15 Best Cafes in Covent Garden For Brunch, Breakfast & Artisan Coffee

Ah, guys, cafes in Covent Garden are the cutest thing on Earth. By now, I’ve been writing so much about London cafes in Stoke Newington, Hampstead Heath, and even the best cafes to study in London. Or is it just my impression? As a blogger and freelance writer, sitting down at a cafe in London is my go-to when I’m looking for inspiration. And what’s best than grabbing the best coffee in a Covent Garden coffee shop, in one of the most hustly and bustly areas in London? Getting artisan coffee, or an amazing breakfast in cafes or cake shops in Covent Garden just does it for me. I’m all pumped up, gassed about life, and ready to tackle the day. 

The Best Cafes in Covent Garden

That’s important to write about the best cafes in London because there are lots of freelancers and students among us just looking for nice Covent Garden cafes to study and work. That’s most certainly my case. I might not be a student anymore, but I keep learning every single day. As a freelance writer, it’s important to always be aware of the best practices when you’re working with new clients, isn’t it? And that’s why I love the atmosphere at cafes in Covent Garden. They’re inspiring, fast-paced, yet fascinatingly soothing. 

15 Best Cafes in Covent Garden For Brunch, Breakfast & Artisan Coffee

I’ve told you about some amazing London cafes to work and study, the best cafes in Shoreditch, and some great cat cafes in London if you’re an animal lover. But there’s absolutely nothing wrong with visiting coffee shops to just laze around while you’re sipping the best coffee in Covent Garden. At least, that’s what I’m thinking. Even if lazying around doesn’t happen very much to me, all workaholic that I am. 

So if you’re reading this, and are ready to discover all the best nice cafes in London Covent Garden, you’re in for a treat. From Abuelo Covent Garden to the very famous Monmouth Coffee, these are cute cafes where you can not only get the best coffee in Covent Garden but also amazing breakfast and brunch. Because who doesn’t like an amazing sourdough toast or a power bowl while blowing over a hot, steamy cup of artisan coffee in London?

15 Best Coffee Shops in Covent Garden For Brunch, Breakfast & Artisan Coffee

For about a year, I’ve shared my life between Rome and London, before moving back to London for good. During the time I’ve spent in Italy, I’ve learned to love proper Italian cafes, and best believe there are some amazing Italian coffee shops in London. Most of the cafes in Covent Garden offer some amazing artisan coffee, locally roasted by British roasters like Origin Coffee, Volcano Coffee Works, Balance Coffee, or Redemption Coffee Roasters. 

The best Covent Garden coffee shops know to use only the best coffee in London and the UK. How could they not? The competition is tough, with all the London cafes currently around. I’ve written a while back about the best London Bridge cafes, and locals and tourists alike know their coffee. Plus, the Italian, Southern American, and French populations are huge in London. 

the best independent coffee shops in covent garden

You just can’t go wrong, and you need to offer the best coffee in Covent Garden if you want people to come back. Especially since so many chains like Caffe Nero and Starbucks are around – even though, granted, they don’t really offer the best artisan coffee in London. Although the Starbucks beans are quite good when you buy a pack to make a coffee home. Anyway. Lots of rambling – let’s get down to the best cafes in Covent Garden because I know you’re dying to learn all about them! 

PS. If you’re looking for cafes near Leicester Square restaurants, Covent Garden really is super close. So why not take a lil’ refreshing walk to get artisan coffee and the best breakfast in Covent Garden? That way, you can take a break from early mornings sightseeing in London and/or waking up super early to get some work done.

Arro Coffee

First up on this list of the best cafes in Covent Garden, we’ve got Arro Coffee. Best believe that aside from being one of the really nice cafes in the area, Arro Covent Garden probably whips up the best hot chocolate in London. Targeted by both Londoners and people looking to visit cute cafes in London, Arro is all about Italian tradition. You know by now how big I am on Italian coffee shops since I’ve even written about them, right? 

