The best coffee shops in East London
We've reviewed 14 specialty coffee shops in East London. Each shop below has been visited in person by editor Dylan Cormack. The full review, opening hours, address and amenities are on each shop's page.
East London is the centre of the city's independent coffee culture. Shoreditch, Hackney, Dalston, Bethnal Green and Hackney Wick host more specialty coffee shops per square mile than anywhere else in the UK, including pioneers that helped define the third-wave scene a decade ago and a steady stream of new openings.
Reviewed by Dylan Cormack · Last updated June 2026
14 of the best coffee shops in East London
Gram'n Degrees
- 4.9
Shoreditch
Specialty coffee shop offering high-grade coffee and gourmet cakes in a cozy atmosphere.
Fink's Chats
- 4.6
Lower Clapton
Neighbourhood cafe offering quality coffee, sandwiches, and baked goods.
Potter & Reid
- 4.7
Spitalfields
Cozy café specializing in Mediterranean-inspired brunch and lunch with Italian influences.
Clarnico Coffee
- 4.6
East Wick and Sweetwater
Independent specialty coffee shop with a spacious, light-filled environment perfect for work, socializing, or relaxation.
The Beehive
- 4.6
Bethnal Green
A community-focused coffee shop and social enterprise in the heart of Bethnal Green.
Back to Ours
- 4.7
Bushwood
Specialty coffee shop and vegetarian brunch spot in a converted historic building.
Lodestar Coffee
- 4.9
Lower Clapton
Specialty coffee shop serving expertly curated coffee from around the world in a stylish, neighborhood setting.
Nagare Coffee
- 4.7
Spitalfields
A serene Japanese-inspired coffee shop offering specialty coffees and artisanal pastries in a minimalist setting.
Running Late Coffee
- 4.9
Hackney
A friendly neighborhood coffee shop founded by Tom & Sean, focused on serving smooth, quality coffee alongside delicious baked goods and light fare.
Dark Arts Coffee
- 4.7
Hackney
Specialty coffee roastery in Hackney offering high-quality beans with distinctive flavor profiles.
Bad Coffee
- 4.9
Hackney Wick
Female-led specialty coffee roastery serving great-tasting, non-pretentious coffee with beans sourced from smallholder farms worldwide.
Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe
- 4.3
Dalston
Specialty coffee roastery and cafe offering house-roasted beans, artisan coffee, and simple, quality food in a bright, airy converted warehouse space.
Frequently asked questions about coffee in East London
- Where is the best coffee shop in East London?
- East London has multiple contenders. Shoreditch, Hackney, London Fields, Dalston and Bethnal Green each have several specialty cafés worth visiting. Our reviews above rank shops by editor recommendation.
- Which East London coffee shops roast their own beans?
- Several of East London's most well-known names roast on premise. Filter the listings by "Roastery On Premise" to see shops that roast their own coffee.
- What's the best coffee shop near Old Street or Liverpool Street?
- Both stations sit on the western edge of East London's specialty coffee belt. Walk five minutes east from either and you're in the densest cluster of independent cafés in the city.
- Are there good coffee shops near Shoreditch High Street?
- Yes — Shoreditch High Street is the centre of East London's coffee scene. Within a 10-minute walk you'll find more than a dozen of London's best-known specialty cafés.
- Can I work from East London coffee shops?
- Many cafés welcome laptop users during quieter hours, particularly mid-morning and mid-afternoon on weekdays. Hackney Wick and London Fields have larger spaces better suited to longer working sessions.