We tried all the best coffee shops & cafes in Brick Lane according to TikTok, and here’s what we think

If you’re hunting for the best cafe or coffee shop in Brick Lane, TikTok will send you in about seventeen different directions.

One video swears by a sticky toffee twist. Another insists a peanut butter latte will change your life. Someone else is queueing for iced matcha in a tiny whitewashed corner shop.

So naturally, I decide to walk the lane properly and go on a full on cafe crawl. Join me and we put the coffees (and matchas) to the test, eye up the pastries – the whole shebang.

Here’s where to go for the best coffee shops and cafes in Brick Lane – and what’s actually worth ordering when you get there.

Map of the best coffee shops & cafes in Brick Lane, London according to TikTok

Down to business then. Here are the best cafes in Brick Lane according to TikTok:

1. Best all rounder: Cafe 1001
2. Best pastry moment: High Grade Coffee
3. Most interesting signature drink: Kahaila
4. Most Instagrammable drink: Oat
5. Best grab and go vibe: Hoko

1. Cafe 1001

For sticky toffee pudding pastries and a great chill out area

If someone asked me for the best coffee shop in Brick Lane and I could only name one, it would probably be Cafe 1001.

It’s surprisingly big, which means there’s often room to relax and take your time.  The coffee shop shifts throughout the day from laptop central to brunch hangout to low key music venue at night.

Cafe 1001 feels like a focal point of Brick Lane rather than just another coffee stop.

The cappuccino here is very good – it’s smooth, velvety, with no bitterness.

And then there’s the Sticky Toffee Twist. A pastry that leans into classic British pudding energy but spins it into something flakier and lighter. Yum.

Read more in our full Cafe 1001 review:
Why Everyone’s Talking About Cafe 1001, Brick Lane

Rating – 4.5/5

Address – 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL

2. High Grade Coffee

Small inside, lovely pastries

High Grade Coffee is a much smaller cafe in Brick Lane, just a minutes walk up the road. There are just three tables inside. But that’s alright, as there are more in the outside courtyard area.

We try the peach iced matcha, which is pleasant. Although the peach is subtle and lifts the drink, it’s not something I’d cross London for.

The real win here is the pastry. We order the vanilla bean croissant, shaped in a circle, glazed with vanilla icing speckled with actual vanilla. Pulling it apart is deeply satisfying. It flakes beautifully and it very delicious.

If you’re looking for the best coffee shop in Brick Lane in terms of pastry alone, this is a strong contender.

Rating – 4/5

Address – The Old Truman Brewery Courtyard, 91 Brick Ln, London E1 6QL

3. Oat

For the most beautiful cafe on Brick Lane

Oat cafe on Brick Lane has got to be the most aesthetically pleasing. Just look at those cups!

From the outside it seems small, but step inside and it opens up into a generous, comfortable space. It’s deceptively roomy and a lovely place to sit.

We order the iced peanut butter praline latte. It sounds and looks brilliant but, ngl, the execution needs work.

The peanut butter sits at the bottom of the cup, and when you get a proper mouthful of it with the coffee, it’s delicious. The problem is consistency. You have to really mix it properly or you won’t get the full effect, and even then it’s uneven.

I can’t help thinking that next time, I might just order a simple coffee and let Oat shine on its basics.

Still, don’t let that put you off. It’s one of the more interesting coffee shops in Brick Lane and definitely worth stepping inside.

Rating – 3/5

Address – 154 Brick Ln, London E1 6RU

4. Kahaila

For the most creative tea on Brick Lane

Kahaila coffee shop on Brick Lane is another big cafe with plenty of tables and a mix of people socialising and working on laptops.

The signature drink here is the rooibos latte. Instead of espresso, rooibos tea is pulled through the machine and topped with foamy milk. It tastes delicate and naturally sweet, with a softness that feels almost comforting.

It’s genuinely different and very thoughtfully done.

If you want the best cafe in Brick Lane for something beyond standard coffee, Kahaila is a strong choice.

Rating – 4/5

Address – 135 Brick Ln, London E1 6SB

5. Hoko

For the best Hong Kong tea to takeaway on Brick Lane

Hoko is more than just a coffee shop. It’s a vibe.

We grab an iced Hong Kong tea to go, served in a plastic packet with a screw lid, almost like a grown up Capri Sun. It’s genius for takeaway, plus it’s very photogenic.

The restaurant itself is packed when we visit, so we take our drinks and keep moving. The food menu looks exciting, but note that many of the standout dishes contain pork. The char siu bagel looks especially good if that’s your thing.

I already know I’ll be back for the Hong Kong French toast at some point.

For grab and go coffee in Brick Lane with personality, Hoko delivers.

Rating – 4/5

Address – 224 Brick Ln, London E1 6SA

So Where is the best cafe in Brick Lane?

It depends what you’re after.

For space, vibe and all round reliability, Cafe 1001 wins. It’s the most versatile and probably the safest recommendation if someone asks for the best coffee shop in Brick Lane.

For pastries, High Grade Coffee has the edge.

For something unique, Kahaila’s rooibos latte is very nicely done.

For experimental drinks and a roomy interior, Oat is worth trying once.

For grab and go with attitude, Hoko brings something different to Brick Lane.

Read more
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Overall thoughts on the best coffee shops and cafes in Brick Lane, London, according to TikTok

It would be an understatement to say I enjoyed trying out all the best coffee shops and cafes in Brick Lnae, London – according to TikTok anyway. S

ome of the places to eat and drink were better than others, but overall there was nothing too bad – and lots of really good things to eat. We had a fantastic time finding the best cafes and coffee shops in Brick Lane!

Read more
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Have you tried any of the best coffee shops and cafes in Brick Lane, London? Let us know :)