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THE COFFEE HOUSE & LIBRARY      

A welcoming space, open to all visiting RSA House

We’re all about coffee, food, and connections – so as well as a place to eat and drink, our Coffee House also offers a place to work, collaborate and meet like-minded people. 

Our Opening Times

The Coffee House is open five days a week (Monday – Friday), 8:30am – 5pm.

A white mug labeled "WHEN" filled with latte sits on a white surface, surrounded by a scattered burst of cocoa powder radiating outward from the mug.

Our Food & Drink

Thoughtfully sourced. Expertly served.

The Coffee House at RSA House is a welcoming space where Fellows, the general public and visitors alike can pause, connect and recharge.

Our menu is carefully curated, offering quality coffees, organic tea, and deliciously crafted, home-made lunch options that reflect our commitment to sustainability and seasonality. Whether you’re meeting a colleague, attending an event, or simply taking a quiet moment, the Coffee House is designed for connection and calm.

Did you know? Our coffee is responsibly sourced through social enterprises that support growers and reinvest in their communities.

See our menu

Breakfast, Lunch & Drinks

A bowl of creamy mushroom soup topped with microgreens sits next to a grilled cheese sandwich, sliced in half, on a marble serving board.
Two halves of a grilled cheese sandwich with golden, toasted bread and melted cheese are stacked on a wooden surface. The bread has visible grill marks, and the cheese is oozing out from the sides.
A rectangular slice of layered pastry dusted with powdered sugar sits on a brown plate, next to a fork on a green cloth napkin, atop a marble surface.
A close-up of a sandwich with a shiny bun, filled with leafy greens, sliced red onions, cheese, and tomato, placed on a wooden surface.
Two halves of a sandwich with lettuce, tomato, and mayonnaise on thick focaccia bread are placed on a wooden serving board, set against a light marble background.

Our Community Blend and regeneration

The Coffee House’s Community Blend is a collaboration with Well Grounded – a social enterprise helping people into work by training them as baristas. Well Grounded runs a series of specialty coffee training academies for adults facing barriers to employment. We provide placements for those undergoing the training programme and donate £2 for each kilo of coffee purchased.

To reduce food waste, we partner with Waste Knot – an organisation working directly with farmers to utilise crops. They provide us with surplus ‘wonky’ vegetables which our in-house chefs whip in to delicious homemade dishes such as soups and salads.

Highlight: We’re proud to hold a 3-star rating from the Sustainable Restaurant Association – the highest accreditation for ethical and environmental best practice.

A white coffee cup with the word "WHY" printed on it sits on a white surface, filled with latte featuring heart-shaped foam art. Coffee beans are scattered around the cup.

OUR SPACES

The Coffee House at RSA House features a collection of welcoming, flexible spaces designed to spark conversation, focus and creativity. All offer a relaxed environment with free Wi-Fi and plug points throughout.

Open to RSA Fellows, their guests and the general public too.

Did you know? The Coffee House stands on the original site of Rawthmell’s, a historic meeting place where artists, scientists and reformers exchanged ideas that shaped modern Britain.

Dr Cross Room

Rotating displays of great designs from RSA Royal Designers for Industry. Free to use, subject to availability. Free to use, subject to availability.

A modern, well-lit interior with gray and wood-toned furniture. A long wooden dining table with chairs is centered. Seating areas with armchairs and circular tables are on either side. Art decorates blue walls, and large windows provide natural light.

Gerard Room

Displays on change projects from Fellows around the world.

Modern coffee shop interior with blue walls and light wood flooring. A long wooden table with orange cushioned benches is in the foreground. The counter area features pastries, snacks, and coffee machines. Plants and shelving add to the decor.

Long Gallery

Features a mural on our history from the team who brought you RSA Animates.

A modern library with shelves filled with books, a man seated at a table, and soft seating in the form of round, green chairs. There's a large sign on the wall about the Royal Society of Arts, spanning from 1754 to 2018.

Archive Room

Filled with our history, displaying copies of documents from our archive.

Two women are seated at a small round table in a cozy cafe. They appear to be engaged in conversation, with one holding a cup. The wall behind them is decorated with various framed artworks.
TAKE A 360 DEGREE TOUR

Library

Explore over 6,000 books and journals spanning everything from philosophy to design and social change. It features quiet reading areas, curated selections linked to RSA research and events, a freepost lending service, and an accessible online catalogue.

Search the catalogue
Modern library lounge with a yellow sofa, beige tufted sectional, glass coffee tables, and bookshelves filled with books in the background. A floor lamp hangs over the seating area.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Can I book/reserve a table?

We do not offer table reservations in The Coffee House, but there are plenty of places to sit across Levels -1 (where The Coffee House is situated), -2 and the Ground Floor, as well as dedicated meetings spaces that you can book in advance (more information further below).

Can I bring my own food and drink into RSA House?

We have a delicious range of food and drinks available to purchase at RSA House. As we are a registered charity, the purchase of your food and drinks from The Coffee House directly supports our work and charitable mission as a social change organisation. We therefore do not permit externally purchased food and drink to be consumed at RSA House.

Do I need to be an RSA Fellow to visit?

The Coffee House and other public areas of RSA House are open to the public and not restricted to RSA Fellows. All visitors who aren’t Fellows will simply be asked to sign in at Reception on arrival.

Email address for The Coffee House queries?

If you need to drop us an email please use reservations@rsa.org.uk

Are there spaces to work in RSA House?

There are numerous spaces where you can bring your laptop and work within RSA House on the ground floor and lower levels, including in The Coffee House. When The Coffee House is busy, the tables in this area should be prioritised for those consuming food and drink.

Can I hold a meeting in RSA House?

There are public areas in which you can hold small informal meetings, though please be respectful of others using the same space. If you intend to have a larger meeting, consider booking one of our dedicated meeting spaces in advance:

  • You can request to book either the Dame Caroline Haslett Collaboration Room or The Steps for your meeting or event, free of charge, for up to three hours within The Coffee House’s opening hours. Please do so via this link. We will come back to you as soon as possible with availability and next steps.
  • RSA House also has a selection of 13 private meeting rooms and event spaces available to hire for a half day, full day or evening. To find out more, please contact our Venue Sales Team at house@rsa.org.uk.

What else is on offer at RSA House

RSA House Venue Hire

An inspiring venue for any occasion. Find our more about how we can bring your event to life at RSA House

Historic brick building with tall columns, large windows, and an arched entrance. A green flag is flying above the doorway, and a black iron fence lines the front of the building.

Join our community

Learn more about Fellowship. We value all who champion curiosity, creativity and courage to inspire better ways of thinking, acting and delivering change.

A group of people stand in conversation at an indoor event. A woman in glasses and a striped top smiles, engaged in the discussion. Others, wearing patterned clothing, listen attentively. The setting features brick walls and ambient lighting.

RSA Events

Explore inspiring ideas at the RSA. See what we have coming up and we hope to see you at an event soon.

A group of people stand and chat around a table at an indoor social event, holding drinks. Glasses and bottles are visible in the foreground. The atmosphere appears lively and conversational.