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Coffee Circus

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136 Crouch Hill, N8 9DX Full details & map

Coffeeshop

 
Christina Theisen

Time Out says   10 Users say 5/5 Rate it

Posted: Feb 3 2011

There's no lack of bijou cafés in Crouch End that look pretty and serve decent nosh - mums with buggies and the self-employed with laptops fit right in here.

Coffee Circus only opened a few weeks ago, but is already regularly packed and has a pleasantly lived-in feel. It looks like an old-fashioned tea shop - there's a solid wooden serving stand, cutely mismatched furniture and antique cheval-glasses.

Fun details, such as musical notation wallpaper and a mini carousel, add a note of playfulness. One could easily sit here for hours, perhaps reading a book from the shelves in the corner (several Eastern European authors in English feature - one of the owners is Lithuanian).

The menu is petite but fresh and carefully chosen. Spinach soup was tangy, served with salmon flakes and a bowl of olives. Ciabatta with aubergine and haloumi was tasty, although a bit on the small size. From a good selection of organic cakes we really liked the crumbly and suitably sweet wheat-free lemon polenta cake with pistachio.

A daily changing offer of soup, baguette and drink for £8.50 will no doubt attract locals; kids will love toast with a pot of chocolate spread.

The emphasis here is clearly on coffee and tea, which is also sold by weight to take away. Union Hand-Roasted coffee is made with care (the owners have stalls in Camden Town too).

There's an interesting selection of teas served in glass pots - try the intensely smoky Russian caravan or heady Earl Grey blue flower. Hot chocolate was good too, with a noticeable kick of chilli.

Service is a highlight - warm, jokey and attentive. Coffee Circus has all the ingredients to become a local favourite, especially if the food portions are served with a little more generosity.

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Coffee Circus details

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Address

Coffee Circus

136 Crouch Hill N8 9DX

Transport Turnpike Lane tube, Crouch Hill rail or bus W7

Telephone

07789 748685 mobile

Coffee Circus website

8am-7pm Mon-Fri; 8.30am-7pm Sat, Sun

Meal for two with drinks and service: around £25

Coffee Circus map

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Comments & ratings 5/5 (Average of 10 ratings)

By A guy from Nz - Mar 3 2012
5/5

The only place in Crouch end where baristas knows how to make coffee!

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By Seb - Jan 15 2012
5/5

my favourite coffee shop in London

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By Jemma - Sep 3 2011
5/5

Great coffee and selection of fantastic cakes. The best thing about this place are the people who work there. Really friendly, warm and welcoming. Best coffee shop!

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By Chris - Aug 19 2011
5/5

The nicest mocha I have had in London wihtout a doubt. The staff are friendly and coffee is consistantly very good. Yes, sometimes you need to wait for a little bit for a coffee.... but the barista takes their time to make a nice coffee. I would rather wait for a good coffee than get an ordinary one immediately.

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By Justin - Aug 15 2011
5/5

Without a doubt the best place in Crouch End for coffee and small snacks. Had a wonderful cheese and pickle toastie today which was reasonably priced but the mind blowing Mocha made my day. Without a doubt the BEST Mocha i've EVER had and I've lived in Melbourne which I consider to be the place where I've had the best coffees in my life.

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By Bill - Mar 24 2011
1/5

I walk through the door, and I see two clowns bumbling behind the counter. Experience should have taught me to turn on my heel and not look back. But I've just woken up and I need a shot of coffee, so I figure I'll give them the benefit of the doubt.

Boy, was I wrong.

First, another customer walks in after I do, and he gets served first.

Second, they get my order wrong and I have to repeat it to them.

Third, they give my coffee to another customer, who very nearly takes a sip out of it.

Fundamentally, these plonkers don't have the first clue about customer service. They couldn't decide who was working the till and who was making the coffees, and didn't know to priortise between customers who are sitting-in (and are therefore taking their time) and customers who want a take-out (because they have places to be).

Last but not least, the coffee they made was abominable.

Now, I've met the manager, and he's a nice bloke, really knows his stuff. But he needs to take better care over the staff he employs, because they're going to run his business into the ground. My goodwill has pretty much expired.

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By Fanny Macdonald - Mar 15 2011
5/5

Absolutely lovely, without a doubt the best coffee in Crouch End! Service is exceptional and very personable, and I wouldn't hesitate to recommend anyone who is passing through Crouch End to call in and try one of their flat whites, and of course one of the lovely slices of cake.

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By Chris Russell - Feb 27 2011
5/5

I'd give it 5 stars. Great atmosphere, great coffee, lovely service. A place with a passion like the Haberdashery, also in Crouch End. Why people drink at Starbucks or Costa in the Creative Village beats me when you can have real coffee.

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By CEC - Feb 7 2011

As a lover of Flat White type coffee, i was thrilled to finally find a cafe in crouch end that does them, and they do it well too! only problem is that the place, like every other flat white serving cafes, gets packed in weekends, so try to get there early! or go in the week.

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By Brian Hoot - Feb 6 2011

went here for coffee with a friend...stayed all morning! lovely people and they care... not expensive either.

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