When in London, there’s many cafe chains to choose from. And who better than a self-proclaimed ‘highly caffeinated introvert’ to help make the right pick? Travel+Leisure India & South Asia talks to Instagram star Siddhi Karwa for her top four recommendations. By Japleen Kaur
If there is one person who gives epic coffee recommendations and makes us save all her cafe decor posts on the ‘gram, it is aesthetic queen Siddhi Karwa! Last year, the artist moved to London to study interior design, and explore her favorite coffee hangouts. She spills the beans on where to go for that perfect cuppa when in London. So if you fantasise sitting at Central Perk from hit TV show FRIENDS or grabbing a coffee-to-go from Luke’s in Gilmore Girls, keep reading and bookmark these spots, as picked by Karwa herself!
Meet Siddhi Karwa
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Karwa is a city- and country-girl wrapped in one. A self-proclaimed caffeine addict, she can brew her own coffee while setting up a picnic in fields as effortlessly as strutting around crowded streets in burgundy boots with a takeaway iced coffee in hand. She has her own coffee blend and visualises building a space that serves giant cuppas to people who sit for hours at a cafe, quietly typing away their stories. No wonder, then, her recommendations of must-visit cafe chains in London are worth bookmarking!
Must-visit cafe chains in London
Notes
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A chain of London-origin cafe bars, Notes is synonymous with playfully classy. Karwa suggests visiting for a coffee date during the day. If things go well, stay back for a romantic evening with wine to accompany. Head here for stunning coffee art, live music on weekends, and sourdough toasts as a bonus! However, if you can’t visit any of their 10+ locations, you can even subscribe to their speciality coffee and have their blends delivered to your doorstep every month.
Pavilion Bakery
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You’ll spot Pavilion around parks in London. Each barista boasts humongous facades, a welcoming vibe, clean branding, wooden interiors and a smile plastered on the server’s faces. But the cutest experience has to be spotting a Pavilion van at weekend markets and grabbing a coffee-to-go. Consider reaching before afternoon as their baked menu has many takers and is often sold out midway through the day! Pavilion also sells small batches of in-house fresh jams at select stores, so stay tuned to their social media platforms for all the latest updates.
Grind
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One of the biggest coffee roasters in the UK, Grind—with its minimal packaging—is consistently wooing coffee lovers from across the globe, including Karwa. The decor stands out with its bold neon signs and unique use of dark tones. When here, you can also purchase plant-based coffee pods. Grind has even published their own coffee table book, A Modern Guide To City Living, that comprises stories, yummy recipes off their menu, cocktail tales and a whole lot of coffee goodness!
Farm Girl
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According to their Insta bio, Farm Girl serves damn good coffee. Karwa agrees! These coffee chains in London are the kind of place that you’ll want to beeline to early in the morning for wholesome breakfast with a cup of coffee. Long cues outside their stores are a testament to the chain’s success. The pink decor with pastel crockery is quite the visual experience. On the menu, think cappuccinos, matcha lattes, acai bowls, eggs on toast and more!
Japleen Kaur
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