Looking for a great place to enjoy a coffee and / or lunch? Want to avoid the large chains? Our Food for Thought series will offer you insight into cafés that provide good food and drink whilst helping others.

Paper and Cup Cafe, Shoreditch

Address: 18 Calvert Avenue, London E2 7JP
Open to the public: 8am  to 6pm Monday to Friday; 9am – 6pm Saturday; 10am – 5pm Sunday
Website: www.paperandcup.co.uk
 

Paper and Cup is a small, intimate social enterprise café and bookshop run by the Spitalfields Crypt Trust (SCT), a local charity that provides support and training to people recovering from addiction. As trainees at Paper and Cup, people recovering from addiction gain the confidence and skills they need to increase their chance of securing paid employment.

“When I first started working I was very self-conscious. Working with SCT helps me look people in the eye and feel comfortable in myself, and makes me feel excited about my future.” – Former SCT service user.

The trainees serve customers, manage budgets, and acquire barista skills in a professional and safe environment.

Handpicked items from the SCT charity shops, bespoke Paper and Cup merchandise, and artwork by local artists are also sold at Paper and Cup. All profit from the two cafes (there is a second cafe in Poplar) go back to the SCT charity. 

 

Paper and Cup cafe, London, Delectable Coffee, Books and Treats helping people recovering from an addiction

Delicious hot chocolate!

 

Food & Drink

Fresh sandwiches and cakes are available, along with an interesting selection of hot drinks. Tap water is available on every table. 

 

What’s nearby

BOXPARK Shoreditch – a pop up mall opened in 2011 for four years, constructed of stripped and refitted shipping containers. 

Spitalfields City Farm – a community farm set up initially by volunteers. It’s free to visit, and is open Tuesday to Sunday.

The Prince’s Drawing School – Founded by The Prince of Wales, the aim is to raise the standard and profile of drawing through teaching and practise.

Geffrye Museum – Founded in 1914, the museum specialises in the history of the English domestic interior.

 

Overall

Paper and Cup cafe is a relaxed, cosy cafe, with friendly staff. Head over to the cafe when you have a few hours to spare – you don’t need to worry about taking a book to read, there is plenty of choice there. The books are good value for money too, with paperbacks costing £2, and hardbacks £4.

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About Author

Nisha Kotecha is the Founder of Good News Shared. Having worked and volunteered for charities in the UK for over 10 years, Nisha is on a mission to highlight how amazing charities are.

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