"The espresso is the point, and it extracts cleanly enough to taste right cold. A Clerkenwell neighbourhood spot that takes the craft seriously without advertising the fact."
91 Cowcross St, London EC1M 6BH, UK
The London branch of Colonna Coffee, where Maxwell Colonna-Dashwood's three UK Barista Championships translate into three rotating single-origin filters and a separate espresso track. The barista will help you choose; order the Pulsar-brewed filter.
Depending on the week, the filter board is La Cabra, Tim Wendelboe, or Coffee Collective. A guest espresso slot runs alongside the house programme, with baristas who know both well enough to make the case for either.
A Japanese-influenced Clerkenwell bar where a Bao-alumni pastry chef's matcha canelé is on the counter and the espresso comes in ceramics. The coffee earns its company.