We finally found flat whites in London

The epic adventures to find a flat white in London

The one thing I have missed about Australia is the strong coffee culture as in the UK It has proven a difficult task to find a decent cup of coffee. I have come to realise you don't just stumble upon good coffee shops, instead you have to search them out. We battled with long tube rides, walking tirelessly up and down streets but once we found these golden gems it was all worth it.   

1. St Ali 

Originating from Melbourne, St Ali brings the well loved Australian passion for a late brunch accompanied by good coffee to the London scene. Here you will find Aussie's hiding behind their London Times sipping their latte's, whilst waiting for their eggs benedict. I had a classic loud mouth Aussie serve me, as well as sitting at the table next to my QUT tutor I had a year ago. The interior is dark and dense with brick walls and hardwood floors all surrounding the coffee bar that sits in the middle of the floor space punching out amazing coffees. 

2. Lowry and Baker 

Tucked away at the very end of Portobello Road was this quaint cafe that served sensational coffees. It is small with few tables and chairs filling up the one room but the hum of the coffee machine turns this crammed space into a homely and cosy spot for good coffee. The daily menu is chalked up on boards, filled with simple home style foods such as poached eggs with avocado and salmon on sourdough which blew my mind.

3. Foxcroft & Ginger 

http://www.foxcroftandginger.com/home.php

As you walk through the door there is graffiti on the back wall which leads you to decide where to sit. There are stools against the front window watching the bustling soho crowds or there is the dark room downstairs filled with old couches and benches that look like horse-saddles. With mostly Aussies or New Zealanders at the counter, they have consistently served good flat whites, cutely poured into delicate china tea-cups. 

A little town called Saltaire

Just a step outside Leeds - Saltaire

Everyday we walk into town to get our daily dose of Opposite coffee, one of three good coffee shops in Leeds. Just the usual morning chit chat usually takes place but on this one occasion he tells us a visit to Saltaire must be done. Saltaire is a quaint village full of friendly locals who said 'hello' as you walked past them and seemed to love a good chat. 

Through the town runs a canal that is home to many ducks and swans that were fed very well by locals and tourists. 

Inside the once famous Salt Mill has been transformed into an amazing bookstore that takes up an entire level as well as a home wares store that kept us happily entertained.

Matt made friends with the swans.

This is the Congregational Church, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, looking very moody and mysterious on this drizzly day. 

It was originally built by Sir Titus Salt, a wealthy industrialist wanting an efficient village of workers without naughty temptations such as booze or gambling. This is no longer the case with the towns favourite pub ironically called 'Don't tell Titus' which we visited for an afternoon red.