Arro Coffee is the only one of the Covent Garden cafes that specializes in Italian coffee, chocolate, and a delicious Italian specialty dish, the Panettone. The Panettone is a kind of soft brioche that Arro Covent Garden keeps traditional, blending delicate fruit and intense chocolate. And I mean, no other cafe in London can do it as well as this coffee shop does it, and that’s just the end of it. Located in Seven Dials, this small Covent Garden cafe offers a refreshing vibe that will take your mind off work for a minute. 

on the arro coffee covent garden menu

If you’re a vegan, Arro Coffee in Covent Garden also offers quite a few vegan cakes in London. By the way, if you’re interested in knowing where to get the best vegan donuts in London, or maybe the best vegan cookies, you have some guides to vegan bakeries in London available here on The London Local. 

So in the end, Arro Coffee is one of the cafes in Covent Garden you need to check out if you’re big on Italian coffee as I am. They have other coffee shops in London, including Bayswater, Marylebone, and Fulham. So there’s that, you always know you can get some of the best coffee in London when you have an Arro Coffee shop nearby. But I’d still recommend also trying their artisan chocolate because it’s made in such a way that it legit becomes the best hot chocolate in London.

Monmouth Coffee

Monmouth Coffee is one of the London cafes that needs no introduction anymore. I’ll still tell you all about it, especially if you’re a newcomer to the city and are looking for nice cafes in London with amazing artisan coffee. First of all, Monmouth Coffee has three locations in London, and that includes their Covent Garden cafe, two branches at the Borough just off Borough Market, and one in Bermondsey. 

Monmouth Coffee is one of the sustainable coffee shops in London, which means that for starters, they don’t have any disposable cups in their cafes. You can either bring your own reusable cup, or you can get a loan cup from Monmouth Coffee shops. What this means is you pay a £5 deposit for the takeaway cup, and get a refund for your deposit. Otherwise, you can just keep it and come by later. When you next come back to this Covent Garden cafe, they’ll take your loan cup and serve your coffee in a sanitized loan cup. And that goes on and on, and that’s one of the reasons Monmouth Coffee is one of the best cafes in Covent Garden.

But not only. Since 1978, Monmouth Coffee has been roasting coffee and sourcing it sustainably. That means single farms, cooperatives, and estates that really put all their efforts into sustainable coffee. Even the loan cups are made sustainably, from a company called Ecoffee. So if you’re ever looking for a sustainable cafe in London, you’d do well to visit Monmouth Coffee. Because in terms of sustainability, independent coffee shops in London just can’t get any better than that.

Covent Garden Coffee Shops: Apple Butter Cafe

I think that in terms of nice cafes in London, you can hardly do better than the Apple Butter Cafe in Covent Garden. Established by Middle Eastern businessmen, the Apple Butter Cafe is an independent coffee shop which offers amazing artisan coffee in London. The range of specialty coffee is creamy, piping hot, and tasty, just as I like it to be. Not only that, but that’s one of the cafes near Leicester Square that cooks up an amazing all-day dining menu. If you’ve been looking for treats like healthy salads and gourmet sandwiches, that’s definitely the place to visit. 

apple butter cafe colorful specialty coffee in london

Did you want to find an amazing beetroot pink latte? Because it’s there on the menu, along with Red Velvet Latte, Matcha Latte, Charcoal black latte, and many, many other options for the best coffee in Covent Garden. Colorful specialty coffee in London, ugh – the dream. Wide and open, the Apple Butter Cafe might also very well be one of the best cake shops in Covent Garden. Why? Because their Middle Eastern food and inspired desserts are literally to die for. I know that I, for one, am always looking for instagrammable bakeries and cafes in London, and the Apple Butter Cafe is it. 

They even have an apple tree inside the cafe, an echo to the cafe’s name. Probably the best breakfast in Covent Garden if you’re working nearby, or are just looking for artisan coffee in London. Nice and sweet. Yet, aside from offering the best coffee in Covent Garden, you shouldn’t overlook the fact that this cute cozy cafe also has a wide selection of tea and breakfast bites that make for the perfect Saturday morn’ treat.

26 Grains: Neal’s Yard Cafe Covent Garden

Ah, is there anything more instagrammable than Neal’s Yard London? If you’re looking for the best coffee in Covent Garden, I definitely recommend walking just a few minutes to Neal’s Yard, and you’ll find 26 Grains. No wait, did I hear someone say it was one of the best cake shops in Covent Garden? Yes, but not only. 

