Department of Coffee and Social Affairs Leather Lane

Simply amazing coffee place! It is a bit expensive but worth it.. baristas They are really nice and the place has its own touch.. plus they have different beans so you choose which one you want (they gladly help you to decide), coffee is just brilliant.. beautiful beautiful coffee.. I normally don't like strong coffee and I normally drink with just one shot and lots of milk (latte) since coffee is normally too bitter for me and tastes bad but here asked for two shots and I love it! So now I think that I like quite strong coffee but it has to be good quality one! I think Costa, Starbucks and other chains cannot beat this place.. If you are a coffee lover just treat yourself with a cup of a great coffee!

Checked this place out today after having it on my list for sometime. Good range of food, with all dietary requirements (both savoury and sweet vegan options!) and a wide range of coffee options as well. Had an oat milk latte - was pretty good, their home blend of coffee beans is nice and smooth with a mellow after taste. They have a good reward system - if a bit gimmicky with needing to “check in” in store to get a stamp (it requires the app to have location permissions, as well as a picture of you - but privacy invasive for my liking to be honest) so that’s one reason behind 4/5. The other is the fact it’s a surplus for non diary milks, should be encouraging plant based, at least make the soy milk no additional cost!

Coffee was nice. But décor and layout not quite for me. The layout is spread out and not conducive to a lively atmosphere which I like in coffee shops. I would still much prefer to drink here than at a high street chain.

Truly excellent coffee, although it is quite expensive even for London (£3.15 for a flat white). However it is a great place to work with lots of seating including a bar overlooking the street, good Wi-Fi and lots of natural light. It's quite possible to sit for a couple of hours without feeling unwelcome (at least on a weekday). Well recommended.

Purposed as a coffee on-the-go pitstop designed to accommodate footfall, the cramped interior not conducive to lingering nor loitering. The coffee credible and unlikely to disappoint even the finicky while the “bites” on offer here just as unlikely to summon a gush of enthusiasm. Competently above adequate, fits the bill if you’re in a hurry.

Consistent quality of coffee across their various branches across London. One of the better coffee places. Love this branch for their wall murals and location right next to leather Lane street market.

Another exceptional London specialty coffee house. Loved the flat white. Stellar customer service

Great place to be. Lot of working ppl in the early hours. Lunch/coffee rush at noon. Very dedicated and nice personnel. Would come back. You can book meeting rooms!

Super friendly service and great coffee. Cute name and super chic/hipster interior. I think this is the best decaf soy latte I had for the entire time I was in London -- and after I collected it, another woman called me by name to point out where to find the sweeteners and let me know that she was just drying some spoons to stir my coffee! Great spot for hipster watching -- you want to see a smidgen of what I see daily in Oakland and San Francisco, pop in here for a beverage and wait for the crazy mismatched outfits and complicated male facial hair to shuffle by! :)

Ode to Department of Coffee One star for the lovely staff Who greet with nods and smiles. One star for the free wi-fi So rare amongst the British Isles! One star for the rustic space With room and seats aplenty. One star for the jammin' java That's worth every single penny! ---- I reserve that fifth and final star for the mouthwatering sandwiches (I'm quite the sucker for anything on focaccia) which I've yet to try. One of these days, I'll plan well enough to make a lunchtime visit instead of an afternoon pick-me-up run.

After a particularly harrowing journey on the tube, I saw a light on in the Department of Coffee and Social Affairs last Saturday afternoon and popped in for a hot chocolate. A little heart was made in my cup (refer to posted photo) which went a long way in improving my mood after TFL had all but wrecked it. Even better, the hot chocolate was densely flavoured and not too sweet: just the way I like it! I'm glad to have the Department of Coffee and Social Affairs so close to home and even happier that they're open on Saturdays when most everything else on Leather Lane is shut.

It was a very nice and relax place! And coffee was absolutely amazing! It's the best coffee I ever dink in London! Definitely recommend to others! It's a little bit walk from Farringdon tube station because it's not on the main road. But the coffee and atmosphere there will worth the time you walk! I ordered a latte and a custard tart, it was so tasty about the tart. The staff warmed it for me which was so thoughtful! RECOMMEND!

