I was headed to visit the British museum and noted that I would pass the camera museum while Enroute. I decided to stop in because I am a fan of small niche museums. This museum takes you on the full trip viewing the earliest cameras and watching how they evolved over time. Pretty amazing. What I also loved is that they sell food in the upstairs area. I probably had one of the heartiest chicken soups of my life. So delicious. The staff was quite friendly as well which is also a bonus. Access to the museum is free as well though that may be linked to purchasing food. I can't remember. read more

Camera Museum - Chicken soup - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

food came our really fast and tasted very good. The hot chocolate comes with a star as well as a cool atmosphere with all the cameras around you. They do play jazz so if you don't like jazz maybe not for you read more

Camera Museum - Hot Chocolate - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

See all

What a cool little museum! Cameras from every decade and lots of history to accompany them. A very knowledgeable and kind staff. This is neat place to check out if you're near the British museum! read more

Been in London for a conference right behind the British Museum and had a little free time to wander around and take pictures with my Minolta XG-1. What a delightful surprise to find this film camera themed coffee shop on the street leading to the Museum. I first stopped for a coffee, my eyes caught by the nice collection of cameras disposed in the room and inviting guests to try them. There is something special about this place -- impossible not to look at every single corner, as the place is filled with memory and history. After having a delicious honey latte, I ventured in the back of the coffee shop where you can buy some film rolls, cameras and lenses. I had a dent on my 58mm lens, and the owner so kindly fixed it for me, it truly made my day as I thought I would never be able to fix this dent. I did not have a chance to take a look at the museum, but from what I see here and there, it looks absolutely fascinating. I made sure to purchase two rolls of Portra film, as I truly wanted to show support to this really magic place. Definitely one of the best coffee shops I have ever been in. Will be back when in London again! read more

See all

This is my Batcave, my hiding place and my second home. Since photography is my passion and has a big importance in my life, this cafe makes me feel home, like I belong here. Camera Cafe at Museum Street started in late 1999 as a coffee shop. It actually is the first camera shop with a cafe and an exhibition gallery in the world. It is a three-floor building and the cafe is on the first one. The first thing you'll notice when coming in, is the collection of camera equipment. Photographer geeks will love it here. They have a lovely exhibition of quality Hasselblad cameras, lenses and accessories. You can sell yours here or take them in part exchange against equipment. Also, they offer an in-house repair service for film cameras and lenses. Pricing is reasonable and sometimes it's for free). I could get into more details, but I'll try to curb my enthusiasm. About the cafe: I've always craved a cafe with such a comfortable atmosphere. I literally feel like I'm home, especially when I come alone and do my own things. There is plenty of seating space, including the outside area, downstairs and the reception upstairs. They do have the cosiest sofas on the second floor. The decor is so my type -- fancy, but still somehow casual and relaxing. I think the lighting and low music generate the ideal ambience for a quiet date. They offer the usual drinks you'll find in a cafe. People enjoy the coffee and hipster kids are obsessed over the honey latte. I honestly think the apple and mint fresh juice is the best. They offer sandwiches that are quite good as well. What you'll find upstairs: On the second floor, there is an exhibition gallery space. It is available for hiring no matter if you're an amateur or a professional photographer. Paintings, ceramics and other types of art are also welcome. This one of the reasons I love this place -- I admire businesses that encourage people to get creative and share their artworks. Oh, I missed mentioning they have free Wi-fi fast enough to even watch movies online. You couldn't ask for more. read more

See all

As a visitor to London this summer, the day I found Camera Cafe made me so thankful that I had aimlessly wandered around to find a local coffee shop instead of settling for one of the numerous Starbucks. This place has such a great vibe and is a perfect place to study or just hang out. Amazing coffee, freshly squeezed juice and simple delicious food, all at a great price. Free wifi and jazz music are a plus. I highly recommend the apple & fresh mint juice and the halloumi sandwich. This is definitely a favorite Bloomsbury spot for me, and it's nicely located straight across from the British museum. read more

Camera Museum - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

To be honest, I could care less about the cameras, but they do create a nice atmosphere. In fact, I was working from the Camera Café the other day, and I overheard some very stimulating conversations from the folks (geeks) around me: they were talking about the right lenses, the right lighting and the right camera angles... I really enjoyed my visit to the Camera Café: the coffee (black) was well done and even when it was already cold still tasted surprisingly good. On top of that, I encountered a very helpful and friendly crew of baristas...they were just so down-to-earth friendly, which is kind of a rarity in the dickhead-dominated London café scene these days! I must also come back for their chow-mein...yes...chow-mein of all things! I heard the sizzling when they prepped it in the mini-kitchen and the waft of fried goodness filled the room! Yum Yum... read more

