We’ve seen a few things like this here in Dubai, whether it be a fancy restaurant, a bakery or a shop BUT when it comes to specialty coffee, this is very rare indeed. And in fact one of my fave specialty coffee shops from London is about to open in Dubai this week or next – more on that when I visit it God willing.
So, onto Half Cup, Dubai.
I had never heard of this place but when our daughter suggested we visit it to celebrate my wife birthday for brunch, I checked them out and their coffee and off we went.
It’s set in a new residential complex in Business Bay, surrounded by fancy looking apartment blocks called Peninsula 1, 2, 3 etc. and so as you drive up, you could be anywhere in the world, with a view of the canal not too far. Half Cup itself is ultra-modern, almost like a glass box with tons of sunlight coming in and some seats outside for when it gets cooler – yes it does get cooler in Dubai, from early November to about late March.
Although there aren’t many seats inside, we managed to get one as we entered. We were attended to probably my waiter of the year, Chris, who was very attentive and helpful. I think the first mistake we made was not listening to him about the portion sizes. Whoa!
Am not sure if you can detect the size of our Turkish Eggs order with beef brisket but the BBQ Beef Brisket Brioche sandwich was enough for three.
Whoa!!!!
If you do go there and order eggs royale. Beware too that it’s enough for two too as I saw that the next table had ordered it.
So, how about the coffee?
Sitting on top an eye-catching steel brewing bar was their two group La Marzocco Linea espresso machine accompanied with two Victoria Arduino grinders. They have a selection of coffees, to choose from for both filter and espresso based roasted locally by one of my top Dubai based roasteries, so I was confident in their offering. I went for a flat white, with Brazilian beans.
Flat white at Half Cup
Delicious with hints of nuts and milk chocolate. It’s a good thing that I ordered this before my meal as I often do if I order eggs cooked in a tomato sauce, i.e. the Turkish eggs. If not, it might have been a challenge for me to finish my coffee.
Highly recommend and did I mention they have a dinner menu too?
I’m already looking forward to my next visit as whenever you find good food and coffee, you can bet I’ll be planning my next visit there soon.
Prior to my short London trip last week, my daughter mentioned that she wanted to take me to a new coffee shop she thought I’d like. So, after peeling myself off my bed on a Sunday morning, the last day of our 4 days trip and after a hectic few days, I went to meet her at Waterloo at Calico Coffee, 101 Lower Marsh Street, about 5 minutes’ walk from Waterloo Railway Station.
Upon entering, you are greeted with a fairly open space, giving you room to look at their coffee menu and their pastry offerings in a glass counter (very Nordic). Their brew bar in front of you is decked with a La Marzocco Strada and to the right-hand side, they offer coffee beans to take home or you can have them ground by them too.
Photo courtesy of Zahra
As you walk along the left-hand side, you notice wooden shelves with magazines.
The feel for me, was very Japanese with its minimalist feel and décor that reminded me of modern Japanese restaurants, decked with high stool seating at the back next to the counter, where they brew filter coffees. At the back there was a nice looking one group espresso machine with Maxim label on it and when I enquired, they said it was a Chinese made espresso machine (with a French name).
Maxim Espresso machine
Walking back, I noticed that one of the baristi must have won this…
Calico coffee trophies
Yes, third place in the UK Brewers championship in 2023.
After reviewing the coffee menu and quizzing the barista about their blends for milk-based coffee and the cup size for their flat white (a typical trait of mine, sorry), I opted for their house blend when I heard “Kenya”. My daughter went for the americano.
A nice cup with hints of berries (typical Kenyan profile) around the edge of the tongue.
So, who or what is Calico?
In short, it’s the first outfit owned by two Chinese entrepreneurs and from what I noticed, they seem committed to showing London that Chinese inspired (or was it Japanese) décor, decked with an extensive brew bar, lots of staff, pastries and a chill out vibe is a space they are willing to fill in the London specialty coffee scene.
Calico coffee London
Will I go again ❓
Sure, because I also need to try their filter brewing skills.
We met a pleasant barista, Maria, of Portuguese origin, who told us about the shop, which only opened about 3 months ago.
