Written by Menswear Style in Food & Drink on the 7th March 2016

We’ve previously reported on the booming coffee industry here at MenswearStyle and debated how coffee is nothing short of super cool. We’ve also previously discussed the trend of the home coffee connoisseur, but now we turn to the humble coffee shop which has seen a recent shift in image. The coffee shop is now a second home, an office and a place to be seen in for the hip creative crowd.

We recently came across DripApp who are located in the same office building as us here in London. They’re basically the oyster card for coffee in London and other cities worldwide. You simply top up as you go or get the monthly-unlimited drinks plan and save up to 50% on your daily fix whilst uncovering the local hidden gems around you. They have an impressive 160 coffee spots partnered with them but we wanted the inside scoop on which ones we should visit first – so with help from their founder Ruben Grigri, here’s 5 of the best.

White Mulberries - D3 Ivory House, E1W 1AT 

White Mulberries is a hidden gem of the London Coffee Scene, tucked away in the lovely St Katherine Docks. The coffee from London roasters, Allpress and Nude Espresso is excellent, the view is stunning and the food is delicious - the chocolate melts are a must too! Husband and wife owners, Peyman and Rana are extremely welcoming and friendly - making White Mulberries the sort of place you want to come back to time after time. White Mulberries also won 'London’s Best Coffee Shop' at the 2014 inaugural London Coffee Stops Awards.

The Gentlemen Baristas - 63 Union Street, SE1 1SG 

Run by a pair of brazenly dapper young chaps, offering espresso-based and hand-brewed coffees to the occupants of Borough. Unique touches such as original exposed brick and a beautifully handmade bar show off the past but in a contemporary coffee setting. The coffee is smooth and lovingly made with the Gents' own blends on offer. The Gentlemen Baristas is sited across the road from a former famous hat maker and all of their coffee blends are names of hats.

Kipferl - 95 Golborne Road, W10 5NL 

A short walk beyond Portobello market, finding this cosy local gem is like walking into a modern Viennese café. Owned by an Austrian couple with the ambition to bring Viennese food culture to London. Kipferl serves authentic Austrian coffee and has the best Viennese desserts; the Rum Hot Chocolate paired with Milka chocolate is divine. The drinks menu is so authentic it is even written in Austrian, try a Schwarzer, otherwise known as an espresso shot.

Vagabond - 105 Holloway Rd, N7 8LT 

With several locations across London, what started as a local secret is now becoming increasingly hard to bag a table at. A cosy café with a handful of wooden tables, little wooden crates for seats and unusual art on the walls. They use Has Bean and Union Coffee beans and their flat whites and espressos are sensational. There’s a selection of own-baked cakes, pastries and sandwiches, soup of the day or omelettes. They change their speciality coffee and delicious delicatessen menu weekly and with the changing seasons.

Friends of Ours - 61 Pitfield Street, N1 6BU 

Friends of Ours combines superb simple food with really great coffee in a friendly neighborhood setting and once you visit, it’s highly likely you will quickly become a regular. Owners Anthony Dyer and Man Wong have created a warm and friendly vibe, along with inventive brunch dishes and specialty coffee. The coffee is from Ozone and very well made by head barista Sam who covers espresso and filter options. The Brioche French toast is a must, as is the crayfish benedict. P.S. They celebrated their first birthday last month.

To receive £4 credit via DripApp please Click Here to download the app and enter the code VNQ231 - Enjoy the coffee!

We speak to Ruben Grigri, the founder of DripApp about the Must-Visit London Coffee Spots - featuring White Mulberries, The Gentlemen Baristas and more.