Best Cafes in South Kensington
One of the best places to go for an amazing cup of joe, is undoubtedly South Kensington. You’ll find a mix of quirky and rustic beautiful places that serve coffee and more! Navigating the area might be a little hard but luckily, I’ve made a list of the 10 best coffee shops in Kensington to get your daily fix! 
My Picks of the Best Cafes in South Kensington.
Coco Momo
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Coco Momo is one of the cutest cafes in South Kensington, making it the perfect spot to stop for a coffee and a bite after visiting one of the nearby museums like the Science Museum, V&A, or Albert Museum. This cafe serves up delicious, high quality coffee made with specialty beans as well as fresh pastries and breakfast items like avocado toast.
The pastries like the almond croissants are baked fresh daily in-house and taste amazing. The large windows also mean that you can sip on a good cup of English tea while looking at the different types of people that comes to central London. Though, I’m not much of a people-watcher guy, but give me a comfy seat and a good cup of coffee, then you’d find me staring at the windows of Coco Mama.
Great For: Solo, Couples
📍96 Kensington High St, London W8 4SG, United Kingdom
Cafe Du Coin
Cafe Du Coin is a go-to spot if you’re looking for a serene French morning. You know that feeling when you just watched a movie and the actors are sitting outside a chic cafe and you’re thinking, “Hey, I want to go there”, well this spot has got you covered!
Their coffee aside, which is downright delish, their food is just absolutely the real deal, with the freshest French baked goods and an amazing seasonal menu, Cafe du Coin has never disappointed me through the many times I’ve been here.
Great For: Catching up with Friends
📍Earls Ct Rd, London SW5 9RD, United Kingdom
Montparnasse Cafe
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Montparnasse Cafe is an independently owned cafe, which may appeal to those like me who prefer to support small businesses. The cafe has a French style and is described as very Parisian, with croissants, pain au chocolat, and other sweet treats lining the cabinets.
They have a bunch of French baked goods such as; croque monsieurs, tartiflette, and fruit tarts, and overall, the vibe is actually super relaxing and this place is one of my personal favourites on where to kill some time.
Great For: Catching up with Friends, Solo
📍22 Thackeray St, London W8 5ET, United Kingdom
Cafe Tarte
As you walk in, you’re greeted by a display case filled with rows of decadent French pastries like eclairs, fruit tarts, paninis, and macarons. The interior has a quaint, Parisian cafe vibe with checkerboard floors, bistro chairs, and marble topped tables. The menu offers breakfast items like croissants and omelettes as well as light lunch fare like crepes and quiche.
But the real stars are the baked goods. You can’t go wrong with the fruit tarts, which have a perfect buttery crust and fresh fruit fillings. The chocolate eclairs are filled with silky custard and dipped in glossy chocolate. And the macarons are heavenly – light, crunchy, and bursting with flavor. I just absolutely love sweets treats, and getting the best pastries and cakes is made possible by this South Kensington coffee shop.
Great For: Close Friends, Solo, Takeaway
📍La Piccola Deli Pasticceria, 270 Kensington High St, London W8 6ND, United Kingdom
Chelsea Creperie
Though not exactly in the area, Chelsea Creperie is a charming little creperie just a short walk from South Kensington station. It’s known for serving up delicious sweet and savory crepes, galettes, and other French fare. The cozy interior feels like a French country cafe with checkerboard floors, bistro tables, and a bakery counter up front displaying all the day’s crepes.
Their wide selection of crepes includee both sweet crepes with fillings like Nutella, banana, and lemon as well as heartier buckwheat galettes filled with ham, cheese, spinach, and more. The ham and cheese galette makes for a perfect quick lunch. For dessert, the Nutella crepe is a classic choice with the rich chocolate-hazelnut spread and banana slices. Looking at their gallery of freshly made crepes and you’ll want just about everything!
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍240 Fulham Rd., London SW10 9NA, United Kingdom
Cafe Phillies
The kitchen serves just about anything you’re craving, from English breakfast options to cocktails and wines. I kind of got the vibe of stepping into a slice of Italy because of their posh decor and dishes.
