Aero-Press??? Is that like French press? Well, apparently it's the latest hype on the yuppie-coffee scene and being a sucker for everything exotic, fancy, weird and new, I simply had to try it. Lizzie G. actually recommended "Dose" to me when I was in desperate need of an actual dose of caffeine. No sooner said than done...I walked to Dose and I took an immediate liking to the small coffee shop. It's rather small...or tiny would be the better word, but they have a cute little nook where I can picture myself reading some bohemian-kind-of-novel! But back to the aero-press: brewing the coffee (if that is still the word that one can use) is really quite a procedure and I wonder how many years of training it takes to learn this. The machinery itself kind of reminded me a little bit of a giant syringe...a syringe with a dose of caffeine! But it's definitively an experience watching them press the coffee into the container... Once my coffee had been created (and this is actually a good word to use), I was about to carelessly add some sugar to it, when the barista suggested I should try it without sugar first. She mentioned something about this coffee being more tea-like and more delicate and thus people would usually don't drink it with sugar...and she was right, it was really tasty - naked as it was! Which brings me to the point: when are you going to try your first naked air-pressed coffee? read more

Yet another delightful Farringdon find! A seriously tiny cafe absolutely brimming with delicious cakes, cookies, and pastries; rich, fresh, ethically-sourced coffee and the teeniest tables ever! The hot chocolate is so thick and rich you might as well eat it with a spoon, but that's the way (uh-huh, uh-huh) I like it (uh-huh, uh-huh)! I haven't tried their cakes but the sight of the cheesecake brownies had me drooling and the sound of the organic ginger and Guinness cake intrigued me. Perhaps a trip back to sample some naughty treats (in the name of research) is required! A great place to stop for a shot of caffeine, a naughty cake, a quick catch-up with a friend or simply if you need a port in a storm (space-allowing!) What a little treasure! read more

Nice little café right in the heart of the square mile. Dose provided a welcome respite for me from the intense (and very sudden) rain that started falling as I roamed around outside. As I stepped in, water literally dripping from my hair (I had forgotten my umbrella), the server kindly offered me some napkins to dry myself a little bit. I then proceeded to order a black coffee (£2.60 for medium) and took a seat. The coffee was good- nice and strong, though disappointingly small. As I drank, my eyes kept drifting towards the salted caramel brownies on offer. Inevitably, I ended up ordering one. I really have little ability to resist temptation. The café, as aforementioned, is small. There are about 10-15 seats, I believe, so you may well have to take away, but assuming you do get a seat, it's a nice place to be. Free Wi-Fi, nice staff, and high quality products mean I'll try return next time I'm in London (admittedly, not very often). read more

This is the favorite coffee shop of my coworkers who live & work here in London. They have a great flat white and very good coffee. I'm not a huge coffee snob so long as they have decent flavored non-burnt coffee. That said, this is the tastiest coffee I've had for this trip. That is why we've been back 3-4 times. read more

Great little espresso bar! James the owner is a great guy and very personable! They have a 2 group La Marzocco which is has been shoe horned in next to 2 grinders. As well as their 'normal coffee' (Square Mile Coffee Roasters) they have a good rotation of guest coffees from around the world! It has earned the cult status amongst coffee geeks the country over! You might rub shoulders with barista champions, roasters and visiting international baristi! Great llittle gem of a coffee shop! read more

Yes. I should just stop there, but there are a few slightly informative points I may or may not make before I finish. (If you're already bored, just know this: YES.) I've been popping into Dose for nearly a year now. It was initially just a substitute for my precious Stumptown brew that makes my heart pitter-pat in an excitable caffeinated rhythm. Square Mile roasts fantastic, fantastic, fantastic beans. Are they the best? Debatable. Enter the aeropress. Now we're dealing with bells and whistles in the form of micro-filters, air pressure and specifically timed water-to-grounds ratios. The result is said fantastic, fantastic, fantastic bean being blinded by science and pressed to submission to create one of the smoothest espressos you'll ever have the pleasure of sipping. I do love my skinny milk and it would indeed be nice if they stocked it for my random calcium cravings... especially when baristas have that inexplicable God-given gift of making skinny milk taste like half and half. But with Americanos this good, the milk may just get in the way! Long story short: YES. read more

Pokey, hot, no nonsense service, coffee that puts hairs on your chest - what else is there to ask for ?

