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With a week of locked-down annual leave in London earlier this month, I took the opportunity to get on my bike and visit a few of the coffee shops that I'd been meaning to visit. Among these was Paradox Design + Coffee , based in the spot Terrone once occupied in London Fields' Netil Market . As the name suggests, Paradox's Zain and Katherine don't just do coffee — although they do coffee very well indeed — but also provide consultation and design services; Zain is also the creator of the simple but oh-so-elegant  latte art dice . Those adjectives could also describe their diminutive coffee bar, which occupies a glass-walled, shipping-container-like space near the entrance of Netil Market, just along Westgate Street from Broadway Market.  In normal times, there are a couple of stools at the window for drinking your coffee in, but Paradox is currently takeaway only, with protective transparent screens set up in front of the counter as a measure to minimise risk of COVID...

While back in my Oxford bubble for my birthday and my mum's earlier this month, I was able to experience the take-out offerings from three different restaurants. And although it wasn't quite the same as dining in, we were very impressed with all three, which serve different cuisines at different price points. And although Oxford will be out of lockdown and in tier 2 restrictions  from next Wednesday, takeout for formerly dine-in-only restaurants seems likely to remain on the agenda for some time, but do always refer to the restaurants' websites or social media accounts for their most up-to-date information. Oli's Thai I've been wanting to try Oli's Thai for some time, but the small East Oxford restaurant (located just across from the Missing Bean roastery on Magdalen Road) only has five tables and its popularity means it's very hard to get a reservation in normal times. During lockdown, Oli's has been open for take-out only on Wednesdays to Fridays. The...

Without doubt, 2020 has been an exceptionally challenging year for independent coffee shops and other small businesses in the hospitality industry, but the COVID-19 pandemic was one of factors that drove the opening of NOLA , a new speciality coffee shop on Rye Lane in Peckham. Owners Josephine and Anthony also form the band Oh Wonder . They created NOLA as a neighbourhood coffee shop that brings together things they love about coffee shops they've visited around the world, and that offers much-needed calm, respite and great coffee to the local community in uncertain times. And the care they've taken with their new release is clear; from the design to the warm, friendly service and, of course, the coffee, the attention to detail is impressive. While London is in lockdown, NOLA is only open for takeaway, but the minimalist décor — light wood, accent lights and carefully chosen greenery — mean it will be lovely place to sit in while enjoying a coffee and sweet treat once that...

If I were still commuting into the office, Establishment Coffee on Saint Bride Street in the City of London, would be an ideal stop-off on my cycle route, along Cycleway 6 . As I am, like many people, working from home for the foreseeable future, it took me a little longer to visit, but with several days of annual leave to spend in London earlier this month, I've now stopped by twice, once during London's second lockdown and once just before. Located on a pedestrianised section of Saint Bride Street, just off Farringdon Street and near the junction with Fleet Street, Establishment occupies a small shop — it's more of a coffee bar than a sit-in cafe, even in normal times. But it's attractively decorated with muted grey walls, a handsome wooden counter and a few hanging plants. When I visited pre-lockdown, I was able to walk up to the espresso machine at the end of the counter to pick up my drink, but this was no longer possible on my second visit, and I placed and pick...

It's been several years since I last compiled a holiday gift guide, but this year of all years, I thought it would be a good way to highlight some of the products I love — or would love to own — that can be purchased from some of my favourite coffee companies and other small businesses. I hope you'll find some inspiration for gifts for the coffee lovers in your life. And yes, that includes gifts to self, of course (I promise I won't tell). I can't think of any coffee lovers who would not love to receive a top-quality bag of speciality coffee beans as a gift, and I'd recommend finding a roaster or coffee shop local to you; they'd appreciate your support. But if you need more inspiration, my coffee city guides  may help. Equally, if you're thinking of purchasing a speciality coffee subscription as a gift, I can recommend  Dog and Hat  (which I reviewed here ) for the quality and variety of their selection. As we've all been spending a lot more time at home...

Keeping an independent coffee shop afloat in central London is no mean feat at best of times, let alone opening one, and especially in 2020. But Black Box  in Covent Garden is hardly barista and owner Ant 's first speciality coffee rodeo; it's not even Ant's first Black Box, although it was the now-defunct Black Chapel in Wandsworth, beloved by my fellow bloggers at BeanThere.at among many others, that was the one that got away from me. I had the chance to make up for this shortcoming more recently by paying two visits to Black Box in its home inside Orbital Comics on Great Newport Street. At the time of both visits, London was in a second lockdown , and so Black Box was only open for takeaway. The coffee shop is zero waste so if you're visiting during lockdown, bring your own reusable cup — I managed to forget mine on the first visit, but brought my Huskee Cup when I returned. Orbital Comics houses several separate businesses, and Black Box is closest to the entranc...