The smell hits you before you even reach the door. Freshly pulled espresso, warm pastry, something roasted and smoky drifting through the May air. You step inside a converted Victorian brewery on Brick Lane and the noise takes over. Coffee machines whirring, crowds buzzing, a roar somewhere in the distance as a barista nails a showstopper finish in front of a packed crowd. That is what walking into the London Coffee Festival feels like. And honestly, nothing quite prepares you for it.
It is the world’s biggest coffee and hospitality event. Over 22,000 people came in 2025. This year the numbers are expected to go higher. Whether you are a specialty coffee obsessive who knows your Ethiopian Yirgacheffe from your Colombian Geisha, or you just really like a good flat white and a fun day out, the London Coffee Festival 2026 has something that will make you wish the weekend was longer.
It runs from 14th to 17th May 2026 at The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane. This guide covers everything: what’s on, what to eat and drink, how to get tickets, and how to make the most of your visit.
| Fun Fact The venue itself has history. The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane was once the largest brewery in the world, producing millions of barrels of beer a year in the 1700s. Today it is home to one of the world’s greatest coffee celebrations. That is quite the career change. |
What is the London Coffee Festival?
Good question. On the surface it sounds like a trade fair with good coffee. In reality it is four days of the most concentrated food, drink, music, competition, art, and genuine energy you will find in London all year. Of all the coffee events London 2026 has to offer, this is the one that demands the most of your attention. Part music festival, part world-class competition, part neighbourhood street party, it is one of those events that always surprises people who show up expecting something quiet.
| # | Experience | What Happens | Standard Ticket? |
| 1 | Coffee Masters Competition | 16 global baristas compete live across 7 disciplines | Yes |
| 2 | Latte Art Live | Top latte artists perform, with visitor workshops | Yes |
| 3 | Roasters Village | Rare coffees from leading European roasters | Yes |
| 4 | The Lab | Coffee panels, brand talks, and innovation sessions | Yes |
| 5 | Brew School | 45-minute hands-on brewing workshop | Book separately |
| 6 | The Demo Bar | Gear demos, cuppings, matcha, and brewing showcases | Yes |
| 7 | Drip District | Pour-over coffee culture and techniques | Yes |
| 8 | TODDY Cold Brew Competition | Live cold brew knockout competition | Yes |
| 9 | The Sage Coffee School | Espresso, grind, shot, and milk-texturing classes | Book separately |
| 10 | Hyde Park Bar | Coffee cocktails, DJs, and chill-out space | VIP cocktail token |
It started small. It became the biggest coffee party on earth.
The first event launched in 2011, when London’s specialty coffee movement was just finding its feet. Back then a well-made espresso outside of a handful of Shoreditch independents was still a novelty. Fifteen years on, London is one of the most respected coffee cities in the world. The festival grew with it, and kept growing. It now fills The Truman Brewery across four floors, draws visitors from across Europe, and attracts exhibitors who queue to secure a stand year after year.
What makes it different from any other food and drink festival is the depth. You could spend the whole day at the Roasters Village alone, working your way through rare single-origin pours from Ethiopia, Colombia, Costa Rica, and Uganda, hearing directly from the people who sourced and roasted each one. Or you could plant yourself at the Coffee Masters stage and not move. Every format works.
What Can You Actually Experience at the Coffee Festival?
Here is where things get exciting. The festival is not one experience. There are dozens running at the same time across multiple floors and zones of a massive converted brewery. The honest challenge is not finding something to do, it is deciding what to do first.
| Zone | What to Expect | Best Time to Visit |
| Roasters Village | Rare coffees from top European roasters | Early, for better chats |
| Coffee Masters Stage | Live barista battles across 7 disciplines | Check schedule on arrival |
| Latte Art Live | Throwdowns, showcases, and workshops | Anytime |
| Brew School | 45-minute bean-to-cup brewing workshop | Book when buying ticket |
| The Demo Bar | Gear demos, cuppings, brewing and matcha tutorials | Mid-afternoon |
| Drip District | Pour-over coffee and brewing techniques | Before or after Coffee Masters |
| Cold Brew Competition | Live cold brew knockout battle | Afternoon sessions |
| Sage Coffee School | Espresso, extraction, and milk-texturing classes | Book in advance |
| The Lab | Coffee panels, innovation talks, and expert discussions | Morning |
| Hyde Park Bar | Coffee cocktails, DJ sets, and chill space | Early afternoon onward |
i. The Coffee Masters Competition
The one you will talk about for weeks
Picture a cooking competition, but for the world’s best baristas. Sixteen contenders from across the globe enter. One comes out the other side holding the title. Between start and finish, you watch them go head-to-head across seven disciplines:
- Espresso.
