With the February days being mostly cold and wet, I ventured out to central London to visit four more cosy church cafes. There are so many independent church cafes, ranging from tiny spaces in church porches to those catering on a large scale, all serving high quality food and drinks. I’m definitely going to visit more of them when exploring London: great coffee, great staff and interesting, sometimes beautiful, surroundings!

St Botolph without Bishopsgate – The Good Coffee Kiosk

This is a tiny takeaway coffee bar situated in the porch of St Botolph’s, just outside the City and a stone’s throw from Liverpool Street Station. No seating is available, but you are welcome to take your hot beverage through the door into the church and sip it in one of the pews. When I arrived at 10.40am most of the cakes and pastries were gone, I settled for a flapjack and a latte. The Kiosk opens a 7.30am and I was told by proprietor Melina that they often sell our completely by 11. As with other coffee shops I’ve visited, it’s part of the community outreach of the church, and Melina also helps other individuals to set up and run their own businesses. (She didn’t tell me that, it was on the website!) The coffee and other products are ethically sourced and produced and all profits benefit good causes. The Kiosk is open from 7.30am to 3.30pm Monday to Thursday.

Source: botolph.org.uk/the-good-coffee-kiosk

The Seed Café, Quaker Centre

On a completely different scale is this lovely spacious combined café and bookshop located in the Quaker Centre (Friends Meeting House) on Euston Road. They serve a comprehensive range of vegetarian and vegan food: hot dishes, sandwiches, salads, and cakes and pastries. I visited at lunchtime and it was very busy but it’s so spacious that it didn’t feel overcrowded at all. There are comfy chairs in the bookshop area but as I bought pumpkin soup and a cup of tea I elected to sit at a table in the main restaurant area. On the table was a card telling me how some of the products sold support community groups, and of course all products are ethical and sustainable. I love the name Redemption Roasters Coffee! The cafe is open Monday to Friday from 8am to 4pm.

Source: bloomsburylondon.com/seedcafe

New Acre Café, Westminster Chapel

Unfortunately this café was closed for a private function but I was allowed to take photos of this cosy coffee bar. New Acre Café has an interesting history as part of Westminster Chapel. Less than 500 metres from the Chapel is an area that Charles Dickens called ‘the Devil’s Acre’: a place of poverty and injustice. Founded in 1840, the ministry of Westminster Chapel included establishing up schools and almshouses and providing safe houses for orphans and work schemes for the unemployed. Dickens was impressed with the way that Christians devoted their lives to improving the Devil’s Acre for the people who lived there, and the café was named New Acre ‘to remind us of the reason that God has put us here today’. The brand of coffee served is Old Spike Benedict Blend; 65% of their profits directly support people experiencing homelessness. The café is open Monday to Thursday 9am to 4.30pm.

Source: Notice in the cafe; westminsterchapel.org.uk

Wesley Café, Central Hall Westminster

Another large restaurant including a separate coffee bar for drinks and cakes/snacks, open on week days. There is also a Street Café which is open all week. The restaurant is in the basement and is a large space with a secluded area for booking private functions and business lunches. A range of hot and continental breakfasts, lunches and sandwiches is served, but I grabbed a latte from the coffee bar and a muffin from the enticing Sweet Treats table. The seating area was busy and I shared a table with a customer tapping away on his laptop, he worked at the Houses of Parliament just across Parliament Square. Apparently the café is a popular eating venue for MPs and staffers, but I didn’t spot anyone famous! The main restaurant is open Tuesday to Saturday 9am to 4pm and the Street Café with its outdoor seating area, is open Monday to Sunday.

Source: c-h-w.com/wesleys-cafe