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Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe

cafes and bakeries•
London
London

Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe

55 Dalston Ln, London E8 2NG, UK

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on Dalston Lane, Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe has quietly established itself as one of London's most compelling coffee destinations. With custom New Zealand equipment and live roasting on display, this isn't just another neighbourhood cafe - it's a proper coffee education wrapped in Dalston's relaxed charm.

Allpress Espresso: Where Dalston's Coffee Scene Gets Serious

A sophisticated roastery that's earned its stripes in London's competitive coffee landscape

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The venue strikes an impressive balance between sophistication and accessibility, scoring 7.2 out of 10 for refinement while maintaining a refreshingly relaxed approach to the coffee ritual. The energy level sits at a mellow 3.5, creating an intimate environment that's perfect for focused conversation or quiet contemplation. What sets the atmosphere apart is the live roasting process - custom-built Hot Air Roaster equipment from New Zealand, powered by solar panels, provides an ongoing theatre of coffee production. The space feels genuinely educational rather than performative, with an 8.0 rating for experience depth that reflects the meaningful connection between process and product. Counter seating offers prime viewing of both the roasting action and barista work, though the limited seating options mean you'll need to time your visit strategically during peak hours.

Food & Drink

The coffee program here is genuinely award-winning, with Travelers' Choice recognition placing it in the top 10% of London coffee venues - credentials that actually show in the cup. Their signature Three Bells blend represents the house style well, while rotating single-origin offerings provide variety for the more adventurous palate. The live bean-to-cup roasting process means you're experiencing coffee at peak freshness, with the custom New Zealand equipment delivering consistent results. Fresh pastries complement the coffee program, though the venue's focus clearly lies with the liquid offerings. The artisanal approach extends beyond mere presentation - this is specialty coffee with substance, backed by sustainable practices and genuine expertise. The uniqueness factor scores an impressive 8.5, reflecting both the quality of the product and the transparency of the process.

Service & Experience

While specific service details aren't extensively documented, the venue's educational approach suggests staff who understand their product deeply. The live roasting process creates natural opportunities for interaction and learning, particularly for those lucky enough to secure counter seating. The relaxed Dalston setting, combined with a flexibility score of 7.5, indicates a service style that's accommodating rather than rigid. However, the limited seating situation during peak hours suggests you'll need patience, especially if you're hoping for those coveted counter spots overlooking the baristas and roasting equipment.

Value for Money

With a price level of 2 out of 4, Allpress positions itself in the reasonable range for specialty coffee, particularly given the award-winning quality and live roasting experience. You're paying for genuine expertise and premium equipment, with the solar-powered New Zealand roaster representing significant investment in both quality and sustainability. The educational aspect adds value beyond the immediate transaction - watching the roasting process provides insight that extends well beyond your visit. For serious coffee enthusiasts, the combination of quality, transparency, and reasonable pricing represents solid value in London's competitive specialty coffee market.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Morning hours offer the best experience, particularly Monday through Saturday when they open at 8am (9am on Sundays, closing at 4pm daily). Arriving early increases your chances of securing counter seating for the full roasting experience, and you'll catch the Three Bells blend at its peak.

What to Focus On

The Three Bells blend represents their signature style and is particularly recommended during morning hours. For the more adventurous, ask about the current single-origin offerings, which rotate regularly and showcase the roastery's range.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Grab counter seating to watch both the roasting action and barista work - it's the full Allpress experienceThe custom New Zealand roaster is solar-powered, making this one of London's more sustainable coffee operationsLimited seating means peak hours require patience, but the wait is generally worth it for the preferred spots

The Final Verdict

Allpress Espresso Roastery represents specialty coffee done properly - award-winning quality, transparent process, and genuine expertise in a setting that feels both sophisticated and approachable. The live roasting experience, powered by impressive New Zealand equipment, elevates this beyond typical cafe territory into something genuinely educational and memorable. Yes, the limited seating can be frustrating during peak hours, but the combination of quality, sustainability, and reasonable pricing makes this a standout in Dalston's evolving coffee scene. The venue delivers on both substance and experience, earning its recognition among London's top coffee destinations.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

serious coffee enthusiasts seeking transparency and qualitycouples looking for an intimate, educational date experienceanyone wanting to understand the coffee roasting process firsthand

Quick Details

1

Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe

⭐️ Live roasting
⭐️ Educational
⭐️ Sustainable
⭐️ Award winning
⭐️ Theatrical

Watch the live bean-to-cup roasting process unfold before your eyes at this Dalston specialty coffee destination, where custom New Zealand equipment powered by solar panels creates an almost theatrical coffee experience. The award-winning Travelers' Choice recognition places this in the top 10% of London coffee venues, but the real magic happens when you witness the roasting process while sipping their signature blends. The relaxed Dalston setting and rotating single-origin offerings create an educational experience that goes far beyond typical coffee service. This isn't just about drinking great coffee,it's about understanding the entire journey from green bean to perfect extraction.

What's Great

✓ Live roasting process with custom New Zealand equipment

✓ Award-winning recognition with rotating single-origins

Keep in Mind

× Limited seating may require waiting during peak hours for counter spots

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Lowkey grab counter seating to watch the roasting action and try their Three Bells blend during morning hours!

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Sat: 8am-4pm, Sun: 9am-4pm"
📍55 Dalston Ln, London E8 2NG, UK
💷£££

Featured In My Guides

Allpress Espresso Roastery and Cafe has been featured in 2 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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