Toward the end of my recent trip through Europe, I spent the last few hours of my trip in one of my all time favorite cities, London. I was feeling sick with a cold, which later turned out to be more than that, but on this morning I was only thinking about coffee. One of my discoveries during my Australia and New Zealand trip earlier in the year was the flat white, which if made properly, is the best cup of coffee ever. Wherever I travel these day, I always want to try one and I was so in the mood for a strong cup of coffee in London at Flat White, home to London’s original flat white since 2005.
What exactly is a flat white? From Flat White’s website:
flat white
noun /Austral. flaat whyette / NZ. flet wyte/
1: An antipodean style coffee which is served as a strong shot of espresso served in a small cup with textured milk; a damn good strong coffee.
2: 51.51 (51°30′) | -0.13 (0°8′).
flattie noun. colloq. flat white;
I’m gonna smash back a couple of flatties bro / NZ / mate / Austral. /
Located in Soho and only a few minutes walk from my hotel, Flat White opened in 2005 in an effort “to bring the refined artisan style coffee prevalent in Australian and New Zealand cafes to London.” Whether you’re a local, expat, or tourist and you’re looking for a great cup of coffee in a completely unpretentious setting, then this is the café for you. I walked past it a few times because the name is quite small on the outside, but then popped inside once I noticed a few people sitting outside drinking coffee.
Step up to the counter and order your coffee while also perusing the fresh in-house baked goods (gluten free options available) like banana bread or other cakes and desserts. Whether you’re there for a snack, the all-day breakfast, or a toastie, just ask for help and the staff is more than eager to assist. You can sit at one of the few available seats inside or have your beverage made to go. I decided to grab a seat at one of the little tables near the front and connect to the free wifi.
Along with the crazy good flat white I ordered, I also chose an anzac or A.N.Z.A.C. (Australian and New Zealand Army Corps) biscuit, a sweet biscuit found in Australia and New Zealand made of oats, coconut, sugar, butter, and other things that taste good and eventually winds up on your hips. However, it does pair perfectly with coffee, which is why I chose it. It was sweet, but not over sweet and was just enough to hold me over until lunch. I especially liked that the biscuit was served on a real plate and not simply tossed into a bag or placed on a napkin.
Flat White uses coffee beans from Drop Coffee Roasters, a Swedish roaster widely known as one of the best. The coffee is strong and reminds you why Australians and New Zealanders can’t understand why Americans order a “venti” anything because they know you can get a better caffeine boost from a well prepared small cup of coffee, like this rich flat white with a double shot of coffee and a smooth, velvety micro-foam. The more coffee, less foam formula is what distinguishes a flat white from a latte.
I felt considerably better after the much needed kick in the pants from my coffee and enjoyed my conversation with two customers seated nearby, Liz and Peter from New Zealand. You never know who you’re going to meet, but if they searched this place out, then you know the coffee has to be amazing at Flat White.
Flat White is located in Berwick Street Market and while I was there, the vendors began to set up and sell their items. While taking pics, I was drawn to this French Bulldog who had enough with going for a walk and refused to budge, but if you’re not and in need of fruits, vegetables, and the like, this is a great little find.
Next time you’re in London, go out of your way to indulge in a flat white at Flat White, the best (and the original) Aussie/Kiwi café in London.
Flat White
17 Berwick St, London W1F 0PT, United Kingdom
Phone:+44 20 7734 0370