Shoreditch’s history has had its ups and downs. Once a thriving industrial centre, the East End London district has been run down and experienced extreme poverty. However, times are changing, and once again, Shoreditch is a vibrant area attracting a younger population. It now has a buzzing nightlife, trendy cocktail bars, and a thriving cafe culture.
The British Coffee Association says the UK drinks around 98 million cups of coffee per day. Nowadays, coffee shops are an integral part of daily life. They offer a place to relax and unwind, a social hub for friends and business, and from personal experience, an ideal space for remote workers. Here are five top picks if you are looking for the best cafes in Shoreditch.
The Best Cafes and Coffee Shops in Shoreditch
Many avid coffee drinkers opt for authentic coffee houses, so here are five of the best coffee shops Shoreditch offers.
1. Grind – The Original Grind Coffee Bar
Grind has been serving coffee for over ten years at their cafes in London, and the coffee shop in Shoreditch was their first. Only two minutes from the train station, it is an ideal location to pop in for your morning fix of coffee in Shoreditch.
Caring for the environment is high on Grind’s list of priorities, so they try to source organic coffee where possible for their cafes. The compostable coffee pods sold in their shop are certified organic. Reducing packaging, waste, and carbon footprint are vital areas that Grind addresses, particularly in their Grind at Home range.
For a perfect start to the day, try the Grind breakfast for £15.00 with eggs, thick-cut Essex salt marsh bacon, avocado, white pudding, house hash brown, Cumberland sausage, oyster mushrooms, and sourdough bread.
The Grind vegetarian breakfast is also available and can be Vegan on request. £14.00 gets you the same without the meat, sweet potato harissa cake, baked butter beans, aubergine and spinach.
Alternatively, try the Smoked salmon with poached eggs and hollandaise sauce piled on house crumpets for £14.00.
Various coffees are on the menu, such as an Expresso for £2.90. Flavoured Lattes for a regular at £3.70 or large for £4.10. Alternative types of plant-based milk are available at no extra cost. Flavours include; Turmeric, Beetroot, Charcoal and Butterfly pea.
Grind is one of the best coffee shops in Shoreditch, and its location in a unique circular-shaped building on the Old Street Roundabout gives it a lively and vibrant atmosphere.
Cashless, and no laptops allowed after 6 pm.
Address: 213 Old Street, London, EC1V 9NR
Telephone: 020 7490 7490
Related: Brunch & Breakfast in Shoreditch: Cool Places
2. Lantana – Australian Inspired
Lantana is an Australian-inspired cafe in Shoreditch. The diner is spacious and modern, with a minimalist style and a laid-back vibe. Breakfast, lunch and dinner menus are available and a popular weekend brunch menu with a bottomless option. Lantana serves its unique house-blend coffee and a daily selection of house-made cakes and displays in-store coffee and cake price lists.
Lantana says they are famous for their breakfast and brunch menus.
For a Lantana Classic breakfast, try the Corn Fritters at £17.50. Choose between Halloumi or bacon and topped with spinach, tomatoes, avocado and lemon créme fraîche. Add a poached egg, chorizo, or chilli jam for an additional cost.
A lighter option on the breakfast menu is the Banoffee Banana Bread. It is toasted with salted caramel and topped with grilled banana for £7.50.
If you are feeling more adventurous, the weekend brunch menu includes a bottomless option which entitles you to any menu selection with 90 mins of Preseco or Mimosa with The Lantana Blowout for £46.00 or a Hold The Booze option with unlimited juices and coffee for £39.00.
Lantana changes its menu regularly according to the availability of seasonal produce and is one of the best cafes in Shoreditch for brunch-style food and lunch.
Address: 55 City Road, London, EC1Y 1HQ
Telephone: 020 7253 5273
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3. Attendant – Sustainable and Ethically Farmed
The Attendant has a clear and simple vision. To produce the best coffee and food using fresh, seasonal ingredients. Co-founders Bosh and Ryan opened their first cafe in an old, quirky, disused Victorian toilet block. Several years later, they have six cafes in London and one of the best coffee shops in Shoreditch.
The extensive drinks menu at Attendant has a variety of hot and cold coffee and several varieties of tea and smoothies. A Macchiato is £2.90. Or an Iced Matcha Latte for £4.20. All Teas are £3.20, and a Morning Greens Smoothie is £4.50.
