Best Specialty Coffee Roasters in London (2025) | A Local's Guide

London is one of the world's great specialty coffee cities. With over 700 independent roasters across the UK and a specialty coffee market growing at 10.7% annually (according to Grand View Research), the capital's roasting scene spans everything from 500-outlet wholesale empires to single-origin micro-batch operations roasting under 10 kg at a time.

Here are the roasters shaping London's specialty coffee landscape in 2025, from established pioneers to emerging independents.

The Pioneers

Monmouth Coffee Company

Est. 1978 | Covent Garden, Borough Market, Bermondsey

London's original specialty roaster. Founded by Nick Saunders and Anita Le Roy, Monmouth helped define the city's third-wave movement decades before the term existed. Known for single-origin focus, long-term direct farm relationships, and a commitment to filter coffee over espresso trends. Multiple Monmouth alumni went on to found their own London roasteries.

Square Mile Coffee Roasters

Est. 2008 | East London

Co-founded by James Hoffmann (2007 World Barista Champion) and Anette Moldvaer, Square Mile became one of London's largest wholesale specialty roasters. Known for seasonal single-origin coffees and community building. Hoffmann's The World Atlas of Coffee and YouTube channel have made him one of the most influential voices in global coffee education.

Climpson & Sons

Est. 2002 | Broadway Market, Hackney

Started as a coffee cart on Broadway Market by Ian Burgess, Climpson & Sons grew into a full roastery under the railway arches at Helmsley Place. B Corp certified. Their cafe occupies a former butcher's shop on Broadway Market, and they've partnered with Dusty Knuckle bakery for food. A genuine East London institution with deep community roots.

Award-Winning Innovators

Origin Coffee Roasters

Est. 2004 | Cornwall & Shoreditch

Headquartered in Helston, Cornwall, with a Shoreditch training lab and cafe. B Corp certified. Won Best Specialty Coffee Roaster in Europe and Overall Winner at the 2025 Global Coffee Awards, plus Most Sustainable Brand at the European Coffee & Hospitality Awards. Known for direct trade and sustainability leadership.

Workshop Coffee

Est. 2011 | Clerkenwell, Fitzrovia, Belgravia

Guided by a "clean, sweet, and fresh" philosophy. Won Best Independent Coffee Shop — Europe at the 2013 European Coffee Awards. Now supplies Claridge's (since 2017), Raffles London, the Langham, and nearly 40 hotel properties. Their new Belgravia training academy signals a push towards 100+ hospitality partnerships.

Kiss the Hippo

Est. 2018 | Richmond & 6+ London locations

Founded by Can Eren. London's first carbon-negative coffee company, certified in 2021 by Swiss nonprofit On A Mission. Six London locations. Won a 2023 Great Taste Award for their coffee pods and were nominated for an Amazon Innovation Award. Quarterly CO₂ audits and offsets through global reforestation.

East London & Beyond

Ozone Coffee Roasters

Est. 1998 (NZ) | East London since ~2012

Founded in New Zealand by Karen and Jamie Hodson, Ozone brought Antipodean cafe culture to London. B Corp certified. Known for brunch-and-coffee destination spaces and direct producer relationships. Occasionally stocks Geisha varietal coffees.

Dark Arts Coffee

Est. 2014 | Homerton, Hackney, Shoreditch, Soho

Founded by muralist-turned-roaster Brad Morrison. Goth-metal-biker aesthetic, railway arch roastery in Homerton, and a Soho flagship in collaboration with fashion brand Aries Arise. Roasts to order. Proof that specialty coffee doesn't have to be minimalist or precious.

Allpress Espresso

Est. 1986 (NZ) | Dalston since 2010

Founded in New Zealand by Michael Allpress. Uses custom-built hot air roasters shipped from NZ. Only sources specialty-grade arabica scoring 83+ on the SCA scale. Operates from a restored 1895 joinery factory in Dalston. Pioneered a full-service wholesale model where training and equipment maintenance are included in the price.

Assembly Coffee

Est. 2015 | Brixton

Housed in a converted 19th-century fire station on Ferndale Road. Uses a Loring roaster with a sensory lab and cupping event spaces. Focused on supporting independent cafe owners with roasting education, sensory science, and equipment advice.

Rising Stars

WatchHouse

Est. 2014 | Bermondsey & 19+ locations

London's fastest-growing specialty chain. 62% year-on-year revenue growth to £15.4 million in FY2024. Raised £7.2 million in crowdfunding (oversubscribed by 700%). Now roasts its own coffee and targets 500 global locations by 2033.

Volcano Coffee Works

Est. 2010 | Brixton

Small-batch, ethically sourced, roasted in a Brixton railway arch. Multiple Great Taste Award winners, including in 2024.

The Specialist: High Note Roasters

Est. 2024 | N1, London

Full disclosure: this is us. High Note Roasters occupies a niche that most London roasters don't directly serve — the rare-varietal, floral-focused, micro-batch segment.

While the roasters above build wholesale empires, cafe chains, or broad portfolios, our entire identity is built around Gesha and other rare floral cultivars roasted in batches under 10 kg. Current offerings include Ethiopian Gesha Village lots, Chinese Yunlan Estate Geisha from Yunnan, Peruvian micro-lots, and Colombian Sidra — all selected for jasmine, bergamot, and tea-like clarity.

We operate as a direct-to-consumer online roastery, shipping from N1 across the UK and worldwide. It's a deliberately small-scale model: fewer beans, more attention to each batch, and coffees that would otherwise only be available to auction buyers or industry professionals.

London's Coffee Neighbourhoods

• Shoreditch / Hackney / Dalston: The spiritual home of London specialty. Allpress, Dark Arts, Origin, Climpson & Sons, Ozone.
• Bermondsey / Borough: Foodie destination anchored by Borough Market. Monmouth, WatchHouse.
• Brixton: Community-oriented. Assembly (fire station), Volcano (railway arch).
• Fitzrovia / Marylebone: Central and polished. Workshop Coffee, Kaffeine.
• King's Cross: Emerging hub. Gramos Coffee, Caravan Coffee Roasters.

Related Reading

• What Is Gesha (Geisha) Coffee? — everything you need to know about the world's most prized coffee variety
• Micro-Batch Coffee Roasting Explained — how small-batch roasting produces better specialty coffee

Frequently Asked Questions

How many specialty coffee roasters are in London?

There's no definitive count, but the World Coffee Portal estimates over 700 roasters across the UK as of 2024. London is home to the highest concentration, particularly in East and South London.

What's the best coffee neighbourhood in London?

Shoreditch, Hackney, and Dalston in East London have the highest density of specialty roasters and cafes. Bermondsey and Brixton in South London are strong alternatives with more of a local, community feel.

Can I buy specialty coffee beans online from London roasters?

Yes. Most London roasters ship across the UK and many ship internationally. High Note Roasters, Square Mile, Dark Arts, Kiss the Hippo, and Workshop Coffee all offer online ordering with home delivery.

What does "third wave" coffee mean?

Third-wave coffee is a movement that treats coffee as an artisanal food (like wine or craft beer) rather than a commodity. It emphasises single-origin sourcing, lighter roast profiles, transparent supply chains, and precise brewing. London's third-wave movement began with Monmouth Coffee in 1978 and accelerated in the 2000s with Square Mile and Climpson & Sons.