We went here on brunch and upon opening up their menu I instantly ordered their Italian coffee, and I can confidently say that if you’re looking for the best Italian-style cute cafes then this should be at the top of your list! I also really appreciate that this café has staff that are super attentive and even remembered me coming in, a full 2 days after I last went there.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍2A Phillimore Gardens, London W8 7QB, United Kingdom
Cafe Jumo
Another entry for cute independent coffee shops is Cafe Jumo, a place where you could probably catch me in every week. It’s also super cool to me that I managed to meet a few of their former employees, and they have nothing to say but praises about this shop. The coffee is good, the food is great, and the service is simply divine!
The menu at Cafe Jumo includes British cuisine, such as scrambled eggs, poached eggs, avocado mash, sandwiches, and cakes. To be honest it’s more of the classic British fare but they somehow elevate that with amazing and attentive staff, and a comfortable environment.
Great For: Couples
📍32b Kensington Church St, London W8 4HA, United Kingdom
Hjem Kensington
Now going back to our theme of translating the names of coffee shops in South Kensington, this place translates to “Home” and know that you’d expect that to be just a name for something, but Hjem Kensington delivers! From the pastel walls to the outdoor terrace, you get one of the most Instagrammable cafes in London.
It does give off this homey vibe with their intimate seats, delicious matcha lattes, and “Hjemmade” bread, you’re really looking at a place you could spend hours and hours in. They also have danish pastries available that perfectly complements your afternoon tea.
Great For: Close Friends
📍3 Launceston Pl, London W8 5RJ, United Kingdom
Caffe Concerto
London’s filled with authentic and topnotch places to grab a cup of joe, and this South Kensington Cafe is one of my personal favourites. To start with, they use premium coffee beans from Musetti, an esteemed Italian coffee company founded in 1934. If that’s not enough to impress people, then they have an entire wall of fresh roses and tulips on every table, and a patisserie counter with fresh Italian baked goods.
When I was still single, this place has been one of the many places in London, that I recommend when I’m looking for the best cafes for an impressive first date and it has never failed me once! I opted to get their salmon and upgraded my drink to a prosecco and while enjoying my meal, I realize that the place is actually so relaxing, and is the perfect getaway from the bustling high street Kensington.
Great For: Couples
📍94 Kensington High St, London W8 4SG, UK
Fait Maison
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Fait Maison has a seasonal menu featuring French and Mediterranean-inspired dishes made from scratch by renowned Executive Chef Om Waleed. The all-day menu includes breakfast items like pancakes, omelettes, and eggs benedict, as well as lunch options such as salads, sandwiches, quiches, and Middle Eastern mezze platters.
They serve high quality coffee drinks using Italian espresso beans, as well as loose leaf teas, hot chocolate, milkshakes, and non-coffee options like matcha lattes. To be honest, I’ve actually never been to this cafe, but I’ve met several travel bloggers who have, and these people would not stop recommending this spot as one of the best cafes they’ve ever been to.
Great For: Groups of Friends
📍3 Stratford Rd, London W8 6RQ, United Kingdom
Looking for More Guides?
When it comes to South Kensington, coffee isn’t the only thing they’re famous for, and if you’re wondering what else you could do in this lively part of London, then we’ve got you covered! From places to eat, to bottomless prosseco in addition to your coffee, we have a bunch of guides to check out so head on over!
FAQ
Q: What is the price range of these coffee shops?
A: The price range of the coffee shops in South Kensington varies depending on the menu items and the location. However, many of them are known for their reasonable prices and are considered adequate by customers. The prices for coffee and food items are generally in line with other cafes and restaurants in London.
Q: What are the most popular dishes at these coffee shops?
A: The most popular dishes at the coffee shops in South Kensington are not specified in the search results. However, many of them offer a variety of food options, such as brunch items, sandwiches, and cakes. Some of the coffee shops are known for their British cuisine, while others offer French or Italian-inspired dishes. Customers have also mentioned that the coffee is great at many of these coffee shops.
