The best cafés in Knightsbridge

Shot grabbed headlines with its £265 cup of coffee, but truthfully, it wasn't that much of an outlier on the menu. The high-end coffee company is famous for sourcing the most premium coffee from around the globe, aimed at a clientele whose deep pockets match their deep appreciation of full-bodied flavours, expert brewing, and fashionable interior design. In short, Knightsbridge.

Located beneath the London outpost of upscale Japanese restaurant Clap, the Clap Ka-fe spin-off likewise finds its inspiration in Japan, particularly the country's famed coffee culture. Serving speciality coffee and matcha drinks accompanied by sandos, sushi, and freshly baked pastries, Clap Ka-fe's branded cups signify you're particular about your coffee and keep abreast of trends.

Tombo is an award-winning Japanese café in Knightsbridge, right on the border with South Kensington. A pioneer of matcha culture in London, this tranquil spot serves traditional Japanese favourites like sushi, donburi bowls, and noodles alongside photogenic Japanese patisserie and ice cream. The tea is sourced from the foothills of Mount Fuji, and there are various iced and hot coffee and matcha drinks to try.

The international debut of a distinguished UAE-based café brand, TEN11 offers an elevated selection of artisanal coffee drinks and high-end dishes, including a signature lobster roll. Every last detail of this striking Knightsbridge café has been meticulously designed to evoke a sense of opulence and exclusivity, with no expense spared. A luxe take on afternoon tea is served here as well.

Hagen, a Danish coffee concept originally launched in Copenhagen, runs a number of contemporary cafés across the capital, including this coffee bar in Knightsbridge. The venture is rooted in authentic Danish hospitality with a touch of hygge Scandi cosiness, enhancing its artisan brews with an inviting, social atmosphere. Down a coffee at the bar, al banco style, or sit down at one of the pavement tables and watch the world go by.

Le Café NAC is a sophisticated all-day café in Knightsbridge, with mirrored wall panelling and polished timber details coming together in a graceful, elegant interior. Food is served from morning until night, including global favourites like breakfast burritos, burgers, and truffle pasta, with an alluring selection of artisanal pastries and various hot and cold drinks rounding out the offer. It's the kind of Knightsbridge café you wouldn't be surprised to come across as you're leafing through a fashion magazine.

Kuro is one of Notting Hill's best-loved coffee shops, a compact corner shop serving speciality coffee, matcha, and delicate pastries. It also runs this Knightsbridge coffee bar at the renowned Harvey Nichols department store, fitting in seamlessly with its curated upmarket setting. Grab a coffee or a snack here to keep your shopping spree going.

Carpo has a historic, old-school feel to it, with the scent of roasted nuts and coffee wafting through the air. Launched in Athens in the early 1990s, these shops specialise in quality coffee, chocolate, and nuts and dried fruit, with sacks of nuts strewn about and chocolate stacked in teetering towers. Nip into the on-site coffee bar to enjoy expertly brewed coffee in a cosy setting that'll have you reminiscing fondly about walking into a confectionery as a kid.

Spun off from the Maison Kitsuné fashion brand, Café Kitsuné combines Japanese and French café heritage in a calm, contemporary environment complete with a sunny outdoor terrace. Guests can unwind with the Knightsbridge café's assortment of exquisitely crafted pastries, cakes, and sandwiches, along with hot and iced speciality drinks. Don't sleep on the croissants here – they're some of the best in the country, at least going by the Best Croissant UK Awards.

Tucked away within the crypt of Holy Trinity Brompton church, Bloom Cafe in Knightsbridge provides a unique and tranquil setting for enjoying a hot drink and a piece of cake. The venture is devoted to fostering a hospitable and inclusive atmosphere for the local community while actively driving social change throughout London, contributing a share of its profits to charitable ventures focused on critical issues such as homelessness.