Pimlico sits quietly between Westminster and Chelsea, often overlooked despite being steps from Victoria station.
I’ve spent enough rainy afternoons here to know it’s one of central London’s best-kept secrets for cafe culture.
The neighborhood has this lovely residential feel with pretty streets and genuinely good independent coffee shops.
Here are nine cafes in London England worth visiting, from bustling brunch spots to quiet corners perfect for escaping the tourist crowds along the Thames.
Pimlico Fresh
Best For: Quick morning coffee and pastries
You’ll spot Pimlico Fresh by the queue snaking out onto Wilton Road most mornings.
This neighborhood favorite delivers exactly what locals want: strong coffee, fresh pastries, and sandwiches made daily.
I’ve grabbed breakfast here countless times before catching trains from Victoria.
The almond and pistachio cake is legendary among regulars.
It’s not fancy, just reliably good with that bustling, genuine community feel you can’t fake. While it’s not a cat cafe London fans might expect, the local regulars here provide just as much character. Get there early or expect to wait.
Atmosphere: Bustling local hub with queue out the door, grab-and-go vibe, beloved by morning commuters and regulars.
Menu Highlights:
- Almond and pistachio cake
- Fresh sandwiches made daily
- Espresso drinks and strong coffee
- Fresh pastries and juices
The Roasting
Best For: Peaceful weekend brunch experience
Churton Street’s The Roasting has this calm, unpretentious vibe I keep coming back to.
The space feels genuinely relaxed with good natural light and comfortable seating that invites you to linger.
I’ve had several leisurely weekend brunches here, always impressed by their coffee and the friendly, unhurried service. Like many dog friendly coffee shops London offers, it has that welcoming neighborhood feel.
It’s the kind of place where locals read newspapers for hours without anyone minding.
Perfect for a peaceful Saturday morning away from the chaos.
Atmosphere: Calm and relaxed with natural light, comfortable seating perfect for lingering over coffee and newspapers.
Menu Highlights:
- Specialty coffee
- Weekend brunch menu
- Breakfast offerings
- Quality roasted beans
No. 11 Pimlico Road
Best For: All-day dining and evening drinks
This light, modern cafe-bar on Pimlico Road works from breakfast through dinner with an all-day menu that’s surprisingly good.
I’ve tried their rotisserie chicken and that excellent club sandwich, both made from scratch with sustainable ingredients.
Coffee runs about £3.90 for a flat white, or £8 if you want it boozy.
The contemporary space feels more polished than typical Pimlico spots, attracting a slightly dressed-up crowd.
It’s versatile enough for morning coffee or evening drinks.
Atmosphere: Light, modern, and contemporary with a polished feel that works from breakfast through evening drinks.
Menu Highlights:
- Rotisserie chicken
- House club sandwich
- Cumberland sausage rolls
- Flat white £3.90
- Boozy coffee £8
Hatch 77
Best For: Specialty coffee and artisan baking
Hatch 77 brings proper specialty coffee to Pimlico with that modern, independent cafe aesthetic.
The breakfast and brunch menus focus on quality ingredients and artisan baking, nothing overly complicated.
I appreciate their straightforward approach: good coffee, freshly prepared food, and a relaxed atmosphere where you’re not rushed.
The space attracts a loyal local following, especially on weekends.
Staff actually know their regulars by name, which tells you something about the place.
Atmosphere: Modern independent cafe with relaxed vibe, friendly staff who know regulars, loyal weekend following.
Menu Highlights:
- Specialty coffee
- Artisan baked goods
- Breakfast menu
- Weekend brunch specials
Morena
Best For: Latin American breakfast and brunch
Eccleston Yards’ Morena does Latin American breakfast and coffee with genuine flair.
They roast beans on-site, which you can smell walking past.
I’ve ordered their huevos rancheros (£14) multiple times, it’s authentic and filling.
The mango and coconut porridge (£9.50) makes a lighter option.
The relaxed, vibrant atmosphere sets it apart from typical London cafes.
Staff are genuinely warm without the forced cheerfulness you sometimes get.
It’s one of those places that just feels right.
Atmosphere: Vibrant and relaxed Latin American vibe with on-site coffee roasting, genuinely warm and welcoming service.
Menu Highlights:
- Huevos rancheros £14
- Mango and coconut porridge £9.50
- Cassava fries £7.50
- Freshly roasted coffee on-site
The Buttery
Best For: Full English breakfast options
Five minutes from Pimlico Road, The Buttery has this rustic, country-in-the-city vibe that actually works.
The full cooked breakfast (£16) is substantial and well-executed.
I’ve also tried their smashed avocado on toast (£14), nothing revolutionary but properly done.
What I like is how they handle different dietary needs without making it a big production.
Vegetarian, vegan, meat-eater, everyone finds something solid here.
The countryside aesthetic feels a bit deliberate but the food backs it up.
Atmosphere: Rustic cafe with country garden feel, welcoming to all dietary preferences from meat lovers to vegans.
Menu Highlights:
- Full cooked breakfast £16
- Vegetarian cooked breakfast £15.50
- Smashed avocado on toast £14
- Beer and wine selection
Black Sheep Coffee
Best For: Quick sustainable coffee chain reliability
Elizabeth Street’s Black Sheep Coffee brings that international specialty chain reliability to Pimlico.
Six minutes from Pimlico Road, it’s got the expected hipster aesthetic and sustainability focus.
Their lattes and smoothies are consistently good, if not particularly memorable.
I stop here when I want something familiar and quick, they’ve perfected the grab-and-go experience.
The environmental credentials are genuine, sourcing ethically and offering beans online.
It’s solid rather than exciting, which sometimes is exactly what you need.
Atmosphere: Contemporary chain with hipster aesthetic, sustainable focus, perfected grab-and-go experience for busy mornings.
Menu Highlights:
- Specialty lattes
- Fresh smoothies
- Pastries
- Coffee beans available online
Tomtom Mess Hall
Best For: Quick coffee near Buckingham Palace
Eight minutes from Pimlico Road, Tomtom Mess Hall sits conveniently near Buckingham Palace.
They opened here in 2014 and stick to what works: freshly brewed coffee, toasties, and home-baked pastries until 2 PM.
Cappuccino runs £3.10, which feels reasonable for the location.
The outdoor terrace is the real draw when weather permits, perfect for a breather after palace-watching.
It’s reliably decent without trying too hard, exactly what you want from a mess hall chain.
Atmosphere: Casual mess hall with outdoor terrace, conveniently located near Buckingham Palace, closes at 2 PM daily.
Menu Highlights:
- Cappuccino £3.10
- Spanish latte £3.20
- Toasties
- Home-baked treats
Regency Café
Best For: Traditional British greasy spoon breakfast
Regency Café is proper old-school London, formica tables, strong tea, and full English breakfasts that haven’t changed in decades.
This greasy spoon serves the kind of no-nonsense fry-ups that built Britain.
Cash only, which tells you everything about their priorities.
I love the completely unpretentious atmosphere and loyal regulars who’ve been coming for years.
It’s not Instagram-worthy, it’s just honest food served efficiently.
If you want authentic working-class London cafe culture, this is it. Absolutely worth experiencing.
Atmosphere: Unchanged traditional greasy spoon with formica tables, no-nonsense service, cash only, authentic London institution.
Menu Highlights:
- Full English breakfast
- Strong tea
- Traditional fry-ups
- Classic British cafe fare
