A Sip Through London’s Independent Gems

Take a peek at where the team’s been fuelling up lately — first stops include Batch Baby, Allpress, Lodestar, Running Late, Dusty Knuckle, and Pophams…

🐣 Batch Baby — Haggerston

Roasters: Sweven, Coborn, Swerl, Dayglow, Skylark, Three Marks
Takeaway Tip: Regent’s Canal stroll
Vibe: Multi-roaster magic meets community events

Batch Baby is a must-visit, with its cast of top-tier roasters and a buzzing calendar of events. Our flat white and banana bread were the perfect companions for a canal-side wander at Regent’s Canal.

🔗 See our Batch Baby Spotlight here.

🥖 Pophams — Islington

Roaster: Ozone Coffee
Takeaway Tip: Islington Green
Vibe: Sourdough sophistication

At Pophams, coffee meets culinary creativity. Their iced oat latte was a dream on the warm summers day, but the real star? A tuna and wasabi sourdough that had us rethinking lunch forever! Stylish, flavourful, and just a short walk from leafy Islington Green – perfect for a coffee date or on-the-go caffeine fix!
 

🌿 Allpress — Dalston
Roaster: Allpress
Takeaway Tip: Their own buzzing front garden
Vibe: Roastery calm with a community pulse

Allpress in Dalston is a sanctuary for coffee lovers. With beans roasted on-site and a garden that hums with conversation, it’s the kind of place you linger. We did just that, soaking up the sun and sipping slowly.

🔗 See our Allpress Spotlight here.

🥐 Dusty Knuckle Van — Highbury
Roaster: Origin
Takeaway Tip: Highbury Fields
Vibe: Pastry paradise on wheels

Opposite Highbury Fields, this pastry-packed spot offers sweet and savoury delights alongside high-quality coffee. Their classic cinnamon bun was to die for – and with picnic benches and sunshine, it sealed the deal for us!
 

🌙 Lodestar — Hackney Downs
Roasters: TANAT, Catalyst, NATIVE, Lodestar x DAK
Takeaway Tip: Explore Hackney Downs
Vibe: Late-night brews and chilled vibes

Lodestar is a hidden treasure with a menu that spans not just a selection of coffee, but tea, iced drinks and matcha-more! Open late and full of character, it’s the kind of place that turns a casual coffee into an evening hangout hotspot for locals and newbies alike!

🔗 See our Lodestar Spotlight here.

🏃 Running Late — Hackney
Roaster: Ozone Coffee
Takeaway Tip: Grab-and-go with a side of community
Vibe: Hatch, heart and community

Running Late is more than a coffee shop with a super cool hatch— it’s a place where caffeine meets connection! With baked goods sourced from local producers, Running Late is your go-to spot for not just fantastic coffee, but also for your weekly walk, run and Pilates clubs. Co-Founders Shaun & Tom also showed us their brand-new coffee vending machine which we loved, so keep an eye out for that the next time you find yourself there!

Dark Arts — Hackney
Roaster: Dark Arts Coffee

Just down from Homerton Station, you’ll smell some seriously good coffee being roasted. That’s @darkartscoffee calling you!
Pop in for your morning pick-me-up, grab a pastry and catch the Dark Arts team hard at work roasting some unbelievable coffee.

🔗 See our Dark Arts Spotlight here.

Milk — Balham
Roasters: Assembly and Plot Roasting

Milk is all about creative twists on the classics: think burnt butter hollandaise, the “Convict” muffin sandwich, Sweet Maria and seasonal specials that change year‑round. What really stands out is how they build everything from great ingredients and independent suppliers. Their ethos mixes quality, flavour and community. 

🔗 See our Milk Spotlight here.

Flying Horse Coffee - Hackney
Roaster: Flying Horse Coffee (roasted on-site at Mare Street Market)
Takeaway Tip: Explore Mare Street Market or wander through nearby London Fields
Vibe: East London energy meets small-batch precision

Flying Horse roast their own coffee behind the scenes at Mare Street Market, serving it out front from their hatch with warmth, character, and a strong sense of community. Established in 2018, the name nods to the 16th-century inn that once welcomed travellers - today, every cup keeps that spirit alive.

Since then, they’ve opened locations at BBC Television Centre, Portobello Market, and Holywell Lane in Shoreditch, serving coffee and brunch with signature flair.

Volcano (Door Coffee Bar) - Brixton
Roasters: Assembly Coffee & Volcano Coffee Works
Takeaway Tip: Bowie mural at Windrush Square or a wander through Brixton Village
Vibe: Local roots, creative energy

Tucked away in the heart of Brixton, Door Coffee Bar is where Volcano and Assembly unite to serve the neighbourhood’s daily caffeine fix. It’s all about quality, community, and conversation with great coffee, pastries from The Snapery, and a welcoming vibe that reflects Brixton’s spirit. Every three months, they host Open Door Complimentary Coffee Days, alongside a host of community and partner events that keep the area buzzing.

📸 Follow the journey: www.instagram.com/londoncoffeefestival
📍 Keep track of where we’ve been with our handy on-the-go map here.