Before I left, I went over to their coffee retail shelf and after reading many labels and being encouraged by Maria, opted for an Ecuadorian Anaerobic coffee from a Parisian based coffee roaster, Tanat, with its bright orange packaging. Looking forward to brewing this at home soon. ☺️
If in London and near Waterloo, please check them out and I don’t think you’ll be disappointed but rather… you’ll be pleasantly surprised.
Visit them at Unit C, 101 Lower Marsh, London SE1 7AB.
Avid readers of my blog over the last 15 years would have noticed that I usually do an annual post on my coffee escapades in London. However, although I confess that this wasn’t published during the calendar year of 2024, I do have an excuse, as in 2024, I went to London not once but thrice – the first time I think since I left in 2002. So, to save myself from the embarrassment of not posting this in 2024, I essentially wanted to capture all my escapades in one post as I got back from my third trip earlier this month. So, without further a due (very English), here’s my non-exhaustive list of the coffee shops I discovered in 2024 during my three trips to London.
Qima Café, Warren Street
Qima cafe London
I already posted about my visit here in July as it had been on my list for well over a year. Not to go over my experience again, but worth a visit not just for their coffee but for their pastries too. They also stock hard to find but expensive Yemeni arabica coffee and have these lovely dark bottles well packaged that you can buy and take home with you. It’s a very popular spot with tourist and locals alike, so expect queues if you go.
Kiss the Hippo, Margaret Street, Oxford Street area
With a name you won’t forget easily, this coffee business is rolling out many shops across London as part of their strategy to promote not just great coffee but ethical coffee business too, being named London’s first Carbon Negative coffee brand. What does that mean? It means that they make sure that more CO2 is captured from the environment than is created by their business, resulting in a net positive for the environment (source: their website). I went to their branch twice, once to get this delicious filter brew and another to get a cortado.
On the last occasion, I bought a bag of Chinese Arabica Beans (yes, they grow Arabic coffee in China too). They have another 7 branches dotted around London so wherever you are, you might not be too far from one.
Kiss the Hippo London
Nagare, Soho
Nagare London
My daughter told me about this brand as it’s near where she works but on the first occasion I wanted to go, they were closed at 12 noon for the holidays for a week. However, I heard from a friend that they have another branch in Soho and on the last day if 2024, I went there. A small café just off Carnaby Street, you’ll notice that the staff are Japanese, so I’m guessing it’s a Japanese brand. They were quite busy so I had to wait about 10 minutes for my cortado but wasn’t that fussed as they had a part of their café that was like a little quiet living room, so I sat and waited, took some pictures, drank my good cup of coffee and left.
Store Street, Liverpool Street
Drinking coffee in London
Not to be outdone from missing out at Nagare the first time (see above), I walked around the corner onto Liverpool Street and went into Store Street Espresso. I’ve been a few times, but this was my second visit to this branch. Small but busy given the clientele in the heart of where bankers, lawyers and hedge fund peeps work, it wasn’t that busy at 3pm in the afternoon. They stock Square Mile coffee and other brands and if you buy a bag of coffee, you get a cup of coffee complimentary, so worth thinking about too.
Nkora, Old Burlington Street
Nkora coffee, London
Tucked away just off Savile Row (the best place to have tailor made suits in London), is a little non-assuming coffee shop called Nkora. I had heard about this brand and knew that they had another coffee shop at London Wall in the city. I stopped over for a black coffee fix one late afternoon on a colder than usual autumn day in London with my daughter. It looks like the kid of place that James Bond, after having his suits made, would pop over to have a quiet meeting with Q as they have a quiet place downstairs for a real incognito meeting. (James Bond fans will understand).
Watchhouse, Bishopsgate
I met a friend here in the heart of the city where bankers and lawyers rub shoulders. Literally it is down a lane from one of the largest and most prestigious London law firms, Freshfields. As you enter you can’t help but appreciate how each Watch House coffee shop, dotted around London, has a different but familiar feel to it. This reminded me of a little library with a ladder behind the brew bar and another where the retail coffee bag section is.
After a recommendation from the barista to try one of their prestigious filter coffee, I sadly had to decline as my friend said he was treating me and I didn’t want him to pay 12 pounds for a cup of coffee for me.
