BEST Coffee Shops and Cafes in Covent Garden | London
Discover the best coffee shops and cafes in Covent Garden! These are my go-to spots for quality espresso, solid bites, and a friendly atmosphere.
If you’re visiting London, there's a 99.99% chance you'll make your way to the Covent Garden neighborhood. Covent Garden Market, a top tourist attraction, is located in this area, with several popular spots nearby like Trafalgar Square, the National Portrait Gallery, and Leicester Square.
If you find yourself in Covent Garden and in need of a caffeine fix or just a spot to sit and rest your feet, continue reading to discover my absolute favorite and most visited coffee shops and cafes.
This map shows my favorite coffee shops in Covent Garden. Click the icon in the top-left corner to view a list of each pinned location. Select the top-right button to enlarge the map (it will automatically save it to YOUR Google Maps). To access this map once saved, open Google Maps (on your phone/computer/tablet), tap the "You" icon at the bottom, scroll to the bottom, and select "Maps". Your newly saved map should be listed at the top.
- Purple - TOP 5 coffee shops in Covent Garden
- Black - honorable mentions
WatchHouse Seven Dials - BEST Coffee Shops and Cafes in Covent Garden | London
1. WatchHouse
One of the best cafes in Covent Garden for when you need it all: space, WiFi, stellar cafe bites, and legit coffee
WatchHouse is relatively new to the London coffee scene. After opening their first cafe in 2014, they have since grown to over 20 locations, recently expanding beyond London to NYC and Abu Dhabi. I'm not surprised at the fast growth.
Watchhouse ticks all the boxes: a well-designed space, WiFi, a solid food menu, beautiful baked goods, expert latte art (even with alternative milks), and top-notch espresso.
You'll notice on the coffee menu that several coffee beans are listed. One type is used for white drinks (anything with milk), another for black drinks, and several options are listed for pour-overs. Watchhouse takes their coffee seriously.
The menu changes throughout the year as different coffee beans are switched out seasonally. I also appreciate that they don't charge extra for alternative milk.
The food menu offers more than just standard coffee shop fare. Stand out items are the oat and rye porridge, salmon, avocado, and poached eggs on sourdough, Brioche pain perdu with poached spiced plums, lemon curd mascarpone, and roast hazelnuts, and the Veg House with halloumi, poached eggs, avocado, roast tomato, and mushroom on sourdough.
There are two Watchhouse coffee shops in Covent Garden. Watchhouse Seven Dials is a 5-minute walk from Covent Garden Market. While this location technically isn't in Covent Garden, it's a 30-second walk from the Covent Garden "border". Watchhouse Seven Dials is spacious with both main floor and downstairs seating.
Watchhouse Covent Garden is a 1-minute walk from Covent Garden Market and has a very stylish vibe. Similar to the Seven Dials location, there is both seating on the main floor and downstairs as well as a few sidewalk tables outside.
Both locations always seem to be busy and are better for short work sessions and quick meet-ups...a 90-minute limit is common during peak hours.
2. Drury 188-189
One of the best cafes in Covent Garden for an affordable brunch/lunch and a lively atmosphere
Drury 188-189 is where I head when I'm craving brunch classics or a healthy lunch paired with a quality coffee in a casual atmosphere. The prices are very reasonable and lower than those of competing cafes in the area. Quality offerings at a reasonable price...no wonder Drury 188-189 is wildly popular and ranked as the #1 cafe in Covent Garden.
You’ll find people chatting with friends, grabbing a quick lunch, or reading a book. This coffee shop is all about the #DisconnectToReconnect trend that many cafes in Europe are adopting. This means no WiFi and no computers.
The coffee is wonderful and they make a mean flat white, but the food is what really stands out.
This is one of the best cafes in Covent Garden if you’re looking for a solid food selection ranging from healthy to sinful. The homemade pastry selection is divine. Try the caramel pistachio brownie.
Healthy options include the avocado toast, yogurt bowls, fresh-pressed juices, and sandwiches. The lunch option, where you pick 3 pre-made salads or pair a protein with 2 salads, is a great deal at £11 to £15.
