What’s up, London?

London lives deeply in our hearts. It's where the idea of Orsa first started boiling. Both of us—Orsa’s founders—spent years living in the city, soaking in its coffee culture, energy, and creative chaos. So no surprise: London still shapes the way we think about coffee, community, and the spaces we create.

The Orsa vibe? A place full of life, connecting people through coffee, music, design, and good energy. And that’s exactly what London does best. Step into almost any café and you'll feel it. The hustle, the playlists, the endless lines for that first (second, third) cup of the day. London is like a giant coffee playground. And on our recent trip—let’s call it a “business inspiration trip”—we caffeinated our way through it. And also satisfied our bellies with a looot of good food. 

No, we didn’t seal any deals. But we left buzzing with ideas.

How can we level up Orsa? What makes a coffee shop great? Why does service feel sharper in London than in Copenhagen? We weren’t there to copy—just to learn. Because being around people who do it well is the best kind of motivation. It’s not about competing. It’s about observing, learning, and seeing what truly brings value to people’s daily routines.

Now, for the good stuff: our favorite coffee spots from this trip. Three bangers and one sweet bonus because you made it this far. 

WatchHouse

Let’s keep it simple—WatchHouse is just fucking amazing. We didn’t expect that level of quality from a chain with nearly 20 locations. But here they are, proving that you can scale without selling out. Every shop is a design dream, with open bars, event rooms, kitchens, and cupping labs. It’s next-level, and they’re going global. We even got to chat with the head roaster Nikol Novotná—crazy inspiring. If you’re in London, head to the Somerset House location of WatchHouse. Thank us later.

Rosslyn

From spacious to compact, Rosslyn is tiny but mighty. Tucked right in central London, they serve up to 1300 coffees a day. That’s four times more than Orsa on a very good sunny day. Let that sink in. What do we admire? Simplicity. As co-founder James Hennebry says, “We just try to serve good coffee and be nice to people.” That’s it. And it works. Office people, creatives, locals—they’ve built a loyal crowd. 

Omotesando

Small. Cute. Sharp. Inspired by traditional Japanese tea ceremonies, Omotesando Coffee feels like a quiet performance in the middle of the city. Their wooden cube setup, calm staff, and minimalist space create a moment of stillness. It’s intimate and intentional. Like Orsa, they’re not here to blend in—they’re here to offer something different. Challenge the city and offer a small hinge of meditation in the middle of the busy city.

Bonus: Prufrock

This one’s just good vibes. A cozy, no-nonsense café with great beans, tasty snacks, and people who genuinely care. It doesn’t try too hard—it just is good. Always worth a stop when we’re in town.

London has the great ability to serve various specter of people, in an amazing location, with a great vibe, super easygoing service, and always feels so natural.