Our story
Obsessively sourced. Simply served.
Crema started when two ex-baristas got tired of pretending instant was fine. We fitted out a corner unit on Kingsland Road with reclaimed teak, a second-hand La Marzocco, and a rule: if we wouldn't drink it, we don't serve it.
The menu is short on purpose — rotating guest beans, a few pastries from the bakery down the road, and toast that respects the bread. Mornings are busy, afternoons are for laptop campers, and nobody asks if you want a medium.
We roast small batches out back, cup every Friday, and know our farmers by first name. It's a coffee shop for people who care about the crema.
If the crema's wrong, the cup doesn't leave the bar.
Coffees poured
607,200
Counted since 2019
Customers served
194,800
Counted since 2019
“Guest beans on the board. Seasonal changes. Ask what's pouring.”
The regulars behind the counter
Meet the team
Real people who know your order. Tap a card to learn more about them.
Maya Okonkwo's favs
- Food: Avo toast, extra chilli
- Drink: Ethiopian natural V60
- Music: Khruangbin
- Film: Coffee and Cigarettes
- Book: The World Atlas of Coffee
Finn Larsen's favs
- Food: Kouign-amann
- Drink: Espresso, no sugar
- Music: Miles Davis
- Film: Barista
- Book: God in a Cup
Suki Patel's favs
- Food: Cinnamon scroll
- Drink: Oat flat white
- Music: Bon Iver
- Film: Julie & Julia
- Book: Tartine
Theo Kim's favs
- Food: Overnight oats
- Drink: Nitro cold brew
- Music: Floating Points
- Film: Chef
- Book: How to Make Coffee
Ren Walsh's favs
- Food: Eggs on sourdough
- Drink: Oat cortado
- Music: Nala Sinephro
- Film: Perfect Days
- Book: How to Be a Coffee Bean
Amara Osei's favs
- Food: Ricotta & honey toast
- Drink: Iced matcha latte
- Music: Sade
- Film: In the Mood for Love
- Book: The Coffee Dictionary
At the bench
Gallery
Latte art, slow mornings, and the occasional guest roaster takeover. Tap any photo for a closer look.
From our regulars
Word on the street
“Best flat white in East London and they actually know what a V60 is. The vibe is painfully cool in the best way.”
“Finally a coffee shop that doesn't ask if you want a large. Just excellent coffee and baristas who know their extraction.”
“The guest beans rotate weekly and the baristas can actually explain the process. Worth the queue.”
“Kouign-amann at 9am is a religious experience. Coffee's not bad either.”
“Laptop campers welcome, but the espresso is the real reason I keep coming back. Proper crema, every time.”
“Friday cupping changed how I think about coffee. They'll talk you through the whole board without making you feel stupid.”
“The smashed avo on Brick House sourdough is the only reason I'm functional before 10am. Oat flat white on the side, obviously.”
“Nitro on tap, guest Ethiopian on the board, and nobody offers you a pump of vanilla. Exactly what Kingsland Road needed.”
Cupping notes
What's on the board, in your inbox
Guest origins, Friday cupping invites, and the occasional pastry drop from down the road. We'll write when there's something worth showing up for — no spam, no syrup.
Come say hello
Find us
No bookings needed — just walk in. Though if you're bringing six mates, a heads-up helps.
When we're open
- Monday
- 7am – 6pm
- Tuesday
- 7am – 6pm
- Wednesday
- 7am – 6pm
- Thursday
- 7am – 6pm
- Friday
- 7am – 7pm
- Saturday
- 8am – 7pm
- Sunday
- 8am – 5pm