Every so often on Climbing-Moss, we tell you about those little Coffee Shops & Bubble Tea Stores that we have found in and around London, that we visited while on our travels, and we tell you which we like and which we don’t. In 2021, we posted 10 ‘Coffee Shop Posts’ (Including Bubble Tea) and reviewed 34 Coffee shops and this is just a round-up of what we consider the best of the year.
Let’s go Coffee First and then Bubble Tea, and we’ll run through Chronologically, so first off:
Ole & Steen in Canary Wharf
This was a really nice cup of Mocha, but boy do you pay for it. At about £9 for 2 drinks, it was good but not worth going back to.
Somewhere a bit out of our way, but if we ever find ourselves back there, this is probably the best option for Clapton.
Neighbourhood Organic – Kentish Town
This large shop has a vast selection of food and had good coffee in large cups and was hot too, but the food was too expensive to try, so we would go back for coffee but not the food.
This café in the middle of a park claims to be the best coffee shop in London; we doubt that, but the Iced Mochas on a really nice, hot day were superb, and should we end up back in the middle of N17, we would test out the rest that this place has to offer.
This didn’t look like it was going to be good, but clearly don’t judge a book by its cover; the Art Deco Kiosk and the nice Russian Barista presented us with 2 of the best coffees of the year. It was truly delicious and highly recommended.
The Larder (Walthamstow Wetlands)
Lovely staff, a great building and in the middle of nature. Just don’t go in the gift shop next door; they are horrible people. Just stick with The Larder and lovely coffees.
The Park Life Cafe – Britannia Leisure Centre.
We found it, we found it!! The only Leisure Centre with decent coffee, granted this was the opening weeks and we haven’t been back to the area, so it may not still be as great, but we are hoping that the great coffee is still available!
Organico – Broadway Market – E8
Another of those places you don’t hold out much hope for good coffee; many of the bars and cafés in the London Fields area tend towards the Clerkenwell philosophy of coffee – thimbles of burnt froth- but this Organic shop with a little coffee machine is a delightful exception and one we have returned to since.
Raoul’s Deli – Maida Vale – W9
Another of those cafés we found while out of our usual neighbourhoods and one we would eagerly go out of our way again just for another coffee; this is up there for coffee of the year!
An unusual location, but if you are in Kew Gardens looking at the flora, then make sure to stop off at The Orangery rather than any of the other restaurants in the park for a coffee; it’s superb, liquid chocolate and gooood coffee!
Abraço N4
One of the only options (if you don’t want Costa!) in Harringay, Abraço is great, and there is a nice atmosphere and helpful staff. We have been in a few times since.
Triple Two (Drummond St W1)
This is another contender for the best coffee of the year. We were pleasantly surprised by this little shop on Drummond St and another we are eager to return to.
And Finally… As we haven’t done a post since the beginning of the month, we wanted to just add this.
Elie’s Café – Camden Rd
We wanted to add another little shop to the list and because we aren’t going to do another full post until January, we wanted to add this little surprise to the list of best places to try. Elie’s looks like a workman’s cafe, rather than a coffee shop from the outside, but inside it’s smoothies and organic. Elie herself served us and was eager to help with allergies and suggestions and the coffee was d-e-l-i-c-i-o-u-s!! We will have to return and try the food some time soon!
BUBBBBBBBBBBLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEES!!!!
There have been a few Bubble Teas tested out this year and like the coffee, with a variety of success, some were good and some were bad, but there are only 2 we would recommend.
Bubble Station – Camden
A Good variety of milks and a large selection of flavours; just check the totals they have a tendency to overcharge! The drinks weren’t too sickly sweet either, unlike some of the others in the area!
Lily Jasmine – Camden Passage
This wins the award for the best Bubble Tea Shop in London for 2021. It’s just a shame it is only open a few days a week. That being said, if we are in the area, we will always visit the little shop, even just to stare longingly through the closed window/door. Bubble Tea over Coffee!!
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