Blank Street Coffee

You'll find Blank Street tucked into Upper Street in Islington, where it's become the sort of place locals actually queue for without irony. The counter staff know their stuff—they'll chat you through what's on the grinder today, whether that's a Ethiopian natural process or a seasonal blend they've been experimenting with. It's got that effortless cool of a proper coffee spot that doesn't need to try too hard: minimal décor, good lighting, the kind of place where you see regulars hunched over laptops or having actual conversations. The drinks are consistently excellent, and they're not afraid to tell you if a flat white is a better call than an americano for what they're pouring that day.