London coffee — frequently asked questions
Answers to common questions about London's specialty coffee scene, what to expect, and how we curate the guide.
Edited by Dylan Cormack · Last updated June 2026
- How do you choose the coffee shops featured on London Best Coffee?
- Every shop is visited and reviewed in person by editor Dylan Cormack. We focus on independent specialty cafés serving carefully sourced beans, with priority given to shops that demonstrate consistent quality, distinctive character, or notable roasting and brewing work.
- How often is the guide updated?
- We add new shop reviews regularly and refresh existing entries when shops change menu, location, or opening hours. Each shop page shows the date of its most recent review at the top.
- What is specialty coffee?
- Specialty coffee refers to beans graded 80+ out of 100 by certified Q graders, typically sourced from a single farm or co-operative, lightly roasted to preserve origin character, and brewed using precise extraction methods. Independent specialty cafés are the focus of this guide.
- What's the difference between a flat white and a latte?
- A flat white is a double shot of espresso topped with steamed milk and a thin layer of microfoam, served in a 5–6oz cup. A latte uses the same espresso base but with more milk and a thicker layer of foam in a larger cup. Flat whites taste stronger because the coffee-to-milk ratio is higher.
- How do I find a coffee shop near me in London?
- Use our Near Me page to share your location and see nearby specialty cafés on a map. Alternatively, browse by area (West, East, City, North, North West, South East or South West London) or filter by features like outdoor seating, dog-friendly, or on-site roastery.
- Are the coffee shops in this guide dog-friendly?
- Many are. Each shop page lists whether it's dog-friendly, has outdoor seating, accepts cards only, is wheelchair accessible, and other practical features.
- Which London coffee shops roast their own beans?
- Several of the shops featured roast on premise. Look for the "Roastery On Premise" badge on individual shop pages, or check the machine-readable directory at /coffee-shops.md.
- What's the average price of coffee in London?
- A flat white at a London specialty café typically costs £3.50–£5.00. Filter coffees and single-origin pour-overs usually run £4.50–£6.00. Prices in central London and the City tend to be at the higher end of these ranges.
More about how we choose the shops on the about page, or browse the full directory at /coffee-shops.md.