One of the best things about London is its coffee culture, with coffee shops spread across the city. It is so easy to get your caffeine fix and grab your morning coffee. If I talk about London coffee shops, I think there will be a really long list for sure. So, I’m gonna divide this topic into several part based on its borough, though most of my coffee journey happened on the north side of River Thames.

Islington is the first borough of this London Coffee Trip series, because I used to live here. Just few kilometers away from my campus in Bloomsbury, this borough is a really good place to live with its vibrant atmosphere. Also, there are many coffee shops here and there. When working with my dissertation, I spent most of my time in those coffee shops (besides the library of course). So here are some of my coffee shops recommendation in Islington

Southpaw Coffee, this small coffee shop is located at Roman Way, just few minutes walk from my flat in Caledonian Rd. Really popular with the locals, this little coffee shop serve one of the best flat white in London. They also had some great selection of pastries and cakes. I always had my coffee to go for my morning caffeine fix. Definitely would recommend it!

Vagabond N7, one of my favorite coffee shop to find inspiration. Located in Holloway Rd and just a few steps away from Highbury & Islington station, this coffee shop always really crowded. They serve great coffee, really smooth seriously. Got some various cakes as well, my favorite is the ginger cake. Their place got kind of rustic ambience, and though it is not that spacious it is quite cozy. This is quite random, but I just really love their espresso machine.

Coffee House 607, I remember this local coffee shop as a small and homie coffee house. The baristas are really friendly. It is located at Holloway Rd. I got a really good flat white and little chit chat with the barista. They also serve baps with various kind of filling, which I didn’t try, but it looks really good.

Look Mum No Hands!, I knew this coffee shop from my brother who is a cyclist. He told me that there’s a cycle café bar in London. Located at Old Street, this coffee shop really popular with the cyclist. Got really amazing atmosphere and spacious as well. It is one of the best café for work I guess. Sadly, I just found out that they closed this coffee shop in February this year.

Redemption Roasters – Angel, they actually got several coffee shops across London. But the one that located at Islington High-Street is their largest coffee shop. This coffee shop is one of my favorite places to work for my dissertation. They got quite spacious café but always crowded whether in the morning or afternoon. I really love their flat white.

Saint Espresso – Angel, they serve one of the strongest coffee in London. They got several coffee shops across the city. Somehow, location wise, I got my two favorite, the Angel one because it’s quite near to my flat and Hackney one because it’s really close to the UCL east campus. The Angel branch is a small coffee shop, located at Pentonville Rd. One of the best choice if you need a strong caffeine kick

So, these are my favorite coffee shops in Islington, London. Of course beside these local coffee house and local coffee chains, there are also large coffee chains. I think later I would also write about those coffee chains. Well, if you visit London you should check these coffee shops out and order a cup of flat white. Adios for now.