Mar 22, 2025

Espresso Base London

Coffee the Italian way

"Anyone who wishes to indulge their sweet tooth without punishment will have to do so the Italian way, with a cioccolata calda or an amaretto biscuit."

Forget the fancy cafés. London’s best coffee comes from a tiny pop-up tent in Bloomsbury. Positioned at the far end of a churchyard, Espresso Base is easy to miss. However, the observant few who do venture down the bamboo-lined pathway will be richly rewarded.

Here Gennaro De Mattia stands, in rain or shine, pulling shots on his trusty La Marzocco. He’s not a forthright coffee snob, but there are signs: namely a chalkboard warning customers of the additional 10p charge for sugar. Anyone who wishes to indulge their sweet tooth without punishment will have to do so the Italian way, with a cioccolata calda or an amaretto biscuit. Coffee enthusiasts might also be interested in purchasing a bag of beans or a new espresso gadget.

After that, it’s just a case of finding a seat among the plants (preferably under an umbrella – the weather in England is unpredictable), and sipping away to the sound of jazz music and trickling waterfalls.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing
024-burger-1
Snacks

About this spot

12a Bloomsbury Way

Espresso:

£

2.60

Find your way with 222 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters

Discover hidden gems and all our locals’ favourites! Get full access to our London guide.

Nice place right!? There’s so much more to discover:

Discover all other hidden gems in London

Barnsbury Wood

London’s smallest nature reserve

Barnsbury Wood is enjoyed by Londoners all year round, but it is at its most glorious in the summer months when the trees are drenched in golden sunlight.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

May 7, 2025

The Hill Garden and Pergola

A tranquil oasis

The gardens and pergola are open to the public and are a great spot for a walk or a peaceful afternoon with a good book in hand while lying on the grass.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Angelina

Ivanova

May 5, 2025

Italo Delicatessen

Quiet oasis in noisy Vauxhall

The people of Bonnington Square really know how to foster a vibe with leafy exotic plants spraying scattered shadows as you sit and eat...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

Di Lieto

A true Neopolitan family deli

From focaccia to pasta, coffee to cake, this one-stop shop is as much a place to buy your brew and bread as it is to have a lunchtime bite of pasta...

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
024-burger-1
Snacks

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens

Vauxhall's chill space

Birds sing while trains rumble along atop the parallel railway arches, old men play boule in the shade and planes skim overhead on approach to Heathrow.

017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

The Black Dog

Park pub perfection

Of all the reasons why you have to check out this idyllic boozer, perhaps the most important is that this is the home of the finest scotch egg in London.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars
021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

The Dog House

Footy, friends and feels

From the run-down chic aesthetic to the strong beer selection and excellent pub garden, there are no chinks in the Dog House's armour...

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

The Prince of Wales

Boule and birdsong, anyone?

Inside, the bar is a welcoming, tightly-packed vibe with old-fashioned, old-world decor with gorgeous bare wood surfaces & countless pictures on the walls.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

The Crown & Cushion

Made like they used to

The unassuming, retro signage outside amidst the noise & din of Waterloo might pull you in, but what makes you stay is the genuine town tavern feel inside.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

Pierre Victoire

French fare at a fair price

With a rustic French feel, Pierre offers dishes with rich red-wine sauces and tasty meats from much of the spectrum of the French culinary roster.

021-spoon-and-fork-1
Restaurants

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

The Toucan

Soho's Guinness godfather

With old-fashioned vintage Guinness branding adoring just about every surface, this is the ideal spot to take a moment and enjoy a perfectly-poured pint.

028-beach-bar-1
Bars

by

Harry

Thompson

May 1, 2025

Dalston Eastern Curve Garden

A tiny urban jungle

Built back in 2010 on the site of a disused railway line, it’s a local secret: a quiet, forest-like space to retreat to when city life becomes overwhelming.

020-coffee-cup-1
Coffee & tea
017-plant-1
Relaxing

by

Madeline

Gowers

Apr 29, 2025

Heading to London?

222 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

Authentic Stories by Real People

Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌

... for just €9.99

0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters

222 Insider Tips

✓ Escape the Crowds

✓ Find Spots nearby

✓ Authentic Stories

... for just €9.99

App Download Download our app

City guides by those who know the city in and out!

Our Locals' Favorite Coffee & tea

Our team loves London

Get to know our other Spotters from London

As featured on:

New-York-Times
the-guardian
mashable
the-sunday-times
false
0
false
19
Filters