The best coffee shop in London? After many trips to America where I found amazing coffee shops, the atmosphere was relaxing, you could sit in them and chill or if you wish, study/work. I longed for this kind of coffee shop in London, as faith would have it, I first came across Absolutely Starving three years ago when working in the area. From the moment I walked in, I saw an amazing range of cakes…..immediately I realised this is my place!
The very tasty cakes at Absolutely Starving
Why do I think it is the best coffee shop in London…..? Firstly the location, besides it being 4 minutes walk from London Bridge underground, it is near Hay’s Galleria, which is a mixed use building in the London Borough of Southwark situated on the south bank of the River Thames featuring offices, restaurants, shops, and flats. Originally a warehouse and associated wharf (Hay’s Wharf) for the port of London, it was redeveloped in the 1980s. It is a Grade II listed structure. This building and surrounding area is a must see!
A stunning building called Hays Galleria. A must see.
Secondly, on entering Absolutely Starving, I felt the same amazing and positive vibe as I did in America, also, I quickly forgot about the hustle and bustle of London.
At the counter I was greeted in a very friendly manner, which was a surprise, well this is London where I find a lot of people working in the restaurants and shops very rude, it is like you are causing them an issue by asking them for service!
Absolutely Starving being a family run business with Egyptian blood, I recommend you try their signature dish, the Koshari. This is a vegan Cairo street food, people who are allergic to veganism can add meat! This is sold in a wrap or box. The dish is bursting with flavours and a must try!
A great service is always had from the staff.
Their range of snacks, foods and sandwiches is huge and delicious!
Freshly made and very tasty food is always available.
Great selection of goodies!
Freshly made everyday salad bar
There is plenty of space available to eat in and people watch.
Eat in or takeaway the choice is yours
More seating
Sit here and watch the world go by.
This is a great place to sit and watch the world go by:
Sometimes you just need cake!
Sometimes, it is good to be naughty!
Don’t believe me? Go and see for yourself and let me know…..
Absolutely Starving Website
51 TOOLEY STREET, LONDON. SE1
T: 020 7407 7417
Mon-Fri 7am-8pm, Sat & Sun 9am-8pm
As a coffee junkie, I would be happy to visit it! Thanks for sharing.
You are welcome. Hope to see you there!
This looks so wonderful 🙂 Whenever I’m in London next, I’d definitely see if if I can squeeze a visit in, love the photographs and the description <3 Thank you for sharing 🙂 And you're right, from personal experience I can say, that polite and great customer service is not common in London 😉
Thanks, please let me know what you think of this coffee shop on your next visit!
As someone who is a lover of not particularly coffee, but coffee shops for their range of options and homely atmosphere, this sounds amazing!
Love to hear your views on this place if you visit it.
I often go to London and your advice and informations are very useful for me. Thank you! 🙂
I hope on your next visit you do get a chance to visit this lovely coffee shop!
Wow!!! It looks so cool. I don’t drink coffee but I would surely go for the array of breads and desserts!
Great, looking forward to hearing your views when you do visit!
I’ve never been to London but now I know where to go when I finally get to visit! Beautiful photos.
When you do come, enjoy!
nice informative post for coffee lover,thanks..
Thank you Umesh, easy to be passionate and write about a very nice coffee shop.
Love the location and interior! I found the coffee shops in the UK much like you do, unfriendly staff and atmosphere. Definitely noticed it more after coming back to nz where we have wonderful, friendly cafes
This coffee shop is one of the very few exceptions.
I will take all those cakes I can’t eat , some salad and a view from the bar stool. I could do with that right now. 🙂 Great post.
After your hols, we should meet here and you can let me know your views!
This place looks so awesome! I will definitely check this out next time I’m in town.
Have a great trip and love to hear your comments on Absolutely Starving.
Looks like I need to go here and get some coffee when I visit. Looks awesome!
It is! Hope you do get to visit it soon!
Thanks to Gay Goat for sharing this beautiful article. Will definitely add this place to our bucket list.
Hope you get to visit it soon and let me know what you think of this place.
It’s night time here but this post makes me wanna drink some coffee. thanks for such an amazing post on this cafe. definitely gotta try it when I go to London.
It is an amazing coffee shop. Thank you for the comments
If I’m there, I would definitely go back and forth to the salad counter. Everything looks delish.
It is an amazing place for the food and ambience.
Thanks for the advice, have been to London many times but haven’t tried this place yet, for next time.
Hopefully, on your next visit you will get to pop into Absolutely Starving
I love finding cool and relaxing coffee spots. I wish this one had been there years ago when I worked in the area. Hay’s Galleria & Absolutely Starving is a good place to stop when you walk along SouthBank. I do miss this part of my old London live…
I hope you get a chance to re-visit the area and Absolutely Starving. This part of London is my favourite.
Great photos..Plan to be there at some point of time
I hope you enjoy your visit
i’ll just travel there for all the cakes the place have!! It seems yummy!! Im in love with desserts and every time I see an opportunity to tasted something new and sweet! I’m there! Thanks for sharing!
I hope you get to visit Absolutely Starving and taste the amazing cakes!
I’m not a coffee drinker, but it still looks like an awesome place to grab a bite to eat! I would definitely try the Koshari.
The Koshari is a must, also try the amazing and tasty cakes!
What a wonderful place to visit. I would love to go to London.
I hope you get to visit London.
The next time I’m in London I’ll have to check this place out – it looks great! Thanks so much for the rec! 🙂
I hope you do get to visit this amazing coffee shop, love to hear your views once you have visited it.
I’ve just had breakfast but your post has made me hungry again! I love going to London on day trips so I will have to try these yummy foods on my next trip!
It is a fantastic place and I hope you do get to visit Absolutely Starving, love to hear your views once you have visited.
Is Singh an popular surrname? My manager is Singh aswel.
Singh is given to all Sikh men and it means lion, Sikh women are given the name Kaur and it means princess.
Hello Mandeep,
Thanks for the beautiful post about London coffee shop. Your blog post gives me the energy to motivate and keep traveling in my life. thanks for wonderful advice and information.
I hope you never stop travelling. Always good for the soul and mind.
very cool!
Thanks, it is a fantastic coffee shop
WOW, it is fantastic.
It certainly is!
yes!! visited some of there and yes! they are really great
Have you visited this one?
I absolutely LOVE good coffee shops and this seems like an amazing one! I’d love to visit someday!
This is truly a gem of a coffee shop. I hope you do get to visit.