Hjem

Discovered HJEM thanks to a friend, and it’s become one of my favourite hidden cafés in South Kensington. Tucked away on Launceston Place, this cosy Danish spot lives up to its name — HJEM means “home” — with its warm, Scandi-inspired decor and relaxed atmosphere. The coffee, sourced from Climpson & Sons, is exceptional, and the menu offers thoughtful Nordic-inspired bites like open rye sandwiches and delicious cheese toasties. Smoothies, teas, and cakes are equally tempting. If you’re near Gloucester Road or exploring W8, HJEM is a must-visit for a peaceful, quality coffee break.

I’ve been a loyal customer of this coffee shop, but had a disappointing experience recently. My friend bought me a pastry, and within 20 seconds I asked to exchange it. A new staff member refused, giving a scripted response that it had already been purchased and it wasn’t their mistake. I explained that this isn’t a high-street chain and hoped for a more friendly, neighbourhood-style approach. It was a small request made moments after purchase, and I hope the team adopts a more flexible attitude moving forward.

Good quality coffee, fresh tasty baked treats, they do also offer a small menu for light breakfast and some sandwiches.

One of the best cardamom buns I’ve ever had and the cinnamon bun is also delicious. I also really enjoyed the coffee. They have an outdoor patio which is a really nice place to sit and enjoy the food.

We came here for breakfast during our vacation! We tried a brioche and a brownie, and they were both delicious. The orange juice had pulp, just the way I like it! The place is really cute and the girls were very kind to us.

We managed to get a table for 4 yesterday, so spent a bit of time absorbing the cosiness of the place. We enjoyed the coffee and the sandwiches. The place is quite popular and busy during peak times. Inside seating is limited, but customers tend to hang around outside, which gives a nice vibe.

Tried few things from here this weekend, but not coffee yet. We had the pesto and Parmesan swirl which was really good and taste better than I expected, the cardamon bun was good but nothing extraordinary and brownies which tasted more like chocolate cake than brownies as we find it not that moist. Customer service needs a bit improvement as I felt I was rushed even that there was no queue behind me. The place it self is cozy and lovely but unfortunately hard to find a table to sit in which we like to do when we are having coffee.

This place is the kind you’d pass by quickly to grab a coffee and carry on with your day, but it adds a nice touch to the concept of a quick bite and conversation around a coffee spot. Supposedly, it’s the trendy place in the neighborhood. First, the coffee is good—though a bit bland. The pastries are fine but not outstanding. I had the cinnamon bun, which, in my opinion, wasn’t cinnamony enough, and other pastries that didn’t quite match the price I paid. Second, the service was helpful and quick, but the price is too high for what you get. Everything was perfectly fine, and while these pastries aren’t something you’d easily make at home, I’d say they’re better than most places. Third, the atmosphere is the best part of the place. There’s plenty of seating, with two indoor sections and a small courtyard. Outside, there’s a small roundabout where people can sit, which complements the vibe of the place. The shelves display products with packaging that aligns well with the style of the café. Overall, I recommend stopping by. You may enjoy it more than I did, but keep my comments in mind.