Raise your hand if you want to visit ALL the cute cafes in London so that you can take exquisite Instagram pics of yourself and plan the best day out in London; photos that might later be used to make all your friends SUPER jealous of your seemingly glam life?
(This chick’s hand instantly shoots up!)
Okay, totally kidding. I’m obviously not that vain and petty (Said as I upload a series of devastatingly beautiful selfies to Facebook, in a futile attempt to make my latest ex want me back. No, I’m not bitter. Not one bit).
But seriously:
That’s clearly not the only reason why you should visit these 10 amazingly cute cafes in London.
I mean:
The food at all of these eateries is pretty damn good too. And since you’ve got to eat anyway, why not do it somewhere uber-posh and pretty?
Because let’s be real:
I know I’d feel much better about eating my feelings if I were doing so amidst a sea of ethereal wisteria and not alone, in my hotel room, sobbing into a half-eaten gallon of ice cream as I watch a slew of rom coms that create totally unrealistic ideals of male behavior.
Yeah, maybe I should give my therapist a call.
Anyway, all kidding aside, I’m of those people who absolutely adore coffee.
No really:
I seriously need it to function. Without it, I turn into this snarling beast of a woman who basically hates everything and everyone.
But:
My acute caffeine addiction is also one of the many reasons why I am totally obsessed with cafes and cafe culture.
No matter where I go:
I just love sitting in a cafe and watching the people slowly walk by as I sip on my coffee and eat a freshly baked pastry.
And London?
Yeah, it’s the perfect place to enjoy this pastime.
It has this amazingly diverse and totally beautiful cafe scene that is unlike any other place in the world.
So:
Rather than force you to go it alone and randomly wander from cafe to cafe, or worse, have you drink coffee at a (insert gasps of horror) Starbucks, here is my list of 10 wonderfully cute cafes in London that I know you will absolutely LOVE!
Since I am incapable of making it rain money, there’s a high chance that this post may contain affiliate links. Please see my disclosure for more information. As an Amazon Associate, I earn a small commission from qualifying purchases.
***Not sure where to stay in London for the first time? For a super luxe experience, enjoy the beautiful rooms and exquisite service at The Savoy (rooms start at $700 a night so not like I’ll be staying there any time soon but a girl can dream). However, for a more reasonably priced stay in London, check out the Z Hotel Soho (The service is great, the location is fantastic, and the rooms are comfortable and start at just $75 per night), Premier Inn Leicester Square (Rooms here start at $125 per night and offer comfortable beds, modern bathrooms, and plush linens. Staff are also incredibly helpful and the location is super central), and the Good Hotel London (This is ultramodern, centrally located, super cool, floating hotel that sits at the Royal Victoria Dock. The stylish, cozy, and comfortable rooms here start at $70 per night).***
1. Saint Aymes
Honestly:
If you can only visit one cute cafe in London, then this should be it.
Located in Connaught Village:
Everything about Saint Aymes just screams ethereal beauty, from the exquisite floral displays lining the store’s exterior to the beautifully botanical wallpaper adorning the cafe’s ultra-chic interior.
It’s a true, whimsical wonderland that is brimming over with the enchanting feel of spring, regardless of the season.
However:
This eatery’s uplifting sense of beauty doesn’t end with the exquisite decor.
Skim through Saint Aymes’ decadent menu and you’ll find an assortment of whimsical creations that include a unicorn latte, a 23-carat gold hot chocolate, and even a fantastical unicorn cloud bedazzled in edible gold (aka cotton candy).
Want the magic to last just a bit longer?
Then try the cafe’s decadent, Enchanted Afternoon Tea experience in their Floral Garden Room.
For just £45 per person:
Guests can enjoy a variety of edible creations that include color-changing “unicorn tears” tea, fresh macarons, an Antoinette Tart (white chocolate mousse tart topped with fresh strawberries, raspberries, and 24ct gold), chocolate cheesecake, and more.
But, there is one, not-so-tiny downside.
Because this restaurant isn’t exactly a hidden gem of London, it is packed with wannabe influencers who are desperately searching for their piece of Instagram immortality.
Therefore:
It is imperative that you make a reservation prior to your visit (When booking a table, you must make a deposit and spend a minimum of £40 per table of 2).
Otherwise:
You’ll be doomed and forced to wait in line for hours on end in the forever finicky weather of London.
So:
Be prepared and ALWAYS book well in advance (like 2 months in advance for afternoon tea).
Address: 59 Connaught Street, St George’s Fields
Nearest Station: Marble Arch Station
2. Peggy Porschen
I hate to say it. but honestly:
I’m not a huge fan of Peggy Porschen Cakes.
Don’t get me wrong:
I love the pale pink, flowery exterior just as much as the next girl.
