Known as the Mocha Lounge, this sophisticated basement café is the place to go if you want to instantly feel more intelligent. Again, it ticks my plush-furniture-and-exposed-brickwork decor boxes, and there are some truly elegant touches such as chandeliers and curtains which really add a sense of intimacy and occasion to the place. Definitely one for bringing a close friend or a date and having a good old chinwag about life, the universe and everything.
The culture factor is huge here. Between acoustic performances and poetry nights and its highly strict green credentials, it's a guilt-free and highbrow experience. The coffee is strong, the takeaway cups are 100% biodegradable and compostable and the vibe of the place attracts a varied clientele from alternative types and quirky creatives to high powered suits and a more mature crowd. It's the ideal place to curl up with a good book as well, during the day, when it's tranquil and quiet. On Thursdays and Fridays they keep the place open into the evening and they serve alcoholic beverages throughout the week too.
Breakfasts here offer plenty of choice from pastries and croissants to breakfast paninis and meaty English muffins. The prices are massively reasonable considering the quality, and at lunchtime you get your usual substantial coffee house fare like sandwiches and toasted melts as well as some more varied options like soups, salads, jacket spuds and the like, all with interesting and creative ingredients or fillings. Prices only really stretch to the best part of a fiver. The coffees here occupy a starring role with expertly sourced beans and they have the quintessential caramel macchiato on the menu which means I'm one happy bunny. Meanwhile the frappes are just as impressive, and the speciality teas are wonderful for herbal junkies like myself with some wonderfully unusual options including a gorgeous Jasmine green tea.
Another fantastic option if you're looking to steer clear of the chain coffee houses, with hippy ideals and a sophisticated ambience. A fine contender for the best coffee shop in the city, easily. read more