Category: Our Journal

London is a city of stone and history, but its soul lives in its parks. As a family that has called this city home since the ‘60s, we know that nothing beats the feeling of a fresh breeze and a hot coffee under the canopy of a Great London Plane tree.

To us, a park café isn’t just a place to grab a quick drink; it’s a retreat. It’s a place where the pace of the city slows down, and for a moment, you could be in the hills of Calabria or a quiet corner of Rome.

If you’re looking for the best park café in London to enjoy la vita bella, here are our family’s favourite spots.

1. Caffè Tropea (Russell Square Gardens)

Best for: An Authentic Italian Garden Escape We’ve been part of the Russell Square community since 1981, and we like to think of our caffè as central London’s best-kept secret. Tucked away among the historic trees of Bloomsbury, we offer the warmth of a family kitchen in a glass-walled pavilion.

Whether you’re a student from the nearby universities or a traveller resting your feet after the British Museum, you’re part of our famiglia.

• The Atmosphere: A lush, green oasis where the city noise simply disappears.

• The Food: Hearty, home-cooked Italian meals, fresh pastries, and our signature “modern-classic” espresso.

2. Pavilion Café (Victoria Park)

Best for: Lakeside Views & Artisan Sourdough Over in East London, this café sits right on the edge of the boating lake. It’s a favorite for those who love a long weekend walk followed by a serious breakfast.

• The Atmosphere: Bustling and vibrant with a stunning view of the water.

• The Food: They are famous for their freshly baked bread and organic ingredients.

3. The Serpentine Bar & Kitchen (Hyde Park)

Best for: The Iconic London Experience If you want to feel the scale of London’s royal parks, this is the spot. Sitting right on the edge of the Serpentine, it’s a wonderful place to watch the world—and the swans—go by.

• The Atmosphere: Grand, open, and classic London.

• The Food: A wide variety of wood-fired pizzas and seasonal salads.

4. Garden Museum Café (Lambeth)

Best for: The Hidden Courtyard Secret While technically a museum café, its courtyard is one of the most beautiful “secret gardens” in the city. It’s refined, quiet, and deeply atmospheric.

• The Atmosphere: Sophisticated and tranquil, surrounded by historical architecture and rare plants.

• The Food: An ever-changing seasonal menu that feels very “farm-to-table.”

5. Pear Tree Cafe (Battersea Park)

Best for: Evening Drinks & Sunsets Battersea Park is one of the city’s most beautiful spaces, and the Pear Tree sits perfectly by the lake. It’s the kind of place where a morning coffee easily turns into a late afternoon glass of wine.

• The Atmosphere: Relaxed, stylish, and very family-friendly.

• The Food: Creative brunch dishes and great burgers for a post-walk treat.

Why a Park Café is Good for the Soul

In our family, we say that eating is a way of life, not a fad. Taking your meal outside, surrounded by greenery and fresh air, is the ultimate way to enjoy that philosophy.

A great park café should offer:

• A Sense of Place: Where the café feels like it grew right out of the garden.

• Warmth: Service that makes newcomers feel like old friends.

• Quality: Simple food and coffee prepared with genuine care.

The next time the London sun makes an appearance (or even when it doesn’t!), we invite you to find a corner of green and take a moment for yourself. If your journey brings you to Bloomsbury, come find us in Russell Square. We’ll have a table waiting for you.

Salute!

London is a city of a million cups, but at Caffè Tropea, we believe a great coffee is about more than just the beans. It’s about the people preparing it, the sun hitting the trees in the gardens, and that feeling of being home—even if you’re just passing through.

Our family has been calling London home since the ‘60s, and we’ve seen the coffee scene change from traditional espresso counters to modern “speciality” bars. We love it all. To us, eating and drinking is a way of life, not a fad.

If you’re looking for the best coffee in London, here is where we think you should start.

1. Caffè Tropea (Russell Square Gardens)

Best for: The Traditional Italian Soul We might be biased, but we believe the best way to start a London morning is in our “central London oasis.” Our papà was raised in the caffè industry, and we’ve brought that Southern Italian heart to Russell Square since 1981.