The delicious salted pecan pie brownie and rye and tahini cookies will make your eyes water with so much beauty from life. And you’ll find amazing artisan coffee in London Covent Garden when you visit 26 Grains. First of all, it’s one of the really cute cafes in London, and that’s a fact. A tiny tiny coffee shop in Covent Garden where the artisan cafe will blow your mind away. The location is, of course, one of the most sought after when it comes to sightseeing in London. After all, Neal’s Yard is one of the most instagrammable places in London with its colorful building facades.

26 grains neal’s yard menu

If you’re looking for cafes in Leicester Square or Covent Garden, then 26 Grains is just waiting for you. There’s healthy food and treats all around in this tiny joint, with probably the best coffee in Covent Garden. I’d tell you to try the porridge with pear and cacao crumble. But if you’re looking for healthy food in London, maybe fried eggs. With just a side of carbs with their delish bread and butter, that will be perfect. But you do have to try that porridge at some point, you know – especially the banana one. 

For people working in London, that’s definitely an amazing place to get specialty coffee in Covent Garden. You don’t always have the time to go visit London when you live here, do you? So maybe on a weekend day, you could visit 26 Grains. Grab a cup of the best coffee in Covent Garden, and then off you go with amazingly fun things to do in London. And what a nice start to the weekend, innit?

Chez Antoinette: French Cafes in London

Ha – the best breakfast in Covent Garden, I’ve got it right here for you. If you’ve ever been looking for nice French cafes in London, Chez Antoinette is the real deal. Aside from being one of the best cafes in Covent Garden, Chez Antoinette also offers an all-day dining menu that’s to die for. And I’m not saying this only because I’m half-French and love finding London cafes based on Frenchness. I remember the first time I visited Belle Epoque Patisserie in Stoke Newington and getting all crazed because I was seeing all the best French pastries in London after missing them for so long. 

Who knew there would be a place that offers the best coffee in Covent Garden along with the most amazing breakfast and brunch? Because trust me, Chez Antoinette has French breakfast down to an art. And for that to be available to Londoners simply makes it the best Covent Garden cafe. If not the best cafe in London overall. 

chez Antoinette covent garden menu

Since 2014, the French coffee shop and restaurant located in the Covent Garden Market has been offering seasonal products from France, from Lyon, more precisely. I’m talking about our famous French tartines in London, guys. Bread with Brie de Meaux, jam, honey, butter, rillettes… That’s almost too much for my little heart. Finding a piece of my culture in London is always amazing, as I know foreigners will understand me. 

Chez Antoinette definitely is one of the best French cafes in London. So, to have a bit of the best breakfast in Covent Garden, that’s a coffee shop that always gets me gassed up. Try our famous French breakfast! With bread tartines, orange juice, and coffee or hot chocolate (the best hot chocolate in London?)… It tastes just like it does in my hometown.

Benugo Covent Garden

I remember the Benugo Covent Garden from the first year I moved to London. One of my flatmates used to work there. Actually, she was the reason for me visiting this coffee shop chain in the first place. Benugo is actually not only a cafe in London but also a place just a few minutes away from Covent Garden Piazza. There, you can get lots of healthy bits if you’re looking for the best breakfast in Covent Garden. 

Located on Long Acre, Benugo is one of the only cafes in Covent Garden that has an offer so colorful. It’s all fresh and delicious, from their sandwiches to their salads. That’s really one of the Covent Garden cafes that you visit regularly when you’re a local. To be fair, it’s not so well-known among tourists. But hey, there’s a first to everything.

benugo cafe covent garden menu

What I love the most about Benugo cafes in London are their Greek yogurt sundaes. In them, they blend lots of fresh fruit, oats, and grains. It’s really that healthy place to grab brunch in Covent Garden, there’s just no other way to put it. 

By the way, if you’re a vegan, the 1998-founded Benugo chain offers plenty of vegan wraps, sandwiches, vegan cakes, and other veggie-based options on the menu. The London Lifestyle Awards have awarded Benugo the title of ‘London Coffee Shop of the Year’ twice. That’s just another vote of confidence if you’re looking for the best Covent Garden cafe.