- Cupping.
- Coffee.
- Food pairing.
- Brewing.
- Signature drinks.
- Latte art.
- Mystery box.
Each round is timed. Judges are industry figures with real credibility. The crowd reacts to everything. It is the most serious barista competition London has seen, and genuinely gripping in a way that is not a phrase usually associated with someone making coffee.
ii. Latte Art Live
The most Instagram-worthy thing at the whole festival
You have seen latte art on your phone. You have never seen it like this. The best practitioners in the country take to the Modbar stage for throwdowns and showcases, creating portraits, swans, geometric patterns, and abstract designs in foam within 90 seconds. The crowd actually goes quiet to watch, which says something. Visitors can also have a go themselves, which is either humbling or surprisingly satisfying depending on your coordination.
Fun fact: The world record for the largest latte art canvas was created on a surface roughly the size of a swimming pool. The festival’s efforts are smaller but considerably more drinkable.
iii. The Roasters Village
Where people discover their new favourite coffee
La Marzocco’s Roasters Village is one of the festival’s anchor experiences. It gathers an exclusive lineup of Europe’s best independent roasters, all pouring fresh and talking through what makes each coffee special. Brands like Catalyst Coffee Roasters, Redemption Roasters, and Scenery are among those already confirmed for 2026. You will leave with a bag of something you have never tried before. That is not a prediction, it is a pattern.
iv. Brew School
Turns any visitor into a more confident home brewer
Brought to the festival by Brewed by Hand, Brew School is a 45-minute guided session that takes you through coffee origins, roast levels, flavour profiles, and brewing methods. It is accessible for complete beginners and genuinely informative for people who already own a V60. Book your spot as soon as you buy your main ticket because it fills up separately and fast.
v. The Demo Bar
Brand new for 2026 and worth stopping at
New this year, The Demo Bar gives visitors hands-on time with the gear and the people behind it. Think coffee cuppings, machine demonstrations, matcha tutorials, and brewing showcases from the industry’s most interesting brands. It is interactive, low-pressure, and a genuinely good way to learn something practical in between the more competitive moments.
vi. Drip District
Celebrates pour-over coffee properly for the first time
Pour-over coffee has a devoted following and a level of craft that does not always get its moment in the spotlight. Drip District, new at the 2026 edition, fixes that. Dedicated entirely to the culture and technique of pour-over from around the world, it is quieter than some of the other zones, more focused, and exactly the kind of thing that rewards spending twenty minutes rather than two.
vii. The Cold Brew Competition
The debut nobody knew they needed
The festival has partnered with TODDY to bring the first-ever live cold brew innovation competition to Brick Lane. Cold brew has gone from niche experiment to mainstream obsession in under a decade, and this competition treats it with the same seriousness as the barista battles. Competitors showcase fresh cold brew innovation and creativity in a knockout format. If you have ever wondered what separates a great cold brew from an average one, watch a few rounds and you will know.
| Fun Fact Cold brew coffee is steeped for anywhere from 12 to 24 hours. Depending on the ratio, it can carry up to twice the caffeine of a standard espresso shot. Three samples into the Cold Brew Competition and you will feel this in real time. |
viii. The Hyde Park Bar
The festival’s social heart
Everyone ends up here eventually. The Hyde Park Bar serves proper coffee cocktails made by people who know what they are doing. DJ sets from artists including Justin Robertson and Ray Mang keep the room moving. VIP ticket holders get a cocktail token included. Even if you are on a standard ticket, it is the place to sit down, compare notes on everything you tried, and let the afternoon settle.
