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I recently shared with you some of my favorite breakfast spots in East London, with a few really cool hidden food gems – and thought it was time to keep going with cute places in Central London.
For coffee, breakfast bites or brunch, these are a few cafes located in London Bridge, Covent Garden, Soho, near Oxford Street and Tottenham Court Road you should have on your bucket list!
9 Cute Places in Central London for Breakfast and Coffee
Along the way, I have decided to include some hidden gems you should check out while walking around the pretty streets of Central London.
Many of these cute cafes are not that famous, and others are a tad more mainstream, like the gorgeous pink cafe Elan on Wardour Street.
I will highlight for each of these coffee shops, what you should try at least once (depending on your tastes, of course!), and why I think they’re great spots to spend a moment in Central London.
Without further ado, discover the cutest places to eat breakfast and have a great coffee moment in Central!
Best Cafes in Central London: Flocafe, Mayfair
Flocafe, in the Mayfair neighborhood, is a coffee shop I discovered a few years ago who preps some really strong, delicious coffee.
My favorite thing to order there is an iced coffee during the summer time.
Indeed, if spring in London can be very hot at times, summer is often unbearable and an iced coffee makes for the perfect drink while walking around Mayfair!
Nearby, you have some really cool hidden gems, including the Sekhmet bust on top of the Sotheby’s entrance, as well as two secret gardens you have to visit at some point:
- Mount Street Gardens, quiet, soothing, and a perfect place to see cherry blossom in London
- Brown Hart Gardens, with its terrace and view on the beautiful buildings around the square
Read: The Best Macarons in London
Cute Cafes in Central London: Bread Ahead Bakery, Borough Market
Even if there are lots of hidden gems in London Bridge and nearby Bermondsey, I have to admit that Bread Ahead Bakery is not that much of a secret food spot anymore.
Actually, whether it’s summer or autumn in London, you will probably have to queue to get a taste of the deliciously fluffy doughnuts and sinner cinnamon buns Bread Ahead Bakery offers.
There are currently two branches I have tried, that I recommend:
- Bread Ahead in Wembley, which is also spacious enough to be a perfect study cafe
- Bread Ahead in Borough Market, which is more of a to-go bakery, with no seats, but which offers many more flavors in terms of fillings (coconut and honeycomb are two favorites of mine)
Read: The Best Pastel de Nata in London
Best Cafes in Central London: Chinatown Bakery, Chinatown
A favorite of mine when it comes to places to eat in Chinatown is the famous, oh so famous Chinatown Bakery – not a coffee shop per se, but this spot bakes up fresh fluffy cakes and savory puffs all day long.
In addition to the delicious taiyaki which are made right before your eyes – and a dessert you absolutely have to try in London.
There are no seats inside Chinatown Bakery, but if you visit London during the summer all the way through autumn, you will find many tables in the square.
And if you’re not looking for breakfast but more proper, savory food spots for lunch, there are a couple of places really close I keep raving about:
- Chinese Tapas House, with their affordable meat and veggie buns
- Beijing Dumpling, with their incredible roasted duck and pancakes dishes, and juicy, so tasty dumplings
Read: The Best Croissants in London
Cute Cafes in Central London: Caffè Napoli, Goodge Street
We have with Caffè Napoli on Goodge Street one of the smallest coffee shops in London – and one I pop by as soon as I get the chance.
Italian cafes in London are plenty, but Caffè Napoli is one of those which are more centrally located; and for the perfect ginseng caffè, a hot beverage I’ve discovered in Rome, this is the very spot you have to know!
There are literally just two seats outside, but the properly Italian croissants (cornetti) are so delicious you won’t even care about the seats.
Plus, there are many cool things to do in Fitzrovia, Goodge Street’s area, and this includes anything from Italian restaurants to charity shops and gorgeous architecture!
A few minutes away on foot, you’ll also find one of London’s most unique shops – Timothy Oulton, a must-visit to see a replica of the Apollo capsule, towers made of books and sculptures of astronauts imprisoned in water-filled tubes!
Read: The Best Cookies in London
Best Cafes in Central London: Coffee Academy, Southbank
I have lost track of how many times I’ve told you about Coffee Academy, the tiny coffee shop belonging to the gorgeous Brand Academy shop.