I feel I should state for the record that Dose makes a perfectly excellent long black. You see, I stopped by Farm in Farringdon based on a review that said they served good coffee. I got a £1.90 (£1.90!!!) americano (white, even), and it was bad. Bad and wrong. It insulted my palate. So I took five sips, vainly hoping that it would magically become a better drink, and I then threw it away. I was left on the pavement with 40 minutes of lunch hour left, bemused. Jilted. Undercaffeinated. What was I to do? Where was I to go? Dose, which was a jaunt away through Smithfield Market. It was my saving grace. Thank you, Dose. I might have felt the flat white was on the weak side on my previous visit, and it therefore wasn't really my thing, but the long black I just had was the perfect strength and oh-so smooth. The coffee itself was a bit unnuanced, but this is likely more to do with the espresso blend (Square Mile winter blend?) used than with preparation. Plus, that all comes down to personal preference (its notes were all quite rounded and therefore muddled together a bit); I prefer coffees with striking characteristics rather than all-rounder blends, but that's just me. Oh, and the long black was £1.60. Fuck, yes. That, my friends, is what I call value for money. Five stars! read more

I've just lost my Aero-press virginity and I'm a happy girl. Square Mile coffee beans, lovingly brewed to make a tasty cup of magic, black magic at that! So it's the World Barista Championships at the moment and after popping in there this morning I felt like my taste buds deserved even more great brew. After hearing about this Aero-press system from Larissa D, I headed on over there for a drink and a sarnie. I have to say, fab sandwiches fellas. Yes you did ask me if I wanted it toasted which is a little weird when it's fresh salmon and dill but hey, whatever floats your boat. This place is possibly a 5 star venue. Staff are a little surly but that's kinda what you expect from guys this good. So back to the coffee and yes it really was lovely, so lovely, I had it back, with no sugar. A first for me. Thank you Dose. I'm so glad I work close to you. You make my mornings happier. read more

My first ever specialty coffee in London. Absolutely delicious. Had a piccolo and it was nearly perfect, delicious, sweet, soft. Had a nice sandwich as well, but this place is mainly for the coffee. Excellent staff, friendly, and lots of Hario brewing equipment. Coffee by Square Mile Coffee Roasters. Highly highly recommended. read more

Dose is another indie coffee joint serving Square Mile and delivered via high quality machinery and passionate baristas. It is a small place and would only serve for quick chats and meetings (I don't think I could work here) but the place seemed friendly enough. I came in here mid-afternoon and it wasn't too busy, but I imagine this place will have queues at peak times of the day. My flat white had all the smooth notes and velvety coffee goodness you would come to expect from a well-reputed coffee place serving Square Mile beans. Small but ample selection of cakes and things when I was in there. The tea selections looked lovely too. Other good things include a loyalty card and free wi-fi (which I didn't get to use). read more

Tiny space, good pastries. It's a "real" coffee shop. Aeropress, drip, espresso. Just enough attitude to make you feel like you're at Blue Bottle in SF. Me: "do you have cream or milk?" Barista: yes, but have you tried it without? Me: "Yes, that's why I asked for cream or milk." In a city of weak filter coffee and not much else other than the occasional Starbucks, I would become a regular if I lived here. read more

I have been a big fan of Dose for a while - both in its original (super tiny location) and its new (slightly larger but still pretty small) base just down the road. It is at its best mid-morning or mid-afternoon after or before the morning/lunch rush has subsided. At that time, there is space to relax, enjoy your coffee and browse the web on Dose's free (and fast) WiFi. Its popularity during rush hour is well deserved. It offers all the usual coffee variations with a few specials that I hadn't heard of before. For example, a 'Gibraltar' is on the coffee menu which is, apparently, a Double Macchiato made with ristretto rather than espresso shots. It also offers Aeropress and 'Clever dripper' coffee. This is all topped up by friendly staff who give real care and attention to your order. In short - excellent! read more

