Top 10 London Cafés & Coffee Shops in Islington
London’s bustling borough of Islington is an attractive area for multiple reasons, one of those being it’s many excellent eateries and cafés. If you’re having a difficult time deciding where to go for coffee, pick one of the suggestions on this list, and you won’t be disappointed!
Make sure to check out the lists below for other coffee shop suggestions in various areas of London.
Vagabond N7
Vagabond is a safe haven for workers and students alike.
The experience begins the moment you spot the lovely little bicycle outside the main door. This industrial-styled coffee shop is cool, and has ample seating. There is a more boisterous “front” section, and a more calm “back section” next to it’s own personal roastery.
The large space that is perfect for student’s who need to study, or professionals who need to get done some last-minute tasks. Whether you’re popping in for a chat or some work, there’s space for you!
Vagabond makes their own roasts, which they put to good use in their caffeinated creations. They also have a few nice nibbles available, and they’ve always had a gluten free and a vegan option available. I must say, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but their zucchini & lemon cake is very good. If you don’t mind trying something new, I recommend it!
P.S. I am LOVING how the two photos with my nail polish turned out. Can I be conceited for a moment? Because I want to be conceited for a moment. Wow. Those are… wow. Nice.
Overall, I’m a fan!
Location:
105 Holloway Road
Noteworthy Feature:
The roastery in the back is interesting to see.
Le Péché Mignon
Le Péché Mignon, an independently owned French café, also sells lovely European delights and fine foods, such as sardines, cheeses, charcuterie, wines, pastas, and my personal favourite - yogurts from La Fermière.
Not your typical London café, this particular haunt has actual francophone waiters who will happily take your order in French. This made me feel extremely comfortable and right at home! Not to worry if you’re not fluent in the language of love: they are all very well versed in English, as well!
If you aren’t bothered by a nice talk with a stranger, this café does have one large communal table at which you can rub shoulders with other residents or visitors to the area.
Do be aware that the building in which it is located is currently under construction, so there is some scaffolding which blocks it’s main window from sight on the street. Keep your eyes peeled and you should be able to find it!
Noteworthy Feature:
The coffee shop also sells individual French items, such as cheeses, charcuteries, and yogurts.
Ozone Coffee Roasters
Though it’s located just on the border of Islington, Ozone Coffee Roasters is worthy of a mention!
Gracing Old Street with their fabulous roasts and excellent brunches, Ozone Coffee Roasters is an industrially cool space for those hankering to hangout with their friends or get down and do some work with delicious gluten-free pancakes or Eggs Benedict.
This café has tons of space both upstairs and downstairs, but do be warned that it is quite popular, so do expect a wait if you’re arriving at peak times.
One of my favourite things about this café is it’s open kitchen that you sit around. There’s something exciting about watching your brunch being made right before your eyes. Ozone’s dishes, while classic, feature titillating and surprising twists. Their focaccia toast is updated with wagyu mince, piccalilli and smoked cheddar, and their grain bircher has brunt rhubarb, mint, and coconut yogurt. Yum!
Location:
11 Leonard Street
Photo courtesy of Ozone Coffee Roasters official Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of Ozone Coffee Roasters official Facebook page.
Noteworthy Feature:
The open-kitchen you can sit around is exciting to see.
Six Degrees Collective
Six Degrees Collective is a family-run café in Camden Passage with a comfortable atmosphere and plenty of places in which to sit yourself down to work.
On top of being a café, it also has tons of coffees, teas, and coffee-related apparatuses to purchase to make your own cuppas at home. The speciality coffee beans on-hand are from The Barn Berlin Coffee Roasters and Square Mile Coffee Roasters.
Six Degrees’ snack game is also nice, as there are homemade Vegan/ Vegetarian/ Gluten-free snacks available.
The space is big, and is quiet enough in which to work. For a pleasant outing, Six Degrees Collective is a safe choice.
Location:
22-24 Camden Passage
Photo courtesy of Six Degrees Collective official Facebook page.
Noteworthy Feature:
The café sells tons of coffee apparatuses - good if you want to stock up for your homemade cuppas!
Kobo Café
The Angel-based Kobo Café is a two-storey delight.
The coffee here is well-made, and the friendly baristas always take the extra time to do some cute latte art.
Kobo prides themselves on their accessibility for multiple different types of diets: they are happy to substitute alternative milks in any of their drinks, and they have multiple from which to choose.
Homemade vegan, vegetarian, lactose-free, and gluten-free treats are a pleasant addition to any of their coffees.
Although the café is relatively narrow, there is a second storey that has seating available. It’s quite pleasant to sip an oat milk macchiato or an almond latte while looking out the window onto Upper Street.
Cheers!
Location:
Upper Street 346
Photo courtesy of Kobo Café’s Official Facebook page.
Photo courtesy of Kobo Café’s official Facebook page.