But sadly:
That’s where the love affair with Peggy Porschen ends for me.
Sure:
I tried one of their “top” cupcake flavors, per the recommendation of a lovely staff member, and I ended up throwing half of it away.
And if you know me, then you know that NEVER happens since sugar is like my ultimate drug of choice.
That’s why:
I clearly wouldn’t choose to describe Peggy Porschen cupcakes as glorified food crack (maybe whack-tastic but definitely not food crack).
However:
Who knows, maybe I just visited on an off day and had a bad batch of cupcakes.
Regardless of the reason:
I’d probably only come here for the photo op and that’s about it.
I’d also try to arrive as EARLY (like at the crack of dawn) as possible to avoid the awful crowds.
So:
The moral of the story? Get in, get out, and go somewhere else for food (Try Dominique Ansel since it’s literally 2 seconds down the road).
Address: 116 Ebury Street
Nearest Station: Sloane Square Station or Victoria Station
3. Biscuiteers
With its superbly photogenic, vintage-style exterior:
Biscuiteers fits in perfectly with the surrounding, pastel-hued neighborhood of Notting Hill.
And while the beauty of this iconic, London cafe draws in Instagram mavens from miles around, the real appeal of this eatery is the sheer, culinary perfection of the hand-iced desserts served here.
As the name suggests:
Biscuiteers is dedicated to all things biscuit (aka cookie) and has a menu that includes everything from macarons to cupcakes to cookies that are decorated to resemble some of London’s most iconic landmarks!
Culinarily inclined patrons can even participate in a two-hour-long, icing class where you can embrace your inner Martha Stweart and fine-tune your cake decorating skills.
Or:
You can just leave the cake decorating to the professionals and make a reservation for a relaxing, afternoon tea instead.
But, whatever you choose:
Just be sure to make a reservation well in advance since all the ultra-cool, London hipsters are obsessed with this tres chic eatery.
Which makes sense since this cafe’s quaint, outdoor seating area is the perfect place to sit and enjoy a relaxing cup of coffee along the quiet(ish) streets of Notting Hill.
Address: 194 Kensington Park Rd, Notting Hill
Nearest Station: Ladbroke Grove Station
4. Cereal Killer Cafe
Hey, girl hey!
Grab your Lisa Frank trapper keeper, a neon-hued slap bracelet, and your sequence encrusted fanny pack because we’re about to take a walk through the nostalgic, 90’s wonderland that is the Cereal Killer Cafe.
Located in London’s wonderfully eclectic, Shoreditch neighborhood:
This sugar encrusted, carb lover paradise is the epitome of every 90’s girl’s dream.
Everywhere you turn, you’ll find remnants of your childhood that include napkin holders made of cassette tapes, walls lined with every type of cereal box imaginable, cozy children’s beds that double as tableside seating, and wall art made out of archaic, VHS tapes.
Hand me a package of Dunkaroos and I’ll unabashedly call this cafe home.
Yet:
Just when you think it can’t get any better, it does.
Yup:
You instantly giggle with glee as you hear the eternal pop magic that is Ace of Base, blaring through the stereo of this cute cafe in London.
Talk about a ’90s fangirl paradise.
But, aside from the fantastic decor, this funky cafe offers guests a variety of cereal-related foods that include lattes made with cocoa pops milk, tater tots breaded with corn flakes, and even, good old fashioned bowls of cereal.
Me?
I ordered a snazzy bowl of Unicorn Poop Cereal since well, all things unicorn make my soul sing with delight.
And, just when I thought things couldn’t get any better:
They served me a deliciously sweet side of bubble gum milk to compliment my cereal.
Yup:
A total explosion of carbohydrate goodness in my mouth.
Heck:
I even added to the culinary magic by ordering a cappuccino made with cocoa pops milk.
So, all in all:
An insanely fun, one of a kind experience that was elevated to the next level when my check, along with a complimentary cereal milk bar, was brought to me in a VHS tape case.
Classic!
Was it a little expensive and over the top? Absolutely!
But:
It was a ridiculous amount of fun and well worth a visit if you ever find yourself in Shoreditch.
Address: 192a Brick Lane
Nearest Station: Bethnal Green Station
5. Palm Vaults
Set eyes upon this Hackney cafe’s vintage, pale pink and green exterior and you’ll immediately be drawn inside, desperately yearning to see if things can get any better.
And spoiler alert, they do.
Once inside, you’ll be dazzled by the cafe’s delightful, exposed brick walls and charming hanging plants, both of which help to create a warm and welcoming interior (and yes, all the plants are VERY real).
But apart of the eatery’s whimsical decor:
You’ll be intrigued by the kaleidoscope of colorful lattes, and flavors, that are available on Palm Vault’s extensive coffee menu.
