By Luke Chapman
Recently announced by the go-to coffee shop guide ‘Best coffee shops in the UK‘, 2 coffee spots within the Square Mile have been listed as the best across the UK.
This list is then a gateway to the world’s best 100 coffee shops, so big work! You can see more info on this on Time Out, which also shared their recommendations.
Now we KNOW the Square Mile is full of amazing coffee, and we’re no strangers to running around trying to find the best cup of Joe, but it was brilliant to see two of our own institutions highlighted on a national scale.
The rankings evaluated local spots, so Pret isn’t one of the winners here (with that coffee, it wouldn’t be anyway), so these are real gems in the area. So… where can you find the best coffee according to the national rankings?
Curators Coffee
Well, where do we start with this one? Of course we’ve headed down to trial it ourselves, and it was out of this world! You’re immediately struck by the plants adorning the space, making the cosy area an inviting and enticing experience.
They’ve got a basketball hoop so you can try and score free coffee, and I loved the touch of having blankets and a newspaper on every table within the little sheltered arcade outside.
To top it off, Curators is a non-profit too! Their coffee is great, but the star of the show in my opinion is their food selection, with the most gorgeous-looking pastries, sweet and savoury croissants and the best blondie I’ve ever had (the sweat treat, not the barista).
One thing we can’t miss sharing, is that once it turns dark, (or during the day, we don’t judge), they also do an alcoholic menu with, of course, espresso martinis.
Do we think it deserves a top 100 rating? Absolutely, without a doubt.
Zero to One Coffee
This Vietnamese specialty coffee godsend is right by Liverpool Street station, so if this is on your commute to the office, I’m so jealous!
With that said, it’s only 20 minutes walk for us, and it’s worth every second.
If you’re yet to try a Vietnamese coffee, well this should be your next stop. Of course they also serve regular London coffees, but if you know, you know.
Aside from this, have you ever tried soy sauce in a cookie? Well you can here.
If you’re not already intrigued, you can visit for their seasonal drinks, regional delights, and the best vibe!
Zero to One Coffee
Other coffee spots to note
Zero to One and Curators deserve their spot in the limelight, but there are so many great spots around the square mile, so we wanted to flag some of the best out there that didn’t quite make the official list (but should have).
- Nkora
- Saint Espresso
- The Wren Coffee
- Host Cafe
- Senzo Coffee
- Rosslyn
- Ozone Coffee
If we’ve missed any of the best spots, let us know on Instagram! We’re always looking for an excuse to explore yet another cup of coffee.