Coffee Works Project

Restaurants

Islington

Budget

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Time Out says

Thu Jul 26 2012

Upper Street and its tributaries have more than their fair share of cafés and restaurants, but a decent coffee shop is still hard to find there. Coffee Works Project is the first proper new-wave coffee bar to spill its beans near the Angel, drawing in a mix of chatty families and creatives hunched over their laptops.

A changing selection of three filter coffees is advertised on a blackboard above the bar, and friendly staff are happy to explain their distinct flavours. A caramel-coloured Ethiopian Yirgacheffe (served in a glass jug) was so light that it looked more like a black tea. We were advised not to add any milk to it, since this would hide its delicate floral notes. The brew didn’t need any sugar either – it was inherently sweet. But for a proper caffeine hit, choose the flat white. Served in a glass, the Kiwi classic was strong and smooth without any trace of bitterness.

Behind the bar, a windowed fridge reveals British charcuterie (from Moons Green) and Neal’s Yard Dairy cheeses, which are used in the café’s sandwiches, salads and on cheese and charcuterie boards.

There’s also a selection of cakes: the ginger and cardamom cake sprinkled with pomegranate aril, looked pretty but disappointed with its crumbly dryness. Better though was a thick slice of banana and chocolate cake: it was moist and generously crammed with dark chocolate chunks.

The decor is kept simple: white walls, reclaimed school chairs and tables, and a vast wooden bar in the current coffee shop fashion. On sunny days, the big window frontage floods the vast premises with light, and there are plans for opening the garden at the back – hopefully in time for the Indian summer.

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Venue location

Address:
Coffee Works Project 96-98 Islington High St
Islington
London
N1 8EG

Phone:
020 7424 5020
Opening hours:
Open 7.30am-6pm Mon-Fri; 9am-6pm Sat
Transport:
Tube: Angel tube
Price:
Meal for two with drinks and service: around £15
Map
1. Coffee Works Project
  - 96-98 Islington High St
    Islington
    London
    N1 8EG
  - 020 7424 5020
  - 51.534164,-0.104460

Occasions:
Mood

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Comments & ratings

(8 ratings)

Fab coffee, full of flavour! Love the space and people watching from the huge windows. Definately be back.

Coffee lover Sun Feb 24
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Best coffee I've ever tried in London!!

Lamarte Mon Jan 7
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Closes at 6pm which is odd given that London is an international city - probably losing a lot of custom because of that. They've just started doing hot chocolate.

hot chocolate fiend Wed Nov 28 2012
Rated as: 3/5
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Love this place - a cool, little hangout with great 'light bite' food, savoury and sweet. Pared down, warehouse interiors and great for people watching.

Lucy Wed Nov 14 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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At last a good proper coffee shop! Only down side was that they close at 6pm.....at the moment!

Lyn B Thu Nov 1 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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Great little spot with super friendly staff. The coffee and pastries - especially the brownies and Eccles cakes - are excellent, though I can't imagine who is forking out the 4 (FOUR) pounds they charge for some of their filter coffees, no matter how slopey or shade-grown their origins, or how hand-brewed the individual serving. I stick to the £2.50 flat whites and cappuccinos. They come with some lovely foam art. Wifi can be spotty, but the ambiance makes up for it (unless you need to submit a job application in the next hour).

lovecake Thu Nov 1 2012
Rated as: 4/5
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The coffee was terrible, it tasted like just milk. The staff were slow and condescending it took way too long to make two take away coffees which were a waste of £5. I expect somewhere with such a "trendy" look to provide a decent service but I am obviously mistaken.

Nanci Thu Oct 18 2012
Rated as: 1/5
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Site is great, space is nice, coffee improving but let down badly by putting chairs up on tables while customers sitting there are still drinking!

Jem Tue Oct 16 2012
Rated as: 2/5
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The 'flat white test '- much stronger than last time but still thin and bitter. Lost a star though they let customers know they're closing by putting up chairs onto the tables while people at those tables are still drinking!! That's just bad form.

JEM Wed Oct 10 2012
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Loved this place! Love the coffee, Love the food! Staff are really friendly and lovely atmosphere to sit back and watch the world go by!

MarinaKC Tue Aug 28 2012
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