What Food and Drink Will You Find at This Year’s Festival?
Calling it a specialty coffee London event does not do justice to the food. The festival brings together some of the most exciting food concepts in the city alongside the coffee offering. You will not be surviving on biscotti and espresso cups. For coffee tasting, London rarely delivers anything at this scale:
- 275+ stands.
- Unlimited samples.
- Roasters pouring things you genuinely cannot find anywhere else.
There is also a proper food court, artisan vendors, baked goods that are worth a trip on their own, and a cocktail bar that treats coffee as seriously as any spirit’s programme.
| Food & Drink | What to Expect | Dietary Options |
| Coffee tastings | Unlimited samples from 275+ artisan stands | Dairy and plant-based milk available |
| Food court | Independent London food concepts | Strong vegetarian and vegan options |
| Hyde Park Bar cocktails | Espresso martinis, cold brew cocktails, DJ sets | VIP includes one cocktail token |
| Danish Bakery pastries | Scandinavian softdough bakes and pastries | Check stand for allergens |
| Califia Farms drinks | Plant-based milk across the festival floor | Fully plant-based |
| Cold brew samples | Fresh pours and competition tastings | Ask exhibitors for details |
| Artisan food brands | European gourmet food alongside coffee stands | Allergen info available on request |
The Espresso Martini at the Hyde Park Bar
The espresso martini was invented in London, allegedly after a model walked into a Soho bar and asked for something to wake her up. The Hyde Park Bar at the festival takes that legacy seriously. Coffee cocktails here are not afterthoughts, they are made by people who understand extraction ratios and also know their way around a cocktail shaker. The afternoon DJ sets make it feel less like a festival bar and more like a very good Thursday night.
Plant-Based Visitors
Califia Farms joins as the official plant-based milk sponsor for 2026, which means dairy-free coffee options are genuinely available right across the floor rather than at two stands in the corner. The food court has solid vegan and vegetarian choices. Exhibitors carry allergen information at their stands. If you have dietary requirements, tell exhibitors upfront, most are happy to talk through everything they are pouring.
The Cold Brew Competition
Cold brew has gone from niche curiosity to mainstream obsession over the past five years. The 2026 festival is recognising that properly by introducing the TODDY Cold Brew Competition, a first-of-its-kind live competition showcasing innovation in fresh cold brew coffee. Competitors push the boundaries of what cold brew can be in terms of flavour, texture, and process. For anyone who has spent the last few summers drinking cold brew and wondering how it is made, this is the event within an event to watch.
| Fun Fact Cold brew coffee is typically steeped for 12 to 24 hours. It can contain up to twice the caffeine of a regular hot espresso depending on the brew ratio. That explains a lot about how you feel after your third sample at the festival. |
The Matcha Sponsorship Signals
OMGTea has become the first-ever Headline Matcha Sponsor of the London Coffee Festival. The inclusion of matcha at a coffee festival says something real about where the industry is going. Plant-based, functional, and caffeine-forward drinks are sharing space with specialty coffee in a way that simply did not exist five years ago. Califia Farms is also on board as the official plant-based milk sponsor. The festival’s direction of travel is clear: coffee culture is broader, more inclusive, and more experimental than ever before.
How Do You Get Tickets and Which One Should You Buy?
Tickets are on sale now through the official London Coffee Festival website. The festival operates on timed entry sessions, so you pick your date and time window when you book. Sessions on the public weekend, particularly Saturday, fill up weeks in advance. There is no refund policy once booked, so be confident about your dates before you commit.
| Ticket | Price | Includes | Best For |
| Standard | £39.90 | Entry, tastings, main festival zones | Most visitors |
| Ultimate VIP | £63.00 | Fast-track, VIP lounge, cocktail token, tote | Extra comfort |
| Weekend VIP | £120.00 | VIP access for Sat + Sun | Weekend visitors |
| Industry | £84.00 | Festival + Industry Day programme | Coffee professionals |
| Free Industry | Free | Trade access for verified pros | Baristas, cafes, roasters |
Book your Brew School slot the moment you buy your main ticket
Brew School fills up independently of the main ticket. People who purchase standard admission and then go back for a Brew School slot a week later often find every session gone. The festival website lets you add it at checkout. Do that. It is a 45-minute session that most people say was the most memorable part of their day, and it sells out faster than everything else.