I arrived on Holborn heading for a meeting a little earlier than expected and searched Yelp for a coffee place. This place topped the list so even though I was beside a place that boasted of the best espresso in London I took the short walk to the Dept of coffee and social affairs on Leather Lane. I ordered an Americano and porridge (it was freezing that morning!) I had a choice between sweeter coffee or more caramel nuttier. I went with the caramel one. Place is like super hipster. The coffee is fab. Have to nicest porridge ever! The staff were really polite and nice. They check when they bring the coffee / food order to your table is you need anything else. A little prices apparently but given I'm used to Dublin prices it was on par. Definitely worth a visit.

Great coffee made passionately and tasty treats in a tiny stall off the Piccadilly Theatre. Come by and check it out. The wonderful smell of great roasted coffee will draw you to it!

If there is one thing I like with my coffee, it's a hot beard (and half a sugar). In truth I stumbled upon the Department of Coffee and Social Affairs. Had I know I would have bumped into it today, I wouldn't have stopped at Climpson and Sons on the way into work that morning. The plain front, painted black and sparse interior were all giving out positive signals as I went to place my order. Please note, I have given this place the full fat, five star stamp and I didn't even ask if they had a loo and they don't do a filter coffee. That, should give an indication as to the fabulousness (is that even a word) of this coffee. Smooth, sweet, hints of chocolate and a little cherry. I couldn't give two hoots about wine tasting, wine is their to be drunk and get me drunk, coffee however is there to make sweet, sweet love to my taste buds. It could have been that I have just come back from Berkshire where apparently there is a decent-cup-of-coffee-drought, but I'm going to make this statement; "This is one of the best cups of coffee I have ever had in London." Breathe... Served up by the friendly staff, their is lots of room, loads of seating, great coffee and some posh looking sarnies. Don't waste your time on them, you're on Leather Lane for gods sake, gets some tasty take out food from some of the food stalls, them warm up with a cup of Joe in here. Thank you for putting this place so close to my work, I'm going to walk here and get a coffee every time I feel blue. Thank you, thank you, thank you...

Great coffee- beautifully roasted and made. The fudge cake looked delish, and one of our little group confirmed that too so I'll have to go back and try it when i haven't just had lunch. The coffee is really great - delicious citrusy notes and a velvety crema on the espresso. My friend's flat white looked like a proper silky flat white, which as a kiwi coffee lover (or snob), is difficult to find over here. Always appreciate a bit of perfect latte art too. So glad to have finally made it here.

It's been open for about 8 weeks now but it feels like its been there for a while. They know their shtuff for sure. Cute, hip little place. I think the owner was running the register that day. I must say it doesn't hurt to have a mesmerizing cashier taking your order "wha? what do i want? coffee? uh sure...I was thinking of getting a sandwich to-what? oh yes sure I will have the soup thats great...." haha man I am easily persuaded by a friendly face. I ordered a decaf americano that day. It was really dark yet not that bitter. And no matter how much milk I added to it it wouldn't lighten up! Damn. FUN FACT!!: There's a little knook in the place that looks like a sauna room without a door. Great place to have an intimate chin wag or a secret snog fest. Check it out!

Department of Coffee and Social Affairs serves up some pretty decent coffee in a relaxing setting on Leather Lane. The coffee is not nearly as good as the one you can get a short walk down the road at Prufrock but they make fairly good espresso based beverages and the filter coffee is ok. Main benefit from a coffee perspective is they rotate the coffees rather frequently and always have something in the guest grinder. The food is what one can expect at a cafe so there are some sandwiches, pastries, cookies etc. For me not being a great fan of sandwiches (nor pastries for that matter either) the options are a bit limited but if that is your thing you will be able to find some stuff to eat here as well. It all looks nice and fresh but perhaps slightly higher prices than in some other places. Service varies depending on who is there - I have been here numerous times and it is most of the time good and friendly service but there have been instances when the staff have just been chatting away with each other and their friends and showed no interest whatsoever do their jobs. Otherwise do like to sit and slack here and it is also fairly good for working (or studying) as it is fairly relaxing and there are proper tables.

