13 Weirdest Coffee Shops in London You Have to See

If you’ve ever wandered through London wondering where to find a coffee shop that isn’t just another minimalist espresso bar, you’re in the right place. From places where you pay by the minute to cafes where felines roam free, London’s quirkiest coffee spots offer more than just caffeine—they offer conversation, chaos, and sometimes even cheese bone biscuits for your dog.

In short: London is home to 13 wildly unusual coffee shops, including one that serves only cereal, another where you pay per minute, and a former Victorian men’s toilet turned café. Whether you’re a cat lover, a cereal fanatic, or just love weird design, there’s a cafe here for you.

Cereal-Only Cafes and Pay-by-Minute Concepts

Cereal Killer Café holds the title of the UK’s first cereal-exclusive café, located in London’s Brick Lane. Open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., it serves global cereal brands alongside 12 milk options—each combinable with 20 different cereals. For cereal enthusiasts, it’s a dream come true.

Ziferblat, based on a Russian pay-by-time model, charges just 3 pence per minute with no minimum stay. Grab a clock when you arrive, return it when you leave. While tea and snacks are unlimited during your visit, coffee is also part of the deal—and incredibly cheap.

Animal Cafes: Cats, Dogs, and More

At Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium, customers sip coffee while hanging out with resident cats. The owners encourage guests to relax over a calm lunch or afternoon tea—with the chance that a friendly feline might curl up on your lap.

Scooby’s Boutique Coffee Bar goes beyond the usual coffee and cake by offering “doggy desserts” like cheese bone biscuits and roast chicken muffins. There’s even a canine version of a cappuccino. It’s a full-service experience for you and your pup.

Historic, Themed, and Conceptual Spaces

E Pellicci is a classic East London café with vintage 1900s charm. More than just coffee and cake, it’s a cozy, well-preserved spot known for its tranquil atmosphere and old-school décor.

Hurwundeki stands out with its dual identity: a Korean café right next to a 1950s-style barber shop, both run by the same Korean owner. Alongside standard coffee and pastries, it offers traditional Korean dishes like bibimbap.

The Love Shake is a 1950s-style soda fountain serving alcohol-infused milkshakes, classic milkshakes, American hot dogs, and—best of all—bottomless coffee. Its retro interiors bring Americana to London.

Gaming, Bikes, and Unusual Origins

Coming soon, Draughts will be a café and chess hub with an entry fee, offering board games, self-brewed beer, and wine. Patrons can bring their own chess sets or buy one there, while the café hosts tournaments and designer meetups.

The Attendant began life as a Victorian-era men’s public toilet in 1890. Revamped into a café over 50 years later, it still features original elements like cast-iron doors and porcelain urinals—now repurposed as tabletop dividers paired with vintage high-back chairs.

Biscuiteers in Notting Hill invites cookie lovers to make their own biscuits and learn about coffee roasting during themed events. It’s part bakery, part workshop, and entirely hands-on.

Look Mum No Hands combines coffee, bike repairs, and community events. Alongside espressos and snacks, it hosts film nights, cycling race viewings, knitting classes, and even speed-dating events for cyclists.

NANA serves homemade soups, burgers, and fresh cakes made by local women. Housed in a former public women’s toilet, it retained original features like tiled walls, now part of its quirky charm after adding a rooftop and stairway.

Cabmen’s Shelters are 19th-century green wooden huts, originally built in 1875 for horse carriage drivers. Now used by London’s licensed taxi drivers, any cabbie with a green badge can reserve one of the 13 remaining shelters. The public can only peek inside during London Heritage Open Days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cereal-only café in London called?

The Cereal Killer Café in Brick Lane is the UK’s first cereal-only café, offering 20 types of cereal paired with 12 milk choices. It’s open daily from 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Where can I pay by the minute for coffee in London?

Ziferblat in London lets you pay just 3 pence per minute of stay, with no minimum time. Coffee, tea, and snacks are included during your visit.

Are there any coffee shops in London where you can hang out with cats?

Yes, Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium in London is a cat café where visitors can enjoy coffee while interacting with resident cats. Cats may even curl up on your lap.

What London café serves both coffee and dog treats?

Scooby’s Boutique Coffee Bar serves coffee and cake for humans, along with special “doggy desserts” like cheese bone biscuits and roast chicken muffins for pets.

Which former toilet is now a café in London?

The Attendant in London was originally a Victorian men’s public toilet built in 1890. It was converted into a café over 50 years later and still features original period details.

Are there any chess-themed cafés in London?

Draughts, opening soon, is a planned café and chess hub in London. It will charge an entry fee, offer board games, beer, and wine, and host events like chess competitions.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Quirky Cafés

For London’s weirdest coffee shops, try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for bright citrus and floral notes, perfect with cereal or pastries. Their Colombia Huila offers balanced caramel and nuts, ideal alongside dog-friendly treats or Korean bibimbap. Finally, the Ethiopia Sidama brings juicy berries and stone fruit—great for pairing with bold flavors like cheese bone biscuits or vintage interiors. Freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.