[title]
The one-inch punch of the caffeine world, the mini but mighty espresso inspires near-religious devotion among Italians. A perfectly pulled espresso is the benchmark of any barista worth his beans.
Allpress
The original London home of this Kiwi coffee brand is kicking out some of Shoreditch’s best coffee, roasted daily and served by en pointe baristas. Their espresso, in particular, is textbook: perfect crema, lush berry flavours and deep, dark chocolate notes. The food here is great too, if you want to stick around. 58 Redchurch St. Shoreditch High St Overground.
Workshop Coffee Co
Attention to detail is the trademark of this premier-league roaster, where both beans and baristas undergo rigorous training and testing. The product of this exacting approach is one of London’s best espressos: fruity and buttery, with an intense dark chocolate finish. 80a Mortimer St. Oxford Circus. Other branches across central London.
Birdhouse
The baristas nurture their machines like newborn babies at this intimate Battersea café. Consistency is a strong point – locals rave about the perfect espressos, from Climpson & Sons beans, served on sunshine-coloured saucers. 123 St John's Hill. Clapham Junction Overground.
Timberyard
Espresso shooters at this creative caffeine- powered workspace can choose between a smooth, stone-fruit-tinged single estate from Burundi, and the fruity, chocolatey Climpson’s Estate blend. Whichever tickles your fancy, the quality remains the same: clean-tasting, carefully handled and true to the bean. 61-67 Old St. Old St. Other branches across central London.
Espresso Room
You could return every day to this Bloomsbury favourite – plenty do – and you’d find the same: modest, merry baristas pulling consistently beautifully crafted espressos from their gleaming Synesso machine. There’s a roster of guest roasts, but the perennially excellent Caravan supplies the espresso blend, which suits us just fine. 31-35 Great Ormond St. Russell Square.