I'm a sucker for window seating, and smooth-tasting espresso drinks. The two, in tandem, are to be found at the D of C. I'm also a fan of friendly service. I don't mean nutty, Gap-greeter (read: 'Hiiiiiii!!!!!') friendly, but rather the basic, human kind. D of C has that, too. However, I've got to say that as someone who lived through many of MJ's albums the first time around, I'm not keen on hearing whole albums (yeah, I know) of his music in one sitting in 2011. If I were at a roller rink, then it might be a different story. Of course, I'll not let that dissuade me from returning here as often as I'm able. Who knows? Maybe they'll surprise me and play a little Golden Earring, or music from some other early 80s bands. A girl can dream...

The visual aesthetics of this coffee shop are inspiring. Worn, textured brick walls with smooth black table tops, and exposed wiring generate a creative ambiance...for those who can stand the thumping beats playing at club level sound. It's not to say the music isn't good, it's just too damn loud. I definitely do NOT recommend if you want to be able to have eardrums at the end of your coffee session, to hear your conversation at all, or god forbid, stay for an extended period of time to work. On the drinks - the prices range from about 2.30 - 2.80, pretty standard hipster fare. The mocha was beautiful but somewhat lukewarm and lacking in flavor. They don't serve it in a mug so if you want to curl up with a warm mug, you'll be disappointed. I'm ending the review here because I have to leave this damn place otherwise I'll become deaf.

Great coffee shop, wonderful coffee shop actually. It has steep competition from Prufock round the corner which serves lovely coffee but with an air of pretension. The department has a great location, lovely staff, great music, plenty of seating and a range of snacks. If you are a rookie coffee drinker then the staff will definitely fill you in on what you should be having based on your tastes. It's comes 4th in my London coffee shops, however that could move up as I experiment with the beans.

Came here on a Sunday afternoon to get some studying done. The surrounding area was SO QUIET when I came! But inside the Dpt. of Coffee and Social Affairs, there was a nice and comfortable atmosphere - music playing in the background over the conversations of the people inside. There are quite a few tables here; though I'm not sure if there are many outlets. I sat at the long bar table in the front - perfect for people watching! The staff here is great as well - very welcoming, happy, and friendly. I ordered a regular size latte. I believe it was £2.70. I thought it was a bit pricey for the size but the taste was great. Next time, I will have to try one of the pastries!

Really good coffee. I usually alternate between here and Prufrock, just a little further down Leather Lane. I'd say they're both top-tier, with some small differences (which may sway you towards one or the other at any given time). For example, I feel like the staff are a little friendlier here - they also give you the choice of bean when ordering. The ordering process is very smooth overall - they accept card (+ contactless) for any amount, which is rarer than you'd think (Prufrock only accepts card above ~£5 the last time I checked). It's a relatively small space inside - although it's deceptive, since there are a couple of side rooms to sit in. If I'm planning to drink-in, I'll usually go to Prufrock, but that's mainly personal preference; I've happily sat here in the past working from my laptop (they have wifi, although in my experience the signal isn't amazing everywhere inside). They have a good selection, and actually list the various espresso-based drinks explicitly on the board, if you're less familiar with what your options are. I liked the fact that they had cold brew available during the summer too. Definitely worth visiting, along with Prufrock to sample the differences from both.

Nice space. Lots of nearby workers come here and fill it up and has good coffee and nice little extras. Like moju healthy juice (very nice!) and crossaint a but loved the bright attitude and fun spirit of staff the most. Lovely on early mornings.