And yet, that’s where you will find not only some of the best hot chocolate in London, but also gorgeously fluffy Crosstown Doughnuts.
Ever since I first set out on finding the best doughnuts in town, I have been a regular at Coffee Academy, and I am yet to find vegan and non vegan doughnuts I love more than the Crosstown Doughnuts brand.
Coffee Academy only has a few tables outside, with a view of the Thames, and that’s always a go-to for me when I just want to sit down for a few minutes and observe life passing by.
If, however, you are more interested in finding a study cafe on Southbank, Caffè Nero, literally two minutes away, is spacious enough, has free WiFi, and even power outlets all around the coffee shop!
Read: The Best Bagels in London
Cute Cafes in Central London: Feya Cafe
Feya Cafe is known for being one of the most instagrammable cafes in London; complete with watercolor walls and floral decorations, it’s indeed a great place to visit for pictures.
I have personally tried the colorful lattes as well as the crodoughs (also sometimes called cronuts), and loved the pink latte with its cherry tree pattern on top.
Feya Cafe is a very visited place in Central London when it comes to both brunch and breakfast, and if you’re the kind of the person who loves finding beautiful desserts and pastries, this will be the place for you!
Let’s not forget, while we’re at it, that Feya Cafe is located on James Street, one of the most colorful places in London – thought colorful houses were only in Notting Hill? Think again!
Read: The Best Gluten Free Bakeries in London
Best Cafes in Central London: Cutter and Squidge, Soho
Located close to both Piccadilly Circus and Carnaby Street, Cutter & Squidge is a place I discovered a few months ago, when I was invited to try the Harry Potter afternoon tea, ‘The Potions Room.
In addition to being a great spot for afternoon tea, since Cutter & Squidge offers lots of vegan options and thus caters to many, many people, this is also one of the cutest bakeries you’ll find in Central London.
The layer cakes, to begin with, are otherworldly – thick, flavorful cream and tasty fruit, and on top of that, Cutter & Squidge also offers delicious hot beverages and ice cream.
Read: The Best Vegan Bakeries in London
Cute Cafes in Central London: Elan Cafe, Wardour Street
All the Elan Cafe in London boast a different vibe; at the Elan Cafe on Hans Crescent, right outside of the gorgeous Harrods department store, you will find a more floral coffee shop vibe.
However, on Wardour Street, Soho, the atmosphere is properly neon in the back room, which probably makes it one of the most special coffee shops in London overall.
Whether you come for brunch or breakfast, or even a snack in the afternoon, you will find plenty of colorful lattes and delicious cakes there, which range from brownies to Victoria sponge, cookies, and Red Velvet Cake.
If you’re however looking for a more floral cafe, have a seat in the front room, and enjoy the pale pink flowers and walls!
PS. Careful when you order – Elan Cafe tends to offer really sweet cakes and drinks!
Read: The Best Cupcakes in London
Best Cafes in Central London: Aux Merveilleux de Fred, Leadenhall Market
Right in the heart of the City of London, Aux Merveilleux de Fred is an incredible French pastry shop whose recipes mainly revolve around the Merveilleux, a meringue covered with cream and different toppings.
There are a few tables right outside of the bakery slash coffee shop, which allow you to enjoy the Merveilleux, or the Cramiques (delicious, oh so delicious brioches!) with a view of Leadenhall Market.
If you’re planning on walking around the City of London afterwards, Aux Merveilleux de Fred is always a great spot to spot by first.
Especially since you’ll need your strength to reach really cool hidden gems, like the Tivoli Corner or the St Dunstan in the East church ruins once you’re done!
Read: The Best Brunch in London Bridge
9 Cute Places in Central London for Breakfast and Coffee
There you have them, all the best cafes and places to eat in Central London, from breakfast to simply coffee!
You will hopefully have found here a few new secret cafes and bakeries you didn’t know about, and one thing I can promise is they all have a different vibe, each with their delicious specialties!
Then, if you’re willing to discover more about Central London, here are a few guides I can recommend:
- The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street
- The Best Hidden Gems in Soho and Carnaby Street
- The Most Unique Shops in Central London
Until next time!