Watch house bishopsgate London
So, I opted for a batch brew (filter coffee brewed in a batch), delicious nevertheless to accompany his flat white.
Watchhouse, Wells Street Fitzrovia
Well, earlier this month just before I left London again, I found myself in a dilemma as it was just past 4pm and I wanted good coffee. Walking towards Oxford Street on Goodge Street I noticed another popular brand has already shut for the weekend but to my surprise I saw this gorgeous looking architect masterpiece of a coffee shop…. Yes! another Watch House. Did I mention that Watch House was started by an architect. Well, you can tell, check out the brew bar. Wow!
Watch House Cafe Fitzrovia
This time the barista offered us an interesting coffee for our filter and we agreed. To add to this experience, we were served cold green tea to clean our palate before drinking the coffee. An unusual experience no doubt but it did help accentuate the high notes of the coffee.
Ozone, Leonard Street, Shoreditch
Ozone coffee London
I’ve known about Ozone for years and I’m almost embarrassed to share that this was my first time. In fact, in 2012 when I was returning to Europe after I had to sell my coffee shop in Cape Town, I met with the owner, Lizz and almost worked with her in setting up this coffee shop. So, one Friday afternoon prior to meeting my cousin and her kids around the corner form Ozone, I rushed with my wife and daughter to finally visit Ozone. It was like I imagined as I have been following them for years. As you enter you can see their huge coffee roaster downstairs and moving further inside they have a dual bar, one for coffee and another food decked with an open kitchen – cool indeed. The decor is urban eatery with exposed brick and lots of light coming in with a mouthwatering breakfast menu too.
Flat white coffee at ozone
I walked around, shot a video for Instagram, bought a bag of their seasonal blend and ordered coffee of course. A delicious flat white – the kind of coffee that spoke to me saying “why haven’t you been here all this time”. Sigh! I plan to visit again and have breakfast in 2025 God willing.
Hjem, 157 Gloucester Road, South Kensington
Hjem coffee London
A friend of mine said next time you’re in London, I have to take you to this Danish inspired coffee shop with pastries and good cofree too. Apparently, they have two in a very posh part of London, South Kensington – where millionaires reside. We went to the only one open just after New Year 2025. Apparently, the shop was started by a lady who saw an opportunity to offer good coffee to parents dropping their kids off at school in the morning and voila she now has two. We ordered their special pastries, like knotted brioche, which went well with their coffee from Climpson and Sons (a London roastery). A cute place to try out if you happen to be in the area, about 15 minutes’ walk from the Natural History Museum.
Guillam, Curzon Street, Mayfair
Tucked away in Mayfair (another hang out for the ultra-wealthy) I discovered this small coffee shop, recommended to me by a fiend in Dubai who has worked with them on supplying previous Yemeni coffee beans. As you enter, you are greeted by a friendly barista and a brew bar featuring a two-group cream coloured La Marzocco Linea with their logo on it, with their coffees on sale gracing the base.
Guillam Coffee London
I wandered around the coffee shop, took a video and pictures and placed two orders for one cortado for me and a flat white for my loyal daughter that loves hanging around with me in London.
Coffee for two
Delicious and if you are in that part of London (near Green Park tube station, take a 5-minute walk and you won’t regret it). They also have 3 other coffee shops across London.
21 Grams, South Clapham
Flat White London
So just before heading to the airport on a cold, almost 0C day in London, I ventured to get my last cup of specialty coffee in London. About 10 minutes’ walk from where I was staying, 21 grams is familiar to me, having been there in 2023 but I was intrigued this time as their previous roaster, the Gentleman Barista coffee company is now bankrupt. I walked in to be greeted by a friendly lady barista, who made this well poured latte art delicious flat white using their house blend, roasted now by Liberty Coffee Company. A traditional looking neighbourhood coffee shop which now has 5 coffee shop.
I’m often asked whenever I describe my emotional attachment to coffee… well this is FROM COFFEE WITH LOVE ❤️…. How many cups of coffee I drink in a day? I smile, as I think most people expect me to say , 5-6 or more cups of coffee BUT the answer is quite simple …. Drum roll.
