Well it’s been a while but we have rounded up a few more Coffee Shops that we have tried and wanted to tell you about them, so here goes…
By the lake in the midst of St. James’ Park is a large Restaurant, a massive seating area with a small serving area and Large fridges, it’s full of tourists looking baffled at the selection of chilled foods near the tills and the order point is confusing, the main reason we chose here was that Colicci shuts at 4pm but stops serving coffee at 3pm and we wanted coffee at 3:06pm (the first down side to our favourite chain!)
The interior is a mass of table and at the far end are free toilets, instead of having to pay to use the public toilets in the park (the signs of inflation means spending a penny is now spend a pound).
As for the coffee, the service was pleasant and the coffee appeared pretty quickly in cups with the order checked on the side, we took our drinks and went to feed the Parrots, but the coffee itself was so-so at best.
Crêpes, Coffee & Chai (Tottenham court Rd)
We may have reviewed this in the past but it has changed hands numerous times since and it is now a Crepery with an Indian twist.
It was busy and seemingly full of tourists and students (or just foreign students)
the staff didn’t seem to know what they were doing and the coffee was baaaaaad at best!
Paper and Cup (Shoreditch Church)
A Strange little shop for it isn’t a coffee shop, but a second hand/trendy resale sale with a guy with a handlebar moustache juggling large rings in the corner! But they also have a coffee machine.
Our usual order was well presented and we took them and sat in the church yard opposite. The Americano was extremely hot and the Mocha chocolatey in all it was pretty good.
It rated 4 out of 5 but with an extra. 5 for the quirkiness and friendly juggler!
Poilâne (Victoria)
A little haven of poshness just out the back of Victoria Coach Station and one of a few Coffee Shops to try, we picked this as it this had the best rating on Google.
A popular Artisan bakers with (thankfully) non Artisan sized cups. A busy Sourdough bakers (apparently) and a French chain at that!
We took our order in quite snazzy cups and went to sit in a nearby square (shh!!) it was all quite pleasant!
The coffee was pretty good, it was just that all the flavour was at the bottom, it was just in need of a better stir!
Bagel Factory (Canary Wharf)
Inside the tube station there are a few outlets but on a busy Saturday afternoon we picked this one.
The usual order was taken by one of two staff who couldn’t understand a simple order, but the cups were large and it was pretty good. Hence…
Bottega Italia (Archway)
Having been scared at the term ‘Bottega’ after that nightmare in Bowes Park last year we were dubious about this Deli in Archway. How we have never seen this before we don’t know, maybe we were blinkered because as you are probably aware all coffee in Archway is abysmal!
The staff were a delight, the female Barista was chatting away (in fast flowing Italian) and serving shots of Espresso to the regulars while taking our usual order. There seemed to be a queue of people just waiting around in the front, not ordering just hanging out!
The service was quick and fun, but the coffee, how was the coffee, you ask? Well let’s just say this…
Well this may be the best coffee in Archway, well not a hard race to win, but there wasn’t anything bad about it! A little weak on the chocolate but otherwise it was good, really good. Enough to know where to go next time we are back up the top of the hill in Archway!
Tropea (Russell Square)
Tropea has been in Russell Square for over 40 years and the man at the till has been there even longer! And yet we haven’t been in there in years (and haven’t reviewed it).
A fast paced restaurant selling Italian coffee, we ordered the usual and the drinks arrived Pronto!
We took the drinks in pretty cups and went to sit in the park.
There is a reason we haven’t reviewed Tropea before and that is because the coffee isn’t particularly nice, it’s sour, bitter and sharp! The rating was more for the staff and the ambience of the place rather than the beverages!
Well there we go a little round-up of indy Coffee Shops for your perusal and some more for the newly updated Coffee Shop Map. Bob has been through the whole list and sorted it out, getting rid of the dead and the changed hands, updated our reviews on google and dealt with the responses from happy to disgruntled! Seriously don’t get so grumpy, if you make such awful coffee it’s not our fault you rate so badly!
Climbing Moss 
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