Fernandez & Wells 16a St Anne's Court
Dominating the Soho cafe scene with no fewer than three shops, Fernandez & Wells has got everything going for it. As well as being seriously stylish, they also serve perfect coffee after perfect coffee using single estate beans from independent roasters Hasbean. A great cup of coffee, however, isnt the only thing they do: the Portuguese custard tarts (Pasteis de Nata) and warm almond croissants sell out like, well, hot cakes, and with their Lexington Street and St. Annes Court stores opening until 10pm theyve finally ended our late-night coffee woes. Excitingly, theyve also just set up shop in Somerset House. So we know where well be refuelling come London Fashion Week...
Speakeasy 3 Lowndes Court
Putting down roots just off Carnaby Street in the autumn of last year, Speakeasy is the cool grownup sibling to its Leather Lane sister, Department of Coffee and Social Affairs. Built over two floors, the upstairs espresso bar offers a light, airy space to enjoy a quick pick-me-up coffee on the run, while the downstairs brew bar is dedicated more to the art of coffee. Here you can attend the special tasting sessions they run each week, and while away an afternoon chatting with friends and savouring the coffee (which wed highly recommend to pair with a slice of chocolate cherry cake delicious).
Store St. Espresso 40 Store Street
Ok, so technically speaking this cafes not quite in Soho; its on the up-and-coming Store Street in neighbouring Bloomsbury. But its become a firm ELLEuk favourite since they threw open their doors last January. Despite never being less than absolutely heaving, the atmosphere is relaxed and the white-washed interiors, concrete floors, low wooden tables and regularly changing artwork provide the perfect backdrop to some great coffee. Toss in some bespoke blends of espresso from Square Mile that change every season, super-friendly staff, flaky soft pastries, sweet Jing tea and some of the best sandwiches in town, and we cant think of a better place to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon with the papers.
Flat White 17 Berwick Street
While Flat White might be the most bijoux of our pick of cafes in Soho, it certainly packs a punch in terms of its coffee. The café uses a custom-built Synessa Hydra machine, single origin coffee and ground-to-order blends (which are also sold in bags should you want to re create your coffee at home). Toasted banana breads and their namesake flat whites are served up on recycled, stained wood tables either inside or along the long wooden benches outside where you can be on street style watch as the Berwick Street fashion elite wander past.
Gails 128 Wardour Street
We defy anyone to be able to walk past this place and not be lured in by the smell of freshly baked bread and just-brewed coffee. The newest addition to the Gails family (they own nine other places dotted around London) is on Wardour Street. Here, you sit alongside the low windows on tiny red wooden stools and order from a wide range of coffee and teas - while trying your best to decide between cholla or croissants, carrot cake or chocolate tarts. And thats before youve even started looking at the lunch menu...
Like our pick of the best cafes in Soho, but looking for something a little stronger than coffee? Check out a few of our favourite gastro pubs in London. Or see all our restaurant reviews.