Monmouth Coffee Company - BEST Coffee Shops and Cafes in Covent Garden | London
3. Monmouth Coffee Company
One of the best coffee shops in Covent Garden for coffee snobs seeking the highest quality espresso
You can't talk about Covent Garden coffee shops and not mention Monmouth Coffee Company. Known for their high-quality brews and beans, Monmouth has developed a cult-like following.
The location at 27 Monmouth Street is the original location…hence the name. They’ve now expanded to two other locations, one in Borough and one in Bermondsey.
While the Covent Garden location does have inside seating, it's small and the place is always packed. Thankfully, they offer a nice sidewalk patio when the weather is decent. Try to go when they open at 8:00 am to get a seat. Or plan to enjoy your coffee standing outside the shop.
It's worth noting that Monmouth Coffee Company does not offer to-go cups. You can either enjoy your brew on-site or buy a reusable cup for £5.
There's a nice selection of sweet and savory pastries if you need a light snack. You can also buy a bag of beans to take home.
Monmouth roasts their own beans and their baristas are awesome at helping you find a roast you’ll love.
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Photo: Abuelo Cafe
4. Abuelo Cafe
One of the best cafes in Covent Garden for Instagrammable bites and solid toasts
Abuelo is one of the cutest little cafes in Covent Garden. Take a seat at the communal table, snug sofa corner, or the covered sidewalk patio. This small space is beyond cozy and serves organic farm-to-table meals.
The coffee is high quality and made from organic single-origin beans.
Abuelo makes delicious (and very Instagrammable) toasts. The honey whipped mascarpone with figs is a must. The truffle mushroom toast and banana bread with vanilla marscapone and honeycomb are also excellent.
There's no WiFi, which is probably a good thing since the space is so small.
Expect prices to be on the higher side here.
5. Amelia
One of the best Covent Garden coffee shops for French pastries, crepes, hot chocolate, and matcha
What started as a coffee cart in 2020 turned into two brick-and-mortar locations shortly after: one in Seven Dials and one in the heart of Covent Garden.
This cute Covent Garden cafe is known for its pastries, crepes, matcha, and hot chocolate. The coffee is, of course, very good as well. Especially the iced americano...strong and dark...just how I like it.
Amelia uses only organic ingredients in both their drinks and food.
While pastries really shine here, you'll also find an all-day brunch menu,
The Black Penny - BEST Coffee Shops and Cafes in Covent Garden | London
Photo: Sonobel PR
The Gatherer
Honorable mention - The Black Penny
The best Cafe in Covent Garden for brunch and a hearty English Breakfast
The Black Penny offers excellent coffee, WiFi, and a stellar all-day breakfast menu. Pair your morning latte with a granola bowl, brioche French toast, or a hearty breakfast toast.
My favorite items are the crispy duck hash, the porridge with bananas, honey, and candied walnuts, and The Gatherer (poached eggs, sourdough toast, grilled halloumi, sauteed spinach, roasted tomatoes, mushrooms, and beans).
The most reviewed and popular item is the classic English breakfast (The Hunter).
Prices are average for the area, but the portions are generous.
The space is small but has a few tables and chairs inside and out, as well as counter space.
Honorable mention - Route Strand
The best Covent Garden coffee shop for friendly service and Italian-style coffee.
If you like Italian-style coffee and fresh Italian pastries, you'll love this spot! The pistachio croissant is a must. They also have great salads in the afternoon.
Best for to-go as the space is small.
Honorable mention - Qima Cafe and Patisserie
One of the best cafes in Covent Garden for refined, chef-inspired dining, and croissants
If you're looking for elevated cafe dining and aren't price-sensitive, Qima Cafe is a place to check out. The dishes and specialty drinks are imaginative and well-presented. Many of the desserts and main dishes look like they came out of a fine-dining restaurant, rather than a coffee shop kitchen.
The menu is globally inspired with a modern take on classic dishes.
It's also worth noting that Qima Cafe was a finalist for "Best Croissant in the UK".
In summary
And there you have it! These are my absolute favorite coffee shops and cafes in Covent Garden. Whether you're looking for a beautifully made flat white or a full-blown brunch with your coffee, one of these places will hit the spot.
Cover photo credit: Abuelo