Noteworthy Feature:
The café is located in a pleasant two-storey building.
The CoffeeWorks Project
Despite the large space The CoffeeWorks Project occupies, this coffee shop along Islington High Street is often bustling with patrons.
While their cups of coffee are not my favourite along Islington High Street, they are still good. The café makes use of single-origin beans from various roasters, meaning you can get a different drinking experience whenever you go. There are three locations of the coffee shops throughout London, the others being in Blackfriars and near Battersea Park Station.
As for the good, there are cakes and bakes available, some of which cater to Gluten-Free / Vegetarian / Vegan diets. The pull here is definitely more for the light lunch options, such as salads, sandwiches, avocado toast, and eggs Benedict.
In the summer, you can sip your latte or espresso on their patio or in their garden. Otherwise, grab a seat on one of their sofas or bar stools inside the café.
The CoffeeWorks Project has lived in Angel for a few years now, and it’s a nice coffee shop to pop into with friends, especially if you love sitting outside!
Location:
96-98 Islington High Street
Noteworthy Feature:
The garden/ patio is a big draw.
8. EZ & Moss
Picking EZ & Moss as the place from which to grab your morning mocha is an EZ choice.
The Holloway Road café is a great place to come for those who seek warm and welcoming environments, as opposed to industrial-and-hipster hideouts. The atmosphere exudes friendliness, and their baristas mimic that feel.
The pleasant café takes into account many dietary restrictions: there’s mosstly vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free options! They take these seriously, too. Just look at the Gluten-Free and Vegan apple tart below for proof! If you’re hankering for something more hearty than cakes or brownies, they do serve up healthy lunches (think quiches, stews, and salads).
If you want a neighbourhood-feel when you run to grab your coffee, give EZ & Moss a go.
Location:
183 Holloway Road
Photo courtesy of EZ & Moss’ official Twitter page.
Noteworthy Feature:
The vegan burgers are definitely worth trying!
Kipferl Café & Kitchen
When you’re after some Austrian flavour in Londontown, head on over to Kipferl Café & Kitchen.
The Camden-passage based café is not strictly coffee-based; it has all manners of Austrian food.
Named after a traditional Austrian crescent cookie that can be found all throughout Eastern Europe, Kipferl focuses on providing its customers with quality homemade treats and meals. Austrian specialties such as Wiener schnitzel, frankfurters, gulyas soups, and Kaesespaetzle are all on the menu, and can be accompanied by Austrian beer and wine, if desired.
In the morning, I find ordering a Viennese coffee incredibly delightful. The standard is on-par with things I have tasted while travelling in Austria.
Essentially, Kipferl brings an inviting international flair to Camden Passage. It’s worth checking out!
Noteworthy Feature:
If you crave Austrian specialities in London, this place can’t be beat!
Saint Espresso
The original location of the London-based coffee shop brand (other areas are in Camden, Baker Street, Here East, and Kentish Town), Saint Espresso makes pleasant cups of coffee in an inspiring location.
As if it was being blessed by the heavens, light seems to constantly stream into Saint Espresso (even on rainy days!) thanks to its large windows and small space. Watch the world go by from the comfort of the caffeine-and-baked-goods-scented shop, and allow your mind to wander. The word I’d use to describe the decor would be “comfortably stark” - warm wooden furniture are coupled with stringent elements, such as exposed beams.
This café has a few solo tables, and one large communal table. I’ve had a few lovely conversations with some fellow customers when I’ve sat here. However, do be mindful of the workers and students trying to get their tasks done!
In essence, Saint Espresso is a lovely coffee shop near Angel Tube station, with minimalistic decor that is attractive for workers and students alike.
Location:
Angel House, 26 Pentonville Road
Noteworthy Feature:
The communal table is a nice way to meet people (be mindful of those actually working, though!)
Appestat*
*Unfortunately Appestat is now permanently closed
“Appestat: a hypothetical region in the hypothalamus that is thought to regulate appetite”
Appestat, aptly named after a region of the hypothalamus that regulates appetite, is a coffee shop in Angel that makes excellent treats and meals.
Taste is king, here, and the large portions of cakes and cookies are always mouth-watering. The coffee is nothing at which to scoff either, and its clear that the baristas take pride in their creations.
My favourite offering from the Gluten-Free/ Vegetarian conscient establishment is their carrot cake, which pairs beautifully with a cappuccino. My boyfriend also swears that their Guinness Cake is the best in the English capital. Hearty options are available for those who require a filling breakfast or lunch.
All in all, Appestat was the coffee shop I frequented the most often when I was living in Angel. Their coffees are my favourite along Islington High Street. The baristas were friendly, but the real draw were the culinary offerings that did indeed stimulate my appestat.
Location:
102 Islington High Street
Noteworthy Feature:
Appestat has my favourite “coffee shop cakes” in all of North London!
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