If you’re a true coffee lover, the UK has some incredible gems waiting to be discovered. From cozy indie cafés in historic cities to modern brew bars pushing the boundaries of specialty coffee, these are 10 must-visit coffee shops in the UK for 2025. Whether you’re in London, Edinburgh, or tucked away in Cornwall, get ready for your next unforgettable cup.
1. Kaffeine – London
📍 Great Titchfield St & Eastcastle St, London
Inspired by the coffee culture in Australia and New Zealand, Kaffeine has been a London staple since 2009. Known for its precision in espresso and exceptional flat whites, it’s a magnet for coffee purists.
Must-try: Single-origin espresso or their award-winning flat white
Bonus: Friendly baristas, rotating guest beans, and sleek interiors.
Website: Visit Kaffeine
2. Monmouth Coffee – London
📍 Covent Garden & Borough Market
Monmouth is more than just a café—it’s a piece of UK coffee history. Established in 1978, they were pioneers in sourcing ethically traded beans directly from farms.
Must-try: Pour-over made with beans from small estates
Pro tip: Expect a queue, but it’s worth the wait.
Website: Monmouth Coffee
3. Artisan Roast – Edinburgh
📍 Broughton Street, Stockbridge & Bruntsfield
Edinburgh’s first specialty coffee roaster, Artisan Roast is all about experimentation and community. Their rotating brew menu is packed with complexity and depth.
Must-try: Filter coffee using their in-house roasted beans
Vibe: Laid-back, boho, with local art and eclectic decor.
Website: Artisan Roast
4. North Star Coffee – Leeds
📍 Leeds Dock, Yorkshire
North Star is not just a café—it’s a coffee education hub. They focus on traceable, sustainable sourcing, and their brew bar is a dream for coffee geeks.
Must-try: Aeropress or V60 using Ethiopian beans
Extras: Coffee workshops, brunch, and great views of the canal.
Website: North Star Coffee
5. Colonna & Small’s – Bath
📍 6 Chapel Row, Bath
Helmed by three-time UK Barista Champion Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood, this café is a must-visit for serious coffee connoisseurs. It’s like a fine wine tasting—but with coffee.
Must-try: Seasonal espresso flights or brewed-to-order filter
Atmosphere: Minimalist and cerebral.
Website: Colonna & Small’s
6. Laynes Espresso – Leeds
📍 16 New Station St, Leeds
Just steps from the train station, Laynes is the go-to spot for high-quality coffee and a proper brunch. Their dedication to detail and perfect milk texture stands out.
Must-try: Flat white with house-roasted espresso blend
Crowd: Local creatives, students, and traveling coffee fans.
Website: Laynes Espresso
7. Origin Coffee – Cornwall & London
📍 Multiple locations incl. Porthleven, Bristol & Shoreditch
With deep roots in Cornwall, Origin has become a major force in UK specialty coffee. They directly source from farmers and roast in small batches for quality control.
Must-try: Seasonal single-origin served as a filter brew
Bonus: Beautiful cafés that mix surf-town charm with modern edge.
Website: Origin Coffee
8. Bold Street Coffee – Liverpool
📍 89 Bold St, Liverpool
Known for its bold espresso, killer toasties, and street-style vibe, Bold Street Coffee has a loyal following. It’s casual, gritty, and full of soul.
Must-try: House espresso in a cortado or their “Power Ballads” filter
Food tip: Try their famous “buoys” (loaded bagels).
Website: Bold Street Coffee
9. The Gentlemen Baristas – London
📍 Borough, Mayfair, Piccadilly & more
A nod to the past with a foot firmly in the present, The Gentlemen Baristas blends top-tier brews with old-school charm. Think bowler hats and single-origin beans.
Must-try: Their “Deerstalker” espresso blend
Ambience: Gentlemen’s club meets modern café.
Website: The Gentlemen Baristas
10. Society Café – Oxford, Bath & Bristol
📍 Multiple artistic cities
With locations in the UK’s most creative cities, Society Café offers a haven for coffee lovers, creatives, and freelancers alike. They work with various guest roasters, giving visitors a new experience each time.
Must-try: Guest espresso or slow-brewed pour-over
Instagram-worthy: Floor-to-ceiling windows, handmade cakes, cozy corners.
Website: Society Café
11. Tapped & Packed (TAP Coffee) – London
📍 193 Wardour Street, Soho
A rustic haven in busy Soho, TAP Coffee (aka Tapped & Packed) is known for its industrial charm and artisan brewing methods. Beans are roasted in-house and the focus is firmly on flavor.
Must-try: Hand-poured filter or batch brew with their current single-origin
Interior: Wooden tables, bicycles hanging from the walls, and great people-watching.
- Instagram: @tapcoffee
12. Coffee Lab – Winchester & Beyond
📍 Multiple locations in the South of England
Founded by SCAE-certified barista champion Dhan Tamang, Coffee Lab is where science meets flavor. The minimalist design and coffee geekery appeal to the serious drinker.
Must-try: Signature latte art with a rotating specialty espresso
What stands out: Consistent excellence across locations.
Website: Coffee Lab UK
13. Pact Coffee – London (Brew Bar Pop-Ups)
📍 Primarily online with seasonal London brew bars
Though best known for their subscription service, Pact Coffee occasionally opens pop-up brew bars. Their ethically sourced beans and tech-enabled roasting make every cup data-backed and delicious.
Must-try: Cold brew when available, or a curated single-origin
Extras: Great place to learn about traceability and direct trade.
