Let’s look on the bright side for a second – the lockdown has at least done wonders for our over-reliance on single-use coffee cups.
The downside is, of course, that many Londoners are craving their proper, barista-grade morning coffee to the point of distraction, and cafes across the capital are suffering financially too.
Luckily, it’s perfectly easy to get the taste of your favourite coffee shops at home thanks to the roasteries that are making deliveries of their beans to your door. Below are some of our favourite London-based roasteries, that either have their own cafes in the capital or supply top coffee shops and restaurants.
Most of these companies offer pretty quick delivery times – many offering next-day, or even same-day delivery – but please bear in mind that there is likely to be a delay in postal and courier orders due to the lockdown.
From properly popular brunch cafes to roasteries that get a two Michelin-starred seal of approval, these are the London roasteries bringing the java to your doorstep.
Grind
As well as running a string of neon-lit, cafe-bars across the capital, Grind boasts its very own coffee roastery in Elephant & Castle. If you’re missing your coffee fix – or your espresso martini one for that matter – Grind’s organic coffee is available to order through its online shop. Arriving either in a fetching baby pink tin or as refill packets (for which subscriptions are available), Grind offers whole beans, ground, or in compostable Nespresso-compatible pods.
From £9, grind.co.uk
Caravan
You may know Caravan better for its seriously popular brunch restaurants across London – it recently celebrated its 10th birthday – but the crux of the matter is the coffee. At its own 8,500 square foot “Roastery HQ” in Islington, the roasters produce five types of espresso (including its signature Market Blend with notes of raspberry, cherry jam and milk chocolate) and five types of filter coffee, including its Mario Hervas from Ecuador and Sholi Cooperative from Rwanda. All are available to order online as whole beans or ground.
From £9.50, caravancoffeeroasters.co.uk
Ozone
Ozone started life as a small coffee shop in a New Zealand surf town, but it now boasts two seriously cool spots in London’s Shoreditch. The operation may straddle a few thousand miles, but coffee roasting is decidedly local – both its Emma Street and Leonard Street locations have on-site roasteries. Head online to purchase bags of their single origin coffees and blends, and request to have it ground for whatever gadget you have at home, ranging from stove top to a V60. Can’t decide which one? Go for their lucky dip option to get a pack of mystery beans.
From £8, ozonecoffee.co.uk
Monmouth Coffee
Coffee may have got considerably cooler in the last decade, but Monmouth has been roasting beans in London since 1978. Its roastery has since outgrown its original Covent Garden basement, and now supplies its three coffee shops (and plenty more besides) from Bermondsey. Head to its online store to choose from 18 types of coffee available for delivery, ground to fit your home equipment. Monmouth is also still partially open for takeaways during the lockdown, but check online to see weekly confirmation of which sites are trading.
From £6.50, monmouthcoffee.co.uk
Kiss The Hippo
Having started out in the London suburbs, Kiss The Hippo is now finding itself new fans in the West End. The Richmond-based roastery started out just two years ago, but now boasts a second coffee shop in Fitzrovia and a bountiful online store. Head there to choose between their six roasts, including their house George Street blend and single origin coffees from Colombia, East Timor and Rwanda. They’re also well stocked with plenty of brewing gear if you’re planning on branching out your coffee experience.
From £10, kissthehippo.com
The Gentlemen Baristas
Head back in time to Britain’s first forays into coffee, with the whimsical approach of The Gentlemen Baristas. Harking back to the coffee houses of the 1700s, its locations look to encourage creativity and run barista courses for every level. Direct from its Shadwell roastery, The Gentlemen Baristas's online shop delivers ten different coffees, with blends and single origins named after types of hat. This ranges from a Nicaraguan Top Hat to a Coppola made with a rare Brazil Laurina varietal.
From £8, thegentlemenbaristas.com
Perky Blenders
These East End coffee roasters may not sport flat caps or shaved-back-and-sides haircuts, but they are brothers in arms. Walthamstow-hailing Perky Blenders was set up by two brothers with a passion for coffee, and now boasts four cafe locations around Waltham Forest and two roasteries, from which fans can order blended, single origin and decaf coffees. If you’re gifting some java, you can order a bag personalised with a name, and if you’re in for something new, try the Blend of the Month.
From £7.50, perkyblenders.com
Square Mile Coffee
You may not recognise Square Mile Coffee from shop fronts, but the name might ring a bell thanks to its presence on top London cafe and restaurant menus. Square Mile doesn’t have cafes, but does supply the likes of Look Mum No Hands!, Kaffeine, Jolene and even two Michelin-starred The Ledbury. If you want to try its coffee in the comfort of your own home, head to their online store to order individual packs and subscriptions to single origin coffees and seasonal espressos, currently including Red Brick and Sweet shop.
From £10.50, squaremilecoffee.com
The Roasting Shed
As you can probably divine, this roasting company began in a literal back garden shed. The Roasting Shed now resides on larger premises in Hackney Wick (next to Crate Brewery and Silo), where you can pop in for a coffee and buy your small batch beans. Customers can also order its five different roasts for delivery, selecting which equipment they want it ground for. Currently, The Roasting Shed is also offering all new subscribers to donate a bag of coffee to an NHS worker, either nominating someone they know or allowing the company to donate on their behalf.
From £7, theroastingshed.com
Allpress Espresso
Allpress Espresso is another caffeine-loving Kiwi to have made its home in the UK, now sporting a Dalston roastery, 14 cafes in London and more across the country. Online, fans of its coffee can order five different roasts – including their signature espresso blend – with four of them available on subscription, along with reusable cups and rather fun t-shirts. During the lockdown, Allpress is also delivering grocery bundles with items including bread, eggs and vegetables.
From £9, uk.allpressespresso.com
Hej Coffee
Hej Coffee may sound decidedly Scandinavian, but this roastery is actually based in Elephant & Castle, and has three other cafes in London. During lockdown, Hej is not just offering small batch coffee for delivery but entire Caffeine Survival Kits. Head to the Hej At Home section on its website to buy bundles including a grinder, a choice of Aeropress, V60 or Chemex coffeemakers, and a selection of beans. Customers can also order grocery and baked good boxes, as well as hot chocolate.
From £8, hejcoffee.co.uk
Solo Coffee
“We’re not jacks of all trades, we’re masters of one”, says Solo Coffee. This coffee company is based in Bermondsey and procures its beans through Brixton roastery Volcano Coffee. Solo only produces cold brew coffee, which it sells in three-litre fridge packs (with a tap) after brewing it for 16 hours in cold filtered water. Solo does just one type of coffee – a single origin from the Minasul cooperative in Brazil – and you may recognise it from its presence on the menu at the likes of Thai restaurant Kiln, hotel group citizenM and Blok London gyms. If you’re looking to keep it simple in the summer, this is where it’s at.
From £19.95, solocoffee.co.uk
