Algerian Coffee Stores: Inside London's Oldest Coffee Shop Still Trading Since 1887

Walk down Old Compton Street in Soho and it's easy to be distracted by the restaurants, theatres and busy cafés that define one of London's most famous neighbourhoods.

Tucked among them is a tiny shop that has quietly outlasted almost everything around it.

Algerian Coffee Stores has been trading from the same address since 1887, making it London's oldest coffee shop. For more than a century, it has sold coffee beans, loose-leaf teas, brewing equipment and one of the city's best-value espressos from a counter that has become as much a part of Soho's history as the street itself.

This isn't the kind of place where you settle in with a laptop for the afternoon. There are no sofas, no Wi-Fi signs and no elaborate latte art competitions.

Instead, you'll find shelves packed with coffee from around the world, hundreds of varieties of tea, knowledgeable staff who know their products inside out and a takeaway espresso that has become something of a London institution.

If you're exploring Soho, this is one of those places that's worth visiting whether you're a serious coffee enthusiast or simply curious about one of London's oldest surviving independent businesses.

What is Algerian Coffee Stores

Algerian Coffee Stores first opened its doors in 1887 at 52 Old Compton Street.

While London has no shortage of historic pubs and restaurants, very few specialist coffee retailers have survived continuously from the Victorian era in the same location.

The business was originally established by an Algerian merchant, M. Siari, and later passed through Belgian and British ownership before eventually being run by the descendants of the English family who acquired it during the 1940s.

Despite changes in ownership, one thing has remained remarkably consistent. The shop has never moved.

Over nearly 140 years it has survived two World Wars, the Blitz, economic recessions, dramatic changes to Soho, rising rents, the pandemic and the transformation of London's coffee culture.

While international chains have expanded across the capital, Algerian Coffee Stores has remained exactly what it has always been: a single independent shop serving customers from behind its original wooden counter.

That continuity is one of the reasons people continue returning decade after decade.

Step inside Algerian Coffee Stores

The first thing you'll notice is the aroma: Freshly roasted coffee, loose tea and chocolate fill the air before you've even had time to look properly around.

Every wall is lined with shelves packed tightly with products. Glass jars filled with coffee beans sit beside colourful tins of loose-leaf tea. Traditional handwritten signs list origins, blends and prices. Brewing equipment fills every available corner.

The original wooden counter remains at the centre of the shop, where staff weigh beans, grind coffee to order and prepare takeaway drinks while simultaneously serving customers browsing the shelves.

Around ten staff often work inside the surprisingly compact space, preparing retail orders, fulfilling online purchases and helping customers choose from an enormous selection of coffees and teas.

Watching them work has become part of the experience. Everything moves quickly, but never quite feels rushed.

More than 80 coffees from around the world

Although many people stop for espresso, the retail coffee selection is what makes Algerian Coffee Stores special.

The shop stocks more than 80 different coffees and house blends sourced from producing countries across the globe. The range includes coffees from both famous growing regions and countries that rarely appear on supermarket shelves.

Among the better-known options are:

• Kona coffee from Hawaii
• Jamaican Blue Mountain
• Colombian coffees
• Brazilian coffees
• Guatemalan coffees
• Costa Rican coffees
• Ethiopian coffees

Alongside these you'll also find beans from Vietnam, Nepal, Malawi and other producing regions.

Several house blends have also become long-standing favourites. Some recipes have reportedly remained part of the shop's offering for generations, giving regular customers the opportunity to return to exactly the same blend year after year.

One particularly well-known blend is the Torino, which continues to be one of the store's signature coffees.

Your coffee is ground exactly how you need it

Buying whole beans is only part of the experience. If you don't own a grinder, the staff will happily grind your coffee before you leave.

There is no standard grind here, instead they ask how you brew your coffee at home.

Whether you're using a cafetière, espresso machine, moka pot, AeroPress, filter brewer or another method, they'll adjust the grind accordingly.

It's a simple service, but one that's increasingly uncommon in larger retailers.

It also reflects the shop's philosophy of helping people enjoy better coffee alongside selling their own products.

More than 120 teas fill the shelves

Coffee may be the headline attraction, but tea lovers have just as much reason to visit.

The shop stocks more than 120 varieties of loose-leaf tea sourced from producing regions across the world. The range covers virtually every category, including black teas, green teas, white teas, oolong teas, herbal infusions and fruit blends.

You'll also find more specialist varieties such as Japanese Genmaicha, Indian Nilgiri Pekoe and traditional Argentinian yerba mate.

