Kingston upon Thames has a strong mix of independent coffee shops, neighborhood cafes, and specialty coffee spots. Around the town center, Old London Road, Richmond Road and the riverside, there are plenty of places to stop for a flat white, filter coffee, pastries or a relaxed breakfast.
Some coffee shops Kingston visitors come across are focused almost entirely on the coffee itself, while others combine good drinks with brunch, cakes or a comfortable place to sit for longer. The town also has several independent businesses that give the local coffee scene more variety than the usual high-street chains.
If you are looking for the best coffee shops in Kingston, these are some useful places to consider.
1. Beanberry Coffee Company
Beanberry Coffee Company on Fife Road is one of the more established specialty coffee names in Kingston. Its Kingston coffee bar opened in 2016 and sits close to the Bentall Centre, making it particularly convenient for shoppers and visitors exploring the town center.
Coffee is the main focus here. The menu includes several espresso choices as well as rotating single-origin filter coffees, while freshly roasted beans are also available to take home.
That makes Beanberry a strong option if you are more interested in the flavor and origin of the coffee than a large food menu.
Best for: Specialty coffee and freshly roasted beans.
2. Matté Coffee
Matté is a small independent coffee and matcha bar on Old London Road, a short walk from Kingston station. It opened in 2024 and has built its identity around pour-over coffee, single-origin beans and carefully prepared matcha.
The compact setting gives it a more focused feel than a large cafe. There can be several single-origin coffees available at once, making it particularly interesting for visitors who enjoy trying different beans or brewing styles.
Its position close to the station also makes it practical if you want a good coffee before heading into central Kingston.
Best for: Pour-over coffee, matcha and single-origin beans.
3. Farm & Flynn
Farm & Flynn is located on Coombe Road near Norbiton station and is one of the newer additions to Kingston’s independent coffee scene. Current records confirm the cafe’s Kingston location, while recent local coverage has highlighted it for coffee and pastries.
The cafe works well for commuters as well as people looking for a slower weekend stop. Coffee is paired with baked goods and a bright, compact setting, giving it the feel of a modern neighborhood coffee shop.
If you are around Norbiton rather than central Kingston, Farm & Flynn is a useful alternative to travelling into the town centre for coffee.
Best for: Coffee and pastries near Norbiton station.
4. Old London Road Cafe
Old London Road Cafe is an independent venue at 52 Old London Road, close to several of Kingston’s smaller shops and businesses. The cafe serves breakfast, lunch, cakes, coffee and other drinks throughout the day.
One of its more distinctive features is its collection of board games, which visitors can play while having food or drinks. That helps create a more social atmosphere than a typical grab-and-go coffee shop.
The broader menu also makes it a practical choice when you want something more filling alongside your coffee.
Best for: Coffee, casual food and board games.
5. Boho Cafe
Boho Cafe has locations on Kings Road and Richmond Road, giving Kingston residents more than one neighborhood option. The cafes serve coffee alongside breakfast dishes, sandwiches, paninis, pastries and cakes.
The Kings Road location has a relaxed local feel and works well for breakfast, lunch or an afternoon drink. Its menu also includes vegetarian and vegan-friendly choices.
Boho is worth considering if you want a familiar neighborhood cafe experience rather than a highly specialized coffee bar.
Best for: Breakfast, cakes and a relaxed local atmosphere.
6. Argonaut Coffee
Argonaut Coffee is a small independent coffee spot close to the Thames. Current Kingston coffee listings place it among the town’s specialty-focused cafes, giving it a useful position for anyone exploring the riverside.
Its smaller scale makes it a good choice when you want the coffee itself to be the main focus of the visit. It also offers a different setting from cafes concentrated around the main shopping streets.
For anyone searching for the best coffee in Kingston while spending time near the river, Argonaut is worth keeping in mind.
Best for: Independent coffee near the Thames.
7. Apia Cafe
Apia Cafe is located inside Crown Arcade on Union Street, putting it close to Kingston’s main shopping streets and town-center attractions. Current local records list it as an established cafe within the arcade.
The central position makes it particularly convenient for a coffee break while shopping or walking through Kingston. It offers a quieter alternative to some of the larger chain cafes found nearby.
If convenience is important and you want an independent cafe in Kingston without travelling far from the centre, Apia is a practical option.
Best for: A town-center coffee stop while shopping.
8. 1910 Coffee House
1910 Coffee House is located in Hampton Wick, just across the river from central Kingston. It offers an independent alternative for visitors exploring the area around Hampton Wick station and the Thames.
The cafe is particularly convenient if you are walking between Kingston and Hampton Court or spending time on the eastern side of the river.
Its neighborhood position makes it feel different from the busier cafes around Kingston’s main shopping streets and gives visitors another reason to explore beyond the immediate town center.
Best for: A quieter coffee stop around Hampton Wick.
