Freestate Coffee staff are "intensively trained" by the shop's head barista before they're allowed to serve customers on their own.

It all sounds a bit, well "intense," but frankly we don't care, they're smiling when they serve us and the brews are good.

As well as superb coffee, go for: Unusual beans from around the world, along with a house espresso and core blends from coffee stars Union, Caravan and Workshop and decent take away breakfast items, including good old toast with butter and marmalade.

Don't expect: Pret - Freestate took over from the chain last year.

23 Southampton Row, WC1B 5HA

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