I might not get to the ones outside London, but for the others - I think a weekend espresso crawl is in order:
The list as it stands today:
dose yet another antipodian coffee store (after flat white, sacred - there must be others etc)
tinawesaluteyou this made me laugh, b/c the tina-boys show up in the video on indi coffe shops too (see below), whats funny is that the guy is wearing a wife-beater(ish), which is typically the standard attireof chaiwalas in India/Pakistan. and to think these haughty high priests of gourmet coffee...
2. Tina we Salute You, 47 King Henry's Walk, London
Owners Steve and Danny used to have a market stall on Brick Lane selling cup cakes, but decided to go for something a bit more permanent when they opened this cafe in Dalston earlier this year. A tempting range of baked goodies still lurks behind the glass counter, though. Take a seat around the Antipodean-style communal table, or customers can plonk on a sofa outside on clement days. Loyal drinkers sign the wall with a marker pen to notch up purchases rather than carry a card around. Don't get too attached to the art on the walls, it changes every few months. And the name? It's a long story, so best ask when you drop by – it's a friendly place, they won't mind telling you.
• tinawesaluteyou.com.
5. Dose Espresso, 69 Long Lane, London
A small space with queues out the door at busy times, but office workers bypass the chains at the end of the street for one of New Zealander James Phillips' coffees, crafted with love on his La Marzocco machine. There are a few seats inside, otherwise take away and explore the streets around Smithfield Market and the Barbican. Phillips maintains a strong ethical bias, promising to treat everyone well in the coffee process, be they growers at the start of the process to city analysts receiving their cup at the end.
• dose-espresso.com.
and not to be outdone, Monmouth is on the list:
10. Monmouth Coffee, 26 Monmouth St, London
In a tourist friendly-spot near Covent Garden, though you can also find them in their larger shop opposite Borough Market. If you're not taking away, try and grab one of the tables at the back (not easy at busy times) or sit on the bench outside even if you're not a smoker and watch the great and the good saunter by. A very tempting array of cakes, too.
• monmouthcoffee.co.uk.