London’s popular coffee and cocktail chain, Grind, is expanding its reach into the travel sector with its first-ever dedicated railway station café. The new establishment, located on the mezzanine level opposite Platform 5 at London Waterloo Station, is set to open on December 15, 2025. The café, officially labeled as Unit 15, The Balcony, SE1 7LY, will serve as Grind’s first standalone travel café in the UK.
Grind takes a bold step into rail travel, bringing its signature coffee and cocktails to London Waterloo’s bustling commuter hub.
The Waterloo location marks a significant step in Grind’s business strategy, adding to its portfolio of 15 existing sites across the UK. While the company already has experience in the travel sector through partnerships with British Airways and Dubai International Airport, this represents its first venture into rail station retail. The move comes through a partnership with One Retail, the retail division of Compass Group UK & Ireland.
With a seating capacity of 35 covers, the café will operate daily from 7:00 AM to 10:00 PM, catering to Waterloo Station’s massive footfall of more than 170,000 passengers daily. The location has been strategically chosen for its visibility to passenger flows within the concourse, ensuring maximum exposure to potential customers.
The menu will feature Grind’s signature craft coffee from its London roastery alongside a full range of café offerings, including pastries, brunch dishes, and an all-day menu with small plates, sandwiches, and salads. Evening travelers can enjoy the venue’s cocktail program, with espresso martinis available for a promotional price of £5 through December. This special holiday promotion aims to enhance the commute experience during the festive season.
The café aims to serve different customer needs throughout the day, from morning commuters seeking grab-and-go coffee to travelers looking for a sit-down meal or evening cocktail. This dual-purpose approach aligns with Grind’s broader brand strategy, combining fast service for commuters with comfortable hospitality for those with more time. The carefully designed space offers visitors a place to unwind and relax before or after their journey.
The Waterloo opening represents a significant expansion of Grind’s travel-focused footprint, leveraging the high footfall and captive audience that one of the UK’s busiest commuter hubs provides. CEO and founder David Abrahamovitch described the opening as a major milestone for the brand’s growth trajectory.