In mid-July I visited Vienna again with my family and decided to mix my go to places with a few never before ventured together with some classics – after all Vienna or Wien (the German word for Vienna) is home to some classics, so here goes.
Balthasar, Prater Strasse
Cortado at Balthasar
one and I was craving specialty coffee and I thought I’m not going to risk it and so being literally about 5 mines away, I stopped over with my daughter to grab a cortado and was delighted to meet with Owen after a few years. I think he was really happy to see me because the cortado I had was really memorable.
Zoku (café at the top of the hotel), Perspectivstrasse
For my father’s day gift, my kids took to this fancy ultra-modern hotel, Zoku, next to the Prater and of course no good breakfast can earn its place, without a good cup of coffee.
Breakfast at Zoku Vienna
I must confess I was excited when I saw the La Marzocco two group linea, BUT my cappuccino was average. Our friend’s daughter who had been warned politely be her mum not to make me coffee because of my, should I say, fussiness, decided to take up the challenges and I was happy she did, because after seeing e trying to sip my coffee, she was lie “can I make you one? I said yes and I said that she should have more “coffee” confidence, because her version was much better than the first attempt by her colleague, phew. So, here we are.
This time our trip to Vienna was a bigger family affair than usual and so one Saturday we decided to discover another part of Vienna – the Hundertwasserhaus, with my daughter ensuring that decent food was not too far away. The menu was so unusual for Vienna with things like avocado toast, blueberry pancakes, etc.
Yum
I decided to try their coffee after studying the barista for a while and dived into order a cortado.
Not bad and pleasant surprise indeed. I recommend checking them out for your not typical Viennese café.
Coffee Pirates, spitalgasse 17
Coffee and cake at coffee pirates
Okay, this is one of the modern classics, as they are one of the forerunners of the newish specialty scene back around 2012 when I moved back after my cafe adventures in Cape Town. I had earlier met a colleague for lunch and Coffee Pirates was literally a 10-minute walk away even though it was another sweltering hot day in the mid-30Cs, but being so close to specialty coffee was too tempting to miss out on. So, I ordered another cortado with a lime cake – again Coffee Pirates is not a typical Viennese coffee spot with stuff on the menu that should be relatable to London or NYC coffee shops. I way too tempted not buy coffee and took one of their unusual espressos blends away too.
Kaffemik, Zollergasse
Located just off the busy shopping street of Mariahilfer Strasse, I knew where to go to get my coffee fix before meeting my wife and daughter. They are still the same as they have always been but with a keen eye for detail in coffee preparation, I was pleasantly surprised to see that they were offering Tim Wendelboe espresso, so of course I ordered it and bought a bag of Kenyan coffee for my friend in Dubai too.
Josef Brot, Landstrasse haupstrasse
Famous for their sourdough breads and clean Nordic interior, I was carving my specialty coffee fix on the penultimate day of our departure and just caught them before they closed on Saturday afternoon. BUT, I was surprised to learn that they now serve coffee from one of my fave roasters, Coffee Collective from Denmark, with their own blend specially roasted for them too. After convincing the staff that we just wanted coffee, so that I didn’t get a paper cup, my wife and I sat down and she sipped my coffee before I even tasted it (the pic at the top of the post is at Josef Brot).
I guess she was intrigued by the look, which the taste matched too.
Jonas Reindl, Wahringerstrasse 2
One of my faves coffee roasters and shops and so, I couldn’t even imagine leaving Vienna without visiting them. So when an ex colleague reached out and said he wanted to meet before I left, I knew the location had to be here. We ordered two flat whites using their house blend and it was lovely indeed.
Two delicious flat whites at Jonas Reindl
After promising myself not to buy anymore coffee bags, I noticed on my way out, a Mexican espresso blend with hints of dried strawberries – so I grabbed it.
Before I go… here’s a slice of Carrot Cake from Cafe Freidlich
When I first saw Qima Café on Instagram about a year ago, I knew that I was going to add it to my list of places to go in London. However, during my last visit in September 2023, it completely escaped my mind and only a few days afterwards I realized that I had missed my opportunity – Aargh!
So, on this occasion, earlier this month, my daughter who managed to visit the café even before me, made sure I didn’t miss the opportunity. In fact we almost missed out on it again and after attempt three, we finally made it on a Sunday morning.