From the breakfast menu, an Attendant’s favourite is the Avocado Toast on homemade Danish rye bread for £11.00. For an additional cost, add Smoked Salmon, Bacon, Grilled Halloumi, or an egg cooked in your preferred way.
Another favourite is the Brekkie Roll at £8.00. Tuck into maple smoked streaky bacon, cheese, egg, and Nduja crumble, a spicy Italian cured pork sausage in a brioche bun. Add avocado for £2.50 extra.
The Attendant strongly believes good food starts on the farm. They source local and British food where possible, and their chefs work hard to transform the ingredients into dishes with the Wow factor. They are a welcoming restaurant that cares about serving excellent coffee. So, for a coffee fix in Shoreditch and food ethically and sustainably sourced, head to Attendant.
Address: 74 Great Eastern St, Hackney, London, EC2A 3JL
Contact: [email protected]
Related: Brunch & Breakfast Spots in Hampstead: Delicious Coffee + Eggs Your Way
4. Kybelle – Food for the Soul
The Cypriot founder of Kybelle is a firm believer in care and loyalty. They aim to provide excellent coffee and delicious food for the soul, whether after a pick-me-up or simply feeling a little hungry.
Kybelle has an excellent drinks menu with coffee ranging from Expresso at £2.80 to coffee shakes with an Expresso Martini for £7.00. They also have Tea, Juices, Milkshakes and other cold drinks.
The vibrant coffee shop also offers healthy coffee infusions from The Cheerful Budha range, including CBD oil-infused coffee at £4.00. A coffee that should help leave you energised without the coffee jitters.
If you only want a snack with your coffee, Kybelle has Danish Pastries and French Pastries from £2.50, homemade cakes from £4.00 and vegan cake options.
For something heartier, there is a Kybelle speciality, Shakshuka, for £11.00.
Kybelle is a small coffee shop that has a friendly and relaxed vibe. The food and smoothies are fresh, and they serve great coffee. The wall art painted by the owner is fantastic and makes Kybelle a cute and instagrammable cafe in Shoreditch.
Address: 62 Eastern Street, Shoreditch, London, EC2A 3QR
Telephone: 020 3582 0516
5. Alchemy – Turn Coffee Into Gold
After a backpacking trip around South America, Anne and Joe had an idea to make the best coffee available anywhere. In 2004, they opened Alchemy and quickly gained a reputation for serving quality coffee at events. Since 2005 they have provided all the coffee to the stars backstage at the Glastonbury Festival.
Today, they have an online shop and three cafes showcasing their coffee and cakes directly on the high street. Alchemy, one of the best coffee shops in Shoreditch, is one of those cafes.
Visit Alchemy, and knowledgeable baristas will greet you. They offer a selection of seasonal coffee, cakes and light lunches and display prices in-store. Reviews suggest that Alchemy’s quality and reputation are excellent.
Alchemy offer subscriptions or one-off purchases for their coffee online. An example is Opus Espresso 250g whole beans one-off price at £12.00. And various ground options for £12.10.
A subscription for Opus Espresso, whole bean or any grind option is £11.50 weekly, fortnightly or monthly.
Currently, 70% of Alchemy coffee is personally sourced directly from the farmer, and they maintain a strong and continued relationship with them. Since 2008 Alchemy has roasted all its coffee to maintain quality and supply.
If you yearn for an espresso with the perfect layer of crema, a full body, and a perfect balance of flavour and aroma, Alchemy should be on the radar as one of the best coffee shops in Shoreditch.
Address: 32A Paul Street (Zetland House), London, EC2A 4LF
Telephone: 0208 543 6271
Tips for Choosing the Best Cafes and Coffee Shops
- Qualities to look for in a coffee shop include customer service, quality products, atmosphere, happy and knowledgeable Baristas, and convenience.
- Can you work from a coffee shop? When choosing cafes to work in Shoreditch, most are happy for people to work in their shops. Some provide Wi-Fi and specific areas for you to work with charging points for phones and laptops. Sometimes, asking if it is okay to work can be good etiquette.
- How long is it acceptable to stay in a coffee shop? You can usually spend the same time in a cafe as in a restaurant. There might be allocated times during busy periods. Remember, cafes are businesses, not offices, so buying something and reordering is a good idea. Being a laptop squatter is not a good look.