14 Best Coffee Shops in Shoreditch To Work and Study – Or Chill

Coffee shops in Shoreditch are places where all the young crowd often goes to work and chill. If you’ve never been to the East London area, that’s something you need to know. Shoreditch cafes are some of the best places to witness amazing latte art in London, work on your paper, or just watch time pass by as you’re diving in great brunch plates. Word.

By now you probably already know just how crazy I am about finding the best cafes in London.  If we’ve met here already, you’ve probably read my post about the best cafes in London to work or study. I’ve also written about the best Italian coffee shops in London since I am so crazy about Italy as well. After all, I do live in London half of the year and in Rome the other half, so finding the best coffee is essential to me.

By the way, if you’d rather find the best cafes to work in Central London, I’ve recently told you all about the best chain cafes to study and work, as in, my personal favorite cafes to work, including Caffè Nero, Cafe W, or Starbucks. That might help you out!

14 Best Coffee Shops in Shoreditch To Work and Study (or Chill)

There are things to know as a student, and one of them is the best cafes to study in London. There are countless coffee shops in Shoreditch. How can you decently pick just a handful for a list of the best coffee shops in Shoreditch? First of all, I have chosen cafes where you can work or study in peace or with a musical background. I’ve also selected really trendy places, where the food is vegan, or ethically sourced and the drinks and dishes are instagrammable. That way, you’ve got it all in just one guide.

I don’t know about you, but as a writer, I love going to coffee shops to plan and write articles. Actually, in the midst of the pandemic, I was really missing London coffee shops. So much so that I found a few YouTube playlists that mimicked coffee shop sounds because I couldn’t focus otherwise.

Now that they’ve all reopened, here are the 14 best coffee shops in Shoreditch to work, study, or chill – alone or with friends.

By the way, if you’re just looking for study spots to make it happen, you should defo take a good look at the guide to the best free libraries in London to study and work. Those are all spots I go to when I need to work or study, and they’re really peaceful places in London to hang out!

Coffee Shops in Shoreditch: The Bright Store

The BRIGHT store on Hackney Road is an ethical lifestyle coffee shop that opens 7 days a week. What does “ethical lifestyle” coffee shop mean? It means that aside from their amazing coffee, that small business sells ethically-made goods and vegan independent brands. 

This also means that if you’re looking for a vegan coffee shop in Shoreditch, that’s where you need to go. All the coffee is ethically sourced from Costa Rica. Plus, since the founders have been vegan for years, the vegan pastries at this Shoreditch coffee shop are absolutely stunning. I’m talking vegan croissants, pear Danish, and decadent toasties made with flaky croissants.

In terms of coffee, we’re onto the amazing latte art in London that we all adore, iced americanos, espresso macchiato, and even amazing pink latte.  It’s really interesting that we should be talking about pink latte. Indeed, this is the focus of one of my soon-to-be-published posts here.

If you don’t want to miss the best places where you can get a pink latte – in other words, beetroot latte, keep sticking around. I’ll most definitely write about many more of the best cafes in London very soon. So yeah, on another note: The BRIGHT store = amazing coffee and vegan cakes, vegan croissants, vegan everything – ethically made and sourced.

Back Stage Coffee

If you’re looking for an amazing coffee shop near Brick Lane, Back Stage Coffee is one of your next destinations. You should definitely mark down this one. This one is a themed coffee shop, all things theatrical served with great coffee, green cupcakes, and latte art. Of course, latte art – how could we live without thick creams and coffee with drawings on top? To be fair, Back Stage Coffee is perfectly located, and it does belong without it out to the amazing Brick Lane area.

Read: The Serious List of Stunning Cafes in London Bridge

Back Stage Coffee is one of the best independent coffee shops in London. What’s cool is that it works with local artisan bakeries and the local coffee roastery. It’s full of drawings and art inside, really beautiful, and even offers outdoor seating. Super close to Brick Lane and Spitalfields Market, Back Stage Coffee is beautiful and lively. The team is great and friendly, and the coffee is actually an award-winning coffee. But, as I said, one of the best things there are their colorful cupcakes. Notably, you can find a green-cream topped cupcake, a decadent treat for the eyes and the lips.

