Shoreditch is not short of places to get a flat white, but very few of them roast the beans themselves a few streets away. Ozone Coffee Roasters, on Leonard Street, is one of the exceptions. It is a New Zealand-born roastery that has grown from a tiny surf-town operation in 1998 into an international coffee company, with its London home set inside a converted warehouse on the edge of the City. It is equal parts serious coffee bar and serious brunch spot, and on any given weekend morning the queue outside tells you it has mastered both.
The coffee
Everything here starts with the roast. Ozone roasts its own beans, and you can taste the difference in the cup. The espresso is rich and punchy without tipping into bitterness, and the milk drinks are silky and well balanced. Regulars swear by the single-shot latte, which arrives with the kind of glossy microfoam that tells you the barista knows exactly what they are doing.
For the more adventurous, the menu stretches beyond the classics. The espresso tonic is a genuinely refreshing option on a warm afternoon, and seasonal specials such as the gingerbread latte show a playful side in the colder months. Filter fans are looked after too, and there is always something interesting on batch if you ask what is brewing. Takeaway is brisk and efficient, but this is a place that rewards sitting in with a proper cup.
The food
If the coffee is the headline act, the brunch menu is a very strong supporting one. This is a kitchen that takes breakfast seriously. The eggs benedict is the signature dish and rightly so, as regulars order it on repeat. The big brekkie covers all the traditional bases for those who want the full works, while lighter options like the miso granola and the granola bowl keep things fresh and modern.
Seasonality runs through the menu, so expect it to shift through the year, but the execution stays consistently high. One dish that crops up again and again in glowing feedback is the omelette on toast, simple on paper and delicious on the plate. Banana bread is there for the mid-morning crowd, and there are solid vegetarian options across the board. It is brunch done properly, not as an afterthought to the coffee.
The atmosphere
The space itself is a big part of the appeal. Set in a former warehouse, it has an industrial-chic feel with high ceilings, exposed brick and long communal tables mixed with smaller two-tops. Crucially, there are plenty of seats. That matters in Shoreditch, where too many good cafes have you hovering awkwardly with a takeaway cup waiting for a table to free up.
The crowd is a classic East London mix. Freelancers on laptops during the week, groups of friends catching up at the weekend, and a steady flow of City workers who have wandered over from the financial district. It gets busy, very busy at weekend brunch, so expect a hum of conversation and the occasional short wait for a table. The staff handle the rush with good humour, and the room never feels cramped despite the crowds.
Practical info
You will find Ozone at 11 Leonard Street, London EC2A 4AQ. It opens Monday to Friday from 7.30am to 4pm, and on Saturday and Sunday from 8.30am to 4pm. Prices are moderate, with typical Shoreditch specialty coffee pricing and brunch dishes sitting comfortably in the mid range for the area. It is good value given the quality and portion sizes. Good to know, dine in and takeaway are both available, it serves breakfast, brunch and lunch, there are vegetarian options, and it is a short walk from Old Street station.
Verdict
Ozone is the complete package. Genuinely excellent house-roasted coffee, a brunch menu that stands up against anywhere in East London, and a big, buzzy room that makes you want to linger. It earns its reputation as one of Shoreditch’s essential coffee stops. 4.7/5
