Our favourite places to grab a coffee
Once just a busy crossroads in South London, Elephant and Castle is now a vibrant hub with creative spaces, buzzing markets, and yes - an emerging coffee culture. So, now Pret has cut their all-you-can-drink offering, it’s the perfect excuse to widen your repertoire. These spots are also proof that great coffee is as much about the story and craft as it is the caffeine hit. We’ve summed up the local hit-list, with a handy walking guide from AKO.
Hej Coffee, 53, Rodney Road, London SE17 1BA
Approx 9min walk from AKO
Hej (Swedish for 'hello') is all about friendly communal vibes and precision brewing. Started by a small team who are passionate about sustainability, they roast their own beans in-house, creating a rich and distinctive flavour profile. The Hej Seasonal Espresso changes on the reg, but always packs a signature fruity punch.
Our ‘must order’ is a cinnamon bun latte – there are plenty of these about town, but Hej’s distinctly Scandi style comes into play on this one, creating a creamy, cinnamon-spiced hug in a cup. Paired with one of their flaky cinnamon rolls, you can’t go wrong.
Take home some of their beans too, perfect for levelling up your at-home brew.
Follow Hej here
Walcot Stores, 68 Walcot Square, London, SE11 4TZ
Approx 20min walk from AKO
On a quaint corner of South London, Walcot Stores’ founder Milly combines her love for caffeine and creativity. Not only serving great coffee and cakes, it also plays host to a number of classes and workshops, if you’re feeling crafty.
When it comes to the coffee, the shop rotates its offering to showcase artisanal boutique beans from roasters across the UK, often championing women-owned brands. Recently partnering with Old Spike, a Loughborough Junction-based charity that puts 65% of profits into its work battling homelessness, it’s definitely a ‘tastes good, does good’ coffee spot.
Follow Walcot Stores here
Mercato Metropolitano, 42 Newington Causeway, London, SE1 6DR
Approx 14min walk from AKO
Although the food market may not scream ‘coffee haven’, Mercato Metropolitano is a hidden gem for coffee lovers. Among its vast array of stalls serving up London’s favourite multi-cultural dishes, you’ll find pop-ups serving robust Italian Espressos, velvety cappuccinos and occasionally, the experimental cold brew.
Check out iconic gelato store Badiani’s, for their even more iconic affogato. A dollop of their creamy gelato, drowned in a piping hot espresso. Ideal for an afternoon pick-me-up, or when en route back to AKO after dinner.
Follow Mercato Metropolitano here
The Rocketvan Coffee Shop, 92 Brandon St, London, SE17 1AL
Approx 11min walk from AKO
In an unassuming courtyard, at first glance this coffee shop is a removals warehouse. Don’t be deterred! When the shutters roll up, Rocketvan Cafe becomes a quaint and fairy-lit coffee stop, with outdoor seating and indoor sofas.
Serving up a selection of artisan coffees, local pastries and crusty toasted sandwiches, it’s the perfect place to pause from the busy Elephant and Castle atmosphere. They cater for vegans and coeliacs too, while the dog treat jar is also always open for four-legged guests, so everyone is welcome.
Doors don’t shut until 11pm on Thursdays and Fridays, when the cafe-turned-bar switches from coffee to vino. Check out their quiz night, live jazz and film screening schedules for chilled local plans.
Follow Rocketvan here
WatchHouse, 199 Bermondsey Street, London, SE1 3UW
Approx 14min walk from AKO
Featuring in no less than Vogue and Forbes, while also winning the Best European Coffee Shop Award in 2023, WatchHouse has bubbled to the top of London’s thriving coffee scene. 14 minutes down the road (10 if you hit a brisk pace), you’ll find a very unique, dinky building harbouring some of the world’s rarest and most exceptional coffees.
Check out their wide range of pour-over coffees, from regions like Colombia, Bolivia and Panama – each with its own unique twist. Our personal favourite is Los Rodriguez, SL28 from Bolivia: a blend that uses the cold maceration of the beans to extract its super-fruity flavour.
Follow WatchHouse here
Final Note
Elephant and Castle’s coffee scene is evolving fast, but what stands out is the passion behind these spots - each with its own story, style, and standout sip. Next time you’re in SE1, skip the chains and dive into one of these independent gems.