And while everything here is absolutely divine:
Some of my personal faves include the red velvet latte, the lavender latte, and the rose latte.
Address: 411 Mare Street
Nearest Station: Hackney Downs Railway Station
6. Sketch
Known throughout London for its exquisite, otherworldly bathrooms:
Sketch is also famous for its extravagant, afternoon tea, which is served to you amidst the Instagrammable, blush grandeur of the Gallery dining room.
Starting at a whopping, £59 per person:
Afternoon tea here begins with a quail egg and egg truffle gougere amuse that is quickly followed by a selection of savory finger sandwiches like cucumber ricotta (yeah, they do some Harry Potter level trickery to somehow make their cucumber sandwiches taste amazing), smoked salmon and Jacob’s cream, and Comte cheese panini.
But my fave part?
Yup, the super snazzy selection of desserts (think pineapple and coriander tarts, passionfruit opera cake, coconut and cranberry marshmallow, and a vanilla/ hazelnut Battenberg) and warm Sultana scones that are to you served with sides of homemade jam and fresh clotted cream.
Sigh. Pure, carbohydrate perfection.
But, the only thing better than the food here is the decor, which is pure, unadulterated, Instagram perfection.
Around every corner:
You’ll find rooms dripping with vibrant, over-the-top, whimsical decor that is reminiscent of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, only 10,000 times more extravagant.
However:
The absolute BEST part of the decor here are the bathrooms.
I mean:
You could literally do a tour of Sketch’s vast collection of toilets since each one has a totally different and totally outrageous aesthetic that is unlike anything you’ve ever seen.
Personally:
My fave bathroom happens to be the one in the Gallery, the section of the restaurant that is devoted to serving afternoon tea.
Walk inside and you’ll immediately be mesmerized by these wonderfully quirky, giant, white, chicken-egg-like, pod toilets that are in turn, illuminated by these fantastically colorful skylights.
Yeah:
The kaleidoscope of neon hues here definitely makes this bathroom look more like a spaceship than a toilet.
So:
Whatever you do, do not leave without visiting this bathroom first.
And yes, that’s an order, not a request.
***PSST: When booking a table for afternoon tea, try making a 12:30 pm reservation (right when afternoon tea starts). This way, you can get here a bit early and take pictures before everyone else arrives. ***
Address: 9 Conduit Street, Mayfair
Nearest Station: Oxford Circus Station
7. Aubain Selfridges
Known for their enchanting dining room, which showcases exquisite tendrils of wisteria hanging from the ceiling:
Aubaine Selfridges creates an oasis of peace that transports you away from the chaos of the city, and into the quiet, natural beauty of the English countryside.
Located on the second floor of Selfridges Department Store:
This cute cafe in London is tucked away amongst the luxury shoes and features a menu filled with classic French fare like croissants, pain au Chocolat, Eggs Benedict, and more.
Open every day between 9:30 am and 9:00 pm (Except on Sundays when they’re open between 11:30 and 6:00 pm):
Aubaine Selfridges is the perfect place to sit, read a book, and enjoy a freshly baked croissant with a piping hot, cafe latte.
However:
Like most of the places on this list, this cafe is SUPER popular.
Therefore:
Definitely try and make an online reservation before you visit.
Address: 2nd floor of 400 Oxford St, Marylebone
Nearest Station: Bond Street Station
8. Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium
I obviously HAD to hop on the pop-culture bandwagon and add a totally, en vogue cat cafe to this list of cute cafes in London.
But really, I had no choice!
I mean, just look at those picture-perfect, cat and paw print emblazoned pieces of latte art and tell me that you wouldn’t instantly fall in love with Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium.
Okay good. I’m glad we’re on the same wavelength.
However, before you put on your favorite crazy cat lady sweater and make a mad dash for this ultra-cute, Shoreditch eatery, definitely make a reservation.
Because not surprisingly:
This cat cafe is tres chic and incredibly popular among all of my cat-lovin’ homies in London.
But, the hardest part of the entire reservation making process (besides leaving)?
Yeah, choosing between a standard, 90-minute cat petting sesh for £15, and a scrumptious, 90-minute high tea for £30.
But go on, live a little, especially since most of the profits here go towards maintaining the health and well-being of all our fine, feline friends who call this place home.
Plus:
If you opt for Lady Dinah’s decadent afternoon tea, you get to enjoy 90 glorious minutes of kitty loving amidst a delightfully delicious assortment of sandwiches, teas, cakes, cookies, and scones that are, DUH, served with clotted cream and jam.
Available between 2:30 pm and 6:00 pm on weekdays and between 12:00 pm and 6:00 pm on weekends, this is definitely one of the most unique afternoon teas in London.
