The Best Coffee Shops In Watford

If you’re looking for great independent coffee shops in Watford you’re in luck! From coffee shops that roast their beans on-site to those attached to artisan bakeries, the local and independent coffee shop scene in Watford is booming!

Throughout this, I’ve looked to share with you the very best coffee shops in Watford (and some nearby). So, have a read, and I’m sure you’ll be able to find a great cup of coffee while you’re out and about, or visiting one of the many things to do in Watford.

I last checked the opening times and details in March 2024. All timings and addresses are correct at the time of posting. Please check opening times before visiting.

The LP Cafe, Watford, Watford Town Centre

An independent record store and coffee shop, The LP Cafe sits close to the underpass between the town pond and library. Unique in that the coffee shop is also a record and vinyl retailer, The LP Cafe has walls adorned with both classic and new vinyl releases with a cool atmosphere as music often plays in the background.

Being located just off the main hustle and bustle of the Watford high street and pond, the cafe is a lovely hideaway and attracts a great mix of regulars and music lovers. With a good selection of drinks and bites to eat on offer, the LP Cafe is (in my opinion) a great escape for those looking to have a break from shopping or to escape the office for a few minutes.

Though beans can often change at independent coffee shops, I typically find the LP Cafe serving quite chocolatey roasts that fit perfectly with a flat white order.

Ocean Bells Coffee Company, Watford, Watford Town Centre

Close to the Watford Highstreet Overground Station, Ocean Bells Coffee Company is a cosy, friendly, and tasty escape from the madness of the town centre. Competing with numerous international chain coffee shops, as well as various restaurants and bars, Ocean Bells offers something different – peace and freshness.

Serving smooth-tasting coffee, sometimes changing to more “fruity” flavours, Ocean Bells Coffee Company is full of flavour. As you enter a large chalkboard of options greets you, offering an array of “traditional” drink options through to more flavoured and spiced varieties. At the counter, a large selection of pastries and savoury bites are on offer – my highlight being the croissant pudding.

Perfectly located for when you’re shopping in Atria, working in the town centre or making your way to/from Watford Highstreet Station, Ocean Bells Coffee Company is a great spot for meeting friends or family; or even as a cute coffee date idea.

Viento Coffee Company, Watford, St Albans Road

Anartisanal powerhouse of coffee in Watford,Viento Coffee Co. not only serve great coffee but roasts its own beans on-site. So, if you’re after a fresh coffee in Watford look no further. Obviously, the coffee is really good at Viento Coffee Company, with the taste, look and feel of your order of the utmost importance. However, they aren’t just looking to serve great coffee, but also to help you make your own, offering advice and guidance on how to replicate their mastery at home.

Located just 5-10 minutes from Watford Junction, Viento Coffee Company is really well placed for commuters (or folks travelling) to and from Watford Junction Station or taking a walk down St. Albans Road. While the coffee at Viento is already great, this independent roaster and artisan coffee shop in Watford serves some really tasty sweet and savoury treats.

Flourish Craft Bakery, Watford, Tudor Estate

The Flourish Craft Bakery is, as the name suggests, not just a cafe in Watford but a fully working bakery. Naturally, the light bites, snacks and full meals on offer are incredibly fresh and (honestly) divine! So, if you’re after a great breakfast, brunch, or lunch, you know where to go, and, based on my previous visits, has certainly become a hot spot for many people in and around Watford looking for a great bite to eat and caffeine fix.

Located in the Tudor industrial estate, near the North Watford Station and close to TopGolf Watford, Flourish Craft Bakery maybe isn’t in the “traditional” setting for an artisanal coffee shop in Watford. However, certainly don’t let that put you off a visit, the food is top-notch and the coffee, well, that’s really rather good too.

BloomsYard, Watford, Watford Station

Next door to Watford (Metropolitan) Station, Bloomsyard offers a delicious cup of coffee and a lovely variety of sweet and savoury treats. It’s far from the largest coffee shop in this list, however, when you’re looking for a caffeine fix before or after a trip into or out of London, or a morning spent wandering around Cassiobury Park.

Rhubarb Cafe, Watford, Cassiobury Estate

Tucked away in the heart of the Cassiobury estate, the Rhubarb Cafe is an incredibly homely establishment. Servicing hearty breakfasts, light bites and full meals throughout the day. The coffee on offer is sourced from local roasters, the fresh roast noticeable with every sip.

Perfect for avoiding the crowds in Cassiobury park, the Rhubarb is just a short stroll from several of the park entrances. Making it both a great spot to visit when going to or when leaving the park. On the whole, the Rhubarb has every community feel, many of the seats often taken by local residents and families.

The staff at the Rhubarb Cafe are very welcoming, providing a cosy and friendly atmosphere to relax with book or to meet up with friends and family. Additionally, the cafe is pretty dog friendly, so perfect cafe destination for dog walkers looking to get out of the weather can enjoy a hot cup of something.

