In the first thought, London is associated with tea culture, but this city is one of the world’s earliest coffee cities. Even before Britain was considered a tea nation, in 1653 the first coffee house opened. A wave of coffee enthusiasm sloshed through the streets of the city. The first teahouses found a place in the cityscape years later, 1750. Because of the later reduction of the tea tax tea became an affordable drink some time after that – and replaced the prevailing coffee trend. The fact that women also had access to tea gardens and houses (but not in the coffee houses) is certainly another reason for the eventual implementation of the tea culture.

There are cafés that impress with lovely details, exciting design and special light situations. And then there are those who simply „only“ serve coffee at an incredibly high level. Prufrock is one of the latter – and incidentally also has a menu with many delicacies: Whether the bread with avocado and poached egg, or with cream cheese and peas OR sweets in the form of croissants, banana bread and chocolate brownies. But above all because of the excellent coffee, this cafe has made a name in the city.

Prufrock was founded in 2011. There is a coffee bar in the center of the inconspicuous café. It is divided into the two preparation methods filter coffee and esspreso drinks. At the counter for filter coffee are some of the many seats of the store. These are perfect for curious coffee lovers. From there you can wonderfully observe the fate of Baristi. Their hand grips are very accurate, you can even taste that. The coffee is used here by changing European roasters. In addition Prufrock permanently serve coffee from the renowned London roastery Square Mile.

As co-founder behind Square Mile is one of the most important figures in the specialty coffee scene: James Hoffmann. His book „The World Altas of Coffee“ (in German „Der Kaffeeatlas“) is part of several coffee shop shelves – and for many protagonists of the scene it was the introductory book.

Within walking distance of the Museum of Modern Art (the Tate Modern), Caravan Bankside fills the ground floor of an old factory. In chic industrial surroundings you can ar here all day long, whether for brunch or dinner. Behind the store is a combination of restaurant and coffee roasting, so coffee plays an important role too. In general, I had the impression of London that they understand how nice the combination of specialty coffee and delicious food is. Gourmets will definitely feel comfortable at Caravan Bankside.

Large windows throw light into the wide room with its gray concrete walls and wooden furniture. The Bankside Restaurant is one of five locations that belong to Caravan – including its own coffee roastery. Each place has its own individual concept and the three New Zealand founders love to talk about a „family“ rather than a „chain“.

Beside to Cancan Bankside there is a shop on Exmouth Market (it was the first), followed in 2012 by the second Caravan at King’s Cross. In Caravan City they opened the newest restaurant. A fifth store, in Great Portland Street, is currently under construction.

Rosslyn is part of a corner building at Queen Victoria Street and Cannon Street. The cafe is one of the youngest children of the London specialty coffee scene. It opened in February 2018. Founders are James Hennebry and Mat Russell, both have previously worked many years in Australia and the UK for various coffee roasters. Incidentally, they got to know each other during their work in the team of the previous tip, Caravan.

The 26 Grains is a Mecca for all porridge fans in London. Alex Hely-Hutchinson is the founder of it. She lived for one year while studying in Copenhagen. Inspired by the porridge treat celebrated there, she returned to London and opened the café in 2015.

The number 26 stands for the number of grains with which Alex cooks. In addition to oats, it also includes quinoa, buckwheat and amaranth. Alex and her team conjure daily dishes such as quinoa porridge with cinnamon and banana, nordic pear porridge with oats in coconut milk, cocoa crumbs, Greek yogurt and rhubarb-cardamom granola or savory, for example in the form of black quinoa with turmeric hummus salad.

Directly across from 26 Grains you can find the small coffee shop Jacob The Angel. It is dedicated to a man named Jacob, who is said to have opened the very first coffee shop in England. Just ten people fit into the room of this café. A few more can seat at the two tables outside. Here every morning the cakes and pastries are freshly prepared and baked. Sandwiches and more are also offered for take-away. As coffee Square Mile is in the grinder.

During a trip to London you should probably visit the Neal’s Yard twice – once for 26 Grains and the other time for Jacob the Angel …