Coffee Shops in Shoreditch: The Attendant

The Attendant surely is one of the most famous coffee shops in London. But it’s not the Shoreditch cafe that made the Attendant famous; it’s actually the Fitzrovia Attendant coffee shop that made the brand rise to fame. How come? Well, that’s because one of the first Attendant coffee shops is located in Fitzrovia, just a few minutes walk from Oxford Street. In a former Victorian toilet. Pretty fun, right? One of the most unique coffee shops in London, I’d say.

So far, The Attendant has opened five locations in Shoreditch, Clerkenwell, Mayfair, Fitzrovia, and South Quay. The Shoreditch branch offers great coffee with latte art, amazing instagrammable waffles, perfectly toasted toasts, sandwiches, and a nice area where you can read books, work, or just sit back and relax. 

When it comes to food, it’s one of the best London cafes since all the produce is sourced sustainably and ethnically from local and British suppliers wherever possible. You can’t book, and the cafe operates on a first-come-first-served basis. Yet, honestly, you should definitely go to The Attendant Shoreditch if you’re looking for one of the best cafes in the area… and a colorful latte.

Coffee Shops in Shoreditch: Powerhouse Coffee

Powerhouse Coffee is a perfect Shoreditch coffee shop to work in if you’re looking to host business meetings or do your thing in a place where there is Wi-Fi. It’s located on Curtain Road, one of the coolest Shoreditch Street, and the coffee shop is open 7-days a week until 7 p.m. They have another location on Whitecross Street and one on Farringdon Road, but I really like the Shoreditch branch.

The London cafe was formerly called Fix Coffee and changed its name recently. Since 2009, Powerhouse Coffee has been serving amazing breakfast, lunch, and of course, coffee. The fact that they have lots of tables is something great because that’s usually an issue in London cafes.

Often, you travel from a few tube stations away to work and get your head out of the “home-work” mindset, only to find that there is no space for you to sit or no plugs. So yeah. We are talking artisan coffee… and we’re talking dog-friendly coffee shop. What’s not to like about Powerhouse Coffee, may I ask?

Ozone Coffee

Ozone Coffee is another great option for a coffee shop in East London, and also opens 7 days a week. With this one, we’re talking Shoreditch coffee shop but also London Fields. I don’t know if you’ve ever been to London Fields, but it’s one of my very favorite areas in London. Why? Because it looks like a village inside of London. It’s filled with cute eateries, coffee bars, Italian shops – it just doesn’t look like London.

Read: The Best Public Libraries in London For Students

The Ozone Coffee cafe in Shoreditch is all about responsibly sourced specialty coffee. If you like industrial decor, that one will actually make you focus more than any other coffee shop in London. It’s an authentic independent coffee shop where your PC will definitely be welcome. There is a lot of space to work, for one. Then, they even have an all-day brunch with greek yogurt, porridge, granola – all super instagrammable. And they have Wi-Fi.

Shoreditch Grind

If you don’t know Shoreditch Grind, you will have the great pleasure of discovering one of the best Shoreditch coffee shops there. We’re talking amazing coffee and a super Instagram-evolved background. Even the window shop is instagrammable! Plus, the team always puts up great messages on the front – think cinemas in the 19th century.

Their brunches and coffees are delicious; if you’re ever around Old Street, you will come across this old diner-style coffee shop. I’ve talked about Grind before. This is an awesome coffee shop restaurant that has been serving Shoreditch since 2011. There are plenty of tables there to read books or work on your PC – or whatever you want, really. The Grind Shoreditch operates on a booking basis. However, they always have a few tables reserved for walk-ins.

I would definitely recommend booking, as this is a Shoreditch coffee shop that gets really busy. They have a bottomless brunch if you’re interested in getting some great food. Sandwiches, coconut yogurt, eggs, buttermilk pancakes, and more – all made to fulfill you. The Grind is one of the best Shoreditch cafes to work in and have some amazing breakfast, brunch, lunch, or dinner all week round.