In short, Qima Café is part of Qima coffee, an ethical coffee sourcing coffee business that challenges itself to source hard to find and very special coffees working with over 7,000 coffee farmers (that’s a lot and a serious commitment). I presume they created a café so that people could experience their passion to source and also serve great coffees.
I was intrigued to find a café with a bit of queue on a Sunday morning even in London, which often means two things – it’s a popular spot for tourists looking to tick it off their bucket or Instagram list and a cherished spot for locals. Nevertheless, I can’t say that I fit within those categories, as I had read about Qima about a year ago and was fascinated by their attachment to Yemeni coffee. In addition, my friend from Dubai (Mokha not Mocha), a Yemeni coffee grower encouraged me to visit Qima as they had previously worked together. So, you see this time I had to make it.
Qima Cafe brewing station
Although it was another rainy and cold Summer day in London, people were sitting outside under the canopy with their raincoats and umbrellas. As we tried to make our way inside, we could see that not only was there a queue but no seats inside. We tried to look for seats downstairs but as we made our way back upstairs to street level, my daughter’s determination was rewarded. As I queued up to place our orders for coffee, I noticed that most people in the queue were actually not planning to sit down but were ordering their famous pastries by the bucket load (English idiom for lots), but nevertheless we still had to queue as there’s only one for sit down and take out. A side note, pastries at Qima cafe are also quite famous.
Pick one
Graced by Black Eagle silver espresso machine and décor that reminds one of an Arabian hut with sandy, desert tones, you instantly fell comfy and cosy especially with the seats decked with cushions too. They have a long list of different types of coffee on their menu including cascara, cold brew, filter and tea. I ordered a flat white and my daughter couldn’t resist their famous cinnamon bun or was it a roll?
After drinking my delicious coffee, I walked around and fell for the temptation to buy one of their coffees, which are so nicely packaged in these most keep bottles. I went for the Ecuador, but they also had two Yemeni coffees on offer too. Although I was tempted, I knew it was out of my budget on this occasion – holidays can be expensive as you know.
In short, if you have a bit of time to spare on your next trip to London – take the underground to Warren Street on the Victoria and Northern lines and it is literally a 2-3 minute walk to this must visit coffee shop in London, situated on 21 Warren Street.
I know the name sounds strange but I’ve often driven past this coffee shop for years without stopping by. Why? Well, like you, the name didn’t sound inviting until a friend recommended it.
So a few weeks back after the crazy floods in Dubai, I ventured there for breakfast.
As you enter you are greeted by a homely looking brew bar decked with a synesso espresso machine. The main sitting area is at the back with a kind of mid western American style… I know! Don’t say it.
In any case we were greeted by welcoming staff and I ordered this.
Poached eggs on breaded potato dumpling sitting on top labneh. Delicious.
I then opted for a flat white with traditional hints of chocolate and caramel.
Also yummy.
In short, a nice place to check especially when it’s cooler as they have ample sitting options outside.
Towards the end of last year, I was invited to be a keynote speaker at a cancer conference in Abu Dhabi and upon having the hotel booking confirmed by the organizers I knew had two other pertinent tasks to fulfil – ask my fellow coffee nerd, Naveed where to get good specialty coffee and pray that it was near the hotel. You’ll be happy to know, at least for me, that these two tasks were delightfully met as Naveed recommended Hermosoand my hotel was located about 8 minutes away by taxi.
So, on the last day before we headed back to Dubai, I popped over to Hermoso coffee roasters.
It was a bit quiet when I visited on a Sunday morning but I think that’s normal for a city Iike Abu Dhabi, which seems to come alive in the late afternoon/night. Another challenge I discovered with this city is that it is very spread out, unlike Dubai. In Dubai you can almost get to any good coffee spot or restaurant within a 15 minutes’ drive, so whilst Hermoso is located near to the Cornice area and some top hotels, many other spots were like about 30 minutes away, so not close at all to my hotel.
Pick one
Upon entering through the side of the café, you are met with a cove of coffee to choose from including merchandise, as you move further into the coffee shop towards your left, you will see their brew bar decked with a La Marzocco Strada for their espresso machine and a brew bar with lots of Hario V60s as well as other gadgets like their cold drip system.