Many customers visit specifically for the tea selection, which rivals specialist tea merchants despite the shop's relatively small size.

As with the coffee, staff are happy to recommend options depending on your preferences, whether you're looking for something light and floral or rich and full-bodied.

One of London's best-value coffee stops

Even if you don't plan to buy beans or tea, it's worth stopping for a coffee.

The takeaway counter has become one of the shop's biggest attractions thanks to prices that feel almost unbelievable by central London standards.

An espresso starts from around £1.50, while cappuccinos and lattes are available from roughly £2, depending on the drink you order.

In a part of London where many specialty cafés charge £5 or more for a flat white, Algerian Coffee Stores continue to offer some of the city's lowest coffee prices without compromising on quality.

The espresso, in particular, has developed a loyal following. Regular customers frequently describe it as one of the best espressos you'll find outside Italy. It delivers a rich, balanced flavour that reflects the quality of the beans.

One thing to remember is that this is strictly a takeaway counter. There is no seating area inside the shop, so you'll either enjoy your coffee standing outside on Old Compton Street or continue exploring Soho with your cup in hand.

Coffee equipment, chocolate and Italian treats

Although coffee and tea dominate the shelves, there's plenty more to browse while you're inside.

The shop stocks brewing equipment for home coffee enthusiasts, including grinders, filters, cafetières and the much-loved Bialetti moka pots that have become favourites among generations of coffee drinkers. You'll also find espresso cups, making them a popular souvenir for visitors who want to take home something beyond a bag of beans.

The confectionery section includes artisan chocolate alongside traditional Italian treats such as panettone, panforte and cantuccini.

These products are carefully selected to complement the shop's coffee and tea offering.

Algerian Coffee Stores still ships coffee around the world

Algerian Coffee Stores may only have one physical shop, but its reach extends far beyond Soho. The business ships coffee and tea internationally through its website, allowing customers to continue buying their favourite blends long after returning home.

If you discover a coffee you particularly enjoy during your visit, you don't need to worry about fitting several bags into your luggage. The same beans can be ordered again later and delivered directly to your doorstep.

Exploring Old Compton Street after your coffee

One advantage of visiting Algerian Coffee Stores is its location. You're already in the heart of Soho, one of London's most walkable neighbourhoods. Within just a few minutes you can reach Leicester Square, Piccadilly Circus, Chinatown, Shaftesbury Avenue and Covent Garden.

Old Compton Street itself remains one of London's most historic and culturally significant roads, long associated with theatre, music, cafés and the city's LGBTQ+ community. The famous Admiral Duncan pub sits almost next door, while independent restaurants, bakeries and bars line both sides of the street.

Picking up an espresso here before wandering through Soho has become something of a tradition for many Londoners.

How to get to Algerian Coffee Stores

Algerian Coffee Stores is located at 52 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 4QE.

• By Tube: Northern line, Piccadilly line — Leicester Square (2–3 minute walk)
• By Tube: Piccadilly line, Bakerloo line — Piccadilly Circus (around 5 minute walk)
• By Bus: Routes along Charing Cross Road and Shaftesbury Avenue (multiple central London services)
• By Foot: Easy walk from Covent Garden, Oxford Street, Chinatown, or anywhere in central Soho (all within 5–15 minutes)

Things to know before you visit

Before heading over, a few practical details are worth keeping in mind.

• There is no seating, so expect a takeaway experience rather than a sit-down café.
• Sunday is the only day the shop is closed.
• Thursday to Saturday offer the longest opening hours, closing at 7:00 PM.
• If you're buying beans, ask the staff to grind them for your preferred brewing method.
• Allow yourself time to browse. The huge coffee and tea selection is one of the highlights of the visit.

Quick information

Address: 52 Old Compton Street, Soho, London W1D 4QE
Established: 1887
Known for: London's oldest coffee shop
Espresso: From £1.50
Cappuccino and latte: From around £2
Coffee selection: More than 80 coffees and blends
Tea selection: More than 120 varieties
Seating: Takeaway only
Website: algeriancoffeestores.com

Whether you stop by for a £1.50 espresso, pick up a bag of freshly ground coffee or spend time exploring the shelves filled with beans and teas from around the world, you'll quickly understand why this tiny Soho shop has become one of the city's most enduring independent businesses.

Nearly 140 years after opening, Algerian Coffee Stores remains proof that great coffee, fair prices and consistency never go out of style.