Alchemy

Not great for sitting, but the beans they use are to die for. Go there and grab a cuppa before rushing to wherever, these guys are truly coffee artisans, believe me! It’s a little out of the way though, but would love to go back again. If not, some other coffee shops also stock their beans, so that’s quality right there.

One of the best, if not the best, coffee shops in the area — helpful, well trained and friendly staff and really wonderful coffee with a variety of beans to choose from to get the perfect taste.

Great coffee — good temperature and taste… plus good simple breakfast… small location tucked away in blackfriars

Really good coffee. Highly recommended!
We had a café latte, espresso with milk and an assorted pastries. We requested an iced chocolate which they kindly made for us even though it is not on the menu. Top notch service!

Don’t know about everyone else, but when I find myself in a new area early in the morning, the first thing I do is use the Unilocal App to find the best coffee shop nearby. This morning I had a meeting near St Paul’s and ended up coming out of the wrong exit, which proved to be a great move, as I found the alchemist. Tucked away on a side street just behind St Paul’s Thameslink, I knew I’d found my kind of coffee shop. I went for a espresso and milk, and the really friendly guy behind the bar talked me through my coffee choices, I went for a fuller bodied coffee with chocolate tones. It was delicious, light fluffy milk and smooth coffee coming together beautifully. I also indulged in the almond and chocolate croissant, which looked amazing and tasted even better! Flaky pastry, almond and chocolate running through the middle of the pastry, with flaked almonds on top. I saved a third just so I could prolong the joy. If you are in the St Paul’s area and want to start your day off in the right way, then this is the place!

Simply the best espresso! That’s what you come here for. It’s served with milk to make an Americano. Really good! Ultra cute location, hidden away two blocks off the high street in a really cute place. The breakfast loaf was one of the best things I’ve ever eaten. Outstanding staff. I’ll be back!

I try and stop at Alchemy café at least once a week, I love their espresso and milk and the fact that each time I can try a different, locally sourced brew.
The baristas always take care in making the best coffee possible, taking their time for brewing the filtered one especially… It’s the art of brewing coffee indeed!
They have a very good selection of cakes and pastries for breakfast, all delicious!
There is not much space for sitting in but it’s just perfect for grabbing a coffee on the go.
Definitely recommended if you like quality coffee!

Small, popular coffee house in the City. I have been struggling to find a good brew in London, but this place assuages my coffee angst. They have single origin brews and you can get an aero press brew, if it suits you. They have some pastries as well as some savory sandwiches (pulled BBQ pork with slaw!). Small place, so expect take away.

Coffee is good, but had a 5 minute wait while the barista and manager argued with a customer about serving him milk with his filter coffee. Lighten up guys, a paying customer walked into your shop and wanted to give you money for something you sell. You treated him like an idiot. Unbelievable. Poor poor service! He’s paid for it, he can tip milk in it if he wants, he can tip it down his pants if he likes, it’s his!
Your point was that all the filter coffees are quite acidic so milk wouldn’t taste nice — fair enough, but you had three filter blends, surely range one that WILL go with milk if you’re going to be so obtuse about it!
And you made me late too!

This is more than a coffee shop, it’s a homage to the roasted bean itself. Upon entering the café through a back lane, you are greeted with various apparatus that resemble a science lab but the familiar smell of coffee reminds you of why you are here.
They only serve an espresso with milk or black filter coffee which make your choice a little easier and the staff guide expertly guide you through their 2 seasonal blends of the day.
If you love good coffee, this is a must try experience.

This is a coffee experience. If you want to know what the hype about coffee is all about, go here. Their coffee actually has a profile.
I’ve tried many a cup around London, this is by far the best. (sorry Philz in San Jose)

The City is sorely in need of better coffee options and Alchemy is a step in the right direction. This is the first café run by the roasters behind Alchemy and the coffee is very much a focus on showcasing the beans which lie behind the mug.
Well situated down a cobbled back street near St Paul’s I was tempted inside by a late lunch and a cup of good coffee. I was not disappointed on either front. The coffee was fragrant and honeyed and served in a chemistry beaker which was quite a nice touch. Lunch took the form of a pastrami and melted cheese sandwich and was a little less successful — it didn’t quite work together somehow.
Still, sitting on one of the window seats was lovely and the staff were enthusiastic so I look forward to nipping out for an Alchemy brew sometime soon.

The best small coffee shop in London. No loyalty card. No gimmicks. Just ‘effing good coffee.

The love people have for what they do, shows in what they do, and nowhere is this truer than here, a new coffee house tucked away on Carter Lane, a good arm from St. Paul’s. Simply gorgeous coffee, made with expertise and pride, and served with warmth and passion. Good value too. The deliberately limited (yet consistently good) range of food on offer (brownies, croissants, and a small selection of gourmet sandwiches and salad at lunchtime) is curated to act as a support to the main event which is, of course, Alchemy. But hurry, the queues are forming.

This place is so new it doesn’t open for two more weeks, but they already have their business model sorted — the best coffee in London, in a fantastic location.
The fit-​out is perfect, with stools on benches facing outward on both sides of the corner location. It’s right near St Paul’s and Blackfriars, down a cute lane, so there’s no shortage of people to watch.
There’s a small selection of pastries, cakes, and sandwiches, but coffee is the. speciality. These people are experts, but they’re not stuffy. In fact, they’re super friendly.