Website: Pact Coffee
14. Idle Hands – Manchester
📍 35 Dale Street, Manchester
A hidden gem in Manchester’s Northern Quarter, Idle Hands is loved for its laid-back vibe, pie counter, and strong, no-nonsense coffee.
Must-try: Espresso with house-made pies or vegan pastries
Bonus: Indie music playlist and friendly staff who remember your name.
Website: Idle Hands Coffee
15. Workshop Coffee – London
📍 Fitzrovia & Marylebone
Workshop is all about detail—from their in-house roasting lab to their educational approach. Every cup is meticulously brewed and paired with a simple, clean café design.
Must-try: Chemex or espresso from their seasonal lineup
Noteworthy: Sustainability and transparency at every step.
Website: Workshop Coffee
16. Kin + Ilk – Cardiff
📍 Multiple locations around Cardiff
A Welsh favorite, Kin + Ilk merges Scandi design with homegrown warmth. It’s a stylish, community-focused café that serves expertly made espresso-based drinks.
Must-try: Flat white with Welsh milk & baked goods from local makers
Bonus: Great workspace for freelancers and digital nomads.
Website: Kin + Ilk
17. Steam Yard – Sheffield
📍 Aberdeen Court, Sheffield
With its hidden courtyard and artsy, industrial interior, Steam Yard is a cult favorite. Known for specialty brews and artisan donuts, it’s the place for serious sipping.
Must-try: Cold brew float or cortado paired with a homemade cinnamon roll
Crowd: Hip, creative, and welcoming.
Instagram: Steam Yard Instagram
18. Fortitude Coffee – Edinburgh
📍 3C York Place, Edinburgh
A small but mighty café in the heart of the city, Fortitude focuses on clean, balanced coffee and top-tier equipment. It’s a favorite for those looking to escape touristy spots.
Must-try: Espresso tonic or a slow-brewed filter with a local pastry
Vibe: Quiet, focused, and perfect for a solo caffeine retreat.
Website: Fortitude Coffee
19. The Barn (London Outpost) – Mayfair
📍 Flat Iron Square, London
Originally from Berlin, The Barn has opened in London, bringing its ultra-light Scandinavian roast style to the UK. Coffee here is delicate, fruity, and complex.
Must-try: Light-roasted filter or espresso, served without sugar or syrups
Note: It’s for purists—every cup tells a story.
Website: The Barn
20. Cafe Strange Brew – Glasgow
📍 1109 Pollokshaws Rd, Glasgow
Quirky, cozy, and fiercely independent, Cafe Strange Brew brings top-tier brews and creative brunch dishes to South Glasgow. They partner with local roasters and suppliers.
Must-try: Mocha with oat milk or a strong long black
Foodie tip: The brunch is just as legendary as the coffee.
- Instagram: @cafe_strange_brew
21. Strangers Coffee – Norwich
📍 21 Pottergate, Norwich
A local favorite in East Anglia, Strangers Coffee is both a specialty café and roastery. Family-run since 2009, they’re known for single-origin beans roasted on-site and precise brewing.
Must-try: V60 pour-over or a velvety flat white
Perks: You can buy their freshly roasted beans to take home.
Website: Strangers Coffee
22. The Exploding Bakery – Exeter
📍 Central Station Buildings, Exeter
While famous for its legendary cakes and bakes, this quirky Exeter café takes its coffee as seriously as its traybakes. They partner with local and ethical roasters, often showcasing new guest beans.
Must-try: Espresso with their signature dark chocolate brownie
Vibe: Artsy, welcoming, with a community spirit.
Website: The Exploding Bakery
23. Espresso Lounge – Tring, Hertfordshire
📍 50 High Street, Tring
Don’t underestimate this small-town gem. Espresso Lounge is a barista-owned café with a loyal local following and a rep for serving one of the best flat whites in the country.
Must-try: Signature espresso blend or seasonal guest roaster
Unique: Strong music culture and creative latte art.
Website: Espresso Lounge
24. Redemption Roasters – London & Oxford
📍 Bloomsbury, King’s Cross, Oxford & more
More than just great coffee, Redemption Roasters is the world’s first prison-based coffee roaster, training young offenders with real barista and roasting skills. Their cafés serve exceptional, ethically roasted beans.
Must-try: Ethically sourced single-origin espresso or cold brew
Mission-driven: Every cup supports social change.
Website: Redemption Roasters
25. Takk – Manchester
📍 Tariff Street & Hatch, Manchester.
Inspired by Icelandic cafés, Takk is a Nordic-style space with exceptional coffee, creative energy, and great co-working vibes. It’s the kind of café where ideas (and coffee) flow.
Must-try: Scandinavian-style filter coffee or espresso tonic
Ideal for: Digital nomads, creatives, and casual meetups.
Final Sip: Why These Coffee Shops Made the Cut
Every spot on this list was chosen for:
Quality and consistency of coffee
Atmosphere that reflects local culture
Commitment to ethical sourcing
Authentic experiences, not just Instagram bait
Whether you’re a pour-over purist or espresso explorer, these cafés promise an experience that goes beyond the brew.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What’s the best time to visit UK coffee shops?
A: Mornings are great for a calm atmosphere. Weekdays are less crowded than weekends.
Q: Do UK coffee shops cater to plant-based or dietary needs?
A: Yes, almost all the shops above offer oat, soy, or almond milk and vegan treats.
Q: Is tipping expected in UK cafés?
A: Tipping is optional but appreciated—especially if service is excellent.
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I am Sabiq Rasel is an Entrepreneur and broadcaster. I believe that every sip of coffee holds the potential for a moment of inspiration, creativity, and every cup tells a story.
