Elwin

Elwin calls its coffee real nice, and the shop on Great Russell Street, a couple of blocks from the British Museum, backs that up with Ozone Coffee Roasters beans. The coffee leans towards sweet profiles with fruity, nutty and floral notes, and rarer lots appear for anyone who wants to go beyond the everyday cup. It suits beginners finding their taste and long time specialty drinkers alike.

A question goes up above the bar every day, and a correct answer earns a small discount, a quirk that fits the museum district around it. Dogs are welcome, and fresh pastries and toasties sit alongside the coffee. Weekday opening is early, from half past seven, and weekends start an hour later and finish a little before the weekday close.