Union Hand-Roasted Coffee

if you're hunting for a roaster that takes its sourcing seriously without turning it into a performance, south crescent in e16 is worth the trip. union hand-roasted has been operating out of the gemini business centre long enough to build a quiet reputation in east london, and that kind of staying power in a competitive city means something. you won't find this tucked into a high-footfall high street, which is sort of the point. the people who come here tend to know what they're looking for. the roasting operation is the core of what happens here, not an afterthought bolted onto a retail fit-out. if you're timing a visit, go early, before the day gets complicated. the morning cortado is a reasonable place to start.