Finding Good Australian Coffee in London: A Guide for Aussies Missing Their Daily Brew

If there’s one thing Australia does exceptionally well, it’s coffee.

In fact, Melbourne is known for having some of the best coffee culture in the world. So when you’re travelling overseas, finding a decent coffee can sometimes feel like a mission which often just ends with a cup of disappointment instead.

Whether it’s instant, weak drip coffee, boiling- burn your tongue hot- and bitter or something that tastes suspiciously like hot milk with a hint of coffee waved somewhere in its general direction, we’ve all been there…..many times! 😔

And don’t even get me started on people thinking flat white and a latte are the same thing.

Or the horrible thought that you might have to even brave going into a Starbucks to get a coffee!  😬

Sometimes all you want is a really good coffee to get you through the day, and it can make or break your morning with a bad cup! And if you’re an Aussie living in London or travelling through London, sometimes you just want a little taste of home.

Let’s be honest, if you’re Australian and you drink coffee, you’ve probably become a coffee snob whether you realise it or not!

After living in London for a few years, I spent a lot of time searching for cafes that live up to Aussie standards. Thankfully, London’s coffee scene is slowly coming along, and there are now plenty of places serving excellent Aussie-style coffee.

Here are some of my favourite spots for finding good Australian coffee in London.

Farm Girl Cafe

With locations in Notting Hill, Chelsea and Paddington, Farm Girl has become one of my favourite coffee stops in London.

While they do great coffee, what they’re really known for are their creative lattes. If you’re feeling like change from your every day coffee, try the Rose Latte or Lavender Latte. They are both absolutely delish!

If you’re also after a great brunch spot- this is it! I highly recommend the cherry ripe Pancakes!

The Notting Hill location is particularly beautiful and makes a perfect stop just down the road from Portobello Road Markets.

If you’ve read my London itineraries before, you’ll know this place has made more than one appearance for good reason!

☕ Address:

59A Portobello Rd, London W11 3DB, Notting Hill (the OG cafe)

9 Park Walk, London, SW10 0AJ, Chelsea

1 Paddington square, W21DL, Paddington

I would personally advise you to try either the Notting Hill or the Chelsea site, the Paddington site is a lot newer and I Personally just don’t think it is as good as the other two sites.

Antipodes Cafe

Located across the road from Hammersmith Tube Station, Antipodes feels like stepping into an Aussie brunch cafe.

The coffee is excellent, the brekkies are even better, and it’s one of those places where you can easily lose a couple of hours over brunch.

I used to come here a lot on the weekends and was my favourite local brunch place, when living in this area- they also do great juices!

If you’re looking for a proper Aussie-style cafe experience in London, this is a great place to start.

☕ Address:

28 Fulham Palace Rd, Hammersmith

Flat White, Soho

You can’t really talk about Australian coffee in London without mentioning Flat White.

Located in the heart of Soho, this cafe started in 2005 and has been going strong ever since. It was one of the OG’s of bringing Australian coffee culture and the Flat white to London!

The coffee is consistently good, and it’s become something of an institution among coffee lovers.

It’s a small space tucked away in the maze that is Soho and can get pretty busy especially on the weekends and has more of a cafe/espresso bar type vibe than a full cafe  and has fresh pastries available. But it’s most definitely worth a visit if you’re in Soho.

☕ Address:

17 Berwick St, London W1F 0PT

Milk Beach

Another fantastic Australian cafe in London is Milk Beach.

Also located in Soho, Milk Beach serves excellent specialty coffee alongside an Australian-inspired menu that feels straight out of Melbourne.

It’s one of those places where you can grab a coffee or settle in for a long brunch and feel right at home.

☕ Address:

14 Greek St, James Court, London W1D 4AL

Kaffeine

With two locations in Fitzrovia, Kaffeine is one of the best places in London for serious coffee lovers.

 Kaffeine has built a reputation for consistently excellent coffee and knowledgeable baristas.

The best part?

You can order a Melbourne favourite: the Magic.

For those unfamiliar with this Melbourne specialty, a Magic is made with a double Ristretto shot and a smaller amount of milk than a flat white or latte. It’s stronger, smoother, and if you’re from Melbourne, it might just make you feel like you’re back home.

☕ Address:

66 Great Titchfield St., London W1W 7QJ

15 Eastcastle St, London W1T 3AY

Both locations are in Fitzrovia and a couple of blocks away from each other.

The Daisy Green Collection

The Daisy Green collection is a series of cafes dotted all over London and has become one of the biggest Australian cafe groups in London.

With locations across central London, you’re never too far away from one.

Beany Green and Darcie and May Green are both very close to Paddington station in Little Venice and were my go- to’s while living in London as I worked close by.

Beany Green occasionally changes their menu (does a great brunch menu though) and their pastries, but most days you can get different flavoured lamingtons or a vegemite and cheese scroll to accompany your coffee.

If you want a picturesque view to match your coffee, I recommend Darcie and May green that is on a canal barge where you can enjoy a delicious brunch with mimosas and of course your morning brew on the top deck on a nice sunny day!

☕ Other Green Locations

☕ Timmy green: 11 Sir Simon Milton Square, London SW1E 5DJ (close to Victoria Station)

☕ Peggy Jean: The Boat, Bridge Boat House, Riverside, Richmond TW9 1TH

☕ Bondi Green: 2 Canalside Walk, Bishop’s Bridge Rd, W2 1DG, Paddington

☕ Beany Green:  Located in multiple locations

 6C sheldon square Little Venice

25 Brock St, London NW1 3FG, Regents Place

Belvedere Rd, London SE1 8XX, Southbank

41 Broadgate, London EC2M 2QS, Broadgate Circle

Why is Australian Coffee Culture Different?

One of the reasons Australians can be so particular about coffee is that Australia developed a unique coffee culture heavily influenced by European migrants, particularly Italian and Greek communities.

Unlike many countries that embraced drip coffee, Australia focused on espresso-based coffee. Over time, this evolved into the cafe culture that cities like Melbourne are now famous for.

Today, Melbourne is often voted as the city with the best coffee in the world with independent roasters, award winning trained baristas and a relentless focus on quality.

So if you’ve ever found yourself explaining the difference between a Flat White and a Latte you’re not the only one!

 London has come a long way when it comes to coffee.

So whether you’re an Aussie traveller looking for a taste of home, an expat missing a decent coffee, or simply a coffee lover searching for the best coffee in London, these cafes won’t disappoint.

After all, sightseeing is much easier after coffee!