St. ALi – London

Address: 27 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1M 5RN
Tel: +44 (0)20 7253 5754
Web: http://stali.co.uk/
Beans used: Roasted on premises (available for purchase)
Food available: Yes, breakfast, variety of baked goods and desserts, large selection of lunch items

Located in the busy creative district of Clerkenwell, St. Ali café and roasting house crafts, with great care, some of the smoothest, most velvety coffees in London. Like their older Melbourne brother, attention to detail is exceptional, presentation is meticulous and the staff are very friendly. The coffee itself lacks the strength you may expect from such a high quality establishment, but an extra shot should sort you straight out. The interior is modern yet wonderfully warm. You can sit at one of the regular small tables or on one of the many stools that surround the bar area.

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Sacred Café – London

Address: 13 Ganton Street, (off Carnaby Street), London W1F 9BL
Other locations:
Highbury Studios – 8 Hornsey Street, London N7 8EG
Westfield London – The Atrium, London W12 7GQ
Kingly Court – (off Carnaby Street), London W1B 5PW
Covent Garden – Stanfords, 12-14 Long Acre WC2E 9LP
Torrington Street – Torrington Place, (off Gower Street), WC1E 6EQ
Tel: +44 (0)20 7734 1415
Web: http://www.sacredcafe.co.uk/
Beans used: Roasted on premises (available to purchase)
Food available: Yes, selection of sandwiches and baked goods

With several café locations around London, this review will focus on the original near Oxford Circus.

Just off the busy Carnaby Street lies this popular lively café serving consistently good coffee every single time. It’s no well-kept secret; however, unlike some other popular chain establishments, it doesn’t suffer a case of success–led arrogance. The ‘sacred’ theme is carried from the sign out the front to the lectern down the back where a competent barista proudly works to bring you a strong, finely balanced coffee. There’s usually plenty of seating available outside, inside at ground level and in the lower basement. Try Sacred; it’s God’s will…

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Andor Bureau – London

Address: 3 Mare Street, London E8 4RP
Tel: N/A
Web: http://www.andorbureau.com/
Beans used: Monmouth
Food available: Yes, menu comprising salads, sandwiches, pastries and baked goods

With nothing more than a small, understated sign out the front this unassuming café could easily go unnoticed. However, the many people that visit Andor Bureau are a testament to it's popularity owing to the fact that it serves well made coffee in a relaxing atmosphere. Little emphasis is put on the presentation of the coffee but it tastes just right all the same (even if it is a little on the weak side). The laid back staff, eclectic mix of timber furniture, soft background music and art exhibition that occupies the rear of the space all come together in a way not many places in London can achieve with the same success.

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Cafe Orange – Melbourne

Address: 126 Chapel St, Windsor 3181
Tel: +61 3 9529 1644
Web: N/A
Beans used: Taylors Estate; one of the only places that uses these
beans in inner Melbourne (apparently).
Food available: Yes, modern Australian menu. Brunches, eggs any style, bean mixes, fresh sides and bircher muesli. An erray of modern entrees and mains, meat and vegetarian dishes, salads and pastas available for lunch and dinner.

Half way between a chilled café and a modern dining space, Cafe Orange has a space to sip your latte and have your brunch eggs or chink your wine glasses over dinner. The courtyard out the back, overshadowed by a deciduous tree, makes for a lovely brunch in the sun. The coffee is good but not amazing; a tad too bitter on the after taste. However it still lives up to the standards of Chapel Street. With quick and friendly service and an inviting atmosphere, this place is popular amongst locals and visiors alike.

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Caravan – London

Address: 11–13 Exmouth Market, London EC1R 4QD
Tel: +44 (0)20 7833 8115
Web: http://caravanonexmouth.co.uk/
Beans used: Roasted on premises (available for purchase)
Food available: Yes, café style share plates and mains

One of the new kids on the block, Caravan is without a doubt one of the best café establishments in all of London. This large café/restaurant has quickly developed a strong reputation for consistently brewing amazing coffee and Antipodeans will no doubt appreciate the familiar range of varieties on offer. Positioned at the South end of the small but vibrant Exmouth Market, Caravan should be very, very high on your list of coffee houses even if it is a little out of the way.

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Foxcroft & Ginger – London

Address: 3 Berwick Street, Soho, London W1F ODR
Tel: +44 (0)20 7287 5890
Web: http://www.foxcroftandginger.com/
Beans used: Climpson & Sons (available for purchase)
Food available: Yes, selection of hot and cold sandwiches and baked goods

You would be forgiven for heading straight past this quiet café and into one of the two or three well known coffee-serving establishments when visiting the Soho area. No doubt Foxcroft & Ginger isn’t on top of your ‘Best Coffee Places’ list. It should be. With small overhead spotlights illuminating the counter in front of a large tiled wall and a long cushioned seat down one side, Foxcroft & Ginger is a fusion of old and new, edgy yet inviting, simple but oh so comfortable. The coffee is brewed wonderfully well. The staff and atmosphere are warm. Everything is spot on. And you won’t have to stand in queue long (if at all) to get your fix. We’re wondering if we shouldn’t tell anyone at all about this little gem…

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Piccolo – Melbourne

Address: 149 High St, Prahran 3181
Tel: +61 3 9521 4306
Web: N/A
Beans used: Campos
Food available: Yes, brunch and light meals

Piccolo (Italian for small) is where grunge meets artistic; in decor, music and the clientele. The name implies this coffee house's dimensions, as you will most likely be sipping your latte at a bench in the window corner, the few tables located to the right of the bar or the cosey street lined benches. But don't let that deter you from visiting this fantastically intimate coffee bar. The size, along with the soulful jazz played in the background and artwork lining the walls just adds to the charm of this place. The coffee itself is medium strength and very smooth to drink with a velvety texture.

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Borsch Vodka and Tears – Melbourne

Address: 173 Chapel Street, Windsor 3181
Tel: +61 3 9530 2694
Web: http://www.borschvodkaandtears.com/
Beans used: Genovese
Food available: Yes, café and restaurant menu, selection of Polish dishes

Step into a bohemian land and enjoy the Genovese coffee at this Polish style restaurant/café/vodka bar. Savor your coffee out of rustic style crockery in a space of rendered mustard color walls, with dripped candles and mismatched ornaments – a real Eastern European feel. The coffee itself is strong without being overwhelming or producing a bitter after taste, and with a real caffeine buzz!

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Kaffeine – London

Address: 66 Great Titchfield St, London W1W7QJ
Tel: +44 (0)207 580 6755
Web: http://www.kaffeine.co.uk/
Beans used: Square Mile
Food available: Yes, light meals, selection of salads, sandwiches and baked items

The short walk away from busy Oxford Street is worth the caffeine fix at this cute little café. Those who like their coffee strong won’t have much to complain about here, as Kaffeine’s well-trained staff know how to serve up a well orchestrated coffee that is everything that it should be.

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