I love things that are a weird amalgam of concepts one would not ordinarily put together. But the day Camera Café was brought into existence was no ordinary day. Perhaps on this day a fox and a bunny fell in love and made little funnies. Or, perhaps a meteor hit the Earth and shook it with the force of a thousand suns. Who knows? What is for sure is that on this day, a camera shop and a café rolled themselves into one and created a wonderful place. If it weren't for the small panel board outside advertising coffee and tea, I would have walked right past this place, my eyes wearing the blinders that block out your periphery vision on world-weary days. But the panel reached out with its chalky hands and gave me a poke. I stopped. I contemplated. I went in. I breezed through the store front, a haven for the camera and all its cousins - lens, photos, tripods and the like- and forged on into the depths of the shop. Tucked behind the photography goods sat a small café with a lovely list of fresh juices, hot drinks and small meals. Well call me Fred Astaire if I hadn't been feeling like a fresh squeezed juice. Hmm... something cool, refreshing... AHA! Apple mint. Ding, ding, ding we had a winner. I sat at a clean wooden table in a straight wooden chair and leafed happily through my book as the shrieking sound of fruit being thrown into a juicer entertained my ears. The friendly café man brought my juice out to me. It was frothy and the color of a model kitchen in the 1950's - pale green. And, it was disgusting... JUST KIDDING! I had you there, didn't I? Eh? Eh? Mmm, every chilled sip was crisp and delicious as love on a bright spring day. So if you're walking through the forest of London when suddenly two paths diverge in the wood, one a corporate and cookie cutter and the other less well known, take the path less traveled by. Go to the Camera Café, snuggle up to a warm dish or a steaming cup or a good friend and savor the sweet taste of the unusual. read more

The way to my heart is free wifi and good coffee, and the camera cafe does both with a smile. I felt a little secret-agent meeting for coffee in the back of a camera shop, which really doesn't look like a cafe at all until you pass all the lenses and onto the 2nd counter. There was a cute little seating area in back, and I was told something else going on downstairs but didn't pop down. I was expecting to see thrones of tourists in a cafe this close to a major museum, but luckily it was just a quiet few people 'in the know' and that's always the best crowd. Fantastically friendly service, I thought about 4staring it, but as far as cafes go, I look for unique character, wifi, good service, and overall vibe and I think this might be a snapshot of a winner. The fact that I'd purposely bring people here if I was in the area and not even really in the mood for coffee makes it a 5star-er. read more

pssst... keep you voices down... I'm in Camera Cafe right now sipping on free wifi and downloading a jasmine tea as I type. Is this Gonzo-Yelping? And it's a great place to be forming my thoughts - positively the most relaxing little stop in town, soothing folk music, a charming server and a nice cuppa. The other clientele on the 6 or so tables are reading papers or attached to their Qwerties like me. No-one is playing the cards or Scrabble on offer, but if you come join me now I'll triplewordscore you back to Waterloo. Of course the decor is cameras and good photography, but there are other lovely eccentricities like the toy Italian Sportscar collection with its cute story and a small mandolin of sorts [oh, it's called a balalaika]. Anyway, I better post this quickly before the server comes back! read more

What a great use of space! Cameras, coffee, cake and camera repair in one place! Museum is involving and cake is delicious! read more

See all

There has been a persistent no-soap issue in the loo, and the soggy blue hand towel doesn't seem to have moved (or dried at all) in over a month. This grosses me out. Sure, I can bring my own hand sanitizer, problem solved. But upon removal of my rose-tinted glasses and further consideration, I have come to find there isn't really much here in terms of culinary variety for those of us who work remotely day after day after day. The Camera Cafe's still good and I'll definitely still visit frequently, but it's just not fabulous. read more

It's a camera shop, no, no it's a coffee shop, no no it's a camera cum coffee shop. Basically it's just awesome. This is a seriously cute café. Now I'm only going to mention their coffee this once, it was nice and yes I would go back again but it was nothing to write home about. Their cakes, again lovely but I can make better. The atmosphere and service is outstanding. What a lovely way to spend the day snuggled in the back of this lovely little place. Free wifi adds to the joy and a bustling bunch of camera enthusiast mingling at the front of the shop make it just perfect. read more