Industry professionals get free access on Thursday and Friday
If you work in hospitality or the coffee trade, you can apply for a complimentary Industry Day ticket for 14th and 15th May. The programme is built specifically for professionals: expert presentations, workshops, panel discussions with leaders from brands like Caravan Coffee Roasters, Origin Coffee Roasters, and BloomsYard, plus access to all 275+ exhibitors. Apply through the official website with proof of your credentials. Suppliers and distributors are not eligible for free accreditation and need to purchase tickets separately.
How Do You Get to the London Coffee Festival 2026?
The festival is held at the Old Truman Brewery Shoreditch, one of East London’s most iconic event spaces, sitting right on Brick Lane, Shoreditch, which is one of the best-connected spots in East London. Several tube stations, an Overground stop, and mainline rail all land within a 10-minute walk.
| Transport | Station / Route | Walk | Notes |
| Overground | Shoreditch High Street | 5 min | Easiest option |
| Tube | Liverpool Street | 10 min | Good from central/west London |
| Tube | Aldgate East | 10 min | Handy from south/west London |
| Tube | Aldgate | 10 min | Alternative route |
| Tube | Old Street | 20 min | Good from north London |
| National Rail | Liverpool Street | 10 min | Best for out-of-London arrivals |
| Private Transfer | My London Transfers | 0 min | Best with luggage, groups, or airport arrivals |
Getting there as a group is simpler than it sounds
Brick Lane on a busy Saturday in May is not a quiet corner of the city. Navigating the tube with a group, finding everyone at the right exit, and then walking ten minutes to the venue is the kind of friction that slightly takes the shine off a morning. A private transfer takes care of all of that. You get dropped at the entrance, no connections, no wrong turns. Small thing. Big difference.
The area around Brick Lane is worth a couple of extra hours
If you are visiting on the public weekend, spend an hour or two in the neighbourhood before or after the festival. Boxpark Shoreditch is a short walk. The Spitalfields Market runs on Sundays. The street art between Brick Lane and Bethnal Green is worth a slow wander. This is one of the most interesting square miles in London, and the festival sits right in the middle of it.
What Are the Best Tips for Getting the Most Out of the Festival?
Whether it is your first time or your fifth, a few small decisions make a big difference. Here are eight tips from people who have made every possible mistake so you do not have to.
- Arrive early: You’ll get better chats and shorter Roasters Village queues.
- Wear comfy shoes: The venue has multiple floors and involves plenty of walking.
- Eat before tasting: Too much coffee on an empty stomach can hit hard.
- Bring a reusable cup: It’s practical, eco-friendly, and barista-approved.
- Book Brew School early: Sessions sell out separately, so plan ahead.
- Check Coffee Masters times: Rounds are scheduled, so you can plan your visit around them.
- Visit Hyde Park Bar after lunch: The best atmosphere usually starts from early afternoon.
- Return the next day if possible: Weekend days feel different and bring fresh energy.
Does the Festival Do Anything Good Beyond the Coffee?
Image Source: farmafrica.org
It does. The festival has partnered with Farm Africa as its official charity partner. Farm Africa works with coffee farmers in Ethiopia, Uganda, and the Democratic Republic of Congo, countries that grow some of the world’s finest coffee, yet where many farmers earn less than one dollar a day. Every ticket checkout on the festival website gives visitors the option to add a donation directly to Farm Africa.
| Initiative | Meaning | How to Support |
| Farm Africa partnership | Supports coffee farmers in Ethiopia, Uganda and DRC | Add a ticket donation |
| Compostable event | Single-use cups must be compostable | Bring a reusable cup |
| Cashless festival | Contactless payments across the event | Set up card/mobile pay |
| Farm Africa Photo Exhibition | Shows coffee-growing communities | Visit the exhibition |
| Sustainability exhibitors | Ethical sourcing and farming innovation | Ask roasters about sourcing |
The Farm Africa Photo Exhibition is the most underrated thing at the festival
Between the barista battles and the cold brew competition, it is easy to walk past the Farm Africa Photo Exhibition without stopping. That would be a mistake. The exhibition puts the human story behind the coffee in front of you. The farmers in Ethiopia who pick the beans at sunrise. The drying beds in Uganda. The roasters in London who sourced directly from those communities. It connects your cup to the people who made it possible, and it does so quietly, without making you feel lectured.
