Top 5 Coffee Spots Every Student Swears By

Let’s be real: uni in London isn’t powered by ambition alone – it’s powered by caffeine. Whether you’re cramming in the library or nursing a hangover, here are the five coffee spots that fuel student life (for better or worse).

1. Pret A Manger

Hours: Typically,  6am–8pm (varies by branch)

£ Band: £2.50–£4 per drink

Student ID: Not required

Wi-Fi: Available 

Ah, Pret. The burnt-aftertaste coffee we all love to hate. But listen – that subscription deal? Once upon a time, it gave you five free coffees a day. RIP to the golden era of my caffeine addiction. The new 50% off deal isn’t as iconic, but still the cheapest way to survive London’s coffee economy without selling a kidney.

2. Blank Street Coffee

Hours: Mon–Fri, 6:30am–8pm; Sat–Sun, 7am–7pm

£ Band: £3.50–£5 per drink

Student ID: Accepted via UNiDAYS (varies by location)

Wi-Fi: Available

More famous for its matcha than its actual coffee these days, but still a solid spot. The vibe is very “TikTok influencer meets finance bro,” and yes, it’s pricey – like £3.80 for an Americano pricey. But if you want to treat yourself after a brutal seminar, this is where you go. 

3. Roasting Plant

Hours: Typically, 7:30am–6:30pm (varies by location)

£ Band: £3–£5 per drink

Student ID: Not required

Wi-Fi: Available

Coffee snobs, assemble. Roasting Plant basically lets you pick your beans, watch them get roasted, and feel like you’re suddenly an expert. The brews taste clean, strong, and dangerously addictive. Slightly more expensive than Pret, but cheaper than therapy. Ideal if you want to convince yourself you’re sophisticated while stress-writing essays.

4. Monmouth Coffee

Hours: Typically 8am–6pm (varies by location)

£ Band: £3.50–£4.50 per drink

Student ID: Not required

Wi-Fi: No (focus zone)

If you’re near Borough Market, Monmouth is a pilgrimage. Long queues, yes, but their flat whites are basically liquid comfort. Prices hover around £3.50—£4, but the quality is unmatched. The beans alone make you feel like you understand what “notes of citrus” actually means (even though you don’t).

5. Ozone Coffee Roasters

Hours: Typically Sun–Thu 7:30am–4pm; Fri–Sat 8:30am–9pm(varies by location)

£ Band: £3.60–£5 per drink

Student ID: Not required

Wi-Fi: Free

Ozone feels like the cool older sibling of London coffee spots. Spacious, artsy, and yes, the brunch menu is dangerously tempting. A flat white will set you back £3.60 – £4, but it doubles as a workspace – perfect if you’re “studying” but actually people-watching. The kind of place you justify because “I’ll be here for three hours.”

London runs on overpriced caffeine and student tears. Whether you’re Pret loyal or splurging at Ozone, these spots keep the essays flowing.