This place is amazing. It is so stylish and just perfectly presented. And the coffee is AMAZING. It is rather expensive, but when you see whats going on in this joint its all worth it. The piccolo latte is featured here and what a joy it is to see. Everything is designed with intention here and I like that. Fernandez and Wells currently has 3 venues in London, a Food and Wine bar, a Cafe and the Espresso Bar that I find myself in today. I must must must see the other two if this is any indication of the quality I may find. Fernandez and Wells only uses full cream milk, and I have no arguments there. It’s delicious and creamy and the strong coffee sits perfectly in the centre of my tongue. They really have it bang on here. They also serve organic soups made on site, organic luscombe drinks and delicious freshly carved meats for sandwiches. And the afternoon treats are not to be ignored either. This Espresso bar is very pleasing on the eye and leaps and bounds beyond anything else I have seen in London to date. Located in a small lane on St Anne’s Court it attracts the sneaky passers by and those that know they are there. Full of Australians and Kiwi’s again although this time run by a very enthusiastic English man who has a definite passion for his job and for coffee. Really great strong coffee, good tunes, warm atmosphere, great food and wonderful people, in the heart of London, really this is quite a gem.

I spent a long time on Lantana’s website before I visited the cafe in Central London, which I don’t usually do until after I have been there. I don’t know why that is relevant, but it is a very good website. This is a cool cafe, a very cool cafe. I like the way it looks, it has a great feel from the outside and from the inside and I could certainly waste an afternoon here. Another Australian gem on the sunny side of a central London street. Monmouth coffee used here and I must say that it is my favourite coffee in London so I am really excited for it to be my first today. And duly noted as I enter a shiny La Marzzocco machine and two happy mazzer grinders buzzing to the late morning crowd. Beautiful looking flat whites served here and one of the coolest Barista’s I have seen in ages. I would have liked the temperature to be a little higher to be honest here, but I’d prefer it not quite hot enough as opposed to too hot any day. The coffee was not strong enough to strike any lasting characteristics on the palette however very enjoyable. Perhaps clever in attracting a broader range of coffee drinkers in a city accustomed to very milky coffee. Or perhaps a way to make you order two? I proceed to order a piccolo in order to satisfy my habit and find that this is indeed a much better choice for me. A strong espresso and less milk and a sure kick of caffeine that is not at all bitter and completely complimented by a fairly sweet milk. Lantana was the winner of Best New Cafe in 2009 and rightly so I think. Not only is the coffee wonderful but as Lunch is getting set up around me I see fabulous choices and a regular lunch rush on its way.

As soon as I stepped into this wonderland, I didn’t feel like I was in London anymore. It is glorious. I had so much fun with my camera in here. The treats and cupcakes are spectacular and the display at the front of the store is a visual delight. Every kind of cup cake, mini meringues, home made marshmallows and even a magical cake decorated with the tea party from Alice in Wonderland. It’s all very impressive. As Valentines day creeps closer, Bea’s has made sure to remind you of all things love, that come covered in sugar and chocolate. The presentation of this place sells it all to me and I really appreciate the effort that has been put in. The menu is written on the wall on huge mirrors that open the room up even more.

The genuine cafe buzz in here excites me and after asking the barista if I may take some photos, I take as many as I can without seeming weird and then proceed to order myself a flat white. I can’t ignore the savoury cupcakes either. Red pepper, feta and mushroom with a herb cream cheese. Soooo Yum!! I take a seat and watch the serious chefs in the back of the store busy with the anticipation of afternoon tea soon to commence. Again, Square Mile Roasters coffee is used here and even though the milk is not as smooth as it could be the espresso is strong and rich enough to pull right through it. The temperature is perfect and it is still a stride above a lot of the coffee I have avoided in London. If I had to choose between great espresso and average milk as apposed to the other option, I would take this anyday. Which does tell me that I miss Melbourne even more, I would never settle for that back home. I decide to stay at Bea’s of Bloomsbury for some time, and settle in on my comfy cushions and relax. A truly beautiful cafe and I will most definitely return.

This place is fantastic.
The whole concept is amazing. I can’t believe I found it without even looking for it. They are serious about their coffee and have been since 1882. Their espresso blend is comprised of seven different single origin beans from around the world including the highly sought after Nicaraguan Maragogype which is more expensive to cultivate than the famous Blue Mountain. It is a joy.
They have an extensive espresso menu alone which I have to include here because it is truly impressive.

