Curators Coffee Studio - Best Independent Coffee Shop 2026

LCF Awards Spotlight Q&A

1. Congratulations on your win! Can you tell us a little about your business and what makes it special?

Curators Coffee has been going for over 15 years, and we curate a selection of the most delicious and interesting coffee around. Our team of some of the best baristas in London serve up expertly-crafted coffee, always with the best vibes to get you caffeinated and ready to face the world. We’re also a non-profit, part of SEND Coffee, and all our profits go directly to our charity, supporting people with special educational needs and disabilities.

2. What award did you win at The London Coffee Festival Awards 2026 or 2025, and what does that recognition mean to you and your team?

We were delighted to win the Best Independent Coffee Shop award in 2026. It’s a huge deal for our team, especially because we were nominated with some real heavy hitters, but we have an awesome bunch of regulars, and since we’ve been here so long it feels like a testament to everyone’s hard work who has helped Curators become what it is today. We were the only non-profit nominated, so it was really special to win as a charity as well.

3. What inspired you to enter The London Coffee Festival Awards?

We wanted to showcase everything Curators can do and shine a light on our awesome little shop. We knew how much it would mean to the team as well – they put so much hard work into Curators and really make it what it is.

4. What do you think helped you stand out and secure the win?

It’s the coffee – delicious espresso and an awesome ever-changing selection of filter means even the most casual customers become regulars, and that support is something we never take for granted. The team makes it a great experience every time you come in, and our playlist is unmatched – don’t be surprised if you come in and our baristas are dancing along behind the bar! It’s the character of the shop and of our team, and the coffee we love so much, which makes it an awesome place to be.

5. Tell us about the journey behind your business. What has been your proudest achievement so far?

We work with amazing young people with disabilities and see them transform during a period of change, as they make the jump from being kids into adults. When thinking about our proudest moments, so many outcomes spring to mind – one of our learners who couldn't take a bus alone booking a trip to Paris, a learner who had a phobia of the kitchen cooking us all a meal, walking into a random coffee shop and bumping into one of our former learners, now a head barista. It's the young people we're most proud of and Curators is a huge part of their journey.

6. What impact has winning had on your business, team or community since the awards were announced?

It’s been a huge energiser for our business – the award is front and centre in the shop, and we’ve been getting a lot of comments and congratulations from our customers. It’s an awesome boost!

7. How important is it to receive recognition from the coffee community?

It’s incredibly important. As a small non-profit, we’re always talking about the quality of our coffee and the strength of our shops alongside our charity work, and this award really cements that our coffee is bang on. Since our shops directly fund our charity work, it’s really important that people keep coming in so hopefully this award will bring in more coffee-loving customers!

8. If someone was visiting your coffee shop for the first time, what's the one thing they absolutely shouldn't miss?

Our filter range – it’s constantly changing, always featuring some of our own beans from SEND Coffee alongside carefully curated favourites from roasteries around London and further afield. Even if you normally go for a flat white or another espresso-based drink, we’d definitely recommend trying out something funky from our filter range – you might become a convert!

9. What's next? Are there any exciting plans, projects or ambitions on the horizon?

Lots happening at SEND Coffee! We have been increasingly working on doing our own technical work – fixing up espresso machines and grinders for our clients – and we're happy to say we're launching SEND Technicians as a training model next year. We plan to offer a technical option that's linked to a nonprofit, giving people an option that puts money back into the community in an area that needs more operators. Watch this space!

10. What advice would you give to businesses thinking about entering The London Coffee Festival Awards in the future?

Absolutely do it! Winning has been such a boost for the team, and we’re all so proud to work at an award-winning coffee shop. Our regulars are vindicated in their choice of coffee shop too! One bit of advice is to make your business as strong as possible and see what you can do to make you stand out – if you’re doing something you’re proud of and you love, the awards will come.

Instagram: @curators_coffee | @sendcoffee__