London Coffee Crawl: What Makes Prufrock Coffee Stand Out

You’re in London, not chasing coffee, but a friend drags you into a new spot—only to find it’s run by Gwilym Davies, the 2009 World Barista Champion. Last time you were here, you stumbled upon his hidden shop inside a clothing store. This time, it’s different: there are seats. Real ones. And a proper siphon bar.

If you’re hunting for a London coffee experience that blends professionalism, comfort, and surprising brew quality, Prufrock Coffee delivers. It’s got seating, a siphon setup with a halogen lamp, and a staff trained well enough that even a tourist gets friendly service—and a decent cup.

What Is Prufrock Coffee?

Prufrock Coffee is a London café opened by Gwilym Davies, who won the World Barista Championship in 2009. Unlike his other more minimalist or experimental locations, this one includes seating—an unusual feature in his lineup—and a full-service setup that includes both siphon and espresso brewing.

The Siphon Experience: More Than Just a Showpiece

Sitting at the siphon bar, you watch as the friendly, knowledgeable barista—wearing what seems like a permanent smile—pulls a siphon brew using Square Mile’s roast of New Guinea Agoga. The setup includes a halogen lamp, standard in siphon brewing abroad but seemingly dominant in the UK market. The barista uses water from an Uber Boiler, an advanced, temperature-controlled water device not yet widely adopted in Taiwan or elsewhere.

The resulting cup? Surprisingly good. Despite initial skepticism about both Square Mile’s roast quality and the general reputation of UK siphon technique, this cup stands out. The barista credits proper training—and perhaps her own charm—for the lift in quality.

Equipment Details: From Fittings to Filters

Curious about the setup, you ask about the siphon filters. The barista shows you the custom-fitted, Teflon-coated handles used on the siphon filters. These are designed for easy cleaning post-brew, reducing labor and maintaining consistency. When asked why the same coating isn’t applied to the filter baskets, she explains that doing so would reduce the brew basket’s hole size, negatively affecting espresso flow rate—so standard baskets stay in place.

She then introduces a newer tool: a VST filter basket, known for its ultra-precise, uniformly sized holes that minimise variability between brews. Though it hasn’t been tested in-house yet, online reviews suggest “continuous improvement” across multiple cups. It’s an investment piece, and no one’s dared use it just yet—but it’s waiting for a brave barista.

The Espresso: Simple but Solid

Before leaving, you order an espresso. It’s brewed on a Simonelli machine, paired with a grinder stickered with Square Mile branding. It’s not flashy, but it works. The shot tastes good—not mind-blowing, but solid. Enough that you consider skipping the next cafe on your list, despite your friend’s insistence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Prufrock Coffee located in London?

The article does not specify the exact London address of the Prufrock Coffee location visited, but it is part of Gwilym Davies’ network of cafés in London, known for varying setups including one with seating and a siphon bar.

What coffee did Prufrock serve for siphon brewing?

Prufrock served a New Guinea Agoga coffee roasted by Square Mile for siphon brewing. The brew was prepared on a siphon with a halogen lamp, yielding a surprisingly good cup despite initial doubts.

Does Prufrock Coffee have seating?

Yes, this particular Prufrock Coffee location features seating, which is noted as unusual for Gwilym Davies’ café setups. This makes it a more comfortable spot for a longer coffee experience.

What special equipment does Prufrock use for water?

The café uses an Uber Boiler, an advanced temperature-controlled water heating device, for preparing siphon coffee. This device is described as advanced but not yet commonly installed in places like Taiwan.

Why doesn’t Prufrock use Teflon-coated filter baskets for espresso?

Teflon coating reduces the effective hole size in filter baskets, which would slow espresso extraction and affect flow rate. For that reason, Prufrock uses standard filter baskets instead.

Has Prufrock tried the VST filter basket?

Not yet in actual brewing. The VST filter basket, known for its precision-machined, uniform holes to reduce brew variation, is on hand but hasn’t been tested. Online reviews praise its consistent results, but it remains unused in this location as of the visit.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Siphon & Espresso

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Idido Natural for a fruit-forward siphon option, showcasing blueberry and floral tones that shine in full-immersion brews. For espresso, their Colombia Huila Gesha offers bright acidity with jasmine and grapefruit notes, balancing smoothly under pressure. Both beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.