Curious Traveler’s Guides
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Spitalfields, East London
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Covent Garden, Central London
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Smithfield, City of London
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Bethnal Green, East London
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Fleet Street, City of London
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Instagrammable Places
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to London’s Secret and Free Museums
- The Curious Traveler’s Guide to Multicolor Places in London
Other London Life
- How to Spend 24 Hours in London
- Living in London: Things I Have Learned Over the Years
- The Must Have Apps to Survive in London
- How to Save Money on Groceries in London
- How to Live in London on a Budget
- How to Eat in London on a Budget
- How to Make Friends in London
- How to Move to London – and Survive as an Expat
- The Best Tips for Student Budget in London
- The Things I Wish I Knew Before Going to London
- First Time Travel to London: All There is To Know
- London Travel Guides for Tourists and Locals
- How to Pack Your Suitcase for Digital Nomads
- Advantages and Disadvantages of Life in a Hostel
- How to Survive Life in a Hostel
Other London Travel
- The Cutest Pink Places in London
- Bookish London Itinerary: 13 Cute Places to Visit
- The Prettiest Places for Nature in London
- The Most Colorful Places in London
- The Best Christmas Decorations in London
- The Poshest Areas in London
- The Prettiest Villages in London
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- The Most Colorful Streets in Notting Hill
- The Prettiest Neighborhoods in London
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- Why Are There Colorful Streets in London?
- Where to See Christmas Decorations in London?
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- The Best Harry Potter Locations in London
Secret London
- Artistic Hidden Gems in London, Statues & Secret Views
- The Best Hidden Gems in Brick Lane
- The Best Hidden Gems in Mayfair
- The Best Hidden Gems in Covent Garden
- The Best Hidden Gems in Oxford Street
- The Best Hidden Gems in North London
- The Best Hidden Gems in South London
- The Best Hidden Gems in East London
- The Best Hidden Gems in West London
- The Best Hidden Gems in London Bridge
- The Best Free Secret Gardens in London
- Chalcot Square Primrose Hill, London’s Most Colorful Spot
- St Dunstan in the East Church Ruins, A Must Visit in London
Other Things to Do in London
- The Best Things to Do in Canary Wharf
- The Best Things to Do in Soho
- The Best Things to Do in London Bridge
- The Best Things to Do in Camden Town
- The Best Romantic Date Ideas in London
- The Best Non Touristy Things to Do in London
- The Best Harry Potter Things to Do in London
- The Best Free Things to Do on London’s Central Line
- The Best Things to Do in London When It Rains
Other London Shopping
- The Best Charity Shops in London
- The Best Charity Shops in Bethnal Green
- The Best Charity Shops in Chelsea
- The Best Charity Shops in Kentish Town
- The Best Charity Shops in Camden Town
- The Best Charity Shops in Muswell Hill
- The Best Charity Shops in North Finchley
- The Most Beautiful Bookshops in London
- The Best Secondhand Bookshops in London
- The Best Shops on Oxford Street
- The Best Shops in Covent Garden
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- The Best British Shops in London
- The Best Cheap Clothing Shops in London
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- The Best Candle Shops in London
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- The Best Shopping Centers in London
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- The Best Things to Buy in London
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- London’s Prettiest Department Store: Harrods Egyptian Hall
- Bath and Body Works Shop at Next Westfield
Other London Food
- Where to Have Lunch for £5 in London
- The Best Cheap Eats in Central London
- Deliciously Secret Places to Eat in Central London
- The Most Instagrammable Restaurants in London
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- The Best Neapolitan Pizza in Central London
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- The Most Beautiful Restaurants in Mayfair
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- The Best Restaurants in Knightsbridge
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- The Best Restaurants in Walthamstow
- The Best Pho Restaurants in London
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Other London Cafes
- The Cutest Pink Cafes in London
- The Best Bookshop Cafes in London
- The Best Breakfast in Notting Hill
- The Best Breakfast in East London
- The Best Brunch in King’s Cross
- The Best Cafes in Shoreditch
- The Best Cafes in Brixton
- The Best Cat Cafes in London