9. Cafe La Cigale
Cafe La Cigale is located on Castle Street in central Kingston. Current independent coffee listings place it among the town’s well-regarded smaller cafes.
Its central location means it can easily fit into a day of shopping, sightseeing, or walking around Kingston Marketplace. It is especially useful when you want an independent cafe without moving too far away from the main town-center streets.
The smaller setting also gives it a more local feel than many of the larger national coffee chains nearby.
Best for: Coffee close to Kingston town center.
10. Brewsmiths Cafe
Brewsmiths Cafe is positioned close to the riverside, making it another useful coffee stop for visitors spending time around the Thames. Current Kingston coffee listings include it among the town’s independent options.
The riverside location is one of its biggest attractions. It works well as part of a walk through central Kingston or along the Thames, particularly if you want somewhere less connected to the main retail streets.
For visitors combining coffee with a walk by the river, Brewsmiths adds another independent option to Kingston’s cafe scene.
Best for: Coffee during a riverside walk.
Which Kingston Coffee Shop Should You Visit?
The right choice depends on what matters most to you.
Beanberry is one of the strongest places to start if specialty coffee is the main priority, particularly if you want to try different espresso or filter options. Matté is another useful choice for people interested in single-origin coffee, pour-over brewing or matcha.
Farm & Flynn suits visitors around Norbiton, while Argonaut and Brewsmiths work particularly well if you are exploring Kingston’s riverside.
For breakfast or a more substantial cafe visit, Boho Cafe and Old London Road Cafe provide broader food menus. Old London Road Cafe is also a good choice if you want somewhere more social, thanks to its collection of board games.
Together, these independent venues show why people looking for the best coffee in Kingston do not need to rely only on major chains.
Practical Tips for Visiting Coffee Shops in Kingston
- Check current opening hours before travelling, particularly on Sundays and bank holidays.
- Visit earlier if you want pastries or freshly baked items before popular choices sell out.
- Consider independent specialty coffee shops if the quality and origin of the beans are important to you.
- Cafes around the main shopping streets can become busier during weekends and lunchtime.
- Look beyond central Kingston towards Norbiton, Hampton Wick and residential neighborhoods for more local options.
- Check whether a smaller coffee shop has enough seating if you plan to stay for a longer visit.
- If you are walking along the Thames, include a riverside coffee stop as part of your route.
- Check menus in advance if you need vegan, vegetarian, or other dietary options.
Final Thoughts
The best coffee shops in Kingston offer plenty of variety, from specialty coffee and pour-over brewing to pastries, brunch and relaxed neighborhood cafes. Beanberry and Matté are strong choices for people who want a more coffee-focused experience, while places such as Boho Cafe and Old London Road Cafe work well when food and a longer sit-down visit are equally important.
If you enjoy exploring independent cafe scenes around the UK, you can also read our guides to the best coffee shops in Wakefield, best cafes in Colchester, best cafes in Aberdeen, best cafes in Southampton, and best cafes in Swansea. Each destination offers its own mix of specialty coffee shops, local favorites, and relaxed places to stop for food and drinks.
Whether you are visiting Kingston for shopping, walking along the Thames or simply looking for a new local coffee spot, there are plenty of independent options worth trying.
FAQs
What are the best coffee shops in Kingston?
Some coffee shops worth considering in Kingston include Beanberry Coffee Company, Matté, Farm & Flynn, Old London Road Cafe, Boho Cafe, Argonaut Coffee, Apia Cafe, 1910 Coffee House, Cafe La Cigale and Brewsmiths Cafe.
Where can I find specialty coffee in Kingston?
Beanberry Coffee Company is a strong choice for specialty espresso and filter coffee, while Matté focuses on single-origin coffees and pour-over brewing. Argonaut is another independent option worth considering.
Where can I get the best coffee in Kingston town centre?
Beanberry on Fife Road and Matté on Old London Road are convenient options close to central Kingston. Apia Cafe and Cafe La Cigale are also located around the main town-centre streets.
Are there independent coffee shops in Kingston?
Yes. Kingston has a varied independent coffee scene, including specialist coffee bars, neighbourhood cafes and riverside spots. Beanberry, Matté, Argonaut, Boho and Old London Road Cafe are among the independent options.
Are there coffee shops near Kingston station?
Yes. Matté is located on Old London Road within walking distance of Kingston station. Several other town-centre coffee shops are also easily accessible from the station.
Where can I find coffee near the River Thames in Kingston?
Argonaut Coffee and Brewsmiths Cafe are useful options if you want to combine coffee with time around Kingston’s riverside.
Are there cafes in Kingston that serve breakfast?
Yes. Boho Cafe and Old London Road Cafe both serve breakfast and other daytime food. Farm & Flynn is another option if you want coffee with pastries or a lighter morning stop.
