Cotti Coffee opens two London stores, launches UK expansion into Europe

Cotti Coffee has opened its first United Kingdom sites in London, stepping up a rapid European expansion that moved into several continental cities in 2025. The chain launched a Middlesex Street store on 4 February 2026 and a Camden High Street outlet on 6 February 2026, moves that give budget-minded coffee drinkers more low-cost options in central London.

The Middlesex Street site sits on the eastern edge of the City of London, while the Camden High Street location adds a high-footfall retail presence in north London. An Instagram post tied to the openings said, "Cotti Coffee has officially landed in the UK, opening their first London stores in Liverpool Street & Camden, and they're mixing classic coffee," a social shorthand that appears to refer to the Middlesex Street location near Liverpool Street station.

Cotti positions itself as a value-focused, tech-forward chain. Inside Retail described the brand as "the low-cost brand" that uses a "digital-first, small-format store model" and has gained attention for "aggressive discounting." Retailnews Asia echoed that positioning in a Q&A: "Cotti Coffee operates a digital-first, small-format store model, which means they prioritize their online presence and compact store locations." That approach has driven rapid rollouts in dense urban neighbourhoods and delivery-focused markets.

The London openings follow Cotti moves in 2025 into France, Germany and Spain, with cities named in coverage including Paris, Cologne, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Barcelona and Madrid. The company has signalled further European expansion into Italy, Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands. Those plans suggest more compact, app-driven outlets could appear in UK city centres and commuter hubs soon.

Public reporting varies on the chain’s global scale. Inside Retail and Retailnews Asia state Cotti "now operates in 28 countries, including Vietnam, South Korea, Australia and Malaysia." By contrast, GCRmag reports the company "claims to operate more than 18,000 stores globally in 33 different countries." GCRmag also names the founders, writing that the business was "established in 2022 by a pair of former Luckin Coffee executives, Lu Zhengyao and Qian Zhiya." Coverage has framed Cotti as a challenger to Luckin Coffee in China and beyond.

For London coffee drinkers, the practical takeaways are clear: expect compact, pickup-friendly stores, app-led ordering, and introductory pricing or promotions as Cotti seeks market share. Watch local store listings and the chain’s social channels for exact addresses, hours, and launch offers; reporting sources show some variance in how the first site is described. As Cotti moves into Italy, Belgium, Portugal and the Netherlands next, follow-up openings will indicate whether the brand keeps its aggressive discounting strategy in European markets or adapts to local pricing and competition.