Abuelo Covent Garden

I know that when I’m not working and just want to enjoy the best coffee in Covent Garden, I’ll go to Abuelo. Located on Southampton Street, Abuelo Covent Garden is easily accessible from both The Strand and the Covent Garden Piazza. There’s no way you can miss it, and you’d probably regret it if you didn’t visit it. 

One of the very nice cafes in London, Abuelo works hand in hand with a British roasting partner that sources their coffee beans from organic and single origin beans. Sustainability all the way, supporting small local farmers in South and Central America, innit!

This independent coffee shop in London makes coffee the Aussie way, paying close attention to temperature, materials, and everything in between. Ah, and – looking for the best brunch in Covent Garden? ‘Cause that’s the place right there. Prices are those of Central London, but not alarmingly high as you’d find in fine dining restaurants with a view in London, for instance.

abuelo cafe covent garden menu

On the menu, you’ll find amazing toasts, eggs, breakfast rolls… and amazing specialty coffee in London that you’re going to love. We all know by now how crazy I am about specialty coffee, and multicolor and pink latte, don’t we. So to be able to get that with artisan coffee in London, that’s just plain amazing. Add to this a really friendly service and a really nice atmosphere (for real, it’s such a cute coffee shop!), and you’ve probably got the best cafe in London.

Dark Woods Coffee Covent Garden at Ruffians

Dark Woods Coffee is a quirky little cafe in London, and probably one of the best-kept secret coffee shops in the whole city. For starters, this Covent Garden cafe is hidden inside Ruffians, a famous barber. So you’re sure that when you’re visiting, you’re going to be sipping coffee in Covent Garden that’s unknown to most people. That feeling of exclusivity, guys – it keeps the world turning, doesn’t it?

Dark Woods Coffee knows their coffee through and through. From delicious mocha to macchiato, and unbeatable prices for this area of London, you’re going to be happy you’ve made the move. Located on Maiden Lane, Dark Woods Coffee uses its own coffee beans, roasted by hand in the UK. I always very much support independent coffee shops in London, and to know that they’re giving back to the community by crafting their coffee beans in the UK is very important to me. 

Nice Cafes in London: The Espresso Room Covent Garden

Okay, if you’re looking for cute cafes in London, The Espresso Room on New Row definitely is it. First of all, this is one of the cafes in Covent Garden that uses Caravan Coffee Roasters, which makes coffee I absolutely adore. It is nothing but an understatement to say that The Espresso Room preps the best breakfast in Covent Garden. Whether you’re looking for a cafe near Leicester Square to grab a quick cup of coffee or want to have a really nice, chill moment, that’s one of the Covent Garden cafes to visit.

Upon the menu, delicious vegan cakes, but not only. The selection of cakes is freshly baked, and that’s potentially where you’ll find the best brownies in London. The Espresso Room is a very small and cozy cafe in Covent Garden, so you might not want to sit down to work on your laptop there, for instance. But yeah, amazing if you’re looking for cake shops in Covent Garden because their in-house-baked pastries are really top-notch.

Best Cafe in London: % Arabica London Covent Garden

% Arabica is one of the London cafes that has a story beginning in a foreign country. And this Covent Garden cafe’s story begins in Tokyo. % Arabica’s founder Kenneth Shoji is big on living a simple and fulfilling life that starts every day with coffee, hence the establishment of % Arabica. Quirky little name, that really goes with the flow of, probably, the best cafe in London.

The flagship store opened in 2014 in Tokyo and expanded throughout the world with the same philosophy “See the world through coffee”. And as a person who lives in Rome, Paris, and London cafes, I couldn’t agree more. Hell, I’ve even got a Moka coffee machine tattoo on my arm!

The Covent Garden cafe attracts oh-so-many people every single day. To say that they make great coffee at % Arabica Covent Garden is a euphemism. That’s a cafe in London where it’s best to takeaway and get on with your day, but if you’d like to sit and observe making moves to evolve, that’s also a great place to be. It’s one of the smallest cafes in Covent Garden, perfect to wake you up before checking out colorful houses in Notting Hill, and picturesque Hampstead Heath park. 

