A local’s review of the secret Host Cafe in St Mary Aldermary, near St Paul’s Cathedral – one of the best hidden coffee shops inside a historical church!
Hi, and welcome to this new review of one of the most instagrammable cafes in London: Host Cafe in St Paul’s!
Probably one of the cutest and best hidden cafes in London, Host Cafe was built in a church, just a couple of minutes’ walk away from Millenium Bridge.
A couple of months ago, I passed by Host Cafe by chance, and I decided to go in and discover a bit more of the atmosphere you have there.
And best believe me, if you’re ever looking for study cafes in St Paul’s and the Strand, Host Cafe is definitely a place to discover!
London’s Host Cafe Review – Secret Coffee Shop in a Church
Host Cafe is hidden in one of the small streets adjacent to St Paul’s Cathedral, so if you’re ever visiting the city and looking for non touristy things to do in London…
That’s a great place to start.
Not only because finding a hidden coffee shop in a church in London is not something you do every day.
Well, I don’t know about you, but I personally don’t.
It’s probably one of the quietest cafes in London to work and relax, too.
After all, Host Cafe is set inside a church, isn’t it?
St Mary Aldermary is a famous 17th Century Gothic church, and one of the most famous in the whole of England.
And to be honest, if you’re looking for instagrammable cafes in London, the setting is fabulous.
Incredible, even, with pure, white moldings, stunning chandeliers and overall a place in which you really feel good.
Coffee Shop in a Church: Host Cafe Atmosphere
I paid a visit to Host Cafe in St Mary Aldermary a few months ago, as I said, while I was on my way to capture a few shots of Temple Church and the surrounding area.
If you love finding hidden gems in London, Temple Church is one of my favorite, with beautiful architecture, and the houses of Inner Temple are really cute too.
Anyhoo.
I visited Host Cafe in the morning, just to write a bit on my notebook, get a coffee and a cake – something I seem to live by.
Since the church coffee shop is actually quite spacious, there was lots of seating space available.
The cool thing about Host Cafe is that if you’re looking for cheap, almost free coworking spaces in London, it will have you covered.
If you only want to stay for a couple of hours, you don’t have to pay anything except for your drink and your snack.
However, if you know you need to stay for more, there are coworking formulas for anyone who needs to use power outlets and the coffee shop’s WiFi.
Read: The Most Colorful Places in London
Coffee Shop in a Church St Paul’s: Host Cafe London Menu
On the Host Cafe menu, there weren’t that many options, but you could definitely see that everything there is fresh and delicious.
You have specialty coffee, tea, plenty of stunning cakes, sandwiches…
The counter is literally tiny, but there is indeed food for those who want to spend all day working at Host Cafe.
Read: The Best Breakfast in Notting Hill
Instagrammable Cafes in London: What I Ordered at Host Cafe St Paul’s
When I went to the St Paul’s cafe, I felt like having breakfast, so I went for two simple options: V60 coffee and a slice of carrot cake.
If I remember well, that set me back something like 7 pounds – which is quite okay considering that St Paul’s is one of the most famous places in London.
Also, if you’re ever looking for spots to see free views of London, you have both the One New Change rooftop and the Reflection Garden, with a view straight on St Paul’s a few minutes away.
Read: The Best Cafes in London Bridge
The coffee was good, I have to say it.
But if there’s one thing I’d come back to Host Cafe for – if not to work on my laptop, it would be that carrot cake.
I love finding places for carrot cake in London, because while there are many coffee shops offering it, it’s not always the best.
And yet, like cheesecake, it’s one of my favorites – so to find the place that makes it that moist, and the cream that creamy…
It’s a win for me.
Read: The Best Places to Study in Southbank
London’s Host Cafe Review – Secret Coffee Shop in a Church
All in all, here’s the complete Host Cafe review – one of the most instagrammable cafes in London to study and just relax!
It’s easily one of the quietest spots and one of the best places to write in London, if you want my opinion.
The only downside is that it can get a little bit cold if you spend all day at Host Cafe – make sure you keep the coffee coming!