"This Fitzrovia cafe’s impact cannot be underestimated — even in the context of its second site on Eastcastle Street. Another Square Mile stalwart, the initially short-lived (but now happily revived) guest espresso program brought global roasters to the very centre of London, and in being weekends only to begin with, emphasised the rarity and uniqueness of the coffees served. Incredible consistency and a willingness to innovate: it is, refreshingly, as simple as that. It takes its breakfast food as seriously as the coffee, with a bacon brioche for the ravenous and an espresso cookie sandwich for those who heard they like espresso with their espresso." - James Hansen
"Peter Dore-Smith’s Kaffeine is the rare model of a cafe in which food and drink are attended to equally, with speciality coffee on par with the very best and sweet treats to rival those found in London’s speciality bakeries. Whilst the banana bread, toasted and smothered with butter, is arguably the most famous and popular treat, the espresso cookie sandwich is precisely engineered to show off the Square Mile espresso used in every cup of coffee, in a frosting sandwiched between two dark chocolate brownie cookies. Delivering a bittersweet hit of caffeine and cocoa in every mouthful, this cookie is a concise expression of the founder’s passion for coffee as more than just a drink, as well as the fastidious attention to detail that has made Kaffeine stand out in the city for so long." - Emma Louise Pudge
"Perfect for either a high-quality, rareified brew or a dessert-like milky drink and some generously buttered banana bread, Kaffeine is a perfect pit-stop. There’s also the original branch on Great Titchfield Street for those closer to the Oxford Circus tube." - James Hansen
"This Fitzrovia café’s impact cannot be underestimated — even in the context of its second site on Eastcastle Street. Another Square Mile stalwart, the initially short-lived (but now happily revived) guest espresso program brought global roasters to the very centre of London, and in being weekends only to begin with, emphasised the rarity and uniqueness of the coffees served. Incredible consistency and a willingness to innovate: it is, refreshingly, as simple as that." - James Hansen
"This Fitzrovia institution’s covered awning has long been a place to gather with one of the best flat whites in the city, as locals, cyclists, and celebrities journey in over the morning; it’s even more satisfying when sheltering from the rain." - Adam Coghlan