The UK is different to Melbourne in that it doesn’t have many Italian migrants, which means that there is not much coffee culture. In my current job I get out and about quite a bit and people often give me coffees. These are some of the best and worst, judged of course on 1 single cup which is probably very unjust.
1) cheapest good quality cappuccino
Algerian Coffee House on Old Compton Rd Soho – £0.95. A little bit bitter for my taste but good!
2) Lovely bar man
Beach Blanket Babylon, Shoreditch
when I thanked the Italian barman for the lovely cappuccino he said arrrr that, that was nothing, I’ll make you a proper coffee. And he did, it was mild and the coffee had chocolate notes (we had just discussed that I prefer my coffee mildly roasted but not too much milk) & it was great!
3) Nice all rounder
Chris at the Corner Store at Covent Garden made a mean cappuccino with their Izzo or something extremely impressive shiny stainless steel machine
4) Great coffee
Directly opposite Bar Soho on Old Compton St biased a little to the left, small, but nice coffee
Name & Shame
1) the absolutely worst coffee in London is Sketch – maybe I got them on a bad day, but my ‘cappuccino’ tasted like watery instant and the white froth on top tasted like water too….
2) Box – I think they left their milk out too long….