A local’s guide to the best chai latte in London; cute coffee and shops and rustic bakeries to have a drink and breakfast in London!
Chai latte is one of my favorite drinks – when I’m in a study cafe in London, whichever it might be, the first and almost only drink I order is chai latte.
I have to admit to having a kind of passion for all kinds of colorful lattes, and London is filled with cute coffee shops that do sell them.
However, when it comes to proper chai latte, even if you can literally even find it in places like Caffè Nero, there are a few cafes I would recommend you visit for the best of the best.
Chai Latte in London: 7 Best Coffee Shops for This Autumn
In this guide, you will find some cafes in North London, Central London and East London you might have seen on The Working Line at some point…
Why?
Because these coffee shops are not only great for chai latte, but also exude an instagrammable slash rustic kind of sophistication, of the kind you love to bathe in whether you’re chatting with friends, reading, or writing.
As such, if you’re looking for secret, cute coffee shops to have breakfast in London in addition to your steaming hot cup of chai latte, these are all places you’ll love to get a bite from!
Best Cafes in London for Chai Latte: Grounded, Bow, East London
One of my favorite cafes in East London, Grounded Bow is the second branch of a rustic coffee shop you could up to recently find only in Aldgate East, close to Commercial Road.
The second branch, right off Bow Road station, is bigger, much bigger, with the same kind of instagrammable, rustic decor.
Not only is the halal English breakfast amazing at Grounded Bow, but the chai latte they serve in big cups is thick, with a beautiful balance between the spicy and creamy flavors.
Read: The Guide to London’s Street Art Neighborhoods
Best Cafes in London for Chai Latte: Colairo’s, Crystal Palace
One of the most secret cafes in London, Colairo’s in Crystal Palace tickles some of the best vintage shops in town, which include Bambino and Maltpress Trading.
The Crystal Palace neighborhood is a quaint one to visit solo or on a romantic date, and while you’re at it, why not treat yourself to one of the colorful doughnuts at Colairo’s?
In addition, the chai latte there is also beautiful, with just the right touch of spice, and served in really big cups – a cute floral cafe in which you can also buy Italian food specialties, and enjoy a soothing afternoon tea moment!
Read here my review of Colairo’s Cafe Deli for gorgeous floral and vintage vibes, red velvet doughnuts and delicious chai latte.
Best Cafes in London for Chai Latte: Nest Deli, Willesden Green
In Willesden Green, North West London, I have found, right outside of the station, another coffee shop very much worthwhile when it comes to chai latte: Nest Deli.
The minimalist coffee shop is a great one to spend some time at in the morning, reading, writing, or just to have a slice of that incredibly moist banana bread Nest Deli offers.
While this is one of coffee shops you don’t usually see on Pinterest and Instagram, the staff is so friendly, with pastries so delicious, that a visit to Nest Deli is always a good idea.
The pistachio and berry cake, muffins, and other fresh croissants are only some of the pastries I’ve tried there and, breaking news: I couldn’t get enough.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in North London
Best Cafes in London for Chai Latte: Donutelier, Charing Cross Rd
Close to some of the prettiest streets in Covent Garden, Donutelier is easily accessible from Leicester Square and Chinatown, and is another one of the cute cafes I cannot get enough of.
If you’ve been here before, then you probably know I have a passion for finding new, decadent doughnuts in London, and Donutelier, one of the most recently-opened cafes on Charing Cross Road, ticks all the flavor boxes.
It is definitely pricier to have breakfast in Central London than in places like Stepney Green or Bow Road.
Still, Donutelier is worth every single penny you’re willing to give for their doughnuts, whether it be Oreo-based, made with pistachio or raspberry.
And when it comes to the chai latte… Boy. A true deliciousness.
Read here my review of Donutelier, Charing Cross Road; a wonderful French-inspired bakery with quirky doughnuts and a beautiful pink interior.
Best Cafes in London for Chai Latte: Rinkoffs Bakery, Stepney Green
One of the oldest bakeries in London, Rinkoffs Bakery is located in Stepney Green, tucked away behind Mile End Road – and it’s a bakery I can’t seem to stop talking about!
Since the East End of London is a historically Jewish area, I always feel like I am stepping back in time at Rinkoffs Bakery, which has been opened and owned by the same family for decades.
The crodoughs sold at Rinkoffs Bakery, a blend of croissant and dougnut, are available in many flavors, from peanut butter to chocolate and jam, and the chai latte they serve?
Very creamy, the right amount of spicy, and a treat when drunk with a traditional Danish pastry.
Read: The Best Hidden Gems in East London
Best Cafes in London for Chai Latte: Kahaila, Brick Lane
Kahaila on Brick Lane, with its rustic decor, leather couches and heavy wooden tables, is a place I feel utterly amazing in – which is why I spend time there as often as I can.
Brick Lane is already a place to visit absolutely to enjoy some of the best street art in London, but add Kahaila’s chai latte and rainbow cake slices to your walk, and you’ve got the perfect morning.
It’s also one of the best cafes to work in Brick Lane, since you have power outlets dotted around the coffee shop, and for a filling breakfast? Yeah, that’s the spot.
Read: The Most Secret Gardens in Central London
Best Cafes in London for Chai Latte: Greggs, Various Locations
If you currently live in London, chances are you know Greggs very well – it’s one of the spots I visit regularly when I’m looking for cheap eats in London.
Greggs has some really cool meal deals, with tasty sandwiches, and I wouldn’t be transparent if I didn’t say I am addicted to their caramel and cream doughnuts.
It’s simply one of the cheapest places to eat in London, and beyond the chai latte, the pumpkin spice latte, quite famous for being an-it autumn drink, is quite good at Greggs too.
Read: Living in London: 9 Pragmatic Things I’ve Learned Over the Years
Chai Latte in London: 7 Best Coffee Shops for This Autumn
There you have it, my complete selection of the best cafes to get a mean cup of chai latte in London!
You’ll hopefully have found here what you needed: whether you’re looking for instagrammable cafes with latte art or simply relaxing coffee shops, these are some of my favorite spots to visit as often as I can.
Then, if you’re into other types of drinks, why not check out my guide to the best hot chocolate in London?
It will come in handy – especially if you’re visiting London during Christmas time!