I popped upstairs briefly to see their soon to be finished coffee brewing school, where they plan to host events in the future. I learnt too that they partner with coffee supremo Costas of Sweden who mentors them on their coffee roasting style and visits them occasionally to ensure quality – great. Their roastery section is in full display in the main area of the café, where they use American made Loring – I liked the idea of using the coffee tasting wheel as décor just above the roastery.
I was greeted by a bunch of friendly staff and a barista, Rico, hailing from Burma. After a few questions around their coffee offerings, he offered that I try one of their unique espresso blends for my flat white.
Flat white at Hermoso
After enjoying this, I walked around and took some shots and a video for my Instagram reel, see below
Rico kindly offered me, not one but two different cups of their cold brews to try.
I was of course tempted to buy coffee and opted for a Yemeni Hajjah Anaerobic coffee for filter brewing at home and one of their espresso blends, which I enjoyed later upon my return to Dubai.
So, if you visit AD and happen to stay near the Cornice area, where the tallest hotel in Abu Dhabi is, the Conrad, or the Grand Hyatt of the famous Mandarin Oriental Emirates Palace, as well as the Edition, which is next door, I encourage you to visit Hermoso for your specialty coffee fix, pick a few bags and have breakfast, lunch or dinner if you are hungry too.
Hermoso are located at 57 al Quffal Street in al Bateen.
I cannot finish 2023, without mentioning one of the most exciting coffee experiences in a coffee shop I had this year – the opening of Colonna and Smalls on Leather Lane in London. In fact this trip was made even more exciting for me, as they opened the day after I arrived in London for a trip and I visited on my birthday too – what a wonderful coffee experience for a birthday.
Owned by Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, a former UK barista champion several years ago, Maxwell has always been one to push the boundaries on all things coffee. When I first visited his first cafe in Bath I had the opportunity to meet with him and quiz him about his coffee philosophy. After all, not only was he UK barista champion twice, but he has won several awards like best UK cappuccino and more. It was also at his cafe back in 2017 that I saw the Mod Bar for the first time. He also grinds all his coffee beans whether for espresso or filter, on a Mahlkonig EK43. His London shop is no exception.
Ready to brew
I digress a bit for the techies, but the debate advocated by Maxwell is that by using the EK43 (not built for grinding for espresso but ideally for spices and perhaps for filter coffee) you not only minimise waste because you grind per cup but that the EK43 grinds very evenly with little differentiation in grind size – this means that you can even lower the amount of coffee you use – they use about 16.5g as opposed to the industry average of 18-20g.
His London branch is his second shop and I must confess I was curious as to why he opened another coffee shop – this time on probably London’ most famous coffee street for the best coffee – Prufrock is a few shops down, as well as the Attendant.
Espresso brew bar
Upon entering the narrow shop, the brew bar is on the right hand side and display of coffee and merchandise to sell is on your left. The menu for both espresso base and filter coffee are on a placard on the exposed brick wall, with the filter options ready to be used. If you walk further back, there’s more sitting. I noticed that most people there were keen coffee drinkers, asking all sorts of coffee nerdy questions.
Aeropress brew bar
However, they have another specific menu for rare filter coffees too. As it was my birthday, I opted for a Panama Geisha from the famous coffee estate, Hacienda Esmeralda. Indeed it was sublime, tea like with hints of jasmine. I gave my wife a taste and she retorted, this taste like tea. I recall that the first time I had this very special coffee was way back in 2011 when I had my cafe in Cape Town – my roaster gave me a small bag, which I brewed on an aeropress.
As its was my birthday I didn’t just have one coffee. In fact I started with a flat white, using Peruvian coffee beans, brewed on their Two Group La Marzocco espresso machine by the head baristi.
Flat white
Prior to my trip I had contacted Maxwell on LinkedIn and mentioned that I would be visiting but upon entering the shop he wasn’t there. However, to my pleasant surprise, I recognised his voice during my first cup of coffee and went over to chat for about 20 minutes about coffee and more. One lesson I got from him this time was about water quality and how it mattered more for filter than espresso – I took notes and will investigate how to manage this at home in Dubai. However, before we left, I spotted Maxwell brewing an espresso for a flat white and captured this on film, asking him if he still had it in him to pour great latte art – of course he did, as I’m sure his DNA is labelled with coffee.