Covent Garden Coffee Shops: Lilly’s Cafe

If you’re looking for the best breakfast and cake shops in Covent Garden, you’ll probably love Lilly’s Cafe. And I’m not saying that just because I love instagrammable cafes in London. Canadian founder Kimberly Lin founded the oh-so-famous vegan cookies bakery Floozie Cookie, which I’ve mentioned in my guide to the best vegan cookies in London in the past. 2021 saw her bring to life Lilly’s Cafe, one of the cafes near Leicester Square and Covent Garden with the most instagrammable pastries in London. 

Want to get the best breakfast in Covent Garden? Wait till you hear that – the Henrietta Street cafe also offers an incredible afternoon tea in London. Yay! Aside from cheddar and mushroom-baked eggs and beetroot avocado toast you can get for breakfast and brunch, there’s something more to Lilly’s Cafe Covent Garden. There’s… multicolor latte in London! If you love specialty coffee in London and pink latte as much as I do, you’re in for a treat. There’s also an Amethyst purple latte, Blue Moon blue latte, Matcha latte, Turmeric latte, and Ruby Red latte, like the one that made famous the very instagrammable London coffee shop El&n Cafe.

All in all, I’d probably rate Lilly’s Cafe as one of the best cake shops in Covent Garden. They’re delicious, picture-perfect, all glazed, and bursting with flavor. But Lilly’s Cafe also whips up the best coffee in Covent Garden, and we shouldn’t forget that. If you’re big on Italian coffee but still want to discover something new, yes, that’s the best artisan coffee in London, period. Plus, you can take lots of pictures for your feed at this cafe. 

The Black Penny: Cute Cafes in London

The Black Penny on Great Queen Street probably is one of the oldest cafes in Covent Garden. It has three brands that all make for really cute cafes in London; Sloane Square, Southbank that I absolutely love, and of course, the Covent Garden coffee shop. 

Real artisan coffee in London, that’s what you can expect at The Black Penny. Made with barista coffee grinders, the coffee is fresh and ground from handpicked coffee cherries. If you’re looking for a nice laidback place to have the best brunch in Covent Garden, The Black Penny is probably up your lane. Especially if you really want to relax, like, on your day off or during the weekend. They have small platters and all the best breakfast bits you could ever wish for in cafes in Covent Garden.

Grilled halloumi, sourdough toasts, fresh range eggs, brioche French toasts… As I said, the best breakfast bits. The all-day dining menu is quite extensive, with lots of vegetarian options on it. But The Black Penny certainly is one of the inclusive London cafes, with quite the array of vegan dishes on it. Overall one of the really nice cafes in London, with an authentic feel and atmosphere echoed by the brick and wood interior. Perfect for a weekend morning, to be honest, before roaming the best markets in London – starting with Covent Garden, of course.

Drury Lane Coffee Shop: The Garden

If there’s one very famous Covent Garden cafe, it’s the Drury Lane coffee shop The Garden. Located inside the Theatre Royal Drury Lane. And boy, is it one of the very fancy cafes in Covent Garden! On the menu, you can find amazing gluten free pastries and vegan bits – there’s just something for everyone. One of the best places to get breakfast in Covent Garden, The Garden offers British Cheeseboards, salted caramel and chocolate brownies, and one of my favorite pastries in London: an award-winning pastel de Natas. 

Theatre Royal Drury Lane certainly is one of the things you need to see in London. In addition, for a really posh breakfast in Covent Garden, you’re going to be happy you’ve walked to Catherine Street. High end but casual, you could use this Covent Garden cafe as a background for a chill first date or a business meeting. We could legit be in a Mayfair restaurant, with that level of fanciness.

Or, you could just go solo and enjoy the best artisan coffee in London before going cheap designer shopping. Anything that rocks your boat, you know, you can even do free things in London with no money. As long as you enjoy the real atmosphere and taste of the best coffee in Covent Garden…! I don’t know if you realize that, but you’re going to be spending time at a cafe built in the oldest theater in the world. A theater that still hosts performances at that. 

