Coffee Island

One of my places to work.

Worth Your Attention 001 • September 8, 2026

If you’re in Central London and want to get some work done before meeting friends, this is one of the places I’d recommend.

Coffee Island sits between Covent Garden and Leicester Square, so the location is really convenient. What I like most is the small area upstairs overlooking the entrance. It’s cosy and, in a way, feels less like sitting in a coffee shop and more like being at home.

It can get busy at times, and you’ll usually find other people working there too. It can be a little noisy, but if you’re like me and your creative mind sometimes works better with music on, occasionally looking up and watching people go by, then this might be your kind of place too.

The coffee is good. I wouldn’t say it’s the best coffee I’ve ever had, but it does the job. They also have cakes and pastries which, I have to admit, I haven’t really tried. I usually come here to work for a few hours before heading out to meet friends.

Worth your attention when: you need a convenient place to work in Central London before meeting friends.

Coffee Island • Upper St Martin’s Lane, London