Why do you think there is a booming coffee culture in London and non-chain cafes are really cool and creative places to hang out?

Here's one of my favourite coffee shop working spaces: Coffee shops and cafés are a great place for individuals to work from especially if they are self employed online entrepeneurs or just corporate bees looking for some space. With free wifi becoming the norm I am surprised I've not seen more virtual desks (there are some coffee shops with special desk areas providing power for devices). Far better than pubs in terms of drinking choice yet I believe the pubs are seeing this opportunity and improving the quality of their coffee to compete. Of course, coffee shops are great places for people to meet and socialise. People of all ages. And for sure it isn't a new phenomenon or exclusive to London or the UK.

The first part of your question ("Why do you think there is a booming coffee culture in London") can partly be explained by an influx of Antipodean coffee culture in London over the last 5-10 years. I was lucky enough to live on Berwick Street in Soho for a few years when first opened. At that point (with a few notable exceptions like Monmouth) there were hardly places that had the decor or coffee style that Australians take for granted, and nobody knew what a flat white was (or were willing to pay a premium for barista-made coffee). Flat White was staffed entirely by Aussies and Kiwis and gained a big following (though I think it's not as popular now). Since then many of the Flat White alumni have opened up their own places, and London has grown a taste for the (they are on the coffee menu at most major chains, though I suspect most baristas in chain cafés wouldn't know how they differ from a latte.

Because they make better coffee.