In my day off, I took the tube to Barbican only to try the coffee here. I feel it's completely my duty as a coffee lover, to have a go at least once, to all the coffee shops featured in London coffee guides. I asked for the soya flat white, to compare with the other Kiwi/Aussie coffee shops I've tried so far, and I wasn't disappointed at all, it was delicious. I wasn't expecting less, actually, after reading so many great reviews. Also, at £2.60 to stay in, I find it reasonable. What I really liked of the place was the staff. There was a girl there, extremely nice and knowledgeable, a truly coffee geek! A guy came in to leave his CV, although they weren't looking for new baristas at that moment. But she advised him where to look and I could overhear their conversation about different well-known coffee places in London, the blends they used, their espresso machines, their award-winning baristas... It's awesome when the staff really love what they do. read more

Definitely a worthy provider of my daily dose of caffeine. Myself and some work colleagues have taken it upon ourselves to find the best coffee in a 10 min walk radius from St Pauls station, where we work, and Dose is the current title holder. In fact won by KO in the first round. Their flat whites are to die for, and contain enough caffeine to glue your eyelids open through even the most diehard marathon of 24 episodes . What's really great is they manage to achieve this strength without the coffee ever tasting bitter (you remember what happened the first time you had the bright idea of heaping 7 table spoons of instant coffee into one mug...we've all done it....and we'd all rather drink paint filler) Their coffee is a little on the pricey side, but if you want the best, and theirs is, I'll attest, take up the quest, go to Dose, and I guarantee you you'll pay with zest! read more

This place is literally right across the street from the Barbican tube stop, turn right out the exit and walk half a block. Needless to say the coffee is very good or I probably wouldn't have treked to no-mans land during the daytime. It gets an interesting cross section of office workers... There are only two tiny tables there, and window seats, making it cozy... but the espresso makes it worth every ounce of effort to get there. Yes, another aussie joint, to be sure. Why not five stars then? Oh I don't know the coffee was pretty much five stars, I guess the cafe part of the place was a little lacking I guess... read more

Finally stopped by and I like Dose. Another Square Milin' good pullin' piled high with sweets coffee snobbery kind of place. And free wi-fi. The place is tiny so you don't get a good "crowd" effect. But the place has a good vibe. Wish the door would have closed by itself on a cool day like today. Got out of my seat 10 times to close the door. read more

Put simply, dose make the best coffee you can get in London. So good in fact, I've started getting off the tube one stop later than usual, just so I can swing by to get my flat white fix. The big difference at dose is how much they cherish their espresso machine. It takes up half of the room more or less, and the care and attention put into the production of each cup is bordering on art. Whatever you order feels like it was made with love, and the big names like EAT, Pret and co simply cannot replicate that experience. If you're anywhere in Clerkenwell and need a java hit, go here. Me and the big chains are through. read more

It's always a risk I take with coffee of any sort. Being the picky consumer I am, I too often have to put up with shoddy coffee and crap chocolate. Dose is the most magnificent homage to the art of coffee. A small but perfectly formed shop containing a beautiful espresso machine and a passionate advocate of the coffee-makers art. The Qype barista throwdown was fun but behind the fun was a message - life is too short to dring bad coffee or settle for scalded milk in a cup with over roasted beans and burnt coffee. Dose is where you need to go for coffee. Dose is where you need to go for espresso. Dose is coffee - dose is passion - dose is desire - dose is perfect. read more

Yet another example of the Southern hemisphere teaching the Northern how to do things properly... You give us cricket, we give you Bradman; you give us rugby, we give you Lomu; you give us hot-beverage-drinking, we give you world class baristas who can teach you what coffee is meant to taste like. If you're still drinking chain-house coffee, get to Dose and get an education. It should not be boiling hot, the steamed milk should not be full of bubbles, and the final product should taste like a moment of sinful paradise. I'm considering changing careers just so I can get a job in the city and make this my daily caffeine stop. read more

Excellent proper coffee. It's like a Parisian espresso bar i.e drink standing at the bar. Has a nice social feel and a type of place you can go to by yourself (which if your girlfriend doesn't like coffee, is a good thing). It's very small inside but the beauty of proper espresso coffee served in glass with a glass of cold water is essential to a short authentic coffee experience. If you are passing, it's an essential stop off rather than destination. However, the cakes and sandwiches are worth sampling too... If you like coffee banter also check out their tweets: @dose_espresso An example of a real local mini business extending themselves by 'getting' social media. If your a Londoner who likes your coffee though, make the pilgrimage to Dose. read more

