Sharon Ip from TAB X TAB shares her top travel tips & hidden gems for London, UK

When Sharon Ip moved from Hong Kong to London a year and a half ago, she brought her experience in Hong Kong coffee shops and landed at TAB X TAB, an independent cafe in West London not too far north of Hyde Park.

“London is such a hub of everything,” Sharon says of her new home, before launching into a long list of hidden gems strewn along her favorite walks that crisscross the city.

Sharon Ip is the head barista & manager at TAB X TAB in West London — *Originally from Hong Kong, Sharon Ip is the head barista & manager at* *TAB X TAB* *in West London. Photos courtesy of TAB X TAB*

Filter: What do you like to do for fun around London?

London is such a hub of everything. And for me, it is to enjoy everything food and drink or (when I’m on a shoestring budget) I will pop in random coffee shops/markets/vintage shops and maybe have a conversation with anyone. People always surprise you. Usually I will end up ending the day more satisfied than spending a fortune on my favorite restaurant (still very enjoyable).

Filter: If a good friend came to visit, where would you be sure to take them?

I’m sure they already have their own list of must-gos. I would spare a day with them just wandering around everywhere. Feel and observe what’s on the way, Central London is so walkable! My favorite routes will be from Notting Hill to Hyde Park, Oxford Circus to Regent’s Park to Camden, Borough Market to Spitalfields Market.

Each route will be sure having my favourite independent shops and restaurant, some green space and its own spotlights! Just to name a few:

Filter: What do you like to do to escape the city?

The easiest is to walk down a park, which is also why I targeted to live within a 15-minute walk from Hyde Park from the very beginning. Bring a book and coffee with you, so you are well accommodated and caffeinated.

Hiding inside a museum or shopping in vintage shops/markets is also something I’d do every now and then, it’s my sense of ritual. Walking in your own pace, relaxing while exploring about new exhibits or old stuff, or simply blank out and walk around. London is a destination of pop-up exhibitions!

Alfies Antique Market

Columbia Road Flower Market - get an IKEA bag ready, you might need it!

Filter: What touristy things in London are worth the hype?

I can’t recall me being a tourist in London! Felt like from day 1 I was just diving into this city.

Museums, museums, museums! National History Museum and the Science Museum—good duo to spend a full day!

Eats: Borough Market, Bread Ahead Bakery, Mei Mei, AGORA Souvla Bar—alone or couple or family wouldn’t leave here not satisfied due to the vast variety of quality food offerings.

Walking alongside Thames for touristy but exclusive view of London. Tate Modern is just around the corner.

Filter: What's another coffee shop around there that you really admire, and what about them stands out to you?

Courier Coffee—their superb hospitality and hidden choices of beans opens up conversations.

Carnival Coffee Roasters is low key but always top quality. Their dedication in delivering only best products is rare to see!

Kapihan—remembering having my first sip of Liberica with them. Unforgettable experience and their Ube Buko Pie needs no words.

Filter: How did you end up in the London coffee scene?

I’m a Hongkonger and have just came to the UK in mid-2021.

Before I joined TAB X TAB as my very first job in the UK, I used to work as a part time barista for 3 different coffee shops in Hong Kong for 1.5 years. That allowed a rapid growth in my barista career as I got to get my hands on different machineries, to work with different experts in the field, and to serve a larger base of customers.

I had never thought of coming into the UK coffee scene, until BNO visa opened up a door. So here I am, trying to live and to work in a place with freedom.

I particularly enjoyed knowing there’re constantly events happening in London coffee scene that everyone can get involved. Cheers to @londoncuppingdirective for the hard work gathering info and promoting cupping sessions and coffee events!

Filter: What makes London feel like home to you?

The most cliche but true saying, home is where your heart is. My fiance and my cats contribute the most to this feeling. They are always with me through ups and downs.

Also cheers to the support Mathew and Charmaine (owners of TAB X TAB) have given me. Feeling heard and understood is important to integrate smoothly into a new environment.

To me, the transition from HK to LDN was pretty smooth. London is very much like Hong Kong in term of vibrancy. It has so much to offer, just waiting for someone to explore.

Filter: Can you share about your role at TAB X TAB?

Trust and autonomy came into mind straight away. I started as a senior barista at TAB X TAB, to head barista, currently also being their manager. We also just started roasting micro-batches for our pour over menu, so I’m as well a roaster!

Working with like-minded people elevates this 33-month journey. And there’s no better place for me where I got to involve/operate like an owner while being just an employee. Cheers to Mathew and Charmaine for the unlimited support and trust along the way.

The connections I built with all our customers, our suppliers, roasters partners, coffee peeps are gold. And that goes round making London feels like home because of the people I know.

Filter: If you could move to any place in the world just for the coffee scene, where would you move, and what shop would be the biggest reason?

Taiwan probably. There’s no particular shop because the biggest reason I am attracted to is the whole coffee scene in Taiwan.

I believe baristas there are generally very passionate about what they’re doing in terms of coffee, no matter how long they’re in the industry. It’s very common for them to start their own coffee shop! I’m fascinated by all kinds of signature drinks, ever-improving recipes of brewing, latte art pattern they have created.

Lightbeam Coffee Roaster in Taichung was my favorite back in the days, but unfortunately they have closed down the business last year. I recall being a customer 5 years ago, the hospitality, the connection, the space, the coffee and beans were memorable.

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