The best cafés in Chelsea

A recently launched venture by acclaimed chef and restauranteur Jason Atherton, Three Darlings is open from morning to evening, drifting languidly from breakfast to lunch to dinner. Regularly busy without feeling hectic, the café is ideal for starting the day with good coffee and fresh pastries, or for meeting up over tasty brunch dishes after having a lie-in. There's a sleek pink-and-marble interior to relax in, as well as a lovely outdoor terrace for soaking up the sun.

Chelsea café Bluebird is a bit of a local landmark thanks to its regular appearance on the hit reality show “Made in Chelsea”. Spread across different areas, including a pleasant courtyard, the venue offers well-executed European fare and drinks throughout the day, with a focus on sustainable sourcing and a buzzy atmosphere. Trend-savvy and lively, it's the right place to go for when you want to see and be seen.

Daylesford Organic sources produce from its own organic farm, bringing it into London from the Cotswolds each day to ensure freshness while adhering to sustainable practices. You can stock up on it at the group's London farm shops, or enjoy them in the on-site eateries. The group has two cafés in Chelsea, serving daily specials alongside their own versions of timeless favourites such as pizza and burgers.

Launched in mid-2025, Chelsea's Cafe Linea is an all-day spot set within the Grade II-listed arcade beside the Saatchi Gallery. From morning to night, it moves from house-baked pastries at breakfast to comforting yet refined global dishes, served in a laidback setting. The space combines stylish designer interiors with original architectural details, plus a terrace looking out over Duke of York Square.

EL&N is slowly taking over the world – the online world, at least – one pink-hued coffee shop at a time. You'll find the chic Chelsea café in Brompton Road, serving the high-profile brand's signature patisserie treats, indulgent brunch fare like bacon and maple butter pancakes, and speciality coffees topped with latte art. Thanks to the prettily presented dishes and meticulously designed interiors, it's unsurprisingly a popular spot to snap a selfie or two.

Mona Lisa is a family-run West London favourite combining staple English recipes with classic Italian cooking. Modest and unfussy, it draws in long-established Chelsea residents with a menu that ranges from traditional English breakfasts to crowd-pleasing Italian plates. The interior is simple, with a pared-back Italian vibe, and there are a few outdoor tables for a bit of people-watching, too.

The Chelsea Gardener is a garden centre stocking premium garden accessories and plants, helping you make the most of whatever kind of outside space you have. It's also home to one of the best cafés in Chelsea, a lush haven where you can relax and refuel surrounded by well-tended greenery. The café offers barista-made coffee, pastries, freshly squeezed juices, and light breakfast and lunch fare like soups and toasties. 

Having grown from a cold-pressed juice bar to a full-fledged café, Raw Press now offers a broad assortment of nourishing, plant-based food and drinks. The completely vegan Chelsea café stocks everything from raw snacks and organic treats, and also provides delivery for those who want their greens without leaving home. It's small but cosy, and a big hit with local plant-based diners.

One of Chelsea's quirkier spots for a coffee and a bite, Café Pier is a minuscule café housed inside a vivid green cabmen's shelter, part of a network built in the 1800s to give carriage drivers a place to warm up with tea and a hot meal. Overlooking Albert Bridge, it serves grab-and-go fare like sandwiches, focaccias, and breakfast pastries, along with hot drinks. Open during the warmer months only, it's a unique café suffused in history.

Award-winning speciality coffee roaster Kiss the Hippo is known for its forward-thinking approach, sourcing beans from ethical growers, and championing a strong commitment to sustainability. One of the pioneers of farm-to-table coffee, the London-born brand exports its coffee globally while operating a growing collection of cafés across the city, including this modern coffee shop in Chelsea.