The Best Coffee Shops Near Campus

Coffee - a pivotal part of the morning, it’s the thing that gets us through frantic study sessions and chaotic university days. Whether you're the type to savour every sip of a creamy matcha latte while lounging with friends or you're perpetually racing to class with an iced americano in hand, coffee is the constant that keeps the world spinning. If you’re around the LSE campus, the options can be as varied as your coffee moods – but don’t worry, I've scouted the streets of London, taste-tested my way through caffeine highs and lows, and compiled a list of the must-visit coffee spots that’ll make every cup worth your while.

Blank Street

One of the many coffee shop chains located in London, Blank Street not only makes excellent coffee, they also make delicious matcha drinks, from specialty lattes to seasonal refreshers. They also have a selection of pastries and sweet treats that are great to buy as a pick-me-up between or after classes.

My top drink recommendations are the strawberries and cream latte, the blueberry matcha latte, and the mango matcha refresher. If you’re looking for a sweet treat, I also recommend the pistachio cream cookie, it’s the perfect combination of sweet and salty.

WatchHouse

Located near Seven Dials, this coffee shop does a clean, modern take on coffee. While simple, their coffee is some of the most delicious and high quality you’ll find in London. With plenty of seating both inside and out, this beautiful cafe is the perfect place to work and study while sipping on your coffee. I loved to study for exams and work on essays here – especially when I could order from their menu of excellent brunch items like their tomato caprese tart and matcha latte.  

Arabica

My personal favourite coffee shop near campus, Arabica is located near Apple Market in Covent Garden. While their menu is small, their coffee is brewed to perfection and each latte is a 10/10 regardless of whether you order them hot or cold. They have a wide variety of lattes like their Kyoto, Spanish or Dark lattes, and even have a matcha latte and lemonade with the option to make it still or sparkling. My personal favourites were the Kyoto Latte, Matcha Latte and sparkling lemonade.

They also have small bites and pastries you can order along with your coffee. I really liked their canelés and croissants.

Drury 188-189

For those of you staying in High Holborn, this small cafe is located in the alley next door to the residence. With its warm and inviting interior, Drury 188-189 is a great place to grab a coffee or get a meal with friends. They have a full menu with options for breakfast, lunch and dinner. From excellent sandwiches and salads, to pastries, to fresh smoothies and juices, Drury 188-189 is one of my favourite places to get coffee in London.

This blog was written by one of our 2024 Student Ambassadors, who are here to share their stories and help you understand the summer school experience at LSE.