Coffee Shops in Shoreditch: Origin Coffee Shop

Origin Coffee Shop is a branch of the Origin B corp coffee shops based in London and Cornwall. This is a very cute coffee shop in London, very clean and spacious. If you’re looking for latte art in London or picture-worthy brunch, Origin Coffee Shop is a place to visit. They serve specialty coffee from Origin Coffee Roasters, and their food is made using sustainable ingredients.

When I say instagrammable food, I am talking about colorful plates made with volume. I’m talking about ingredients that will make your mouth water even before you start diving in. I do feel like Origin Coffee Shop is a very underrated coffee shop in Shoreditch. If you’re looking for a clean nice space for an interview or a business meeting, or just to write or read, that’s definitely a cool place to start the day.

Paper & Cup

If you thought you knew all about the cuteness of the best London coffee shops, think again. Paper & Cup Shoreditch is one of the cutest London cafes, and I’m not talking only about their super instagrammable caffè latte, bagels, and pastries.

Their brick and turquoise facade makes it one of the most instagrammable cafes in London. To be fair, it’s probably one of the places in East London where you’ll feel the best. Paper & Cup London is one of the establishments established by the Spitalfields Crypt Trust. I always love supporting people starting out – or restarting – in life. Paper and Cup on Calvert Street do support lots of different populations. For instance, it’s a London cafe that focuses on helping out people recovering from addiction, or people recovering from homelessness. They are also the starting ground for apprentice baristas.

This award-winning social enterprise coffee shop offers cute lattes with leaves and hearts on top, and it’s also a shop. In their shop, they sell various second-hand books and clothes, as well as homeware, accessories, and even vintage items. If you were looking for the best cafe in East London, this really is one worth our money. Their pastries are delicious, as is their coffee and tea selection. Come along with a big book, or with friends for a cool chat!

Coffee Shops in Shoreditch: Coffee Studio

Coffee Studio is also known as Sevengrams – or 7Gr, and it’s one of the most visible cafes in Shoreditch. It’s located right in front of Pizza East, which I mentioned in my 6 Cool Things to do in Shoreditch blog. It also faces Boxpark. If you haven’t been, Boxpark offers places to eat some of the best stuff and shop some of the best independent brands in London.

A feature to appreciate the most from 7Gr. is the fact that they offer the finest Italian coffee shop experience in the heart of London. Second of all, their facade is filled with extra-colorful street art. The kind that you can only find in Shoreditch. And, inside, lies one of the coolest coffee shops interiors in London. Perfect for you if you happen to sometimes define yourself as a hipster.

The first 7Gr. Coffee Studio opened in Milan, actually, followed by their Shoreditch cafe and a newly-opened Clapham brand. It’s a fully Italian brand established by four sisters. As such, you can understand why coffee quality is top-notch at Coffee Studio Shoreditch. If you like the Shoreditch slash Brick Lane area, that’s a place you’ll feel very good at.

Ditto Coffee

Ditto Coffee Shoreditch also has other locations; in Liverpool and Manchester, notably, where it’s a blast. Ditto Coffee offers some of the best coffee in London. They even have an online shop where you can get their Liverpool-roasted coffee. For latte art, it’s a perfect spot, but also for their amazing toasts with eggs and avocado.

I really enjoy the overall feel of the Ditto Coffee shop. It’s really a place where young people or more mature Londoners would feel really good at. Rivington Street is a very beautiful – and colorful – street in London. That’s also a spot where you’d picture Ditto Coffee without a doubt. Since the Shoreditch cafe was founded by the same peeps that established Ditto Music, it’s only fair they would want to give back to the local indie music crowd.

That’s why coffee and music go hand in hand at Ditto coffee shop. I feel it’s one of the best coffee shops in Shoreditch, and the most laidback. Grab a cup of joe there while enjoying some really cool independent artists, and you’ve got real downtime.