Welcome to the Hasselblad sanctuary and to anyone who simply loves eating and drinking inside independent coffee shops. Whenever I go in there, I just love the very thought of being surrounded with retro and vintage Hasselblad cameras. The guys who run the Camera Museum always know their stuff. read more

See all

Study spot requirements: Plentiful seating: There are a few tables near the counter, five tables in a cute little back room, and some tables downstairs. Most tables are for 2 people and are sufficient for a laptop, a few books, and your cafe goods. Locally owned: Housed in the back of a camera shop, with a mini-internet cafe, and a cafe serves a few chow-mein dishes alongside coffee and traditional cakes makes me think this weird little amalgamation of services is a joint venture. But even if it's just a way to split the rent, it seems that both businesses are independent and are definitely staffed by friendly folks. Relaxed atmosphere: The separate rooms, small tables and dim lighting make it quite calm, but the slightly buzzing camera business in front prevents any napping or complete boredom. The music is jazzy, there are twinkle lights on the ceiling, and the staff only comes around to clear dishes and straighten up. Quality coffee: My coffee was totally good, but now I'm regretting not trying this iced mocha. I also had peppermint tea, which was made with real mint leaves. Simple, but a nice sign. And a honey latte! This was my favorite at a place back home, it's on my list for next time. So I guess the slightly interesting menu boosts 'good coffee' to 'worth visiting' coffee, if only for the variety. Snacks: They have about 5 sandwiches (with gluten free bread available!) and a few chow-mein dishes (vegetable, prawn, chicken). For dessert, they have a set menu with carrot cake, hot chocolate fudge cake and ice cream. The counter also has some snacky-snacks (chips, nuts). Price: £1.90 for tea, £2.40 for most coffees. Sandwiches are £4.50 and chow-meins are about £8. Wi-fi: Free wi-fi, with five full bars and no problems. There are also outlets about, so settling down here would definitely be an option. As a note, I think the back room of this place would be a really great place for a coffee date. The walls are red, there are flowers on a few tables, and there are twinkle lights (read: forgiving). It's quirky, in a good location, and open until 7 pm, which means an extra hour or two over most places in the area for an after work meet-up. read more

Quaint, quiet and intimate - a really sweet cafe with an excellent vibe. Just steps away from the British Museum and a very busy Starbucks -- Camera Museum is truly a civilized respite from the throngs of tourists gorging the street nearby. Excellent coffee, polite yet friendly staff and mellow. So nice to pop in to relax and compose oneself here. read more

Nice hot chocolate (with a chocolate powder star on top of the foam!) and hot chocolate fudge cake. GREAT apple and fresh mint juice. It's an unusual and comfy place which frankly is astonishing to find in central London. Really nice staff too. read more

An ice cream mocha! AN ICE CREAM MOCHA. If that doesn't get you running here than maybe their cute shop will. Browse while you wait for your drink. Pick up a used Leica or two? Maybe? I loved this place. I was about to hit the British Museum nearby when I remembered I have been wanting to check this place out for a while. I wasn't disappointed. The camera shop is located by the entrance. The cafe is in the back, with seating downstairs as well. They offer free wi-fi so I was surprised more people weren't hanging around on their laptops. I am looking forward to another warm bright day so I can hightail myself back here and have another ice cream mocha. And maybe something healthy from their food menu, you know, to counteract against the naughty drink. read more

This cafe was recommend to me by a study abroad friend, and I was so happy I went. I ended up reviewing this place for a website I write for (http://gritstyle.com/a-latte-with-a-shot-of-photography-londons-camera-cafe/) and I loved my experience here. Since I only stayed for about a half hour and didn't do any homework here, I cannot speak to great lengths about their WiFi, but my phone connected to the internet quickly and with no issues. I was able to Instagram my latte while I was still in the shop with no problem! I loved how unique this shop is in terms of aesthetic and creativity. They focus on one thing, and they do it well. Photographers and art fanatics will love it here. The barista is so sweet and the other staff members are very soft-spoken. A hidden gem of this cafe is definitely their downstairs area, where there are a few rooms filled with local photography and couches for friends to relax. read more

