"Our culture runs on coffee and gasoline, the first often tasting like the second."
American writer Edward Abbey provided that particular bon mot.
Happily, however, Abbey's words no longer ring so true in 2019.
For one thing, electric cars are no passing fad but the future of the automobile industry.
And even more importantly, coffee is now taken as seriously as wine and whisky, with premium blends offered all over the city.
Henry Ayers and Ed Parkes – aka The Gentleman Baristas – have seven sites in London, with another on the way, as well as their own roastery in Shadwell.
We asked the Gentlemen to pick their favourite coffee shops – check out the gallery below to see who made the list.
Best London coffee shops
OZONE
11 Leonard St, Old Street, EC2A 4AQ
Both of us took great inspiration from Ozone in the early days – real pioneers in the speciality scene and a brilliant location on Leonard St that’s still going strong. Ozone
OVER UNDER COFFEE
81A Earls Ct Rd, Kensington, SW5 9RB
Ed of Over and Under has created a brilliant space in an area of London that has been has long been starved of great coffee. A really charming chap, which of course we appreciate at the GBs! We can’t wait to see more from these guys. Over Under Coffee
WHITE MULBERRIES
St Katharine Docks, St Katharine's & Wapping, E1W 1AT
A great location right in St Katharine’s dock and beautifully fitted out. It’s a great spot to grab a bite to eat and look out at the stunning boats in the dock. If you’re into that kind of thing... White Mulberries
Paper and Cup
18 Calvert Ave, Hackney, E2 7JP
We know a thing or two about beautiful exteriors and Paper and Cup certainly provides that! Utterly Instagramable, utterly marvellous offering! A wonderful location to people watch and relax. Paper and Cup
PRESS COFFEE
3 Fleet St, Temple, EC4Y 1AU
We love these guys and all their locations, but especially the original on the Strand – a brilliant location, great coffee and top notch staff. Press Coffee
Four Corners
12 Lower Marsh, Lambeth, SE1 7RJ
Close by to our original site in Waterloo, Gary is a legend of the independent cafe scene and was a great help to both of us when we were starting out. The original corners is a great place to while away the hours and dream of destinations afar! They’re moving in to the mobile coffee world so look out for more corners popping up soon... Four Corners
PLUMSTEAD PANTRY
16 Warwick Terrace, SE18 1QJ
Ashley and Jules have put Plumstead on the map with exceptional food, coffee and community spirit. Plumstead Common have been lucky to have the Pantry open for the last few years and Ash and Jules have turned this site in to an institution in South East London – we love them! Plumstead Pantry
THE GENTLEMEN BARISTAS
11 Park St, SE1 9AB
We’d always wanted a site in Borough Market and last year we realised that dream. You’ll find the same well-mannered coffee in a much smaller shop! Great location to purchase our own roasted coffee. Alternately, check out the original site on Union Street – still going strong after five years and now serving brunch every day. The Gentleman Baristas
Still craving the buzz? Coffee must-haves for caffeine addicts