I don't really have anything to add here beyond what other Yelpers have very comprehensively detailed. So, erm, I'll say...I really like this spot. On a low-key Saturday when it's even more conducive to some work? I REALLY like this spot. Great coffee (I only ever go for the flat white), nice - albeit minimal - selection of snacks (apple muffin, with a crumble top gets my vote, but also some gluten free selections). What really makes it is the staff: knowledgeable, friendly, never giving a hairy eyeball / hinting that you should leave (thankfully). I'm a fan. 5 stars, y'all! Yelp note: wifi!

Discovering a new route to work meant discovering a new place for morning coffee. The place looked interesting from the outside (exposed brick work with a minimalistic approach), but it was their outdoor A board oozing with a sense of humour that caught my eye!! (see photo - and anyone with personality gets my attention :) Coffee here is made by a proper barista, awesome flat white with a whimsical pacman-style latte art (but the coffee could had been a tad hotter). A range of cakes, pastries & sandwiches were also available. I didn't get the chance order cakes, but I will be soon.... May you have a playful coffee filled kinda day when you arrive here. I did!

Hello delicious, welcome to my adenosine receptors. I'm so happy you're on board with us today. After an epically mondayish Monday, there was nothing I needed more than a tall, strong, dark stranger to help me get through the rest of the day, thus prompting my first visit to DOCSA. Upon finding my fix to not only be tall, strong and beautiful, but also to be exceptionally generous (offering free wifi, plenty of tables and scrumptious looking sustenance), this is a relationship I will definitely pursue. Often. Sometimes it'll just be for a quickly like today, however I can definitely see this working out for the long term...

Adore. Adore. Adore. I work nearby, but I actually popped here on a sunny Sunday with a friend for a coffee. The first thing I loved about this place was how hidden it is. It's just off the main road in busy central london in a lovely courtyard that helps you escape the hussle and bussle.We were greeted by some friendly faces, laughing with each other and who seemed to be really enjoying working and each others company. We ordered our coffee's and took a seat opposite the coffee bar. I had a regular Mocha. It took a few minutes to arrive, but you can clearly see why, each coffee had been carefully made. They arrived with beautiful Latte Art designs, but the taste was devine. The best word I can thank of to describe their coffee was 'smooooth'. Its delicious and I drank it all in practically one gulp! Which I think pretty much sums up my experience. Can't wait to return.

Though it is a bit on the pricier end of coffee, you definitely get your money's worth as, just as other reviews have said, they make no effort to make you feel as though you've outstayed your welcome. We were even offered water, even after being there for 4 hours. The staff is super friendly and inviting. The sandwiches are nicely toasted and good as well. The wi-fi is quick, the service is great, and there is plenty of seating: all in all, a great place to get some work done or have a meeting.

What's not to love about Department of Coffee and Social Affairs? The name of the shop alone is funky enough for me (and it's a good sign that the marketing is working...) What's more, there's an open, airy, relaxing and oh-so-New York atmosphere. And surprisingly, what looks like a rather small menu hasn't scored as a negative, rather it is very much a plus point - no time lost deliberating what to have and very obviously reflected in the quality of the sandwiches. I had the roast beef and horseradish sandwich - it was nice and chunky, and tasted great (although, slightly eye watering with the horseradish, so be wary if you're not keen on spicy food!). I'd go back in a flash, if in the neighbourhood.

