H.R. Higgins on Duke Street feels like stepping into a pocket of old world Mayfair; polished, intimate, and steeped in quiet ritual. This isn’t just a coffee shop, it’s a London institution with more than eight decades of history behind it.

Founded in 1942 by Harold Rees Higgins, a young coffee roaster with an obsessive devotion to quality, the brand began as a small family business supplying freshly roasted beans to Londoners during the war years. Word spread quickly. By the 1950s, H.R. Higgins had become the quiet favourite of diplomats, writers, and Mayfair regulars who valued craftsmanship over trend. In 1958, the brand received a Royal Warrant from Queen Elizabeth II, a mark of trust that cemented its place in British culinary heritage and still shapes its ethos today.

That sense of legacy is felt the moment the shop closes to the public and the Coffee Tasting Masterclass begins. Copper canisters glow softly, the aroma of freshly ground beans settles into the air, and the bustle of Oxford Street fades into a distant hum. It’s intimate by design, just a small group of guests gathered around a table, ready to explore the world behind the cup. You’re welcomed with an Espresso Martini (virgin if you prefer) an elegant, slightly theatrical start that sets the tone for the evening.

The class is led by third generation coffee master David Higgins, joined by his father, Mr Tony. Together their knowledge spans every step of the coffee journey, from the cherry fruit on the tree to the final pour. Despite the Royal Warrant and the decades of expertise, there’s no pretence here.

You taste three exceptional coffees, single origins and blends each introduced with stories from farms, families, and far flung landscapes. As you sip and breathe in the aromas, they teach you how to identify flavour notes you’ve likely felt but never named: citrus brightness, cocoa depth, floral lift. Time slows. Stories are exchanged. You begin to understand why this is such a special experience.

There’s something deeply grounding about learning from a family who has spent generations refining their craft. The experience feels less like a class and more like being welcomed into a long held tradition.

You leave with a deeper appreciation for what goes into a truly great cup of coffee and some coffee beans chosen just for you to take home. Step out into Mayfair afterwards for a slow wander, letting the flavours linger as the city lights glow.