I visited on the recommendation of other Yelpers last week and was not disappointed. A lovely back room offered a quiet spot to work for an hour or two while visiting London. Far away from the hordes of students who use Starbucks as a gathering place this was a complete haven. And yes Melizza R I had an ice cream mocha.....it was delish! The loos could be doing with a spruce up, but the staff are very friendly and I will be back! read more

I came here a couple weeks ago in search of a cafe to study at. Upon entering this cafe, you will go through their shared camera shop - lots of film cameras and lenses! The cafe itself is quite small - basically only two sitting areas. I ordered a honey latte and went downstairs to sit. It was really dim inside :( So I would not recommend doing any hard studying here. The honey latte was yummy though! I definitely tasted the honey. Overall, an okay experience. Although it's not a place to study, it can be a cute place to catch up with friends. read more

I waited over a year to write this review for Camera Cafe, which I stumbled upon after sneaking away from my university group's visit to the London Museum (which was awesome, by the way). I wandered around the corner and down a little side street, and here I was! I was so happy to find this place because until then I'd had to settle for one of the many Starbucks in the area. This was a great place to study, had wi-fi, and good coffee. If I ever find myself in London again, this will be one of the first places I visit. read more

A sweet little step away from the bustling museums of city centers, the Camera Museum offers a more intimate peek into the history of capturing moments. Quiet, with exception of the camera click that is, it feels instantly calming to walk into the space. A camera shop occupies the back room, a coffee shop the front, and downstairs a museum filled with a whole timeline of things that went flash and captured our memories. When I went I happened to be the only person downstairs, which was a complete refresher after a day on the town and gave me time to become mesmerized by the sounds these old cameras make. A step into another little world behind seeing our little world this spot is sure to be a pleasure whether tourist, photographer, or coffee drinker (or all three). read more

This is the kind of chilled out, unpretentious place I can stay for an afternoon. Coffee: check. Wifi: check. Seating: check. Toilets: check. They also have paid computers you can use. It's got a very laid back vibe and I think the camera shop is super cool, though I know nothing about photography. They've got your basic selection of drinks, plus a couple of house specials, cake, ice cream, and Asian food. They even sell homemade jars of chili sauce! I tried the honey latté and I'm not sold on it... It was too honey, not so much latté. But still, the atmosphere makes up for it. read more

I like this cafe a lot and prefer it over the nearby Starbucks and Co. Someone else mentioned the toilet/wash area and yes, those are in a state of their own.. I did once consider offering a free clean-up .. But that aside: The coffee is good, the music jazz and 50's New York and I love spending a few hours here every now and again. A daily choice? Not quite, but very happy visits. I had a vegetarian panini/sandwich here and loved it, although it was a little small. x read more

This place is definitely a gem! The only drawback is the incredibly slow wi-fi which is important for students like myself. If you bring reading materials then it is definitely an incredibly charming place to come work. The selection of coffee and tea is very satisfying and the music choice is nostalgic. There is a quaint downstairs area which groups can go play board games and cards in, as well as a photo gallery. I would definitely return to this place for a coffee and snack while I do some reading or catching up with friends, however I don't recommend it for heavy computer work that depends on internet. read more

Do cameras and cappuccino machines really mix? Perhaps I need to go back, but I don't get the hype about this place. OK. It's a bit cute with all the cameras and all, but the cafe section is not particularly nice, and it doesn't grab me as a particularly great place to hang-out for any period of time. Not a terrible choice if you are near the British Museum and need a caffeine fix and free wifi, but hardly anything special either. read more

I found myself with a spare hour after attending a talk at the British Museum and heading off to my place of gainful employment, and thus also found myself heading to the always trusted Camera Cafe for a bite to eat. All their sandwiches looked pretty good to me, and being the always indecisive person I am, I asked the friendly dude behind the counter what he recommended. His choice of smoked salmon and cream cheese was spot on. I had it on a baguette (though you can choose to have your sandwiches on regular bread or a panini), and lo and behold, the wonderful thing was toasted. Melty creamy cheese dribbling down my chin was supported by a rousing soundtrack of classical music and handsome young men discussing the finer points of aperture and ISO's in the camera shop in the front. Utterly satisfied, I bounded away to work (ok, well maybe just walked away) with a smile on my face and food in my belly. read more

