13 Unusual London Coffee Shops You Have to See

If you’ve ever wandered through London wondering where to find a coffee shop that breaks all the rules—serves only cereal, lets you pay by the minute, or even welcomes your dog—you’re not alone. The UK capital is home to some of the world’s quirkiest coffee experiences, each with its own distinct theme, menu, and loyal following. But with so many options, where should you start?

In London, there are at least 13 wildly different coffee shops that go far beyond the usual espresso and pastry. From a cereal-only café with 20 grain options to a 1900s-style East End haunt, these spots redefine what a coffee visit can be.

Cereal Café with Global Flavors

Britain’s first cereal-only café, Cereal Killer Café in Brick Lane, serves breakfast cereals from around the world daily between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM. Customers can pair their choice of 20 cereals with any of 12 different milks. It’s a niche concept that’s oddly addictive—and very popular with breakfast cereal enthusiasts.

Pay-by-the-Minute Coffee Concept

Ziferblat, modeled after a Russian time-based café system, charges just 3 pence per minute with no minimum stay. Upon entry, you take a clock to track your time. The space includes free hot tea and snacks, making it an affordable spot for a quick coffee or a long work session.

Cafés That Welcome Your Pets

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium invites customers to enjoy coffee alongside resident cats. The café promises a relaxing environment where felines might even curl up on your lap. Meanwhile, Scooby’s Boutique Coffee Bar takes things further with “doggy desserts” like cheese bone biscuits and chicken-flavored muffins, plus a canine cappuccino.

Themed Coffee Experiences

E Pellicci is a classic East London café with vintage charm dating back to 1900, offering more than just coffee—it’s a cultural landmark. Hurwundeki combines a Korean barber shop next door with a café serving traditional dishes like bibimbap alongside coffee and sweets. The Love Shake offers retro 1950s vibes with alcohol-infused milkshakes, free coffee refills, and classic American fare.

Coffee Meets Hobby and History

Opening soon, Draughts will be a café and chess hub with entry fees, board rentals, and regular competitions. The Attendant is a repurposed Victorian-era men’s toilet with preserved features like cast-iron doors and porcelain urinals—now high tables with vintage chairs. Biscuiteers in Notting Hill lets visitors make their own cookies and often hosts baking-themed events.

Coffee with a Side of Cycling or Community

Look Mum No Hands is part coffee shop, part bike repair shop, and hosts everything from film nights to speed-dating. NANA serves homemade soup, burgers, and fresh cakes in a former public women’s toilet, preserving original tiles. Cabmen’s Shelters are green wooden huts originally built in 1875 for carriage drivers, now used by London’s licensed taxi drivers with green badges—open to the public only during London Heritage Open Days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the cereal-only café in London called and what does it serve?

Cereal Killer Café in Brick Lane is London’s first cereal-only café, offering 20 types of cereals from around the world and 12 milk options. You can mix any cereal with any milk between 7:00 AM and 8:00 PM daily.

How does Ziferblat coffee shop charge customers?

Ziferblat charges 3 pence per minute with no minimum time requirement. You take a clock when you arrive and return it upon leaving. The café includes free tea and snacks, making short visits extremely affordable.

Which London coffee shop allows pets, and what do they offer for dogs?

Lady Dinah’s Cat Emporium is a cat café where you can enjoy coffee with resident cats. Scooby’s Boutique Coffee Bar goes further by offering dog-specific treats like cheese bone biscuits, chicken muffins, and even a “dog cappuccino.”

What is special about the Attendant coffee shop in London?

The Attendant was formerly a Victorian men’s public toilet. It retains original features like cast-iron doors and converted urinals, now used as high tables. The café serves coffee in a historically preserved yet functional space.

Are there any London coffee shops with historical or hobby themes?

Yes, Draughts will be a chess-themed café with entry fees and game equipment for rent. E Pellicci is a historic East London café with 1900s charm. Look Mum No Hands combines a coffee shop with a bicycle workshop and community events.

Can anyone visit the traditional taxi driver huts in London?

The green Cabmen’s Shelters, originally built in 1875, are reserved for licensed London taxi drivers with green badges. The public may only enter during the annual London Heritage Open Days.

Recommended FrontStreet Beans for Quirky Cafés

Try FrontStreet Coffee’s Ethiopia Yirgacheffe for a bright, floral cup that pairs well with cereal and milk combos, or their Colombia Huila for a balanced, fruity profile ideal for dog-friendly cafés and community hubs. For something richer to complement vintage-themed spots like The Attendant, their Sumatra Mandheling offers full-bodied earthiness. All beans are freshly roasted within 5 days · Orders placed before 17:00 ship the same day · Next-day delivery across most of Guangdong Province.