The middle bit of a killer foodie day, a Mr Eamon of this very parish introduced me to the lower case-loving dose. About an hour later, I could still taste the macchiato. Now THAT'S a good coffee. One solo barista - James, I believe, a Kiwi here via years of coffee-making genius in Sydney - churns out exemplary cup after exemplary cup. He's a canny chap, his marketing is spot on (local networking, it's the future, people) and he sources great coffee which he then turns into a superlative beverage that'll get your tastebuds singing and your synapses doing little jigs of caffeine-fuelled joy. I'll need a couple more visits before I know for sure but this place might already have the edge on Monmouth & Flat White. read more

In short: "YUUUUMMMMMMM!!!" James, the barista, is one obsessed man! Happily for us, his passion of choice is coffee. And boy does he know it well! Beans, grinds, temperature, preparation, timings, milk type, milk frothing, pouring, latte art, the works! We're talking a very serious barista who loves what he's doing, and makes the science and art of coffee seem an effortless pleasure. To my great joy, the prices do not reflect this, and you can really enjoy the best coffee in London for less than in the big bad chains. Truly, you can't go wrong. I dare you to try it and not come back for more! You don't get better than this, even in Italy! (trust me, I've been there) Dose espresso is a small place definitely worth the detour. Oh, and if you bring your own cup, you get 10p off and a smile from James who seems quite keen on helping with environmental issues wherever possible. It's worth pointing out that the pastries on display are fresh from the same day (Nero, Starbucks, take note!!) and are thrown out at the end of each day. I had a croissant, and it was divine!! read more

Dose Café - Pics @ The London Foodie (http://www.thelondonfoodie.co.uk ) I was recently invited with other Qypers and fellow food bloggers to visit this delightful independent Coffee House on Long Lane, EC1. Dose is a small café, simply but stylishly decorated, and set in a great central location by Smithfields Market. Run by owner James, his passion and enthusiasm for real coffee are contagious. We were given the low-down on how the perfect cup of coffee should be sourced, roasted, prepared, and drunk. Dose's coffee is fairtrade and biodynamic (a concept I had only previously known in wine production) and sourced from Square Mile Roasters; their milk is organically farmed and most packaging used is recycled or biodegradable. The food on offer was tempting, and their blueberry muffin, which I personally tried, was quite good. Dose's prices are also reasonable considering the affluent and trendy location. We had cup after cup of wonderful cappuccini as James patiently taught us how to draw patterns from the hot milk froth. I had always wondered how baristas could do that. A competition for the best heart shape was organised; it was a fun evening despite my best attempts at a heart looking more like an ill-formed kidney! Meeting some of the faces behind my favourite blogs was an added bonus, like Neil Davey from The Lambshank Redemption. Most importantly, the experience has made me rethink my ideas about what makes a perfect cup of coffee the quality and origin of the beans, the water which should not boil, the quality of the organic milk to name just a few of the concepts not fully appreciated at many coffee chains. A big Thank You goes to Eammon, from the Qype team, for organising this wonderful event, and another to James for his generosity on the evening and for serving possibly the BEST cup of coffee in the Capital. read more

Incredible coffee, perfectly ground, perfectly brewed and perfectly served in a wonderful little shop (perfectly formed?) near Smithfields. Now that I've finally managed to make it into this destination, I can see what all the buzz is about. In addition to the double espresso (served with a glass of water) I can vouch for the heavenly chocolate brownie as well as their sourdough sandwiches. The brownie was made by Bea's of bloomsbury and this one was the gooey Valrhona chocolate one. My kind of brownie. I'm planning a trip back tomorrow (which is a Sat) .... that's how good it is. Oh, did I mention that the prices are also unbelievably low (£1.30 for a double espresso, £1.50 for the choc brownie) and the barista and other staff just glorious? Now how do we copy and multiply this success story all over London? and How do you get to hand out 6 stars on Qype? Another category required? read more

Delightful cup of coffee with good service. The espresso blend is fruity and packs a punch. The breakfast items look tasty and affordable too, but I'm yet to try myself. My only qualm is that they cheekily charge 20p if you pay by card, even if its contact-less; taking an americano to £2.80; one of the more pricey cups of joe in the area. Other than that, nice place. The sweet shop coffee beans are also brilliant - highly recommended. read more

