Second ShotCoffee

Second Shot Coffee occupies a narrow unit on Bethnal Green Road, opposite the tube station, where founder Julius Ibrahim built a cafe around training and employing people who have experienced homelessness. Staff move through paid placements before transitioning into permanent hospitality jobs elsewhere in London. The espresso and filter offerings change every few months as the cafe works through different guest roasters rather than roasting in-house. A pay-it-forward board lets customers pre-pay for a coffee or bagel that someone sleeping rough can later redeem. Window bar seating and a short brunch menu, including avocado bagels and flapjacks, round out the space.