I recently spent some time trolling for study spots (and probably spent more time visiting various spots than actually studying). The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs popped up on the radar as a highly recommended location for a coffee, biscuit, and at some point a bit of study. And is it? Well yes, but not on a hot day. First off, my criteria for study spots are pretty lax and along the lines of most people I'd think. There needs to be a good source of caffeine, some chill music/background noise but not too loud or distracting, a decent selection of snacks and more wholesome food, and of course a comfortable area to camp out without feeling like you've overstayed your welcome (even if you probably have). Caffeine: It's got good coffee. Not outstanding or intriguing but good proper coffee that will keep you going after 100 pages of alternative investment pricing. They also do a pretty sweet tea which is served in a teapot (probably about 3-4small cupfuls) in case coffee isn't your thing. Music/Ambient noise: Depending on where you sit, this can range from loud (near the entrance) to almost deathly silent (straight ahead into the back room). I was in the back room as it allowed me to spread out over a large table but it was so quiet the conversation next to me because ultra distracting. A bit of music would have been great however the house sound system didn't permeate quite so far. Food: You've got your usual selection of cookies, biscuits, and pastries which all look pretty good. I can vouch that the ham and cheese toasted croissant is delicious although not particularly filling. The sandwiches that come out after 11am are easy on the eyes but seemed a tad small for the price. I suppose that's what you get when everything in it is "organic" or "artisan". Longevity: I get the feeling I could have stayed there all day nursing my cup of tea and no one would have kicked me out. They are uber friendly (as you get when the place is stocked with Aussies and Kiwis) and had a great balance of making sure I was okay without disturbing me. A+! Overall, I'd rate it as a study spot. The one caveat (other than the slightly pricey food) is that the back room is not well ventilated and on a hot day can be very stuffy. As a side note, there seems to be a food and clothing market just outside and Soya is next door if you are craving something substantial and Japanese. Oh and they have free wifi which may help or in my case hinder your studying.

This new, hip coffee space has opened in the rather sizeable unit of an old hardware store on Leather Lane. It's been renovated to reflect the standard aesthetic of its artisanal coffee-shop brethren in London. That is to say, it's comprised of bare, wooden surfaces and a black colour scheme. The difference between this place and the others on the London scene, however, is the space - the outstanding, open space. Some might say it's 'spacious'. However you want to look at it, you'll probably be able to nab yourself a seat in here, and that's really hard to come by in some of London's best coffee spots. The seating, in keeping with coffee-shop minimalism, doesn't look particularly comfortable, though. Expect wooden chairs, wooden benches, wooden stools. You get the idea. So - a good place to hang out and chat/work over a cup of coffee but perhaps not a good place to linger for prolonged periods of time. (4.5 stars) Aside from the space, the coffee was good. It was good, people. My black americano was smooth and mellow, pulled on a La Marzocca machine. It certainly wasn't the best cup I've had in London, but it was certainly worthy of my future return visit(s), which is saying something if you know anything about me. (For those of you who don't know anything about me, well, I'm a snob. A coffee snob.) And there you have it. (4 stars) But, ultimately, the name - Department of Coffee and Social Affairs - is an automatic 5 stars. You just can't deny that. [edit. But the ristretto on my second visit was bitter. A ristretto. Was bitter. Bad form - 4 stars]

The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs is almost unbearably hip. Stark, white walls, modern minimalist decor, and sleek wooden surfaces - Check Synthpoppy, Zara-appropriate music, such as Friendly Fires and Mark Ronson, playing (quite loudly) in the background - Check Knowledgeable (but very hipster) baristas - Check A selection of REALLY delicious and fresh-looking (albeit overpriced) sandwiches and pastries - Check Appropriately bougie, middle-aged, bohemian clientele, sitting across from each other while engrossed in seemingly interesting conversation/social affairs - Check x 10 Not a great place to get reading done, or to even have said interesting conversations/engage in social affairs, because the music is a bit overpowering and distracting. However, if you want an excellent and well-brewed cup of filter coffee, or an elegant and painstakingly-crafted espresso drink, at prices that (surprisingly) won't kill your soul, DOCSA is your man (or woman, we don't discriminate here).

I'm not a coffee drinker, so I always feel a bit silly about going to some of these hipster joints, but actually despite a very limited menu for food, I was really impressed here. First of all, the spot was quiet enough to be heard in, even with the fan (Dyson airblade!) and then the sourdough toast I got was just perfectly done. I rarely enjoy/eat bread, but this reminds me that it can be amazing when done well... I also loved the home made marmalade and the generous portion too. I'd say the loos are a bit scary, but then that's London for you ;)

I was so nervous about starting a new job and moving to a new area of London after spending upwards of 7 years based in Soho/Covent Garden. But when I found this place, I knew I'd be ok. A simple little place on Leather Lane with wooden floors and basic decor, but phenomenal coffee and some of the best sandwiches I've ever had. I'd recommend the salami, gruyere and chutney. They say it should be toasted, I say have it fresh. Oh, and the Portugese tarts. BE STILL MY BEATING HEART.