Coffee Shops in Shoreditch: Oat Coffee

With Oat Coffee, we’re talking Shoreditch coffee shop with multicolor background and drinks. I love all things colorful (must be something of my past as a fashion makeup artist). I love, above all, when people demonstrate creativity and colorfulness in life, and that’s exactly the case with Oat Coffee. This vegetarian cafe offers brunch, lunch, coffee – and the most amazing treats and snacks for breakfast.

If you’ve been looking for colorful lattes in London, Oat has some really beautiful turmeric or matcha lattes. They are super instagrammable with their green and orange colors. Other than that, one of the main features of Oat Coffee is the importance they put on fresh, flavorful food. Not only is their brunch menu one of the most Instagram-worthy in London, but the spot is also immaculate when it comes to great vibes and exceptional everyday moments.

Best Shoreditch Cafes: Alchemy Cafe London

Alchemy Coffee in Shoreditch is one of the two independent coffee shops of the Alchemy brand. The other one is located on Ludgate Broadway in the City. Both are open every day of the week from around 8/8:30 am until 3 in the afternoon.

This Shoreditch coffee shop brews with its own brand of coffee beans, Alchemy Coffee Roasters. It is also, may I say, one of the most instagrammable cafes in London. Their turquoise facade reminds me a bit of the one from Paper & Cup. Yet, both cafes are very different in personality and vibe. Mind you, coffee always brings people together.

For latte art (we’re talking leaves, hearts, or elephant faces), great croissants, and even some of the best ice cream in London, Alchemy Coffee has it all for you. This is the second Alchemy cafe in London, and it opened in 2019. In just three years, it’s become one of the most famous coffee shops in East London. Today, they even supply countless hotels and restaurants throughout the country – and, again, some of the best pastries in London.

Best London Cafes With Pink Latte: Aida Shoreditch

Aida Shoreditch is very famous for one of their drinks in particular: their ultra, uber, exceptional pink latte – or rose latte, however you’d like to call it. When I say instagrammable, I mean it. They also have other options for specialty lattes that include green matcha, orange turmeric, and beautiful designs on top. The beetroot latte, all pink and thick, is the most instagrammable of all – and it’s really delicious. However, coffee and latte art is not the only great thing Aida Shoreditch does. It’s actually a clothing store!

Aida Shoreditch is, as the team claims, about the experience. It’s important for the brand to source out only the best accessories and shops. The long wooden tables have something very homey to them. You can only feel super hip when you take a seat there, sipping a latte while eating one of their home-baked pastries.

And, if you actually manage to go there on a day off, you’ll see that all of their bags, hats, or dresses are of the finest confection. Quality materials that you can wear anytime you want and amazing latte in London – Aida Shoreditch has it all right.

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium

I’ve talked about Lady Dina’s Cat Emporium not too long ago in my article about the best cat cafes in London. Not all coffee shops in London are dog or cat-friendly. As such, it was important for me to share with you one coffee shop that takes animal lovers very seriously. In this 2014-cafe, you will find quite a few cuddly cats that roam around freely. All while you’re sipping a tea, a coffee, or a delish hot chocolate.

Not only can you take a relaxing break from the fast-paced city, but you can actually also just read a book for hours if you’d like.

14 Best Coffee Shops in Shoreditch To Work and Study (or Chill)

There you have them, the best coffee shops in Shoreditch to work, study, or just chill. I’ve tried to put the emphasis on the best coffee shops to also enjoy a very instagrammable drink and colorful, flavorful dishes. There are many more Shoreditch cafes. However, I prefer to always write about the best and/or my favorites. So, if you like roughly the same things as me, you know those are perfect places for you.

If you’d like to learn about other really cool cafes in London, I can recommend checking out the following guides on The London Local:

• 13 Absolutely amazing cafes in London Bridge
• The very best coffee shops in Old Street
• Cute flower cafes in Chelsea

Most of these places have more free space tables than lots of other coffee shops in London, and I think you’ll be really well at one of their tables. Just grab a good espresso or caffe latte, and you’re good to go, with a book in your hand, or your hands running on the PC keyboard.