Top 5 London Coffee Shops from Marylebone High Street to James Street

by Jo Ellis (subscribe)

Going to Starbucks Coffee in London sometimes may feel like travelling by underground train on the Central Line: no seats available or space to breathe and long queues. To sit in or take away, a café is an oasis to chill, chat, work, study, read and write in central London. For those coffeeholics who want to spice it up a little and are looking an alternative to the classic Starbucks, there are some great options in a straight line from Marylebone High Street to James Street. There is no need to turn in any corner. Just follow the trail towards Oxford Street, and there is a myriad of coffee shops.



The plan is not to have one coffee in each place on the same day, but for those who wander the area often and are looking for choices, this might be a good idea. However, for the ones who are not looking for alternatives and are Starbucks' customers through and through, keep calm, there is also an establishment of the famous brand in the area.



1- Patisserie Valerie
This is the best coffee in the area. As a true coffeeholic (hear, hear), I had to ask where it was from. It's Italian coffee. I tried both café latte and coffee with vanilla syrup, and it had a delicious taste.


There are also good choices for breakfast like scrambled eggs with toast, but it was the apple tart that sent me through the roof. It has a delicate flavour that makes the perfect match coffee, especially on a cold afternoon.



The ambience is very picturesque. There is a terrace and the interior is carefully decorated in a cosy yet graceful way.

2- Apostrophe

The coffee in Apostrophe is very good quality. You can have it in all its versions: cappuccino, latte, espresso, with vanilla syrup, and so on. The blueberry muffin is is to die-for: spongy, fresh, full of flavour and delicious. The croissants are fine but the bagels with cream cheese and salmon are superb.



One big pro for this place is its location. Right in one corner of St. Christopher's Place, facing the square. Even though it is parallel to hectic Oxford street, the square gives it a magical tranquillity to enjoy coffee in the open air.

3- Bonne Bouche

According to my taste, this is the third best coffee. It is full of flavour, consistent with a mouth-filling taste. It is a good place to have a breakfast as the bagels are exquisite, and the combination with coffee in all its forms is just right - the perfect New Yorker breaky.



4- Le Pain Quotidien

It is widely known, but it still makes it to the list as it still is an alternative to the giant Starbucks. Located in a corner of Marylbobe High Street, it offers good quality coffee along with a wide range of tasty pastries.

5- Paul

For those looking for a relatively cheap breakfast, this coffee shop offers a cup of coffee with an exquisite croissant for less than 3 pounds. Cheap, tasty and practical - it is the perfect breakfast in a very nice location!

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Phone: 070 7935 6240

Where: Marylebone High Street to James Street