A cafe and second-hand camera shop with wi-fi and scrabble as well as lots of cakes and meals. This place feels like a proper cafe, homely and cosy, somewhere you could sit all day, muching cakes, looking at photography books, playing scrabble there is a notice board, very useful for photographers to make contacts or advertise, and there are many beautiful lenses and other bits on sale. There is a basement and a little back nook, so there is more room than appears at first sight. The music is always excellent, lots of cheerful old-fashioned jazz just right for a comfy cafe. read more

Camera Museum - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

This was just about the cutest cafe I ate at while in London. After getting frustrated with the huge crowd at the British Museum, my friend and I decided to go eat lunch instead. It soon started to pour so we ran to the closest cafe for cover. We were confused at first since the first thing you see is the camera shop, but in the back is the cute little cafe. Everyone who works here is so friendly, and their hot sandwiches are perfect for a rainy day. The seating is a little tight, but what do you expect from a cafe that shares its space with a camera shop. =] read more

They served amazing coffee, freshly squeezed juice and delightfulfood that fit to your budget. Relaxed atmosphere with great music plus small tables and dim light will make it relativelycalm. The music was cool, there are sparkling lights on the ceiling, and the staff just comes around to clear the tables and to straighten up. read more

A lonely photographer's dream. I passed this little gem, located next door to a gallery, on my way to the tube station nearby. It caught my eye because it is the combination of my two favourite things: photography and coffee. Wifi is free with a drink purchase, I believe, and in this case I got an Italian soda and chatted with the guys who worked there. What I loved most about them is that, unlike a lot of male photophiles, they were completely willing to talk shop with a lady ! Most guys act as though women don't know a thing about photography, but I think we shoot better... anyway. It was a nice little treat to duck in from the rain and hang out with some nice people, a refreshing drink, and check my email. read more

The museum is currently under construction, April 2016 and will reopen in a few weeks. The coffee shop is still serving delishious things!

This place gets an extra star for its pervasive quirkiness! You're not entirely sure you SHOULD be walking into the place when you do. Even though the sign out front and me checking the yelp site before I went in assured me that it IS indeed a cafe, you feel a little wrong walking inside. But that's the thrill of it. Once you're in there, you feel like you're in the know so to speak. You scoot past the narrow entrance by the camera counter, pausing to admire all the cool old cameras in the case, and then order from a teeny tiny little coffee counter. It's just different and fun! The staff was super friendly, which is a big plus for me. The decor is fun with lots to look at...a sort of shabby trendiness. We sat upstairs, but there's some seating below as well that looks more like someone's run down living room than a coffee house, which I love. I agree another yelper below that the bathroom/tea towel situation is pretty gross. That's the major drawback of this place in my mind. O, wait, sorry...the coffee? I had an iced mocha that was *perfect* The coffee wasn't bitter, and they didn't make it too sweet.. More than that, I can't say. My friend's tea was just medicore. read more

This is a cozy cafe that screams hipster magnet. Very friendly servers, comfy couches and yummy food. Worth a visit!

Even for the non-camera lovers, this is a nice place for a quiet afternoon of studying, or just chatting over a cup of tea and scones. There's a really nice cozy space downstairs next to the museum space. They also play some great jazz in the background.I definitely recommend checking it out! Their hot fudge cake was amazing too read more

Cool, very unconventional cafe stuck near the british museum. Camera cafe is more a vintaged camera shop than a cafe, but if you're into having a cafe in a genuinely different place. this one is to try. read more

Definitely worth going to. This cafe is quirky since it's in the back and the basement of a camera shop, and I always love quirky. The best part about this place is that it has reliable FREE WIFI, so it's really easy to work there. In addition, in the basement, the seating is comfortable and usually there's plenty of space. It's also so close to the British Museum that I felt inspired to go there everytime I went to the cafe, so I always learned more than I bargained for when I left the house in the morning. My complaints: none. read more

Free Wifi! And great honey lattes right across from the British Museum. Although a wee bit tiny, its cosy corners and downstairs area are perfect to rest your feet and relax read more

I spent the morning at the British Museum and was looking for a nice, quiet spot to work for a few hours in the afternoon - I'm so happy I checked Yelp first and didn't settle for the busy Starbucks around the corner! The Camera Museum was absolutely perfect - lots of people coming in and out throughout the day, but it was still a very calm, quiet atmosphere with excellent wifi to get my work done. Coffee and food were delicious, and Adrian (who I think might be the owner?) was very attentive. I ended up coming back again later in the week after finding no other comparable work space anywhere else - and I plan to come back again next time I'm in London! read more