Monmouth: The best coffee in London?
Sunday, June 7th, 2009, posted in: cafe, photo grids, photography
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The queue was terribly long, and while I was in it, the barista came out with paper cups and a marker pen, taking our orders along the way. Such was the spectacle of Monmouth, I was rather surprised that the queue was quick and free flowing as I didn’t even have time to think about what to photograph at this legendary London institution. If you haven’t had a Monmouth yet, well, you need to apply now.
Brewmasters
I am not an expert on coffee, although I do like my cuppa. There’s a generally accepted handful of the best coffee places in London; Monmouth is usually mentioned. Though, if you are after a current and definitive one, look no further than Daniel Young’s Top 10 places for coffee in London.
Oh the buzz, the buzz! I sampled my first monmouth at the Borough market branch and I was completely taken by the whole atmosphere of the shop. Packed to the brim, the air was rich of roast and aroma but what I loved most was the communal table acting as the coffee shop’s centerpiece. A family headed by a distinguished looking silver maned gentlemen dominated it, conversation, laughter, magic.
If you’re wondering, I didn’t have cakes on this trip, just cappuccino to go, with just abit of brown sugar. The pastry and baguettes are apparently supplied by Paul and Villandry.
Spot the pour through cone-filters.
Mmmm … such smooth consistency in the froth, with a milky sweetness and very mild bitterness, it also felt strangely innocent and pure. The coffee itself had a silky mouthfeel, with a rich and bitter hit, and went down like a good vintage year. Indeed, very good.
Now where is my copy of the Sunday Times…
Do you think that Monmouth serves the best brew in town? What is your favourite coffee shop in London, or otherwise? I’m interested to know, so I can go write about it.
Monmouth Coffee Company Official Website
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Posted in: cafe, photo grids, photography
so absolutely the best espresso and cappacino in london
I’m more of a tea person myself. But if I was to have a coffee, Monmouth would definetly be the place!
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Hey, glad you liked it. I have the pleasure of working within a short walk from Monmouth in Covent Garden and think it is the best cuppa joe in town. Their house espresso blend is so smooth and rich – love it!
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I had always rated Monmouth as the best in London.. until I found the unnamed coffee cart on Whitecross St Markets that is run by Gwilym Davies (who recently became the 2009 World Barista Champion).
Hey, have you tried Soko Coffee?
The website is http://www.sokocoffee.co.uk
As well as the great coffee – I’m quite partial to breakfast at the communal table – Massive pots of Jam, a pavement slab of butter, baskets of baguettes – its all you can eat for something like £3……and you can eat (in my experience) suprisingly less than you think.
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GREAT blog… I’ve just discovered it and can’t wait to try half the places you’ve written about. Monmouth coffee is good – combine that with the amazing food at Lantana (Charlotte Place) and you have the perfect brunch.
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I went to Monmouth a couple of times. I would not say that it is the best coffee in London. For me, coffee bean which they brew and sell you is one thing; but the attitude of the people who sell the coffee to you is also important. I ended up there once when the shop was almost empty. They told me I could not have a capuccino and they were only serving filter coffee. My friend and I said it was fine even though I hate filter coffee. Ten minutes later, a lady came in and ordered a capuccino and got it! Clearly they did not run out of milk. I was so surprised that I did not say anything and just left and swore to myself I wouldn’t be bothered to go back there again. Milk Bar that uses coffee beans from Square Mile is far more superior that Monmouth. I have pretty much been to almost every ‘famous’ London coffee shop. And, hey, Monmouth is one of my least favourite.
[...] London, my other, local, independent coffee house/ brand is Monmouth. Fabulous coffee. Beautifully served. Great location in Borough Market. Fun experience. Not that [...]
Thanks for the recommendations, discovered Soko Coffee in St Albans this morning and was very happy with my flat white. Lantana now! Wish me luck!
[...] and a huge communal table full of drinkers sharing bread and jam from kilner jars. It’s been written about a lot and is pretty much the best coffee house in London and, finally, offers somewhere (albeit squashed) [...]
Does anybody know if you can get ntelligentsia coffee anywhere in London???
My Coffee Stop at Enfield Chase station, Platform 1, is also worth a try. I would think that, I’m the owner but so many people come to our little shop and find it so cute and lovely and the coffee and cakes and ethos, delicious! http://www.mycoffeestop.co.uk
There’s even a book swapping service, where you can get really cheap reads for youir journey….oh I’ll be quiet now, just come and see for yourself, it is lovely!
[...] para completar, café na bombada Monmouth, o melhor café de Londres. Delicioso, forte, alguns até com grãos brasileiros. Ao lado da [...]
@Lalita Do you think you might have misunderstood each other? I once asked for a Cappuccino with the Ethiopian coffee and they said they couldn’t do that (something to do with the taste of it in an espresso machine) and then recommended me the filter coffee instead. I go to Monmouth quite often and have never experienced them run out of milk nor have they ever declined making a coffee for me – even if I walked in one minute to six. I do agree that service in there can be a bit neutral if not even cold, but the branch in Borough Market must literally be the busiest coffee shop in London. I am not saying that’s an excuse, but I have worked in retail myself and can tell from experience that as of a certain customer volume it can be very difficult to smile and welcome every person as warmly as if they were the first to walk in and ask for a cappuccino..
Unquestionably one of the best in London! I would also highly recommend Cafe Oporto on 62 Golborne Road and the Coffee Plant on 180 Portobello Road. Cafe Oporto is a Portuguese cafe, so not only do you savour the rich and frothy taste of the coffee, but you can also treat yourself to a typical Portuguese sweet! A bica or a galao are the regular requests in this classic Portuguese cafe.
The Coffee Plant is a great, less traditional and more of an informal cool vibe on Portobello Road. However, this place is serious about java from the diverse coffee selection that one can purchase at the back! They are categorised by light, medium and dark roast… Moreover, they have coco, which if you put a touch of into your coffee, it is literally a match made in heaven… a taste of summer!
Both cafes are phenomenal venues that serve an incredible cup of coffee, where one can enjoy amongst the locals in a friendly, informal vibe
[...] for £1.90, the prices were creeping over the £2 mark by the time I left. King of Caffeine Monmouth Coffee will almost certainly now be charging over £2 for a flat white, but any ounce of spending regret [...]