Independent coffee shops at King's Cross
Is yours a long black, a flat white or an iced brew? Here’s where to get your daily fix.
Redemption Roasters
Redemption Roasters is a delightful space on Lower Stable Street, housed in the Victorian brick arches, with warm exposed brick and mid-century style seating. Here you’ll find great-tasting espresso and single-origin filter coffees, with a batch brew of the day.
As well as excellent coffee, a mouthwatering brunch menu and friendly staff, the ethos here is great, too. Redemption roasts its coffee in Aylesbury prison, where they train young offenders in roasting and barista skills, and help them find work within the coffee industry upon their release.
Wildcard
New kid on the block, Wildcard has just opened on Granary Square. The coffee is supplied by Quarter Horse Coffee, who have created a bespoke Wildcard blend, rich and finely roasted in small batches.
You can linger over a coffee in the cosy indoor café, or if the weather is fine, sit amongst the greenery of the outdoor terrace. Outside, there’s also a grab-and-go kiosk with hot drinks, soups, sandwiches and pastries to takeaway.
Sons + Daughters
It seems criminal to head to Sons and Daughters and not make a beeline for their sublime sandwiches, but if you’re just in the mood for a caffeine fix, they do a great coffee, too.
The space, which you’ll find at the entrance to Coal Drops Yard, is a lovely spot. It feels like a modern diner with a curved central counter, fresh tiles, greenery, and light pouring in from a bank of windows.
In spring and summer, head to the Sons + Daughters GO van that sits above the shop with its own terrace on Granary Square.
Caravan
New Zealanders take their coffee seriously. So, it’s little surprise that the NZ-owned Caravan restaurant on Granary Square offers a great cup of the black stuff. The coffee beans are roasted in small batches each day in their own roastery. Espresso mixes are fresh and always seasonal, while the filter coffees are all single-origin, and boast a unique flavour profile.
Inside, Caravan is an industrial, warehouse-style space with a lovely relaxed atmosphere. If you can nab a seat outside, the pretty terrace overlooking the fountains is one of the nicest spots in King’s Cross.
Notes
Notes should be more than familiar to London’s coffee lovers, as the independent coffee purveyors have branches dotted across the city. You’ll find the King’s Cross branch on leafy Pancras Square. Split over two floors, the buzzy ground floor level has tables inside and out with quieter seating upstairs on the cosy mezzanine.
Coffee is roasted just up the road at the Notes Roastery, and the single-origin filter coffee changes every few days. During the summer, there’s a full iced coffee menu and a delicious 18-hour cold brew.
German Gymnasium
This might just be the prettiest place for a sit-in coffee and cake in King’s Cross. Formerly one of the first purpose-built gyms in London, the imposing exterior gives way to a stunning interior, with vaulted ceilings and a dramatic pair of black steel staircases.
Time your visit for 4pm, when the clock chimes to signify the start of Kaffee & Kuchen, the classic German tradition of coffee and cake. Pair your cappuccino, latte or espresso with Apple Strudel, twice-baked cheesecake, Sachertorte, or the classic Black Forest Cake.
Spiritland
This chilled spot with a creative vibe is great for meeting a friend, catching up on work, or zoning out by yourself and enjoying the soundtrack. The sound system is one of the best in the world, and the tracks range from spiritual jazz to deep electronica, hiphop, country and more.
The coffee here is excellent, smooth and particularly strong, sourced directly from London-based Assembly Roasters Coffee. There are sweet treats such as brownies on offer, and a short but delicious menu of hot sandwiches, brunch and light bites.
BAO King’s Cross
Inspired by the Kisseten western-style cafés in Asia, BAO King’s Cross is a light-filled space on Pancras Square with blonde wood panelling and pretty paper lanterns.
As well as espresso and americanos there are some truly decadent coffee-based drinks on offer. Try a Cafe Purin, which has espresso, Taiwanese roasted sugar and custard foam, or a Bubble Affogato. Or, while not strictly coffee, the hot chocolate is decidedly fun, with honey and purple taro foam. There’s also a selection of bubble teas and coffees, including a mocha bubble, salted custard, and oolong bubble tea. Be sure to check out the bakery goods – handmade, sweet-filled bao delightfully shaped like peaches, mini loafs, and the signature sad bao face.
Longboys
Its hard to beat the classic combo of a doughnut and a coffee for the mid-morning pick-me-up. And the doughnuts at Longboys really are something special. Created by top pastry chefs, each brioche finger doughnut is freshly made and filled with gourmet ingredients. The menu is ever-changing but current legends include pandan coconut and the peanut butter jelly.
The coffee is independently roasted in London, and the house espresso is especially chosen to be the perfect match to their delicious doughnuts.
