Wake up properly: The best independent cafés in London

London is riddled with a lot of places to grab coffee, tea and cake – so much so that it can be hard to distinguish the good from the bad and the overpriced from the reasonable. There are always new places popping up in every single neighbourhood, but how do you know if they’re actually worth visiting? It’s worth making sure that you’re always supporting the smaller, less familar places – these are the cafés that will remember you and your order, and will make sure your coffee is delicious and made exactly how you want it.

So, if you haven’t already, these are the cafés that you need to try in London, as soon as possible.

What: Situated in the heart of Clerkenwell and in amongst some of the best cafés in town, Workshop Coffee Co. is the perfect mix between smart and casual; a place you can either choose to grab lunch with friends or hold an important meeting. Plus, there are three more across London so if you’re not in Clerkenwell, have no fear.

Where: Visit 27 Clerkenwell Road, EC1M 5RN. Visit the website here.

Why: Because the coffee is fantastic and the pastries out of this world.

What: Fernandez and Wells is often hailed as one of the best independent cafés in London for reasons you’ll only understand once you visit one. All of the food is freshly prepared and the coffee brewed to perfection – plus the atmosphere is electric, no matter what time of day you visit.

Where: Somerset House, Strand, WC2R 1LA. Visit the website here.

Why: Because you’ll get insane food and drinks at café prices.

What: A cycle repair shop come café sounds like a weird combination, but we can assure you that in this case it works – you’ll be hard pressed to find a hipster in sight. The staff here are amazing and will always remember your order – plus it proves pretty handy if you’re gagging for a coffee and your bike breaks…

Where: 49 Old St, EC1V 9HX. Visit the website here.

Why: Because the coffee never, ever fails to impress.

What: Pedlars is an independently-owned shop and café in Notting Hill that will offer you the perfect calm from the storm that is Portobello Road. Allpress coffee (some of the best in town) and food made fresh, there and then, from the shop’s sister Farm Shop in North Wales is served all day, everyday. We promise you that this place never disappoints.

Where: 128 Talbot Road, W11 1JA. Visit the website here.

Why: If you’re stuck for a last minute present or something to update your home, you can shop while you wait. Plus the sandwiches are ridiculously good.

What: Allpress genuinely makes some of the most delicious coffee you’ll find in London and all of the coffee is roasted and ground a few miles up the road in Dalston. These guys go through months and months of training to ensure that they provide you with the most delicious hit of caffeine money can buy, plus their food is insane.

Where: 58 Redchurch St, Shoreditch E2 7DP. Visit the website here.

Why: Whether you’re taking away or eating in, you’re guaranteed to get the perfect hit, every time.

What: There’s no denying that the Australians and New Zealanders create some of the best coffee around, and Kaffeine does just that. Bringing an Australian sense of calm to an undeniably hectic area of London, Kaffeine is everything and more that would could want from a café with delicious coffee and food to boot.

Where: 66 Great Titchfield Street, W1W 7QJ. Visit the website here.

Why: Because you deserve this if you’ve been battling Oxford Street.

What: Another incredible café in the heart of London, Lantana brings a cool, collected Australian vibe where the coffee is perfect and the food is healthy but satisfying and delicious – think quiches, salads and incredible sandwiches. Coffee beans are shipped in from Brazil, Guatemala and Ethiopia, so you know it’s going to taste amazing.

Where: 13 Charlotte Pl, London W1T 1SN. Visit the website here.

Why: Because there aren’t enough places like this in London.