Monmouth Coffee

Monmouth Coffee occupies its original home on Monmouth Street, at the point where the street meets Seven Dials. Established in 1978, Monmouth is one of the pioneers of speciality coffee in London, and this shop is where the whole operation began, which gives it a particular place in the city's coffee history. The company now also runs shops in Borough and Bermondsey, but Covent Garden remains the first.

The heart of the business is freshly roasted coffee, sold as beans by origin and brewed to order at the counter. The approach is deliberately focused, prioritising the coffee itself and the relationships behind it over an extensive food menu, with pastries kept simple to sit alongside the drinks. Regulars come as much to buy bags of beans to brew at home as to take a cup, and the counter is often busy with both.

Speciality coffee in Covent Garden

The Monmouth Street shop is compact and unfussy, with the character of a long-established coffee house rather than a modern chain cafe. Its position at the edge of Seven Dials, where several streets converge, puts it at one of the most recognisable junctions in this part of Covent Garden, a short walk from the market and Neal's Yard. For speciality coffee in Covent Garden, it is the name most locals mention first.

What to expect on a visit

The shop opens Monday to Saturday from 8am to 7pm and is closed on Sundays. Given its reputation and small size, expect a queue at peak times, and come with a clear idea of whether you want a drink, a bag of beans or both, as the counter moves quickly. Covent Garden and Leicester Square underground stations are both within easy reach. For something to eat nearby, 26 Grains in Neal's Yard is a short walk away, and the rest of our Covent Garden cafes are listed in the directory.