Maxwell pouring latte art
I highly recommend when you visit London that you visit Colonna and Smalls on 96A Leather Lane, Clerkenwell – closest tube station is Chancery Lane.
Here’s wishing you a blessed 2024 and lots of wonderful coffee adventures.
Earlier this month I was in London and of course the opportunity to check out new cafes was top of my list. I must confess, that I prayed that the weather would be warm, coming form 40C Dubai, but you’ll be glad to know that my prayers were answered, as this September went down as one of the warmest on record, with temperatures hovering over 30C on a few days. However, I’m not sure if it is because of Brexit, I was saddened to see that most coffee shops, even in central London, close between 3:30 and 4pm. For me, this was a travesty, as I love drinking coffee after every meal, even at night, which you won’t find anymore in London – sigh! Nevertheless, I only found one exception and for that, you’ll have to read on.
CUPS 1 AND 2 (Colonna & Smalls 96a Leather Lane, City of London)
Famously run by Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, former UK barista champion, a few years back but not one that’s shy to push the boundaries on all things coffee – he wrote a book about how water affects your coffee and is about to launch one on the coffee business. His famous coffee shop is in Bath – read here when I visited. But, imagine my delight when I heard that he was opening an outlet in London. So, on the occasion of my birthday, I went here with my wife to try out the newly opened coffee shop and by default my first specialty coffee of my trip. I failed to contain my excitement, opted for a flat white to start, poured by the pleasant barista.
Flat white colonna and smalls
Whilst I was drinking my coffee, I noticed Maxwell had entered and of course we chatted coffee for like 30 minutes from water, and more, naturally. I then ordered a special filter coffee from their menu…. wait for it….
A Panama geisha from the famous coffee estate, Hacienda Esmeralda. Indeed it was sublime, tea like with hints of jasmine. I gave my wife a taste and she retorted, this taste like tea.
The last time I had this priced coffee was when I had a my coffee shop in Cape Town back in 2011 – yes it was tasted like a blue pearl earl grey. So having spoilt myself and spent more money drinking coffee than I ever have in a London coffee shop, it was time to leave after two cups of coffee.
CUP 3 (21 Grams, 155 Northcote road)
As usual, we stayed with my brother in the Clapham area and he told me that there was new coffee shop nearby, so whilst I waited for my wife to get ready, I went exploring to find this new coffee shop. The little chairs outside gave the cafe away and inside it is easy to get confused about where to order from as the barista space is open. In fact, when I went with my wife a second time, she went next to the espresso machine. As it was morning, I opted for another flat white.
Flat white at 21 grams
I noticed they were using Gentlemen Barista coffee, which features an espresso blend that contains Brazil of course. I guessed that the baristi were speaking Portuguese and I was right, they hailed from Brazil. Also on offer are pastries and cakes.
CUPS 4 AND 5 (Watch House, 2-3 Medici Courtyard, Hanover Square/Bond Street)
Now, having walked around London in 30C, looking for coffee after 4pm, I was pleasantly surprised to find that this newish (to me) Watch House was opened. Yes! I practically rushed in and “said gimme coffee” BUT as you know I don’t have an American accent, LOL! So, rewind, I walked in took in the wonderful architecture (after all the founder of Watch House is an architect) – which I have to say reminded me of some of the lavish cafe interiors I’m used to in Dubai and calmly asked for a batch brew – a kind of filter coffee prepared beforehand.
I was pleasantly surprised upon siping this coffee to detect hints of spearmint. I read the card and saw Nestor Lasso. So intrigued I was with this usual cup, that I asked the barista if I could buy a bag because I didn’t see it on their shelf. He went to the back of the cafe and said that I was in luck but they could only sell me 200g (packed in 100g bags each), so I bought it. Upon my return to Dubai, my coffee geek friend told me that Nestor Lasso is a famous coffee producer and has won awards for his coffee, so it was a great buy then.
Two flat whites at watch house
A few days later I met a friend and we had two flat whites. I was intrigued to see a long queue pouring out of the cafe – something I haven’t seen in London for a long time.