Travelling to London for the Festival?
London in mid-May is genuinely lovely. The parks are at their best, the evenings are long, and Shoreditch is one of the best neighbourhoods in Europe to spend a weekend. There are events you attend and events you experience. The London Coffee Festival is firmly in the second category.
By the end of the day you will have tasted things you cannot find anywhere else, watched a barista do something with a portafilter that defies explanation, and probably spent twenty minutes talking to a roaster from Oslo about the specific altitude of a farm in Guatemala. That is the kind of thing that stays with you. If you are travelling from outside the city, or flying in, it is worth building a proper trip around the festival rather than just doing the day.
Flying in? Whether you are landing at Heathrow, Gatwick, or London City Airport, getting to your hotel and then on to the festival is much more straightforward with a pre-booked ride. Fixed price, meet-and-greet, no queuing. It sets the weekend up on the right note.
The 2026 edition brings new competitions, new zones, new exhibitors, and the same Brick Lane energy that has made this event the best of its kind in the world. Tickets are on sale now at the official London Coffee Festival website. The weekend sessions sell out. Book early.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. When is the London Coffee Festival 2026?
It runs from 14th to 17th May 2026 at The Old Truman Brewery on Brick Lane, London. The first two days, Thursday 14th and Friday 15th, are dedicated Industry Days for hospitality professionals. The public weekend opens on Saturday 16th May (9am to 6pm) and Sunday 17th May (9:30am to 3:30pm).
2. How much do tickets cost?
Standard tickets start at £39.90 for a half-day timed session. Ultimate VIP tickets are £63.00 and include fast-track entry, VIP access, a cocktail token, and a goodie bag. Weekend VIP tickets covering both Saturday and Sunday are £120.00. Coffee and hospitality professionals can apply for a free Industry Day ticket through the official website.
3. Where exactly is the festival?
The Old Truman Brewery, Brick Lane, London E1 6QR. The entrance is at 15 Hanbury Street / F Block G1, Ely’s Yard. The nearest station is Shoreditch High Street on the Overground, a five-minute walk away. Liverpool Street and Aldgate East are both around ten minutes on foot.
4. What is included in a standard ticket?
A standard ticket gets you entry, unlimited coffee and food tastings across 275+ stands, access to The Lab, Latte Art Live, Coffee Masters, The Demo Bar, Drip District, and the Cold Brew Competition. Brew School sessions and Coffee School masterclasses are ticketed separately and need to be booked in advance.
5. Is the festival good for non-coffee drinkers?
Genuinely yes. There is a food court with some of the best independent food concepts in London, a cocktail bar with a proper DJ lineup, art exhibitions, matcha experiences courtesy of OMGTea as the Headline Matcha Sponsor, and the general atmosphere of a brilliant East London event. You do not need to care deeply about coffee to have a great time.
6. What’s new at the 2026 festival?
The 2026 edition introduces The Demo Bar, where visitors get hands-on with coffee gear and products; The Sage Coffee School offering espresso masterclasses; the TODDY Cold Brew Competition, the first live cold brew innovation competition at the festival; Drip District, a new zone dedicated to pour-over coffee culture; and the Farm Africa Photo Exhibition connecting visitors to the communities behind the coffee.
7. Is the London Coffee Festival suitable for coffee industry professionals?
It is one of the most important dates in the industry calendar. The Thursday and Friday Industry Days are designed specifically for hospitality and coffee professionals, with expert presentations, panel discussions, workshops, and access to every exhibitor on the floor. Verified professionals can apply for a complimentary trade ticket at the official website. The programme includes sessions from brands like Caravan Coffee Roasters, Origin Coffee Roasters, and BloomsYard, covering the biggest topics shaping the industry right now.