Espresso 1882
Espresso 1882 Macchiato
Espresso 1882 Con panne – whipped cream
Espresso 1882 Corretto – amaretto
Espresso 1882 Gianduja – chocolate and whipped cream
Espresso 1882 Gia Cometta – meringue, whipped cream and crushed hazelnut

Honestly!
They also offer a coffee guide on their website for the true coffee veterans such as myself to read and enjoy. You should check it out.
The presentation and perfection of every single shot extracted from the stunning Elektra Belle Époque is enough to make me weak at the knees. The taste! Oh the taste, truly perfect espresso is served here and I am in heaven to have it. It is short and strong and served with a small bitter chocolate and shot of water on the side to expand every mouthful of coffee. It is all about complimenting the coffee here. Caffe Vergnano has, for three generations, been working in London and are now winning awards for their signature 1882 blend. They grow, they roast, they brew, they serve and I’m sure they indulge also. They have 2 coffee bars in London. Southbank Centre and in Charring Cross road, which is where I have found them today. Ahh the Italians! Got to love their dedication and passion for the grand things in life.

So this place is another Australian owned dream. I don’t mean to find all these Australians but it seems we know our stuff. The quality that comes out of this place is really consistent too; I’ve been to Taylor St in Richmond several times. The staff are all very keen on coffee and genuinely nice people so I do like to go back often.
This time, I noticed that they have changed the blend that they are using which I was truly excited about. It’s called Bright Note espresso and it’s a combination of Guatemalan and Brazilian beans. Described to have a chocolate taste. And too right it did. My flat white was delicious as usual and I really truly tasted the chocolate notes on the espresso. It was a joy.
These guys pride themselves on their latte art which is just so pleasing in a beautiful coffee and I love coming time after time. They are located inside Source Food Store, which is interesting enough in itself, a great place to stop and grab some fresh delicious lunch, to go or to stay and have the treasure of Taylor St Baristas tucked in the back waiting for you. They always have a copy of Bean Scene lying around for you to read and their loyalty card…buy four get the fifth free! Such a treat. They source their fair trade, 100% Arabica beans from union coffee roasters and the care starts at the beginning all the way to this delicious flat white sitting in front of me.
Taylor St Baristas, finely crafted coffee for serious coffee drinkers.
Taylor St was founded by 3 Australians who couldn’t find a good coffee in London. There are 3 locations so far. This one in Richmond, another in New street purely for the foot locals and directly across from a massive Starbucks which I know for a fact they all find amusing. Also, in Brighton, where I am yet to venture too but will certainly visit soon.
The barista’s at Taylor St go through some serious work to be able to stand behind their machines, there is an exam that they work really hard to pass before they are even considered apprentice standard. It delves into the science and not just the art of coffee making and it is an important level they set for all the staff to be able to keep their quality across the board. It certainly pays off!

Wow, what a find. Seriously, if you think it is hard to find a coffee in London, try to find one at Portobello Markets in Notting Hill and good luck. Well you won’t need luck any more because I am telling you where to go! The Kitchen and Pantry. This place is just great. Lots of little pokey holes and corners, tables, benches, couches, and little tiny stools that fit just your coffee on them! They serve it all here, stunning crepes, and fresh juices evident from the massive baskets of fruit that decorate the counter. Treats and cakes in all descriptions and right there for you to really see. Great grab and go options, wraps, ice cream, milkshakes, oh and did I mention the coffee?

I ordered and espresso and although it came a little blonde, for London standards it was really very good. I feel that they over extract the shots a little too much here and if I had ordered a ristretto I think it would have been bang on. However, my espresso was surprisingly smooth and not at all bitter. I had to order a take away latte as well just to make sure they didn’t break my heart with terrible milk like I have found in so many places in London. But again, almost bang on. Great temperature and if they weren’t so busy at the time I think the barista could have taken the time to shine my milk a little more and push the limit. The one thing I find that is missing from the café culture is the enthusiasm from the staff. The love is lost. The experience is just a little more awkward if you order your lunch at the counter and the host doesn’t make you smile, you know? It’s very important.

The Kitchen and Pantry has everything going for it. Great products across the board, you can buy the Café Torelli Arabica and Robusta blend and have it in beans or ground to take home. They have numerous other retail items that are also great too. And all the way from Australia, Byron Bay cookies! A while since I had seen them on a shelf. This café also boasts a lot of seats and plenty of room outside for lunch and also a bench seat for sippers and smokers. I was really stoked to find this place, London does not have enough cafes with character and this place was definitely somewhere to sit all day and watch the human salad that is in Notting Hill. One of the best I have seen in London.