East London’s iconic Truman Brewery once again buzzed with energy as The London Coffee Festival 2025 welcomed thousands of visitors for a four-day celebration of all things coffee. From artisanal brews and gourmet bites to cutting-edge equipment and vibrant conversation, the festival served as a showcase for the innovation and passion that define the global coffee community.
A Hub for Coffee Lovers and Professionals Alike
Reflecting the diversity and dynamism of the contemporary coffee scene, the festival brought together a rich blend of artisan coffee roasters, gourmet food brands, world-class baristas, and innovative thinkers. Attendees enjoyed interactive workshops, live demonstrations, engaging competitions, street food, music, and a wide range of exhibitions.
“Everyone coming together in the community—including commercial businesses, roasters, and traders—is something quite special,” said Jonny England, Director of Coffee at Löfbergs. “You get the full spectrum of the industry, and the festival continues to expand.”
Professional rugby player and co-founder of Burra, Jake Heenan, added: “It’s buzzing—people are so excited. The atmosphere is awesome.”
Showcasing Innovation and Global Flavours
Among the standout features of this year’s festival was the Roasters Village, which united many of Europe’s top roasters. Meanwhile, the True Artisan Café offered a platform for independent coffee operators to share their craft and connect with an enthusiastic audience.
Expanding the festival’s global perspective, the Lujiazui Coffee Festival—China’s largest outdoor coffee event—introduced visitors to the country’s distinctive coffee culture with its special Meet China showcase.
Learning, Creativity, and Connection
Education remained a cornerstone of the festival, with a lineup of workshops, presentations, and live sessions led by some of the most influential voices in the coffee world. Attendees participated in everything from a matcha masterclass with OMGTea founder Katherine Swift to a talk by Olympic swimmer James Wilby on creating his own custom blend. Panel discussions addressed pressing industry topics such as sustainability and rising costs.
Hands-on experiences were also a highlight, with visitors diving into the Brew School’s 45-minute guided tasting sessions, or learning intricate techniques at Latte Art Live, where expert baristas demonstrated the fine art of foam and flow.
Introducing The London Coffee Festival Awards
New for 2025 was the launch of The London Coffee Festival Awards, recognising excellence across the coffee sector. Winners were selected through a mix of expert judging and public voting. The inaugural awardees included:
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Best Café Design – Fuckoffee, Bermondsey, London SE1
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Best Community Coffee Shop – Carnival Coffee Roasters, London SE20
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Best Sustainable Coffee Shop – FILTR by Coromandel Coast, South Croydon
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Best New Coffee Shop – Bija, London SW1Y
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Best Independent Coffee Shop – Hermanos Colombian Coffee Roasters, Portobello Road W11
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Best Multiple Operator (10–50 Sites) – Hermanos Colombian Coffee Roasters
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Best Multiple Operator (50+ Sites) – Black Sheep Coffee
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Coffee Writer of the Year – Celeste Wong
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Influencer of the Year – Ant Duckworth
“To be recognised by the London Coffee Festival as a finalist and now a winner is just amazing,” said Devi Triana, founder of Bija. “It’s a true honour for us.”
Coffee Masters: Where Skill Meets Showmanship
The high-energy Coffee Masters competition returned, pitting 16 talented baristas against one another in a seven-discipline knockout format. In a triumphant moment, Kasey Headley was crowned champion.
“It feels like a dream,” said Headley. “Being in the industry so long, and going through this competition so many times—you hope to win, but I never thought it would actually happen. I’m so happy it finally did.”
Looking Ahead to 2026
The next chapter of the festival is already on the horizon. The London Coffee Festival 2026 will take place from Thursday 14 May to Sunday 17 May, once again at the Truman Brewery.
“After a fantastic 2025 event that showcased the innovation, creativity, and dynamism of the coffee community in London and beyond, we are already looking forward to welcoming trade and consumer visitors to the 2026 festival,” said Dan Dixon, Managing Director for Exhibitions at William Reed.
For the latest updates and ticket releases, visit The London Coffee Festival website and join the mailing list.