CUP 6 (Bobo and Wild, 18 Clapham Common south side)
Back to the neighbourhood. If you don’t know now, then I should let you know that my fave meal of the day is breakfast and what better to go with this tan good coffee too. So, gate crashing my brothers brunch tradition, my wife and I went to Bobo and Wild. A popular spot for brunch, run as far as I know by some Australians. I went for a flat white as I was in Aussie land prior to my amazing truffle eggs aka folded eggs. If you know me, then you’d know that I hardly use the word “amazing” unless I really mean it.
Delicious
I mean wow. Posh eggs, folded on top of sourdough bread and mushrooms topped with Parmesan cloud (okay, shavings). Back to the coffee.
My flat white was their Bobo Blend, a Brazil/Guatemala origin, medium-dark roast, with notes of chocolate, hazelnut and black currant, brewed on a La Marzocco linea. A good choice but I have to admit the egg was the star here.
CUP 7 (The Shed, Clapham South Tube Station)
This shop is second to none if you live in the Clapham South area and need that jolt of specialty coffee caffeine before you head to work. They use Caravan Coffee, brewed on a La Marzocco linea and also stocks pastries and cakes and if needed you can buy coffee bags too.
I went for a flat white – perhaps I should have called this post 7 flat whites (smile). A well prepared coffee with good frothed mil and coffee balance poured by a peasant barista.
CUP 8 (The Hagen Project, 30a Pimlico Road, Chelsea)
On our way from the airport to Clapham, we passed Chelsea and I noticed this little cafe with a Kees Van der Westen machine in the window and thought one day I’ll check this place out. A short history about Chelsea – it’s where the posh and very rich of London live – the end. In any case, I grabbed my opportunity when spending some time with my mum and headed here for my daily dose of specialty coffee and wow! was it special. Initially I wanted one of their coffees as an espressos based drink but then I opted for coffee from Prolog – a famous coffee roastery based in Copenhagen , visited by a one of the most famous chefs in the World, René Redzepi. Upon looking at the bag, Los Hermanos from the La Union municipality of Nariño, Colombia with a name like La Indonesia, I was sold.
Special coffee at Hagen
What splendid cup of coffee prepared by two very young female baristi on the Hario V60 and served in such a delectable manner, wine glass to highlight the notes with a stone covering the glass carafe. The taste was sublime, with hints of aged berries, subtle acidity and just a good cup of coffee. I think the way it was served added to the suspense and when I went to pay – the bill of GBP10 ($13) took me by surprise but I guess it was worth it.
CUP 9 (Urban Botanica, 30 Windmill Road, off Kennington Road)
In late June, our daughter moved to London toe start law school and after the aches and pains of looking for a property, she found one in Kennington. After scanning the area, she was like “I’ve found a good coffee shop for you to try when you visit”. And she was right. As we entered Urban Botanica, I spotted, yes, wait for it Kees Van der Westen machine – custom made with pink undertones.
So, having missed the opportunity at Hagen, I was presented here with the opportunity to have milk based drink on this famous machine and I opted for a flat white.
Beautifully made, suing Horsham Coffee, where the owner, Stephen used to work before, I highly recommend this place if you are nearby. I promise a longer post on this.
CUP 10 (The Shot, 104 Wigmore Street)
Walking behind Oxford Street with my daughter, I noticed this coffee shop across the road and was intrigued by a branding on the shop front as well as a nearby delivery van, so I thought , why not. So, have you ever been to a coffee shop that has a maitre d – someone who takes your reservation and guides you to your seat – very common for posh restaurants? Well, the Shot has that. Upon entering, the interior is quite dark but the gold encrusted Hario V60 breaks that monotone. The image at the top of this post is from their coffee shop.
I watched over as the baristi, who looked a bit intimidating with their waistcoats and well coiffed beards. We were handed a menu, which featured expensive coffees like Jamaica Blue Mountain, so l ordered a standard espresso
Espresso at the Shot
Easy to drink. As far as I can tell this is a new concept and they have another one in Mayfair – of course – another expensive residential community in London, not far from the Kings palace.
From Coffee With Love 