WatchHouse opened its first House on Bermondsey Street in 2014 and took its name from the 19th-century watch house that stood there. Its founder and CEO is Roland Horne, and its approach to coffee, design and hospitality is “Modern Coffee”. It has roasted its own coffee since 2020, now at roasteries in London and New York, and sources seasonally from producers it builds long-term relationships with. It has 33 Houses across London, Bath, New York, Dubai and Abu Dhabi, 25 of them in London.

WatchHouse Seven Dials is the ninth House and one of the Brunch Houses, which serve breakfast classics and seasonal plates. At Seven Dials that means a full food menu served seven days a week. The location is in Seven Dials, Covent Garden, near Leicester Square in the West End, and runs over two bright levels for dining in and takeaway. The interior is a reference to the Rococo movement, with graceful lines, asymmetrical curves and warm pastel colours next to familiar WatchHouse details. There is outdoor seating, and dogs are welcome.

The coffee bar at Seven Dials runs a Slayer Steam LPx espresso machine, a custom brew bar and a 3Temp Hipster brewer for filter. The coffee is WatchHouse’s own. The range splits into Rituals, the everyday coffees including the 1829 Espresso and the Páramo Decaf; Ventures and Horizons, single lots such as the Kii AB from Kirinyaga; and Rarities, two Peruvian geshas.

Coffee on the shelf

Photograph: WatchHouse