D20 Board Game Cafe, Watford, Watford Town Centre

A coffee shop with a difference, the d20 Board Game Cafe offers visitors the opportunity to enjoy top-notch coffee and play a huge assortment of board and card games. Just as much of a thing to do in Watford as it is a Watford coffee shop, the d20 Board Game Cafe isn’t exactly like other coffee shops, typically on weekends or evenings you’ll need to book ahead and it’s not so much of “pop in” coffee shop as an activity.

That said, it’s still very unique and brilliant experience with friends and family. The cafe is home to hundreds of games (900+) giving you a great choice of what to play, as well as providing delicious coffee and treats to fuel your games.

Located not too far from the Atria shopping centre, on Queens Road, the d20 Board Game Cafe totally unique in what it offers and a great way to spend a rainy day in Watford.

La Bottega Italiana, Watford, Watford Town Centre

If you’re a fan of Italian delicacies and coffee culture then you HAVE TO give La Bottega Italiana a visit. Located on Market Street, La Bottega offers a true deli experience, the counter full of deli snacks and specialities, such as hams and cheeses. You can also enjoy some of the super tasty pastries, as well as sweet and savoury treats, such as cannolis, arancini, pasta dishes, and takeaway sandwiches.

When you visit La Bottega don’t be surprised to hear Italian being spoken, it’s pretty common to walk in and hear people ordering a “caffè” or chatting with the staff (usually about the assortment of wines and ingredients that adorn the rest of the shop).

As for the coffee, it’s as you’d expect from an Italian cafe, quite strong but also quite comforting and homely. Personally, I tend to opt for a double espresso (so far, the cheapest I’ve found in Watford) and take a moment to sit on one of the chairs and admire the various kinds of pasta, biscotti, and sauces they have available.

Tasty Bean, Watford, Oxhey Park

Not too far from Bushey railway station, the Tasty Bean is located in the recently redeveloped and updated Oxhey Activity Park. The cafe itself is family-run, providing a really comfy and friendly atmosphere for those enjoying the park or after great coffee and a bite to eat.

Offering a vast drink, breakfast and general food menu, there is plenty on offer at the Tasty Bean. The staff are friendly and accommodating, making a visit to the cafe a very pleasant experience. Naturally, being located close to a children’s play area, there can be peaks where the cafe gets quite busy with families, however, service is usually still very efficient.

In terms of the coffee and food, they’re both tasty and well-priced. The coffee appears to be sourced from fresh small batch bags, with the staff really well trained to serve a great cup consistently.

Simba Bru Coffee Shop & Roastery, Watford, Watford Town Centre

Tucked away between Clarendon Road and Queens Road, close to St John’s Church, Simba Bru Coffee Shop & Roastery is best described as a neighbourly coffee shop. Though not particularly big, Simba Bru feels homely and very much part of the local area, the few chairs often frequented by local residents or people working nearby.

Inspired by the incredible number of high-grade speciality coffees found in Tanzania, Simba Bru hand roasts ethical and sustainable beans from across the world, giving you a fresh and flavour-filled coffee with every sip. During my visits, I’ve typically gone for an espresso and can honestly say it was one of the best I’ve had during my travels.

Overall, if you’re looking for a new coffee spot while in Watford town centre or somewhere new to pick up a coffee while working on Clarendon Road, Simba Bru Coffee Shop & Roastery is a fantastic option.

Perfect Blend Coffee Shop, Watford, St Albans Road

Close to Gammons Lane and Balmoral Road, Perfect Blend Coffee Shop is a delightful coffee shop that offers a fantastic range of sweet and savoury treats, as well as top-notch ‘Italian style’ coffee. While St Albans Road can be a bit manic, Perfect Blend Coffee Shop is a lovely escape from the outside world, the cosy atmosphere making it a “go-to” for many local residents or people working nearby.

A highlight of the Perfect Blend Coffee Shop is certainly the food, from the poached eggs to the pancakes you’re bound to find something you’ll enjoy. Or, if you after somthing on the go, the takeaway pastries and cakes are to die for.

If you are going to visit the Perfect Blend, you’re best bet is to park in the The Harebreaks car park then cross over from there.

Over recent years, coffee shops in Watford have been springing up left right and centre, hopefully, I’ve given you a good overview of cafes to visit in Watford. From the hyper-local and speciality to the unique and multifaceted, there are plenty of places to get your next caffeine fix or meet friends and family.

While I try to venture to new coffee shops when I’m in Watford, I’m always on the lookout for more suggestions and if you feel I’ve missed out on somewhere please do let me know and check them out.

In the interest of transparency, this post wasn’t sponsored by any of the coffee shops featured. Some places featured are locations I visit regularly (when in Watford), while others I’ve only been to once or twice. Opening times were correct at the time of publishing.

Finally, while you’re here, you might be interested in some of my most recent U.K. posts:

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