Design enthusiasts will appreciate the many picturesque cafes scattered throughout the capital, home to some of the best around, from centuries-old warehouses to trendy establishments catering to millennial tastes. Whether you’re seeking historic charm or contemporary aesthetics, our guide unveils the most gorgeous cafes in London that are well worth a visit.
(WA=Wheelchair Accessible)
Image Courtesy of WatchHouse
WatchHouse Hanover
First on our rundown of gorgeous cafes in London is WatchHouse in Mayfair. This sleek and sophisticated cafe has a minimal, stripped-back style with a wooden bar and flooring that perfectly complement one another. The decor is original and eye-catching, with a funky backdrop which houses the simple drinks menu and wooden stands neatly lined with sweet treats. It’s not only a spectacle to admire with the eyes, but it’s also the home of their Rarities menu, which comprises some of the world’s most innovative coffees crafted for their unique taste. Alongside coffee, they serve snacks, like salads and sandwiches, best enjoyed in their contemporary space. Its sister venue in Bermondsey is also pretty unique; it’s set in an old 19th-century watch house, which is where the name comes from.
WatchHouse | Mayfair
Image Courtesy of Yeast Bakery
Yeast Bakery
Yeast Bakery is renowned for crafting high-quality, handmade viennoiserie and delicious French bread. But aside from the mouthwatering food you can pick up here, the space itself is something to ogle. Inside this industrial-style East End building, you’ll find pastel pink walls paired with a slate grey bar and pinecone-esque hanging lampshades, with many exposed pipes on show. The interior design is by the award-winning studio Run For The Hills, who were employed to inject an urban artisan vibe into the once-cold warehouse-style space. The tables and chairs satisfyingly come together like puzzle pieces, and finding a space without a potted plant proves tricky. To top it all off, the cafe looks out onto Regent’s Canal, making it even more picturesque.
Yeast Bakery | London Fields | WA
Pavilion Victoria Park
Situated along the scenic duck-filled lake in Victoria Park, Pavilion Café, operated by Pavilion Bakery, is a favourite amongst the local community, and it’s not hard to see why. The café offers a selection of freshly-baked pastries, sandwiches, cakes, and quick bites best enjoyed on a nearby park bench or cafe terrace overlooking the water. But it’s not just the surroundings that make this spot so appealing; inside, the glass dome on the ceiling allows natural sunlight to filter into the cafe, made better by the backdrop of swaying trees, emitting a serene sense of peace. It’s the ideal morning coffee spot.
Pavilion Cafe and Bar | Victoria Park | WA
Image Courtesy of Towpath
Towpath
Towpath is a charming canal-side café and restaurant that’s pretty much made for enjoying al fresco coffee and snacks in the sunshine. It’s a simple and minimal spot but encapsulates everything you might associate with what a local summer in London looks like. It overlooks the water, so you can sip on your coffee and watch as ducks paddle past and narrow boats make their way down the canal. As for the fare, expect seasonal specials and hearty, wholesome snacks made with locally-sourced, high-quality produce.
Towpath | Haggerston
Image Courtesy of Farm Girl
Farm Girl
Drawing inspiration from Australia’s hard-to-beat coffee culture, Farm Girl in Notting Hill is a contemporary café serving premium coffee and brunch classics like cherry ripe pancakes and green Turkish eggs. This Insta-popular cafe has a funky interior, with scribbled illustrations adorning the walls and green-hued chequered tiles complemented by signature hot pink French doors. But it’s not just the decor that’s pretty; the food is also presented to the same standard. Expect plates of food topped with rose petals and smoothies in bold colours.
Farm Girl | Notting Hill | WA
Image Courtesy of Riding House Café
Riding House
All of the Riding House venues are special from a design point of view, but the Fitzrovia one definitely deserves a spot on our list of the most gorgeous cafes in London. This once bland commercial unit has been transformed into a cosy, stylish space with an open bar and kitchen, plenty of lush greenery and huge wooden doors that act like a centrepiece. It’s bright, sleek and sophisticated, with red leather sofas, hanging vintage-style lampshades and parquet flooring. You can grab a coffee and snack or enjoy a full-blown meal here.
Riding House Café | Fitzrovia
Image Courtesy of Darcie & May Green
Darcie & May Green
Any venue covered in artwork by the ‘godfather’ of British pop art, Sir Peter Blake, is going to be one to visit, which is why we’ve included it on our list of gorgeous cafes in London. This brightly coloured cafe-on-a-boat is a sight to behold and one you definitely can’t miss parked along the canal in Paddington. Sit on top and enjoy al fresco drinks or head downstairs to the inside where it’s cosy but you can enjoy views of the water out the window. The menu is inspired by iconic Aussie brunches, with highlights like award-winning banana bread and other classic brekky dishes.
Darcie & May Green | Paddington | WA
Image Courtesy of The Teahouse
Petersham Nurseries Teahouse
It doesn’t get much more wholesome than Petersham Nurseries in Richmond, including their Teahouse, where you can enjoy a slice of homemade cake with a cup of English breakfast tea surrounded by lush foliage and pretty flowers. Inside, the glasshouse filters in plenty of natural sunlight and is decorated with antique furniture and paintings. Sit inside the glasshouse, where the roof is draped with Indian blinds and walls mainly consist of plants, or opt for a seat in their courtyard if you want to keep it truly al fresco. If you don’t want to make the journey to Richmond, visit the Petersham Deli in Covent Garden for a more centrally-located aesthetic treat.
Petersham Nurseries: The Teahouse | Richmond
Want to hang in pretty cafes and cool cocktails bars, where the Londoners love to be spotted? Our Casual Tourist Guides will tell you exactly where to go to experience London like you’ve lived here for years. You’ll get insider London tips you won’t find in any of our free content, plus a digital map for your phone and more. Get our Casual Tourist Guides.
Pin this…
