You will find no Starbucks cawfee here. These are the best coffee and teahouses off the high street menu, freshly ground from your finest recommendations. Perfect for an espresso date or some delightful conversation. For as the great man himself, Charles-Maurice de Talleyrand, once said, coffee is ‘Hot as hell, Pure as an angel, Sweet as love’. Oh Charles, how you cut to the very core of me.

Our top ten gems rule still applies. We take no prisoners. So these really are the crème de la crème, filtered especially for you. If you’ve got some more you’d love to share, the floor is yours.

Central:

1. Bea’s of Bloomsbury, Chancery Lane, WC1X 8NW

A veritable afternoon tea boudoir. Perfect for a laydee. They’ve got more goodies than you can shake a cupcake at. How does ‘Triple Chocolate Cake’ sound? Thought so. Just too easy. Book ahead for Sunday afternoon tea.

2. Postcard Teas, Bond Street, W1S 1AG

The perfect blend of provenance and petite charm. Rare teas from around the world are here to be tried and tasted. The Telegraph have said it’s the best tea in town. We can second that.

3. Maison Bertaux, Soho, W1D 5DQ

 

‘Ello ‘ello. Listen very carefully, for we will say this only once. Maison Bertaux is Soho’s piece-de-resistance. An oasis of retro charm and out-dated décor. If their cakes and pastries could talk, they’d say ‘Voulez-vous manger avec moi’. Damn it, we love it when a French cake talks sexy.

4. Flat White, Soho, W1F 0PT

Small, cosy coffee house for the real coffee geek.

East:

 

5. Candid Café, Angel, EC1V 1NQ

 

Well we did say we’d treat you didn’t we? This is the perfect sanctuary to relax and unwind. F.A.C.T. Plus, the Candid Courtyard is open during the summer months. Another heavenly oasis. Killing two birds with one bean.

6. Taste of Bitter Love, Bethnal Green, E2 7SJ

This is so good, it’s illegal in 34 states of America. Good job it’s based in London then. But remember, love isn’t safe. It’s a heart eat heart world out there. Luckily this place will leave you with a sweet taste in your mouth. Scout’s honour.

North:

7. Ginger and White, Hampstead, NW3 1QS

I’m no mathematician but I do know that fabulous food plus fabulous coffee = Ginger and White.

8. Tina, we salute you, Dalston, N1 4NH

Oh Tina, you and your self-congratulatory coffee name, you clever bean. Good job you’ve got the coffee from Square Mile Coffee to back yourself. Because we do too.

South:

9. The Deptford Project, New Cross

Where do we start? This is for the visionaries amongst you. Coffee shop stroke 57 seater converted carriage. We’ll leave the rest to your imagination.

 

Oh go on then, somewhere secret at number 10:

 

10. Hidden Tea Room, err hidden

 

Clandestine afternoon tea anyone? Not for the faint hearted. Hidden Tea Room is a private underground London restaurant that hosts Traditional Champagne Afternoon Teas. Where is it I hear you ask? That’s classified. I could tell you, but then I’d have to kill you. This webpage will self-destruct in 5 seconds…

And as if we hadn’t given you enough fun for one day, here are some musings about coffee from Dana G, the editor of MIEN magazine, your online guide to etiquette + culture + style. Until next week lovely folk, Team GLP. But if you miss us, you can always follow us on twitter: http://twitter.com/glpLondon

Coffee talk

A short etiquette musing for I know this great little place

Ah coffee, how we love thee. When brewed correctly, you emanate such sweet perfumes and provide that perfect little pick-me-up.

Truth be told, in this modern age, many people turn to coffee not for relaxation or post-meal treat but more for that routine on-the-run or first thing in the morning wake-up remedy.

Tsk tsk, your little “cup of joe” offers so much more and is far more enjoyable when sipped from a lovely piece of crockery rather than an impersonal styrofoam cup…and even better à deux.

Meeting someone who could potentially be the apple of your eye for coffee is the perfect alternative to going to the pub, and so often provides a cosier – if not more civilised – nook for your sweet little tête-à-tête. Be it on a date, with a friend or colleague it’s ideal way to catch up for a chat and gossip (precisely why Germans coined the wonderful expression of kaffee klatsch). Another cuppa? Well that’s the beauty, your coffee “date” can be as short or long as time, mood and – dare it be mentioned – that little spark allow. And with the luxury of time, pairing a cup of coffee (like a lovely glass of wine) with a dessert can make the java rendez-vous a more intimate experience.

Even though it’s “just coffee”, a gentleman should always make sure his date gets home safely. If all goes well, he may receive an extended invitation for yet another cup (which of course has a double meaning. Meow). Ah, now this is where the date can get interesting, and could be the perfect turning point for that little coffee encounter.

By Dana Gornitzki, Editor of MIEN Magazine