Here’s another cup of my Best of 2019 lists. This time around I look at my favourite spots for coffee this past year.
Reliable standbys and pleasant surprises in London, excellent barista led brewing in Cork and a roomy spread for faraway vibes in Amsterdam represent my most memorable coffee outings this year.
Please note, this list merely reflects how I chose to spend my time during the year and is comprised of well established and brand new venues as well as businesses that are somehow related to where work and play took me.
Items appear in alphabetic order, not ranked.
Best Coffee in London
Appestat
102 Islington High Street, N1 8EG
Relaxed atmosphere, Climpson & Sons coffee, well curated music in the background, friendly service, proximity to the Tube without feeling the crush – this Islington café is the sort of oasis I’m after when on the hoof. Food looks good but I’ve only had the excellent coffee.
This is the second year in a row this venue has made my ‘best of’ list.
Paper & Cup
18 Calvert Avenue, E2 7JP
Social enterprise serving a smart assortment of coffees and teas – Paper & Cup feels so removed from its Shoreditch environs. It’s a nook of tranquility.
Perky Blenders – The Magistrates
1 Farnan Avenue, E17 4NX
People make a big deal about post industrial this and that. Post administrative wins my heart. I love how Waltham Forest roasters, Perky Blenders, are fanning out across this corner of East London. I especially love the Perky Blenders café at the ex Magistrate Office next to the lovely Waltham Forest Town Hall. Beans are tasty too. I’m a fan of the Forest Blend of Brazilian and Rwandan beans and its notes of cocoa, hazelnut and orange.
This is the second year in a row this venue has made my ‘best of’ list.
Perky Blenders – Project 660 (E10)
660 High Road Leyton, E10 6JP
Perky Blenders seems to be taking over my borough (Waltham Forest). I’m fine with that as long as the great coffee, okay prices, and friendly and prompt service never fades. This PB venue is especially pleasant and in an ideal location for occasional morning commutes `I take.
Perky Blenders Walthamstow Central
1 Rosebank Villas, High Street, E17 7FZ
Similar accolades as the ones above <em>plus</em> this kiosk is wonderfully placed next to Walthamstow Central Station. It would be hyperbole to say the place is a godsend, but it is extremely handy.
Roasting Plant
4 Borough High Street, SE1 9QQ
New York-based Roasting Plant Coffee opened its first roastery/cafe in London this year, bringing with it Javabot – an automated roasting system that doubles as a sleek piece of cafe-theatre kit. I went there on recon and returned to this conveniently located cafe a few times for the tasty coffee and calm atmospher.
Sacred Cafe
13 Ganton Street, W1F 9BL
My office away from office, this Kiwi coffee spot just off Carnaby Street is a Soho oasis. The upstairs is good for pert socialising. The downstairs is ideal for longer lasting meetups or settling into some offsite work. Service is swift and friendly. And of course the coffee is fantastic.
This is the third year in a row this venue has made my ‘best of’ list.
Best Coffee Beyond London
Filter
19 George’s Quay, Ballintemple, Cork, Ireland
This award-winning cafe offers perfectly pulled espresso based drinks and expertly poured filter coffee made knowingly with beans from quality roasters mostly based in Ireland. Pastries are ace too!
Coffee & Coconuts
Ceintuurbaan 282-284, 1072 GK Amsterdam, Netherlands
Plopping down on a plush sofa at this “surf shack” in an old and airy Art Deco cinema to rest my feet and rehydrate was a highlight of my trip to Amsterdam this year. Located in De Pijp for prime people watching, Coffee & Cococnuts, serves excellent coffee, fresh coconut water and a variety of juices and health conscious dishes.
More of the best of 2019 to follow!
