Taylor St Baristas Shoreditch

Taylor Street’s Shed is proof that “good things come in small packages” is more than just an adage. Located in a Shoreditch back alley that will put your sense of direction to the test, it amounts to no more than a cramped garden shack, where a line of three people equals maximum capacity. Even staff members seem to struggle with the lack of space: at the time of my visit, three baristas stood behind the counter, nearly elbowing each other as they prepared hot drinks and manned the till.

The location couldn’t possibly be more strategic. Bang in the middle of Hipsterland, and right opposite Vice’s offices, the Shed is a safe haven for artsy types, techies and geeks looking for their daily fix of "lar-tay" (another fun fact: five people were queuing ahead of me, and I was the only one ordering an espresso). Gone the simple, sleek look and feel of the Bank cafe, Taylor Street’s Shed does a great job of blending in with its surroundings: indie gig posters cover every inch on the side walls, and a stack of EPs from a band called The Franklys lies on the counter. Now scrap the claustrophobic setting, scrap the stereotypically hip clientele. How cool is that for a coffee shop?

Even cooler is the fact that the Shed serves decent espresso – a rarity in this country of watery americanos. Customers can choose between a house blend and a guest one, which at the time was the Colombian Finca Tamana, roasted by Workshop. I went for the resident Rogue coffee blend, produced by Union Hand Roasted: a strong espresso with a fruity aftertaste, slightly tart but not overly sour to the palate.

The Taylor Street Shed is well in tune with my usual self: the one who scowls at those who discovered Muse when they released “Absolution”, and refuses to let go of her six-year-old, battered blue Converse trainers. Only that, on that particular morning, my attire and pre-job interview nerviness made me look like a stiff, suited mannequin; the human equivalent of a penguin who lands on the South African shore and struggles to cope with the heat. I shall be grateful for my cup of coffee at the Shed, though, for its bold, rich flavour spurred me on and got me through a challenging day.

Full blog post on: http://whatevergetsyouthroughtheday.wordpress.com/2014/06/11/taylor-st-baristas-the-shed-city-of-london-review/

Best secret coffee place in London! You won't be able to spot it just passing by, your friends will not know about it, however Google Maps does know about it and oh I am grateful for this precious tip. The service is always great and the small wooden cabin is always full of happy people. Seems to be like a private coffee place for Vice and small offices around. The prices are very reasonable. Great atmosphere and of course the best coffee you can find (or most likely cannot). Update16/03: unfortunately, coffee here can depend on the person who's making it. Had a bad one today. Guys, please, make a process consistent.

A shed converted into a coffee shop for all drinks to go. Delicious coffee and friendly vibe. They even have a dog called Lucia who hangs out in the corner sometimes. They don’t offer any indoor sitting but there’s plenty of seats outside so perfect for the summer.

Small shed like place that's easy to miss. It's in a company's courtyard, but you can still go in and get a coffee. They are friendly and nice, plus the coffee really is quite good. A good tip would be to get the app to pay and track your loyalty card.

They sell local Union coffee alongside a guest coffee, expertly prepared; more than you can say for most coffee shops in London. The food is great too, especially the bacon and 'jam' sandwiches - or the freshly made muffins. Not the cheapest, but good value for money and they have an excellent loyalty card (one free for every six bought). Get there early if you want the breakfast items though - they do sell out quickly.

Amazing coffee. The usual types of coffee as well as excellent iced brew. Oat milk is available. Very friendly staff. They have a great loyalty scheme, 5th coffee is free!