10 Ethical Coffee Shops For Your Next Brunch Fix

10 Ethical Coffee Shops You Need To Try

Nderu Kinyanjui

Coffee shops have become a necessity in our ever so busy society and whether you’re catching up with an old friend, having a business meeting, romanticising your life (yes please!) or grabbing a quick pick-me-up there is always a place for you.

But with an ever increasing push to live life more sustainably your daily dose of caffeine should not be left out of the mix; and luckily achieving this goal in this day and age has never been less out of reach with more and more coffee shops, bars and even restaurants opting to cultivate practices that both the Earth and your tastebuds can love! Whether you’re looking for a cute brunch spot, or a modern everyday place to get your quick fix, this list has got you covered.

Head over to our Instagram to share your favourite ethical coffee spots around the UK.

For ethical coffee around the capital…

Kiss the Hippo

A Sustainably Influenced fave so please excuse our bias on this one; but this is London’s first carbon-negative coffee shop meaning that they make sure that more CO2 is captured from the environment than is created by the business, resulting in a net positive for the environment! With locations popping up throughout the city, they are quickly turning to be the sustainable go-to.

The Caravan

The Caravan was started by 3 friends with a love for travelling who relocated from Australia. Missing a good cup of coffee in a relaxed environment combined with their palettes love for food from their travels, The Caravan was born and with it, a space to sit in from dusk to dawn. The 2023 Retail Award’s Sustainability award winner, has got to be a go-to for all you sustainable loving foodies. Everything from their chocolate to the coffee produced from their own Roastery delivered tri-weekly, this is the perfect spot!

Coffee Republic

With 30 locations throughout the UK from Glasgow to Jersey, this quickly expanding coffee company is spreading their love for sustainable coffee throughout the UK and the world a cause we are so here for! Being the only coffee chain in the UK that offers both Rainforest Alliance and Fairtrade Coffee, this had to make the list!

Origin Coffee

B-corp certified Coffee shop, is a must stop for all your coffee needs! The 6 branches all equipped with their signature minimal aesthetic and hipster vibe creates the perfect atmosphere to get that report done, discuss that business deal or catch up with a friend.

Hej Coffee

Hej Coffee create speciality coffee steeped in their Swedish origins. They’ve separated from the larger industry to produce coffee that not only tastes great but is also good for the environment. Their Elephant & Castle branch is not only a café but is also a roastery and Barista school! With various sustainable initiatives this space is perfect for a cool summer drink in their courtyard or a fresh roast in their cozy indoors.

Cafe Van Gogh

Cafe Van Gogh, a not-for-profit social enterprise, is dedicated to offering delectable plant-based and vegetarian dishes to the local community while upholding ethical standards for the environment, its staff, and customers. Located within the Christ Church grounds, this fully vegan cafe provides a diverse selection of flavorful plant-based specialties, all priced in accordance with its core values. With a strong commitment to achieving zero waste, the cafe avoids the use of single-use plastics, opting instead for fully compostable containers and coffee cups. Additionally, it actively recycles all food waste, ensuring it is diverted to composting facilities rather than ending up in landfills.

Your new Sunday brunch spot…

Fink’s Salt and Sweet

A take away cafe with a small but perfectly formed retail offering, they pretty much make everything from scratch with all of their ingredients being supplied locally, including: Dusty Knuckle, Caravan Coffee (see above), Wildfarmed flour; their shelves are stocked with a selection of natural wines, spirits and carefully curated pantry essentials and gifts – many of which are made within walking distance.

Daylesford Organic

A chain restaurant but with a bit of a classy twist, Daylesford Organic offers a retreat into a green sanctuary within the hustle and bustle of London and on their farm and wellness spa in Daylesford! As well as being B-corp certified, the restaurants are run of three key principles they call their ‘Sustainable Solutions’ which include; regenerate, protect and inspire.

Farmacy

Brunch, High tea, coffee or a farm retreat, they have it all! Farmacy puts your health at the forefront of their ethos. This plant based eatery known by many as the ‘friendly face’ of plant-based eating in london champion the belief and message that ‘food is medicine’ as all the food they serve is free from dairy, refined sugars, additives and, chemicals.

If afternoon tea is more your vibe…

Petersham Nurseries; The Teahouse & Afternoon Tea

Immerse yourself in a refreshing change from your daily grind and journey to the idyllic ambiance of an English country garden. Indulge in an unparalleled afternoon tea, embracing the authentic flavours of the season at their Richmond farm where sustainably, slow living and locally sourced as well as home grown produce.