However just as an FYI:
Lady Dinah’s is closed on Wednesdays so no cat adoration then.
But:
If you’re crowd averse, like this chick right here, then plan to visit on a Soothing Sunday. when the cafe is filled to half capacity, providing you with a more intimate, kitty loving experience.
Priced at just £20 per 90-minute session:
Enjoy all that extra cat adoration with one, non-alcoholic drink included in the price of admission.
However:
If you feel yourself slowly morphing into a HANGRY beast, you can always order from their a la carte menu, which features a variety of sweet, as well as savory, breakfast and lunch items that are sure to satisfy almost any craving imaginable.
Address: 152-154, Bethnal Green Road
9. Shoreditch Grind
Nestled along the Old Street roundabout:
Shoreditch Grind is part trendy cafe part cocktail bar and part restaurant meets cool AF recording studio.
So:
Basically the chicest place ever, but without being overly pretentious about it.
I mean:
My socially awkward self felt totally comfortable here, even though I wasn’t wearing a pair of organic, hand ripped, locally sourced, stonewashed, all-natural jeans (my leggings were cheap and from Amazon but shh, don’t tell).
Besides:
All the resident Instagram mavens are way too busy photographing the cafe’s exquisite industrial-style fittings and neon signage to even notice that anyone else is there.
And honestly:
I can’t really blame them since this cafe has innovative, decorative details, like a neon sign that says, “Sex, coffee, and rock and roll”.
Yup, that’s when I know that THESE were my people.
Especially since they serve totally hip, ultra-fab dishes like smashed avocado toast, hummus, cheeseburgers, chicken wings, fried chicken sandwiches, and more.
Plus:
They have crazy long hours and are open for like 18 hours a day.
Therefore:
Totally caffeine-addicted Millenials like me who can now go and get their artisanal coffee whenever they like (They’re open until 11:00 pm on the weekdays and until 1:00 am on the weekends).
See:
They really do know just how serious my coffee addiction is!
Added bonus?
They literally roast their own coffee beans right around the corner. Legit, how cool is that??
However:
If you’re in need of something a bit stronger than coffee, you can always order one of their wicked awesome espresso flavored cocktails too (Try the Grind Espresso Martini with house espresso, Reyka Vodka, and sugar).
So:
Whether you’re looking for a place to quietly sip your latte or rock out until the wee hours of the morning, this is most definitely the cute cafe in London that you crave.
Address: 213 Old St, Old Street
Nearest Station: Old Street Station
10. The Attendant
Located in the heart of Fitzrovia:
This wonderfully unique, specialty coffee and brunch spot is a mere 5-minute walk from Oxford Street.
And while they do roast their own espresso and offer a delicious, assortment of seasonal, home-style, breakfast, brunch, and lunch items (Their granola and sandwiches are amazing), this cute cafe in London is most well known for being constructed from a former, Victorian toilet.
Yup, you read that right. A TOILET!
Because honestly:
Who doesn’t want to eat amidst such chic, porcelain laden grandeur?
Originally built-in 1890:
The Doulton & Co urinals have been transformed into an enchanting, communal dining area that is filled with white tile walls, hardwood tabletops, and forest green stools.
But the best part?
Remnants from the actual, porcelain toilets still remain and create fantastic nooks and crannies where guests can sit and enjoy a nice cup of tea.
Added bonus?
Attendant was SOO dedicated to maintaining the integrity of the original space, that they kept the attendant office and window intact, creating a small kitchen where in-house chefs can create a variety of delectable dishes.
However:
One tiny drawback is that Attendant operates on a first-come-first-serve basis and will not take reservations.
Therefore:
Definitely try to get here early (like right when they open at 8:00 am) if you want to avoid a long wait in line.
Address: 27a Foley Street
Nearest Station: Goodge Street Station
For the love of God and all that is holy, this list of cute cafes in London is FINALLY at an end.
You must be so stoked that you can now exit this web and do something mildly useful with your time, like watch every episode of Vanderpump Rules known to man (No judgment here. I have my own guilty pleasures too).
But seriously, what did you think? Did all of your favorite cute cafe in London make the cut? If not, holler at me and I’ll check it out!
And if this post has you feeling mad inspired and ready to plan a trip to London, then pin this now and read it again later!
Nancy Williams
Saturday 27th of July 2019
Love your reviews of these coffee shops. I love a great coffee shop and will use this on my next trip to London!
girlwiththepassport
Monday 29th of July 2019
Oh so happy to hear that and have a fantastic trip to London.
Sue
Saturday 27th of July 2019
Love this list! I live in London & haven’t visited any of these places. I especially love the idea of stroking a cat with your coffee - genius!