The Fields Beneath, Kentish Town

If you find yourself in Kentish Town there is only one place to go for a great coffee.  The Fields Beneath is a charming little cafe under an otherwise uninteresting railway arch by Kentish Town West overground station.

The coffee is made using a variety of the best bean brands including Square Mile coffee. Delicious pastries, sandwiches produced with locally sourced ingredients  are also available. The sausage roll is particularly good (ask them to heat it up for you). Sit amongst the books and trinkets at the communal wooden table whilst enjoying your morning pick me up.

I love the name…The Fields Beneath references a history book about Kentish Town – and is on sale in the cafe. Aside from my deliciously creamy flat white and wonderfully calorific almond croissant, I was impressed by the personable, friendly service making this the ideal neighbourhood cafe. The Fields Beneath is easily a nominee for North London’s best coffee shop.

Follow The Fields Beneath on twitter here.

Attendant, Fitzrovia

 

Forget Soho, Great Titchfield Street has less people and better coffee. This underestimated road is fuelling the London coffee craze with cafes popping up regularly offering deliciously brewed blends and awesome snacks.

Attendant is the most recent addition and quirkiest hang out of the lot: a brand new underground coffee and sandwich house located in a converted subterranean Victorian gentleman’s toilet in the heart of Fitzrovia (on the corner of Great Titchfield and Foley Street). They are not the first to transform a toilet, but it is perhaps the most stylish conversion, skillfully using the original features to create a fashionable and attractive venue. The little kitchen is in the old attendant’s office, hence the name.

The exterior is gothic and intriguing, an intricate black metal cage leading down to a coffee cave. Once you have daringly taken a peek inside, you will discover a bright and cheery retro interior. The cafe offers ten covers downstairs, and kerbside service up on the street. The Attendant crew use Caravan beans and the best equipment to make their coffees. Tempting snacks sit stacked on the counter: epic NYC inspired sandwiches (think sliced smoked turkey, pastrami on rye, cuban, sloppy joes, cheese melts, lobster rolls, dill pickles, pulled pork etc), salads and incredible cakes.

I sat at one of the remaining ‘urinals’, which still stand with the original bathroom tiles and an additional inserted wooden table. It took me a while to adjust to my surroundings but I have to admit the old loo serves a purpose, perfect for solo visitors or private laptop browsing as you feel contained in your little cubicle.

I enjoyed an immaculately made flat white, creamy and smooth and just the right strength for me. The ideal afternoon pick me up. Had I not just eaten a burger for lunch, I would have tried a foodie treat as well – all the choices looked divine.

The coolest coffee club in town and my favourite new haunt – great brew even greater venue.

WARNING: Not open on weekends, only 7.30-17.30 Monday-Friday.

More information here: http://www.the-attendant.com/

Best coffee in Soho

As a blogger on the go and a coffee fanatic, I am always on the lookout for the best independent coffee houses. Internet and plug sockets are certainly a bonus, but if the coffee is good enough, I’m willing to sit in a cramped corner to enjoy a good blend and brew. Soho is forever introducing new and quirkier cafes, as the city’s centre for good food and drink, I thought it was about time I compiled a list of my top Soho coffee hang-outs.

1. Nude Espresso, Soho Square: Cute and cool, many believe Nude Espresso offers the best coffee in Soho. I was impressed by the silky smooth flat white and the indulgent hot chocolate.

2. Rapha Cycle Club, Brewer Street: For coffee and cycle lovers alike… careful and precise baristas make unrivalled espressos and in the shop trendy cycling gear hangs ready for the more athletic foodies to admire! Huge and light venue ideal for relaxing and reading a book.

3. Tapped and Packed, Wardour Street: My favourite place to write and think… a hazily lit, lazy lounge with low hung lights and wooden benches. Plenty of space to stretch your legs, open your laptop and wile away the afternoon browsing the net. T&P offer a wide range of coffees, so there is variety for picky customers.

4. Flat White, Berwick Street: Another tiny venue and a real coffee destination. If you can bear a crowd, the delicious coffee here really is worth fighting for. Serving a very moreish Square Mile blend.

5. Speakeasy, Lowndes Court: Hidden away behind Carnaby Street, Speakeasy is a fun venue. Great coffee, cool crowd, shame about the lack of plug sockets and internet access (bloggers beware this is not the ideal writing venue). Groovy neon artwork on the walls by Benjamin Jamie.

6. Foxcroft and Ginger, Berwick Street: Filled with arty types F&G serve flavoursome food and good coffee. I love the mismatched chairs and eclectic decor. The welcoming chatter and friendly staff make this cafe a great place to spend time alone or with friends.

7. Milk Bar: This place is hip and happening and has a following of loyal fans. Like its sister branch Flat White, Milk Bar offers a balanced blend of Square Mile coffee. The interior is cosy and familiar, a lovely place to gossip with friends.

Other great coffee houses nearby: New Row Coffee and Kaffeine.