Whilst a British Caff is the norm on most streets in London, there has been an uptake in exciting new, quirky cafes across the city. If you are looking for something that’s a little out of the ordinary (or maybe even a place for coffee and a haircut), then we’ve got a great selection of places that you can visit. Here are some of London’s most unusual cafes.
Look Mum No Hands!
Whilst not a new concept, Look Mum No Hands is a great blend between bike shop and cafe. Whilst you don’t need a bike to enjoy a coffee here, it can be a great place if you need a repair as there is a bike workshop and mechanic on-site to help you with any repairs whilst you sip your espresso.
Alongside this, they also offer a wide array of events, from speed dating to karaoke nights.
49 Old Street, EC1V
The Attendant
The Attendant is a lovely little coffee shop located just off of Oxford Street. This little underground stop used to be a subterranean Victorian public toilet which was renovated into a beautiful one-stop coffee shop. They serve a great selection of food, from porridge, muffins and pastries, through to sandwiches, salads and soups.
If you are a latte fan this is a good stop as well, as they use high quality Jersey milk from small farms to ensure it enhances the coffee. However, be warned – they have some of the old toilets as part of the decor, but they’ve been thoroughly cleaned so don’t worry.
74 Great Eastern Street, EC2A
Bonnington Cafe
Famous for its cheap, hearty meals, this backstreet cafe is known for changing its chefs regularly to ensure a variety in its meals. All the food cooked here is vegetarian or vegan, and it has been going since the 80s – starting originally as a squat cafe.If you’re looking for a slightly different experience when it comes to cafes, this is well worth a visit.
11 Vauxhall Grove, SW8
Hurwundeki Café
If you’re after a trim and a coffee at the same time, then Hurwundeki might be the best bet. It’s a cafe and a barber shop all in one, and the food they serve is Korean. They offer bibimbap and Korean pancakes, which are absolutely delicious.
Arch 298 Cambridge Heath Road, E2
Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium
This is always an interesting experience. Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is a cafe which is also home to several cats. Whilst you are enjoying your coffee or a cake, they roam around and mind their business.
The rules do state you can’t make the cats uncomfortable or pick them up, but sometimes they come to you for a little cuddle or stroke.
152-154 Bethnal Green Road, E2
Draughts
This is London’s first dedicated board game cafe, with over 600 games to choose from. Not only do they serve coffee, but they also have a selection of local beers and ciders for the evenings. If you’re a huge fan, they also run competitions and workshops!
337 Acton Mews, E8
Cereal Killer Café
A more recent addition to the crazy cafe world is Cereal Killer. This cafe is dedicated to cereals, imported from all over the world. If you are looking to explore the world of breakfast foods, I think this one is well worth a stop.
With over 120 cereals, they come from America, China, and various other places. So dig into those lucky charms!
139 Brick Lane, E1