I really wanted to like Dose. They're in the London coffee guide and are tucked away off the beaten track on Long Lane. But when I see a barista prepare a long black by topping an espresso up with boiling hot water, it's game over for me. Barely acceptable in Greggs; definitely not in a place that is charging £2.60. read more

Refreshing independent coffee house just up the road from Smithfield Market. A great place to stop in if you're on your way to visit the Barbican. Amazing italian style coffees with a friendly staff. I live just around the corner from Dose and pop in most Saturday mornings. I keep coming back because all their coffee beans are fairtrade and their milk is organically farmed. The only downside to Dose is that everyone loves it so much that often times it's difficult to find a place to sit. The good part? Around the corner you'll find the oldest church in England and can sip your coffee freely in it's beautiful garden! read more

Great light roast coffee and a Bree and bacon sandwich- what's not to like about that!

James leads a top-quality band of lads & lasses who all serve faultless real coffeees & snacks/sandwiches in this small, seriously good coffee bar. read more

Good, 'serious' strong coffee. Good mochas with good chocolate. It's small (just a few tables) and can get really hot inside so can be difficult to meet people here and sometimes you stand around awkwardly waiting for your takeaway order because there's nowhere to really stand or perch. They have a few yummy little sandwiches and baked goods too. read more

I thought it was actually worth rereviewing this place to get rid of my slur on their flat whites. I had a normal sized one this time (not a long one) and it was simply perfect. Coupled with one of their muffins it was even better. read more

The guy (and there is one although surprisingly he does have more staff!) who makes the coffee here is a true connoisseur and so Dose is a heaven for coffee lovers. My only hang up is the line out the door which makes it only doable if you have the luxury of not showing up to work on time! read more

Insanely good coffee! Great location, relaxed ambience and warm staff make this place a must for coffee lovers.

Bizarre little coffee joint. It's supposed to be Indian styled but I don't really see the difference, maybe throw away some of the furniture and you'll get a regular cafe. Well, that's not bad at all. On the contrary, Dose is pretty great and each and every of its features are nicely touched up to the modern standards. The drinks are great, with a nice touch of creativity and uniqueness in some of them. I have seen the place so packed that it almost made me walk away but the sweet aroma of coffee and desserts made me stay. read more

Dose is a tiny but very high quality boutique coffee shop. The coffee is very good and only about the price of much inferior cups from the chains. The cakes are also tasty. There is only seating for about six people (literally), so unless you are visiting offpeak you will be ordering to take away. I wish I had such a nice coffee shop near me. read more

I'm picky about coffee and generally, unless it's made in Naples in the first place or elsewhere in Italy in second, I approach all other coffee with a healthy dose of skepticism. Dose got a dose, but it was quickly despatched. I had an excellent macchiato, prepared by a terrific (and knowledgeable - ask him about the Gibraltar) barista and served by a congenial staffer. Coffee was full bodied and perfectly brewed with just the right amount of milk (org. of course) to make it a true macchiato. The shop itself is tiny as other reviewers have noted, but we got lucky and snagged a seat where we could check out all the action at the bar and outside. In addition to coffee, Dose serves very respectably priced (and yummy looking) sandwiches, pastries, brownies and simple breakfasts. Why didn't I award it 5 stars, you ask? It's not in Naples But for London, it's tops. read more

I really loved that cosy and tiny place, where James serves you the finest coffee ever. He does is barista job very well...and one could say he's somehow a perfectionist! And you can "taste" it: the coffee is as good as it is nicely presented. I drank an excellent macchiato (£1.50) there and would sure come back. The price board is quite original, with its rainbow big letters. If you are hungry you can have some of delicious blueberry muffin (£1.80) or try an italian-style pastrami sandwich. Highly recommend it! read more

i loved dose. slightly small for the amount of fans they have! i had a delicous flat white which was £2.40 for a large and some toast and vegemite which was £1 and really nice. its in a great location between barbican and st pauls tube (barbican loads nearer), has great coffee and nice atmosphere. you must visit! read more

LOVE this place! Their coffee is amazing and the staff really friendly.