TAP - No. 193 Wardour St

TAP, formerly Tapped and Packed, opened their third café on Soho's Wardour Street in 2013. They have been at the forefront of a number of trends in London coffee since 2010 with a greater focus on filter offerings and serving coffees from a wide range of roasters (‘free house’ style). TAP have continued to be ahead of the curve more recently both in terms of roasting in house (since April 2013) and in terms of developing a brand identity across a number of venues.

This café consists of a long room with a station near the front where orders are taken and an espresso machine and small brew bar along the side near the front with extensive seating along a long room with a Probat roaster sitting proudly at the back. Despite being fairly busy, the café gives a feeling of a relaxed space and the range of seating (from high perched stools to low benches) gives the customer plenty of choice. Skylights provide a good level of lighting.

TAP use different coffees for espresso and milk-based drinks and have always given their customers thorough information on the filter and espresso options available. Coffee is made with care and attention. Teas are from Postcard Teas and sandwiches, salads and soups are made in house apart from the bread which is from Seven Seeds.

A wide range offee gear is available to buy, as are beans roasted in-store and home coffee subscriptions. The interior has TAP's signature rustic feel with extensive use of timber and contemporary lighting slung from rails.

Review by Phil Wain. Photo by Vic Frankowski, courtesy Vespertine Press.