Coffee has not long been associated with the Brits – which perhaps makes it even more extraordinary that, in the brief spell since we made its acquaintance, UK coffee culture has exploded with creativity, innovation and expertise. The epicentre of the industry is, perhaps unsurprisingly, the capital, so wherever you happen to be, make a beeline for the best with the help of our handy guide.

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5 BEST COFFEE SHOPS IN LONDON

1. Roasting Plant (London Bridge, the Strand, Holborn, Mayfair):

This place is special. For one, it’s the only coffee retailer that roasts in every store, with a network of Willy Wonka-esque pipes and tubes criss-crossing overhead, joining neat rows of glass vats – within which fresh beans are being constantly, rhythmically tossed and sifted, steadily roasting in micro batches – to the gleaming chrome Javabot at the counter, the nerve centre of it all. Just tell the (human) barista what flavour profile you’re after, and Javabot does the rest, gently whirring away, selecting just the right beans to create just the right custom blend. A trip to one of their four London stores is a pioneering glimpse into the fascinating future of coffee – and the brews themselves aren’t half bad, either.

(roastingplant.co.uk)

2. Arro Coffee (Bayswater, Marylebone, Mayfair):

Few previous occupants of Arro’s first location – at the intersection of Queensway and Westbourne Grove – had survived more than a few months, but not so for Arro, who set up shop there in late 2016 and promptly took the neighbourhood by storm. Italian-owned, these pint-sized spots offer a good selection of indulgent hand-made pastries and sandwiches, with a few small tables that make pleasant places to linger – but the focus here is on excellent coffee to-go. The staff know their stuff, and consistently serve top-notch artisan brews. They don’t call it the Temple of Coffee for nothing.

(arrocoffee.com)

3. Monmouth Coffee Company (Covent Garden, London Bridge, Bermondsey):

The veteran of our list, Monmouth opened its first branch on Covent Garden’s Monmouth Street in 1978, roasting beans in the basement and quickly gaining a loyal local following. More than 40 years later – and two premises larger – it’s now a byword for quality artisan coffee in London, with a menu of expertly chosen blends and some particularly delightful latte art (plus perhaps the best brownies you’ll ever eat) served in a cosy, communal atmosphere. The coffee isn’t cheap, but the price point has long allowed the brand to prioritise sustainability, travelling constantly in order to meet and build relationships with farmers and cooperatives around the world.

(monmouthcoffee.co.uk)

4. Workshop Coffee (Fitzrovia, Marylebone):

Regularly heralded as purveyors of London’s best coffee, Workshop is slick, hip and industrial chic through and through. Things move at a pace at both of their branches (most patrons swing in and straight out again, coffee in hand) and the menu is as tecchie as the clientele – but don’t let that put you off: swap your flat white for an AeroPress filter coffee or a Fetco CBS batch brew, and you’ll be pleasantly surprised. There’s good cake and excellent pastries, too.

(workshopcoffee.com)

5. Prufrock Coffee (Farringdon):

At this Farringdon staple, it’s all about supporting local producers and small scale growers. There’s a collection of carefully curated brands on offer, including Square Mile, Five Elephant, Koppi Coffee and Tim Wendelboe, plus a constantly changing roster of pour-overs. There’s home-made seasonal food, too (try the field mushrooms on toast with graceburn cheese and aioli), and the staff are possibly the friendliest (and most efficient) in town – but it’s the great atmosphere, complete with good music and excellent people-watching opportunities, which really keeps people coming back. There’s often a long queue snaking out onto the pavement, but it’s worth the wait.

(prufrockcoffee.com)