We don’t do “fads.” We do a modern-classic Italian roast that’s rich, smooth, and served with the warmth of a family kitchen. Whether you have two minutes for a quick ‘tirami-su’ espresso at the bar or two hours to linger over a home-cooked meal with friends, you’re part of the famiglia here.

• The Vibe: A glass pavilion surrounded by the peace of the gardens.

• The Cup: Authentic Italian espresso with a thick, golden crema.

2. Monmouth Coffee Company (Borough Market)

Best for: The Heritage Experience Like us, Monmouth has been around for decades (since 1978!). They are the grandfathers of the London coffee scene. Visiting their shop in Borough Market feels like stepping into a piece of history.

• The Vibe: Bustling, aromatic, and always full of life.

• The Cup: Their filtered coffee is legendary—simple, honest, and consistently beautiful.

3. Prufrock Coffee (Leather Lane)

Best for: The Modern Craft If you want to see the “science” side of London coffee, head over to our neighbours in Clerkenwell. While we focus on tradition, Prufrock focuses on the new frontier of speciality coffee. They are true masters of their craft.

• The Vibe: Bright, studious, and very “New London.”

• The Cup: Expect light-roasted, fruity flavors that might change the way you think about coffee.

4. Ozone Coffee Roasters (Shoreditch)

Best for: The Industrial Buzz This is where London’s energy is at its peak. Ozone is a massive, multi-level roastery where you can hear the machines humming and smell the beans roasting as you eat.

• The Vibe: Urban, edgy, and great for a big weekend brunch.

• The Cup: Their espresso blends are punchy and stand up perfectly to a big plate of eggs.

5. Rosslyn Coffee (The City)

Best for: High-Speed Hospitality In the rush of the City, Rosslyn manages to do something rare: serve world-class speciality coffee with the kind of genuine friendliness we value in our own kitchen. It’s fast, but it’s never cold.

• The Vibe: Sleek, professional, yet incredibly welcoming.

• The Cup: Their attention to detail is unmatched—every flat white is a work of art.

Find Your “La Vita Bella”

The “best” coffee in London is the one that makes you feel good. Some days you want the technical precision of a speciality brew, and other days you just need the comfort of a traditional espresso in a garden.

London has room for both, and we’re just happy to be a part of this city’s story. Next time you’re in Bloomsbury, come say hello. Our door is always open.

Salute!

Described most recently by the Friends of Russell Square Association as ‘an Anglo-Italian idyll in a garden’, our authentic Italian Caffe was opened in 1981- and it’s been family-run ever since. Nowadays, restaurants rooted at the heart of Italian culture are hard to come by- that’s why people continue to love our home-grown recipes and bespoke, signature coffee blend. 

We have been serving Bloomsbury’s community for over 4 decades and with the loyal support of our wonderful customers, we’re proud to have been awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers Choice Award for 2024.

At Caffè Tropea, locals feel loved and newcomers feel like old friends. This warm and welcoming atmosphere brings in all kinds of customers from Bloomsbury and around central London’s oasis. A stone’s throw away from the British Museum, stunning architecture and a few of the capital’s top universities, we are a favourite among professors, students and residents alike. Our stunning surroundings only add to the vibrancy of our local community. 

When it comes to your morning fix, Italians have been serving English breakfasts in the UK for nearly a century. Our breakfast at Caffè Tropea honours this classic tradition but with Italian flair. Our English breakfasts as well as our Italian lunches and aperitivos bring a taste of authentic Italian culture to the heart of London, creating a delightful fusion of flavours that celebrates both culinary traditions. 

Russell Square gardens is central London’s oasis making it a perfect backdrop for a relaxing meal or a quick catch-up with friends. For those who wish to bring a taste of Caffè Tropea into their own homes, our signature Italian coffee blend created from long standing family traditions is available to purchase on Amazon or through our online coffee shop in bags, tins and pods. 

Check out our London delivery service @deliveroo we are open for breakfast, brunch & lunch.

Our family’s specially selected, Signature Italian Espresso blend is available to buy now on AMAZON and our online coffee SHOP.

Online shoppers can drink the same coffee people enjoy at our caffè in Russell Square gardens. Created from a long-standing family tradition our coffee is inspired by the ritual we share with loyal customers every day so grab your Caffè Tropea bag or tin and join the family.