3 Most Stylish London Cafès

When it comes to London, we can easily associate with the unique coffee culture and the creative caffeinated community. Of course, besides good coffee, I also love the good vibes and design of different shops; and their passion towards coffee and good food are always appreciated (Some cafès do serve a variety of breakfast & brunch food!). During my stay in London, there are few different coffee shops that I've been during my last trip and few more suggestions at the end of the article.

你喜歡怎樣去認識一個城市？是跑景點把旅遊書上的check point也去完、把照片傳發到社交媒體上；還是去認識一班新朋友，用最在地的方法去玩？
我喜歡把當地的藝術館看完，然後到各個特色的咖啡店飲一杯咖啡，再拿出照相機拍照、在本子上寫寫字 —— 在咖啡室感受一個地方的氣氛。今次想介紹幾間這趟倫敦之旅十分喜歡的咖啡店，無論是咖啡、設計還是friendly的barista，也讓我非常喜歡這個咖啡文化濃厚的城市。

1. Ozone Coffee Roasters
Not just a coffee shop, they also have their own coffee roasting area in the basement. They also serve a variety of food in brunch menu. What I really like in London, is that nearly every single coffee shops have Vegetarian/Vegan options. And that day I've had 2 Flat Whites(to satisfy my caffeine craving); and a chaff & organic spirulina chia pudding with blueberries & dark chocolate. The blue and green colour in the chia pudding makes it so appealing - I got a few messages on Instagram about it after I posted it on IG stories! It is also very fulfilling as a light breakfast. Also, the staff and baristas are really friendly and the shop is spacious. Highly recommend visiting Ozone if you're going to the trendy Shoreditch area.

2. Monmouth Coffee Roaster
Monmouth has the "World's Best Coffee" - yes, nobody would deny it. Being an iconic coffee brand and shop, their staff have abundant knowledge and passion about coffee. What I love about them is the location of their shop, just located in Borough Market(my favourite food paradise at all time). Be aware of the long queue tho, but the popular and yummy coffee always deserve a wait!

3. TAP Coffee
Located in Soho, you will be impressed by the stylish interior design of the shop when passing by. Light enters the cafe through the glass ceiling, and the vibe is chill and relax. I spent an afternoon there drawing some postcards (Yes! I like sketch my postcards to my friend). 

Other cafès that I love...

4. Department of Coffee and Social Affairs 
Located at a small lane off Carnaby Street, we are surprised that many types of Vegan cakes available too!

5. London Grind
Just at London Bridge, London Grind has a really good vibes and friendly staff.

6. Barber & Parlour
Combines grooming, with a space to eat, drink and shop; and I love the interior design of the house.

And also a few of my snap shots during the trip. (And it is a surprise that we are able to witness the "Pride in London" parade too. I cannot describe how much happiness I felt everywhere on that Sunday afternoon. #LoveisLove)

All shoot on Simple Use Film Camera by Lomography Hong Kong with Fujifilm FujiFilm SP400 & Iphone7 Plus.

Not just about the coffee, but the atmosphere, and people of the coffee shops. Anyone else love to explore new coffee shops in a city like I do? We know that it is more than a morning brew. If you are one of us, Don't forget to follow my Instagram @charlotteinwhite as I always go to the best & most stylish cafès all over the world. :)

Loves,

Alternative to Flat White

I am a coffee-person.
I always like to start the day with a cup of warm flat white, it just makes me feel so awake, and the creamy texture of milk is very delicious too. Sometimes I had one more in the afternoon in between works to refresh my mind.

從兩年前起開始喜歡上飲咖啡，暖暖的Cappuccino/Latte的綿滑口感總是讓人覺得很幸福。不過，最新因為正進行30天的純素Diet(不吃牛奶製品，如牛奶、乳酪、芝士等製品)，也想把咖啡停一停，所以在找一些替代品。
記得在維也納的一間純素cafê試過這種飲料「黃金牛奶」，其實即是薑黃奶，發現它非常有營養價值、濃滑的口感也很討好。除了可以抗炎、破壞癌細胞和增加免疫力，也可以令皮膚更好（減少粉刺等等）和解經痛！也分享了我的簡單黃金牛奶作法，三分鐘就完成了。

However, as I decided giving up coffee & dairy for a while (because of my skin and also give myself a detox period*), I have been searching for an alternative. Green tea latte or chai tea Latte with almond milk... and then I remember I've tried this drink in Vienna - Golden Milk!

Turmeric milk, also sometimes referred to as golden milk, is an infusion of either dry turmeric powder or fresh turmeric root in milk. Health benefits of having this drink are more than you think, here are some:
- Strengthen immunity system
- Improve digestion & Relieve bloating
- Better skin condition: reduces acne, lighten scars & removes fine lines
- Reduce periods pain
- Help preventing cancer etc...

For me, a cup of warm Golden Milk is very good to start up early morning, at the same time it cures my craving for coffee - as it has a natural spicy(pepper-like) taste, if you like the spiciness of Chai Tea, you will definitely love this creamy and comforting Golden Milk too.

Here is a little recipe for it (Very easy to make & it takes less than 3 minutes to prepare!)...

Vegan & Easy Golden Milk
 

Ingredients

• 1 cup of unsweetened plain Almond Milk (here I use Califia from Green Common) (or any kind of milk of your choices)
• 1/2 tsp of Turmeric powder (here I use Terrasoul from Green Common)
• 1/4 tsp Ground Cinnamon
• 1 tsp Coconut Oil
• Pinch of Ground Black Pepper
• Some Agave Syrup (or any kind of sweetener of choice, like honey, maple syrup etc...)

First, warm up the milk in a small sauce pan in medium heat. Then put everything inside and keep whisking it. Then you can enjoy it immediately. And maybe sprinkle a little more of cinnamon powder on top of it too!

And it helps to sleep better if you have it as an evening drink too. Let me know what do you like to have for breakfast and if you like my easy recipe for Golden Milk too.

Loves,
Charlotte