review:The Pilgrm
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EllaMia at St Martins Lane Hotel
Lovers of barista coffee and green smoothies will be pleased with the launch of EllaMia, an ambitious breakfast spot that offers both in a kitschy millennial pink setting. The café, located on the ground floor of the St Martins Lane Hotel, serves a wide range of specialty lattes, including matcha, tumeric and chai, in addition to gluten and soy-free treats. The morning menu includes passion fruit Greek yogurt and protein bowl, while smashed avocado on toast is available later on – here topped with crayfish and lemon mayo. Rounding out the selection is a collection of dessert pastries, such as strawberry tarts and praline slices. It’s a great option if you find yourself in the Covent Garden area with a sudden craving for caffeine and dessert.
Read the full review: St Martins Lane Hotel
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Parcafé at The Dorchester
The coffee shop experience has gone five-star with Parcafé, a cosy and little-known part of the Dorchester. It checks off all the things a serious coffee drinker would look out for: hand-brewed coffee from Alchemy, a specialty roaster from southwest London; a grand La Marzocco coffee machine; and slightly off-kilter options such as golden lattes and beetroot lattes. The bar stools provide a lovely perch from which to enjoy the serene views over Hyde Park. Pick up a delicious cupcake on your way out – it’s one of the best kept secrets of Mayfair.
Read the full review:The Dorchester
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Bulldog Edition at Ace Hotel London, Shoreditch
Every London creative has holed up at the Ace Hotel London, Shoreditch’s lobby – and its adjoining coffee shop – at one point or another, and it’s not hard to see why: the combination of a hip location, abundant seating and outlets, plus dim ambient lighting (only countered by the soft glow of laptop screens) render this a popular locale for hipsters. Don’t rule it out as style over substance, however: the barista can whip up a mean espresso and the grilled cheeses are fantastic for refuelling.
Read the full review:Ace Hotel Shoreditch
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Burr & Co. at Kimpton Fitzroy London
This ground-floor café bills itself as a Victorian coffee house with all the modern touches. It’s by far the most relaxed corner of the hotel – a sharp departure from the ornate chandeliers and velvet furniture found in the lobby, cocktail bar and fine dining restaurant. The space still benefits from the grand structure of this listed building – such as a towering ceiling and beautiful arched windows, which let in plenty of natural light. You’ll be tempted to kick back with a book and a cup of special blend (containing notes of berries and chocolate) by Caravan, an ethical coffee roaster based in London.
Read the full review: Kimpton Fitzroy London
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The Hoxton, Holborn
The Hoxton, Holborn is a great proposition for friend gatherings, first dates, business meetings and everything in between. The reason is obvious: there’s a relaxed and cool vibe, upbeat but unobtrusive background music and plenty of seating. Those looking to get a few emails out of the way tend to grab a seat in the light-filled lobby or at the coffee bar, where great house brews (from Origin Coffee) and trendier drinks such as turmeric and matcha lattes are served. If you prefer green juices over caffeine buzz, house-pressed varieties are also on offer.
Read the full review:The Hoxton, Holborn
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Treves & Hyde at Leman Locke
Treves & Hyde, Leman Locke’s dining outlet, has two distinct identities: during the day, the restaurant is a healthy café catering to paleo eaters, green juice lovers and caffeine junkies (with coffee from Volano Coffee Works). By night, it transforms into a buzzing bar with an extensive collection of craft beers and wines. The concrete walls are partially painted in cheery yellow, and with plenty of daylight shining in, this is an ideal spot to spend a productive afternoon.
Read the full review:Leman Locke
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The Allis at White City House
Despite being part of a Soho House, The Allis is open to the public and positions itself as an attractive, multi-purpose social space. Mismatched furniture and colourful wall art create a cheery atmosphere that lends itself well to both productive lounging during the day and convivial drinks after hours. There’s a healthy café-style menu (salads, mashed avocado, grain bowls) for lunch, and coffee (including filter and cold brews) from Nicaragua, Brazil and Ethiopia.
Read the full review:White City House
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Café Sou at The Ned
The Ned’s airy casual dining spot – replete with green-and-white marble, pretty tiles and vintage posters – is modelled after Parisian cafés. It’s a great place for morning coffee (when it’s flooded with natural light) and indulge in classic French fare, such as quiche Lorraine, baguettes with jam and three-egg omelettes. By nighttime, the café serves aperitifs and charcuterie boards – an all-too-important post-work ritual for the French. Santé.
Read the full review: The Ned