Yep, they have really nice coffee. At stonking prices. Staff can be sniffy. The customers can be worse. They'll charge £2.50 for a flapjack. My, those must be nice oats. Or maybe it's the golden syrup? I don't know. All I know is... I feel dirty every time I go in. It is good coffee. But I think it's about to fall. Off a cliff.

As a study spot review, my first entry stands. There are better places to study in London, though I did discover that they do have wi-fi if you sit in the back room. But that limiting criteria considered elsewhere, DOCSA officially has my 'favorite' label, after an entire school year of searching through cafes and consuming mass amounts of caffeine. Worth a trip out of the way- there's a street market on weekdays right outside. Sure, sometimes they make little mistakes on the order. Sure, sometimes the counter makes me want to have an panic attack. BUT I find those things endearing they are consistently, always, endlessly friendly and conversational and appropriately apologetic and accommodating when an 'oops' happens. They'll happily go into detail about their offerings, will make suggestions, will encourage you to try new beans or special espressos, and they'll do it with an enthusiasm that seems incredibly authentic. And as a cherry on top, they are liberal and free with... smiles! Oh, I know. A little thing. But it's so not a little thing. And genuine smiles, too. 'The best foccacia ever' still stands, and I've consumed plenty of it. Their sandwich selections seems to have grown (a couple veg options other than the foccacia, too), or at least in quantity, as surely other people have rooted it out as a good lunch spot. My friends are addicted to the Portuguese tarts and I'm into the Afghan biscuit even if I'm covered in chocolate every time I eat it. Cherry on top #2 is that they do iced coffee and lattes. Highly recommended. They've also just started a cold brew that will brighten any crappy day, but the quantities are limited so you have to have a bit of luck to get your hands on it. Truthfully, I shouldn''t have said that, I don't want any more competition standing in my way.

Five stars and I've never even eaten anything there. I have, however, enjoyed gallons of their coffee and I describe it as 'knife and fork' coffee sometimes because of the flavour. Oh, the flavour of their filter coffee. Uh-mazing. I haven't had a better cup in London and drinking it's closer to wine tasting than your morning cuppa joe.

I think this is a great place to meet up, it's away from all the touristy areas and the space is so hip! Although, I am a bit hesitant at paying the prices because a snack and a coffee clocks up to more than a fiver and that's just a little bit too much. I've have better almond slices but I tried their muffins and I LOVE those! Not too keen on the weird magician guy in the corner that kept shuffling his pack of cards and staring at me though.

A new cafe in Farringdon/Clerkenwell but feels like it's been here forever. Highlights include the chilled out dub music in the background. Excellent coffee and relaxed atmosphere. This place showcases the best of Kiwi hospitality but with a uniquely London gritty chicness. Perfect. Almost like a slice of Shoreditch and Hoxton made it's way to within earshot of the city. The coffee is smooth, milk is velvety but with not quite enough foam. A solidly excellent coffee but not layered as well as it could be. The taste is spot on though. Staff are great. Attentive but relaxed and give you space to enjoy the cafe while making sure that everything is taken care of. Rather than competing with Prufrock (also in Leather Lane) we've found that having these two great cafes so close together has been a perfect complement to each other. DOCSA wins for food, chill-out vibe and lingering. Prufrock wins for fast, focused and clinically perfect coffee. A wonderful duo.

We came to London over Christmas, which meant a week of drinking Starbucks because every single coffee shop was closed. Just when I reached the point where I had forgotten what actual coffee tasted like, Department of Coffee and Social Affairs reopened and welcomed us back to humanity with some well made cappuccinos and great service. Everyone there seemed to really enjoy making great coffee, and every cup we had was top quality stuff. I'll gladly drink it again when I come back to London even if there is a second place that's open.

