For Brixton’s coffee cognoscenti and caffeine-quaffing connoisseurs of the coffee bean, there’s one truly unmissable place on London’s cafe map, and that’s Federation Coffee.
Situated a short walk out of central Brixton, Federation Coffee can be found at Unit 46 in Brixton Village (formerly Granville Arcade), close to the junction of Atlantic Road and Coldharbour Lane – a short two minute walk from Brixton tube and railway stations.
Run by two amiable Kiwis, their coffee is sensationally good, with the cappuccinos coming with an attractive, carefully sculpted froth pattern that seems to be created by some complicated magical Antipodean process.
The home-made cakes, brownies and pastries are mighty fine too, with our favourite being the Blueberry Friand – a mouth-watering bargain at just £1.50.
Their current shop is a little, shall we say, intimate, but the good news is that they’re set to move a short distance inside the market to premises twice the size.
Best coffee in London?
The Federation boys currently use the ‘East’ blend of coffee roasted by Nude Espresso in East London, but they’re looking to set up their own coffee roastery soon. They’ve also got a wide range of single origin filter coffees from far flung places like El Salvador, Brazil, and the Harrar and Sidamo regions of Ethiopia.
Much as we like the coffees offered in nearby cafes like Goodbench, the Lounge, Ritzy and San Marino, we think that Federation rules the roost when it comes to fine coffee.
In fact, we’d even put them above the legendary Monmouth Coffee too, but don’t take our word for it – take a trip down to Brixton and try them out yourself!
Address
- Unit 46
- Brixton Village Market/Granville
- Coldharbour Lane
- SW9 8PS
Opening Hours
- 8am – 5pm Mon to Fri
- 10am – 5pm Sat
- Closed Sundays
[ [email protected] – Federation coffee]
Related posts:
Federation Coffee, Brixton Village shimmies into a new shop
The Goodbench – another independent Brixton coffee bar opens!
Brixton Village in the summer, July 2011
A look inside the new Costa Coffee, Brixton Road, Brixton SW9
Brixton Village (Granville Arcade)
Coffee at Goodbench, Brixton
Brixton Village: Christmas trees and herring shots
Brixton street photos: October 2010
Best coffee in London? Nope. Perhaps you should try a few coffee places in London before you claim this place has the best in London. There are at least 15 better.
Actually Paul, I’ve tried *hundreds* of coffee houses and cafes in London over the years, and I’m finding Federation to be up there with the very best.
However, if you think you know ones serving even better coffee, please share them with my readers!
Heck, I’ll be checking some of them out too because I love decent coffee!
I totally agree – Federation for best coffee in London! I’ve had a helluva lota coffees in London in my time, and this is my favourite! So are the cakes….:-)
I have had a lot of coffees in my time and think this place provides one of the best available in the Brixton region. Food also hits the spot nicely and i’ll be looking forward to when they move to the larger premises.
I have to agree. I love Federation coffee. It’s the whole package. Amazing coffee, friendly people and delicious baked goods. The brownies are to die for! I feel good going to Federation coffee and appreciated as a customer, which can be rare these days 🙂
looks good…. shuts too early for me, looking for something similar in Brixton which opens a bit later, ideas anyone??
Has anyone tried Turkish coffee ??? OMG
As you know – I’m sure it’s very nice if what you like is lukewarm coffee so weak it can barely crawl out of the cup, but I found it not to my taste! There are others I like better.
Not to change the thread, but due to the falling price of raw coffee beans. One would expect overall sales of coffee makers and espresso machines to be a popular item for Christmas this year! Just Sayin…
I really cannot see what you guys are so excited about, sorry. I found the service at Federation languid, the coffee cold and unspectacular in taste, the food selection extremely limited – I had a piece of chocolate cake that must have been sitting in the damp air for 48 hours of more, and the environment very uncosy, with no comfy chairs or sofas in site! Whilst I am no big fan of Starbucks, at least it is comfortable ( though not particularly the Brixton one). Nero in Morley’s gets my vote any time – at least 200% better than anything else in Brixton in my humble opinion. Maybe Costa can do something, cannot do worse…..whereas Balham has lots of good places. Also very good Coffee at La Pattisserie in Streaham Hill, served by a friendly group of arabic gentelmen – again not comfy but the coffee and the food is exceptional. If thye were to take La Pattisserie and drop it into a lounge environment ( yes like the corporates, or the independents in Balham) then that would made for perfection. Is that too much to ask for?
@editor