Whittard of Chelsea Tea Bar: Coffee and Afternoon Tea in Covent Garden

I have always been a big, big fan of Whittard of Chelsea. From the first time I ever saw their shop in Oxford Street, to going to the Whittard in Covent Garden, I was sold. They probably have the best hot chocolate in London, and I have tried quite a few of them. Really nice recipes, all whipped up by Whittard of Chelsea themselves. Even if they do not offer the best breakfast in Covent Garden – no breakfast there, actually. 

At Whittard of Chelsea, you have everything from the best coffee in Covent Garden to amazing hot chocolate and a wide variety of loose tea. If you knew me, you’d go crazy over how much tea I drink in a day. Just can’t stop me. What’s also important about Whittard of Chelsea is that they have the most affordable afternoon tea in London, compared to the value it brings. All the food is delicious, and I can’t praise enough their coffee selection. If you’re looking for a quirky snack, I once bought a pack of their chocolate-covered coffee beans and I’m still thinking about it to this date. 

Best Covent Garden Coffee Shops: Double Shot Covent Garden

While we’re mentioning the best afternoon tea in London, we should talk about the Double Shot coffee shop in Covent Garden. Afternoon tea is priced at £30 per person, and boy is it delish. And that’s not all – if you’re looking for the best cake shops in Covent Garden, you’re going to be served. Those cakes are unlike any others you’ll have tried in London. Now, I know that’s a strong statement, but it’s also strongly true.

Eclairs (love French pastries in London!), tiramisu (for the lovers of Italian food), and a decadent strawberry and cream cake are all on the menu. There’s much more in there, like delicious carrot cake, which I’m a sucker for. 

If you’re just looking for the best artisan coffee in Covent Garden, that’s all nice and dandy. But what if you’re looking for instagrammable bakeries and cafes, with matcha Blue latte, pink latte, and pistachio iced latte? Well, you visit Double Shot cafe, of course! So I mean, just do yourself a favor and walk to Tavistock Street. Not only are you going to get the best breakfast in Covent Garden, but you’ll get edible flowers on your blue latte. And probably the best afternoon tea in London. And that’s a fact.

15 Best Cafes in Covent Garden For Brunch, Breakfast & Artisan Coffee

And there you have them, all the best Covent Garden coffee shops. Some doubling as cute cake shops, all offering some of the best breakfast and artisan coffee. You know as well as I do that there are lots of very nice cafes in London. Some are very Instagram-friendly, offering multicolor drinks and pink lattes. And of course, very picture-worthy cakes as do the most instagrammable bakeries in London. 

I’d say that spending time at cafes in Covent Garden can only broaden your mind. After all, you spend moments observing people from all over the world. All the while sipping some of the best artisan coffee in London and working on your goals. What could be better, for real, than taking place at a table in nice cafes in Covent Garden? I don’t really see what could be. 

The first time I moved to London in 2019, I’d spend hours studying in cafes near Leicester Square. Some of my go-to’s were Starbucks on Charing Cross Road, which I mentioned in my guide to the best cafes to study and work in London, and Costa Coffee at Piccadilly. 

Costa is a huge cafe in London where you can get work done for real. You can plug in your PC without feeling like you’re overstaying your welcome. Yet, I’ve recently taken to cafes in London Bridge and Covent Garden coffee shops. Why not, after all? I’m a blogger and a writer. And I need to up my game a bit and switch cute cafes in London to keep the inspiration flying.

cute cafes in london

In any case, I’ll always be very much in love with cute cafes in London. The ones in Central London offer some of the best breakfast, and among all the existing Covent Garden coffee shops, you’re bound to find your cup of tea (or coffee, pun intended). An experience that’s unforgettable, and that very much imprints the London vibe on you. And that, friends, never goes away.

So if you want to learn more about the best cafes in London, you might want to check that out:

• The cutest cat cafes in London for pet lovers,
• The best coffee shops in Stoke Newington (one of the most picture-worthy villages in London, along with Hampstead, Primrose Hill, and Highgate),
• The best coffee shops in Shoreditch, all cute and cozy.

Until next time!

PS. Did you know that there’s an upside-down house in London?