Peter Dore-Smith and the Story of Kaffeine: A Pioneer of London’s Coffee Culture

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TLDR

Walk through the doors of Kaffeine in London, and you immediately sense the influence of Melbourne’s strong coffee culture. Behind the counter is Peter Dore-Smith, the founder and driving force of this well-known café brand. With over 30 years in hospitality, Peter opened the first Kaffeine store in 2009, followed by a second in 2015. His vision was simple but powerful: to bring a Melbourne-style café experience to London.

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From Melbourne to London’s Coffee Scene

Peter grew up in suburban Melbourne, where hospitality caught his interest early. He studied at a catering college and worked in a variety of roles, including bartender, waiter, and restaurant manager. By the mid-1990s, he was living in London, gaining hands-on experience in restaurants before moving back to Australia in 1998.

It was there that he noticed a shift in coffee culture. Melbourne cafés were no longer just about a quick drink, they had become thoughtfully designed spaces with a focus on quality coffee and community. This change left a lasting impression on him. He spent the following years teaching hospitality in schools, training students on everything from coffee and cocktails to service skills. These experiences sharpened both his technical knowledge and his ability to mentor others.

Building Kaffeine in a Different Coffee Landscape

When Kaffeine opened its doors in Fitzrovia in August 2009, London looked very different for coffee drinkers. Specialty shops were rare, and the market was dominated by big chains like Starbucks and Costa. Independent cafés offering high-quality coffee and genuine hospitality were almost unheard of.

Peter Dore-Smith believed that Londoners were ready for something better. After two years of planning and preparation, he launched Kaffeine to set a new standard for coffee in the city. The café combined meticulous attention to detail, a warm and professional approach to service, and an environment designed with care. From the very beginning, it caught the attention of locals who quickly made it part of their daily routine.

As Kaffeine’s reputation grew, Peter opened a second store in March 2015. By then, the specialty coffee movement had started to gain momentum in London, and Kaffeine was widely recognized as one of the early benchmarks of this new wave. Its influence went beyond the drinks served at the counter, helping to shape expectations for what a café experience in London could be.