The Delights of Coffee Season - the London Autumn Edit

Five neighbourhood favourites, five distinctive cups, and the little rituals making autumn in London feel that bit cosier.

There’s something about the start of autumn in London that completely changes my coffee routine. The first cooler mornings, snuggly jumpers coming back out of the wardrobe and that slight crispness in the air suddenly make an on-the-go coffee feel less like a caffeine fix and more like a little daily ritual.

I love discovering coffee shops all over London, but there are five I find myself religiously going to. They’re dotted across some of my favourite neighbourhoods, from Fulham and Notting Hill to Belgravia and Battersea, and each has its own personality. And, yes, I’m a sucker for a beautiful takeaway cup and a fresh set of shellac nails for the gram....guilty !

Café Two - Fulham

Café Two is exactly the sort of neighbourhood coffee spot I love having in my rotation. Tucked away on Wandsworth Bridge Road in Fulham, it feels local, relaxed and unfussy, not to mention the BEST cakes and pastries!

The Açaí Girls - Notting Hill

The Açaí Girls has a completely different energy. Bright, colourful and instantly recognisable, it brings a little bit of sunshine to Westbourne Grove even when London starts turning grey.

There’s something particularly lovely about carrying one of their bright cups through the autumn streets of Notting Hill when everything else is becoming a little more muted.

Chestnut Bakery - Belgravia

Chestnut Bakery on Elizabeth Street might be my ultimate autumn coffee stop.

Belgravia already comes into its own at this time of year, and Chestnut has that warm bakery atmosphere that makes you want to stay far longer than planned. My go to? A hazelnut latte!

Bayley & Sage - Parsons Green

Bayley & Sage has always had that lovely neighbourhood feeling that makes Parsons Green so special.

There’s an everyday luxury to picking up a coffee here. It’s not about making a big occasion of it; it’s simply a really lovely part of the day. There's something really wonderful about buying a fresh bunch of flowers, a croissant from their bakery and a coffee to go to start the day.

21 Grams - Battersea

And finally, 21 Grams on Northcote Road is my Battersea favourite.

It has that proper speciality-coffee feel while still being relaxed enough to make it an easy everyday stop. There’s something I love about grabbing a coffee here and heading straight back out onto Northcote Road, particularly on one of those bright, chilly mornings when Battersea feels at its best.

It’s simple, good coffee without too much fuss, which sometimes is exactly what you need.