With around 4,000 coffee shops in London alone, it is clear that Londoners have a love for the liquid gold, but who doesn’t…. it tastes amazing and now is as customisable to your needs as your car, from matcha lattes to iced coffees or even pumpkin spice. However, as the cost of everything has now become of utmost importance and I, like most of you are too, are watching everything I spend, coffee has had to take on a different role. From some it remains a necessity that will not be removed from their everyday routine, whilst for some, it may be deemed a luxury or an occasional treat. Whichever applies to you, you want to get the best bang for your coffee bean buck. So whether you like it black, or are after a specialty coffee to satisfy that craving for a cup of jo, read on to find out where you should be heading to the next time the caffeine withdrawal hits!

Best Black Coffee: Marchesi 1824

If you strip coffee back to its core and remove all of the added syrups, foams and plethora of different kinds of milk, you end up with just a shot of espresso. Pure liquid gold. You can’t help but picture cobbled Italian streets, lined with traditional Pasticceria serving up espresso and handcrafted Italian delicacies to the local people, as passers-by float between now flagship fashion stores. That is the heart of coffee and that is exactly what Milanese Pasticceria Marchesi 1824 has to offer. You simply don’t need the added extras of today’s coffee experience as the 1824 traditional Italian heritage and accumulated experience in crafting 100% arabica roasted coffee and Italian handmade pastries are transported straight into the streets of London for the authentic coffee experience. Not one ounce of the history or character of one of Milan’s oldest cafes is lost as the classic Milanese charm is found in every detail of the Prada part-owned store, from marble walls to the Italian imported baked goods on offer. So enjoy the essence and heritage of pure coffee in this fantastic location. As soon as the espresso touches your tongue you are no doubt going to be taken on a trip to Milan.

Check out their Instagram for some gorgeous coffee and pastry pictures!

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Best Iced Coffee: % Arabica

% Arabica was created with the notion of being curious about the world and the beauty of the coffee it has to offer, giving consumers a true global experience. The owner, Kenneth Shoji, used coffee beans from his Hawaii coffee farm, cutting-edge Japanese roasting equipment, and one of the greatest espresso machines in the world to develop % Arabica in Kyoto, Japan. This opened the way for a diverse coffee experience. The business, which lives up to its motto of "exploring the globe through coffee," has donated its outstanding coffee experience to Covent Garden in the UK, allowing every palate to enjoy flavours from all over the world through its cleverly designed menu. Their Spanish Iced Coffee is what takes the cake for us, a deep roasted flavour from the coffee beans that is then sweetened by condensed milk and served over ice. You have got to get your hands on one now.

Check out their Instagram for some coffee inspiration and some cool coffee videos!

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Best Bougie Coffee: Ralph’s Coffee

At Ralph’s Coffee, you can experience the trans-Atlantic journey without taking a flight as every cup of coffee has a little bit of New York in it! Shop 'til you drop at the Mayfair Ralph Lauren’s flagship store before relaxing in an American-style coffee shop to take in the opulent Mayfair ambience. As it was intended in their original Big Apple store on Fifth Avenue, the white tiled café with flares of iconic Central Perk green is the ideal area to people-watch and grab some rest bite from shopping. Their exclusive mixes of South and Central American roasted beans, with a rich chocolate flavour and the ideal amount of acidity, are specially created for drip coffee. So we can assure you that this bougie coffee experience is exactly what you need to treat yourself!

Check out their Instagram for some more coffee content and head to their website to find out more!

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Best Specialty Coffee: Golóso

A speciality coffee is screaming your name when you want something different from your standard black coffee and are feeling daring. At Golóso, the Italian chefs and crew create top-notch cuisine and beverages using only the finest ingredients that are imported straight from the Mediterranean. The finest example of this is the Sicilian-grown pistachio, which is proudly used in several dishes on the menu, most notably the nutty pistachio latte with pistachio cream smeared along the glass, which may be enjoyed hot or cold inside their mosaic-tiled cafe!

Check out their Instagram for more coffee content and some delicious pastry pics!

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Most Innovative Coffee: Roasting Plant

In the world's first café where beans are roasted on-site to offer you the freshest cup of coffee you can get your hands on, the Roasting Plant lets you go from bean to brew in one automated journey. The world's greatest coffee beans have been sought out by the coffee masters, who return from their travels with a selection of specially chosen global coffee beans, from Jamaica to Columbia. These beans are treated with care and brought to the UK where they are roasted using Javabot technology in accordance with the coffee master's specific instructions, right when you make your order, before being put in your cup. You will have the smoothest, richest, and freshest coffee flavour available anywhere by doing all of this, which takes no longer than visiting any other coffee shop. This is by far the most innovative coffee we have seen and would definitely recommend you check it out if you want a side of an experience with your coffee.

Check out their Instagram for some amazing coffee information and head to their website for more details!

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Best Plant-Based Coffee: Plants by De

Celebrating everything it means to be plant-based, Plants be De makes everything in-house to honour the beauty in plant diversity. From the award-winning Deliciously Ella brand, everything in this store is made to its owner's impeccable standards and will leave you feeling refreshed and energised. This is of course the case for all of their hot drinks, which are made with a choice of their natural and plant-based oat, almond or coconut milk alternatives. Their extensive selection means that you can satisfy a speciality coffee pang with a turmeric or matcha latte, or can play it safe with a plant-based cappuccino or flat white. Whether you classify yourself as a vegan or not, you have got to give this place a go.

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