Mouthwatering pastries and great coffees Almost too hip for its own good, with bare brick walls, canteen-style seating and knowledgable staff, this is the *other* coffee magnet on Leather Lane, if Prufrock isn't to your taste. A great selection of pastries and hot food complements the very good coffee but I always feel the atmosphere is less convivial; a personal preference I must admit as it's always busy.

Friendly service, good coffee, and croissants to die for! I can't wait to go back. The decor was also really nice and simple, and service was friendly. It's the little things that really stand out: some of the cakes were labeled as gluten-free, which, although I can eat gluten, is indicative of considerate management, the sugar was unrefined, and empty plates are cleared efficiently. Too bad the otherwise lovely window seating is somewhat wasted on a view of flat brick.

One of my favorite coffee spots. Awesome coffee, delicious sandwiches, cakes and bread, and super friendly staff. A great place to study, as long as you don't mind it being a bit loud, as this place is usually crowded and has a very social vibe. They place awesome music here as well.

Love it! Yet another coffee shop to sink into. Good looking sandwiches and snacks and although I am a coffee junkie I had overdone it on coffee that day so I went for tea. Really nice Afghan chai--big pot. Cool music, good afternoon vibe. Fan. It is a tough call whether to go here or to Prufrock. Why do two fantastic places need to be so close to each other?!?!

The Department of Coffee and Social Affairs is a good place to co-work, albeit a little on the pricy side. I ordered a soya latte and a slice of carrot cake, both were delicious; the buttercream icing was spread very generously. At £6.50 for a coffee and cake, it was a bit on the pricy side, but this is London... And I did end up using their facilities all day... The interior looks minimalist and is pretty comfortable, though I was freezing the entire time I sat here; did they have the heater on? Nice cake and coffee, but please next time turn your heaters on!

A lovely coffee shop with a great atmosphere that has to be good just because it's so close to Prufrock. I much prefer the atmosphere and coffee at Prufrock but the people are a bit nicer here, and the name is so cool :)

I've been thinking about this place ever since I Googled it before coming to London! I love its quirky name and the urban vibe of the building. The coffee is quite good -- had a flat white with the nuttier blend? I forgot the name of it. Food selection is quite small, but they do know what they're doing. Rock music plays in the shop -- not sure if that appeals to you or not. But it's a great environment to kick back in! WiFi is fast and free. Coming here on a Saturday late afternoon also means you can grab seats fairly easily. There's no AC from what I can tell -- there are fans keeping the place cool. I don't particularly mind, because it's not sweltering inside! I also think the vibe it has, the decor, etc. will make for a totally awesome winter experience -- I guess I'll have to come back to London someday to see how it is.

Fastastic coffee, wide variety of selections, rich and flavourful. Dropped by for a quick caffeine fix, ended up trying all the roasts available. Interesting interior brick walled interior, and if you're feeling peckish grab some light bites from the market outside. Tldr: perfect place for a good caffeine fix!

This is one of my fav coffee shops, can't help it I'm a sucker for staff that smiles and seems glad I'm there. I've sampled a variety of their beans and brews/types and enjoyed them all. Am I blind or why don't more places offer the long-cold-inverted-brew-drip? OK I don't think it's really inverted, but it's strong and good. I've never had the food, but people seem to pile in the door to get it even with a surfeit of similar options up and down Leather Lane. As with many shops the wi-fi is weak, so maybe don't sit by the window; however the large table in the back is nice and normally within range.

When I saw the name of this coffee joint, I couldn't wait to go here. The coffee is good, albeit a little more expensive than similar shops. It is, however, much larger than most London coffee shops, so a great place to study or to meet someone and have a chance of finding a seat. I noticed they offer some gluten-free treats as well. The icing on the cake for me was their awesome music selection, though. I remember, in a particularly triumphant moment, hearing Santigold overhead. Okay, maybe it was a tad loud for having a conversation, but how can I argue with good taste?

