Guide to the best cafés in King's Cross

Redemption Roasters is a social enterprise that produces its speciality coffee with the help of imprisoned offenders. Aiming to reduce re-offending rates, the company provides prisoners with skills and even employment later on. The group's branch in King's Cross is situated in Coal Drops Yard, in a space with exposed bricks and limited seating. Espressos and filter coffee, pastries, cakes and some lunch options are all served here.

Situated in the Coal Drops Yard redevelopment, Morty & Bob's is a popular all-day café and restaurant that's particularly well-known for its grilled cheese toasties. They come in different varieties, for example with roast mushroom & truffle, or with 'nduja & roasted red pepper. You can also get soups, burgers, salads and other such fare here, the coffee and juices are fresh, they let you brunch in peace … in short, there's something for everyone in this arch.

Originally launched in Kensal Rise, Wildcard opened its second location on Granary Square in late 2021, right next to the fountains. The coffee shop brews coffee using its bespoke small-batch blend, a collaboration with Quarter Horse Coffee. You can sip it in the cosy café interior or on the leafy outdoor terrace, and there's also a grab-and-go kiosk with soups, sandwiches, pastries and other takeaway treats.

A full-on restaurant rather than a classic café, Caravan is still very much rooted in coffee culture on account of being run by the Caravan Coffee Roasters company. In the vast industrial hall or on the spacious outdoor terrace, you can enjoy popular dishes from around the globe throughout the day. Start the day with the breakfast and brunch menus, along with a house-roasted coffee or signature cocktail, then continue with pizzas, grain bowls and more. A good thing to know in a time of need is also that the filter coffee is bottomless.

There's not much seating and coffee isn't at the forefront like in most cafés, but Aux Pains de Papy is such an authority on pastries that those shortcomings are quickly overlooked. The French bakery uses traditional baking methods for its croissants, pains and other treats, with savoury lunch options such as baguette sandwiches available as well. There's also limited outdoor seating, but your best bet will likely be getting it all as takeaway.

Thanks to their bright, overwhelmingly pink interiors, the EL&N cafés around London are a big hit among budding influencers. The St Pancras grab-and-go shop dials the colourfulness down a bit, but still offers plenty of pic-worthy decor — even the drinks here are highly 'grammable. You can pick up hot and cold drinks, wraps, sandwiches, pastries and other quick, travel-ready bites here.

The Notes café bars can be found all over the city, showcasing their dedication to high-grade speciality coffee. They source it from Origin and roast it in East London, under the watchful eye of their co-founder, Fabio. The two-floor King's Cross branch offers a caffeine hit to weary travellers just outside the Tube entrance in Pancras Square, with pastries, pies and other snacks served as well. Later in the day, the café leans even more into its bar side.

Speaking of Origin Coffee, you can find their delicately poured espressos at two locations at the British Library in King's Cross. The first one, in the Front Hall, is a pop-up espresso bar. For a more relaxed sit-down, however, head to the café that's nestled into the building on Euston Road. Influenced by the design of the Library itself, the cosy spot offers ethically sourced coffees, pastries, and various breakfast and lunch options.

The imposing German Gymnasium occupies an impressive Grade II listed building, with its summertime Oktoberfest terrace vibes regularly drawing in both commuters and surrounding tech employees. It also houses an ornate, European-style Grand Café on the ground floor, where you can treat yourself to traditional cakes such as Sachertorte and apple strudel while sipping on coffee beneath the vaulted ceiling.

Having won both awards and loyal customers with their coffees and their brunch menu, the independent Half Cup cafés aim to provide some calm in the busy King's Cross area. Everything is made in-house, with the creative head chef whipping up intriguing brunch fare such as butternut squash & feta pancakes or smashed avo on charcoal bread. The snug space features murals on its walls, adding a splash of colour to your coffee break.

The founder of Frequency started with the idea to combine his loves of coffee and music. Today, there are several of the multi-concept Frequency stores to be found around London, serving speciality coffee and tasty food, hosting gigs and other events, keeping a house band around and even offering private meeting rooms for hire. In the evening, the King's Cross branch turns into a bar that serves tapas.

Another good option for those who wake up and hit play, Spiritland is a cool, contemporary listening lounge in King's Cross. The main café and bar space boasts a top-notch sound system and comes with an attached radio studio, combining a chill atmosphere with food, drinks, and plenty of bangin' tunes. Gigs, album launches and talks are all hosted here as well, with a concise menu of treats, sandwiches and brunch fare to go along, plus album launches and talks.

A contemporary take on the traditional Taiwanese tea shop, this café offers the beloved Bao group's signature buns in a brightly lit, stylish space. You can choose between different bun fillings or grab one of the tea snacks or rice plates, but it's not all just about the food. In addition to quality coffee, the Bao branch in King's Cross also makes bubble tea, Asian-inspired cocktails and other drinks.

Having traded in their Coal Drops Yard counter for a more permanent spot in the area, Longboys offer their signature brioche doughnuts to counterbalance coffee's bitter tang. The elongated treats come with a variety of fillings, from apple crumble to lemon meringue pie, with the monthly menu also featuring surprise specials. They brew London-roasted Assembly Coffee, with the house espresso selected specifically to complement the doughnuts.