London's vibrant coffee scene has received significant national recognition, with eleven of the capital's establishments being named among the finest in the United Kingdom for 2026.
Capital Cafés Earn National Acclaim
The prestigious Best Coffee Shops UK list for 2026 has been finalised, featuring 44 exceptional venues from across the country. Remarkably, a quarter of these – eleven in total – are located within London. The selection process was rigorous, combining the expert opinions of a jury of coffee connoisseurs with valuable public votes. Cafés were judged across nine critical categories, including coffee quality, barista expertise, customer service, ambience, food quality, consistency, and community impact.
From Holborn to Hammersmith: The Winning Brews
The list showcases the diversity and excellence found across London's boroughs. In Holborn, two neighbours stand out: the Scandi-inspired Catalyst and the renowned Prufrock Coffee, which houses its own professional barista training centre. Hammersmith is represented by Carbon Kopi, a café that brought its expertise from New Zealand to London in 2019.
Hackney's Specialty Cafetiere earned its place partly due to a dedicated water filtration system designed to perfect every brew. Meanwhile, in the City of London, Curators – operated by the social enterprise Send Coffee – provides vital coffee training to individuals with special needs and disabilities.
A Ticket to the Global Stage
This national honour is just the beginning for these eleven London spots. Every café on the UK list has now earned the chance to compete for a coveted position on the World's 100 Best Coffee Shops 2026 ranking. The global results will be announced on February 16, 2026, revealing if any of London's finest have brewed their way to international stardom.
The full list of London cafés named among the UK's best for 2026 is:
- Prufrock, Holborn
- Calico, Pimlico
- Moonstruck, Stockwell
- Catalyst, Holborn
- Curators, City of London
- Carbon Kopi, Hammersmith
- Specialty Cafetiere, Hackney
- Nostos, St James’s Park
- Zero to One, City of London
- Saint Nine Coffee, Southwark
- Scenery, Southwark
This achievement underscores London's status as a leading global hub for specialty coffee, where artistry, community, and exceptional quality consistently come together in a cup.