Absolutely love this place. Unlike many coffee places in the city, this one actually has some decent space to sit, read, study, enjoy conversation and the like. Ambiance is a big deal to me, and this place has it down. Exposed brick, distressed wood floors. Love it. From a coffee/espresso standpoint it is as good if not better than any I've had in London. They absolutely know what they're doing. Great proportion of espresso to milk and it was steamed to perfection. From a food standpoint, I had one of the best blueberry muffins I've ever had here. Try one, you won't regret it. The ONLY thing that I could even remotely express concern over is how loud the music was the day I came. Something tells me it's not always that loud, but I sat in the back portion of the shop, right next to a speaker and it was LOUD. A little too loud in my opinion. But everything else is so great here, can't give them less than five stars. Oh, and the staff is amazingly friendly, warm and welcoming. I will be back many times.

Love this place and I'm lucky enough to have them in my office. Love the simplistic vibe they give and love that it's all organic. I think my favourite thing is the option of different roasts. Sometimes I'm in the mood for a big bold, velvety espresso, whereas other times I want a nice sweet treat. Love that I can go to the same place for both. They also have a great assortment of breads and pastry's available. I love their fresh bread in the morning! I also think their prices are super reasonable.

I just saw found this place on Sprudge and that it was near me, and got one of he better espressos I've ever had. The finish on it was a little dirty, so it definitely wasn't perfect, but the nutty and res fruit aspects of the coffee (I think it was a washed Guatemalan) were brought out really well and on the whole it was quite sweet. The interior of the space is a traditional coffee shop environment.

Outstanding coffee, I had to have another. Great buzz and clearly customer service is a priority!

I find myself eating my words and declare: my second coffee here was wonderful. This place made for a heated debate with a colleague who insisted that a) the space is "scene" not cold and b) I have another crack at their coffee after my "meh" cappuccino and cake experience last week which left me seething. It's not somewhere you can relax and chat, but the coffee is exactly where I eat my words: I was pleasantly impressed by my smooth rich almost chocolatey espresso thrust into my hands by my colleague to prove his point. The 4 stars are for the coffee alone; I am a converted fan. I am still sad that with so much space there is so much potential to be a homely haven of peace right on the lovely Leather Lane. To find somewhere to sit with a good cuppa and while away a morning with a book, friends or just some distraction-free work is a quest I am still on: this is not that "home away from home", but I do recommend a beverage "to go" if passing by. Just have a proper coffee, not a capucco.

I happened to stumble upon this place while walking back towards Bloomsbury from the Tate modern, but now that I know about it I will undoubtedly return. There are certain aesthetic tropes that most good coffee shops in London seem to invoke--minimalist furnishing, small handwritten pastry labels, exposed brick/weathered wood/cracked sheetrock, swarthy Australian/Kiwi baristas--and Dept. of Coffee is no exception. If I were cynical, I might complain about a lack of originality, or an overall aesthetic incestuousness within London's high end coffee community, which the ubiquity of these tropes seems to suggest. Fortunately, however, I'm not cynical (in this regard), and in fact I sincerely appreciate the reliability of these signifiers, for it was only after i realized that Dept. of Coffee seemed to be consciously placing itself within a genre (in which i would also include Wild & Wood, MilkBar, Monmouth-Covent Gardens, and presumably many other shops i haven't visited yet) that I knew to check it out. Ultimately, the "vibe" was right. The sparsely furnished space is uncluttered yet comfortable, the music was pleasant and unintrusive (Kings of Convenience), and the baristas were incredibly friendly. But more importantly, the coffee is gooood. I got a long macchiato: it was delicious, and not too expensive (2 pounds i think). I thoroughly enjoyed my afternoon at the Dept. of Coffee and Social Affairs (i have to say, I'm not really a fan of the name...), and I think that you will too. I particularly recommend getting a seat at the window which looks out on Leather Road, it affords some great people watching.

Nice staff, good coffee, nice ambiance, decent food.... is it a 'destination' coffee place? Maybe not. But if you're in the area it is certainly worth a small trek to get a decent cuppa (coffee). It isn't the speediest place, so if you're in a huge rush, this might not be the place to go, however. Seems like it would be a good place to get some work done or study during off peak hours.