London’s best cafés

What is it? A picturesque spot in Victoria Park with a Sri Lankan-influenced menu that punches high.

Why we love it: With outdoor seating looking over the boating lake, there are few cafés that tick the ‘scenic’ box like Vicky Park’s Pavilion. Run by the team behind Elliot’s in Borough Market, grab a coffee or a chai to accompany you on a stroll, or jostle for a table to enjoy their Sri Lankan-inspired brunch and breakfast items. A full brunch comes with dhal, egg curry, string
hoppers and sambol, or if you’re looking for something with less spice, they serve British classics with a twist too: their cheese and spring onion toastie is a winner. Before you leave,
don’t forget to grab a loaf of their freshly-made bread to take away, for a literal slice of the Pavilion in your own home.

Order this: Their dhal, coconut sambol and roti is a breakfast of champions - served from 8am and guaranteed to start the morning off right.

Address: Victoria Park, E9 7DE

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7am-4pm, Sat-Sun 7am-6pm.

What is it? A cosy, all-vegan Peckham café, with bonus late night fun.

Why we love it: Occupying the front unit of the eclectic Holdron’s Arcade on Rye Lane, Rons is the perfect spot to fuel up before a spot of shopping. Their flat whites are widely hailed as the area’s best, while their fully plant-based menu ranges from vegan croissants and pastries to hefty, stacked breakfast muffins and ciabattas. There’s a lot to keep you entertained at Rons too, from regular live music and DJs nights, tarot readings and occasional visiting kitchen pop-ups. Stay for one of their evening events and turn your afternoon espresso into an espresso martini.

Order this: Their plant-based brekkie muffin goes all in, with vegan bacon, scrambled tofu and a hash brown for good measure.

Address: 135a Rye Lane, Peckham, SE15 4ST

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8am-4pm, Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-6pm, Sun 9am-4pm (and later for events).

What is it? An Aussie-owned gem, with a menu informed by the produce of its own rooftop Sky Farm.

Why we love it: Nestled in the courtyard of Dalston’s creative hub Stamford Works, Brunswick East is a gem of an eaterie that’s both delicious and sustainable. On the top of the building is London’s largest urban rooftop farm, with planters, trees and a greenhouse that facilitate the café’s changing, seasonal menu. Breakfast buns and sourdough toasties are staples, while their specials tend to be hearty and veg-heavy, from XL soups to big plates of nourishment (a current autumnal favourite features mozzarella, cavolo nero, roast broccoli, salsa verde and more on a crispy tortilla). Drinks range from detox juices and an impressive green tea selection to boozy specials served after noon: ours is a Pickolas Cage (gin, pickle juice and tonic).

Order this: Chilli poached eggs, with confit garlic yoghurt and chilli butter on sourdough are a longstanding favourite for good reason.

Address: Unit 3D Stamford Works, Gillett Street, Dalston, N16 8JH

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8.30am-4pm, Sat-Sun 9am-5pm.

What is it? Adventurous brunching in Tooting, for when avo and eggs just won’t cut it.

Why we love it: It’s Quality Foods by name, Quality Foods very much by nature here. Alongside great coffee, trendy breakfast dishes are the name of the game. There’s a spicy shrimp patty bun, potato bread stuffed with braised greens and chickpea farinata (a crispy Italian pancake), and eggs with hot smoked Devonshire eel, served with an espresso and fermented chilli hollandaise. Juliet’s also sell treats for your cupboard, with a range of housemade condiments available to purchase.

Order this: If you’re looking for a sweet brunch, opt for their banana and cascara bread topped with salted espresso butter and banana skin ash.

Address: 10 Mitcham Road, Tooting, SW17 9NG.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun 9am-4pm.

What is it? Balham’s most achingly fashionable breakfast and brunch spot.

Why we love it: Since 2012, Milk has been Balham’s chicest meeting point. Come for just a coffee from the extremely good-looking espresso machine, or settle in for a menu that treads the line between seasonal offerings and permanent favourites. For such an aesthetically pleasing venue, Milk don’t skimp on portions. Their dishes are plated beautifully (particularly their weekend pancake selections), but they’ll also leave you fully satiated. Try their fish sando, served in authentic shokupan bread with housemade tonkatsu, for a classic Milk experience.

Order this: Got a slightly sore head? Go for their signature special, The Convict: an English muffin stuffed with a pork patty, bacon, folded egg, Lincolnshire poacher cheese and the ultimate hangover sauce.

Address: 18-20 Bedford Hill, Balham, SW12 9RG.

Opening hours: Mon-Thu 8am-3pm, Fri 8am-3.30pm, Sat 8am-4pm, Sun 9am-4pm.

What is it? An unpretentious Bethnal Green café with a rare balance between quality and heart.

Why we love it: Hiding in plain sight, this lowkey spot on Bethnal Green Road rings with the friendliness you’d expect from a local caff rather than a Shoreditch flat white outpost. Gecko started out specialising in coffee, and their beans are sourced from ethical local roastery Kiss The Hippo, so drinks never disappoint. Their small but perfectly formed menu of vegan brunch options features nutritious, protein-heavy gems from portobello mushroom and black bean tacos to a peanut butter and kimchi sandwich with optional crispy tofu. A steady stream of regulars return to enjoy the plant-filled decor and warm ambience. FYI, they’re also pet-friendly.

Order this: The Gecko breakfast is a lighter alternative to your regular fry-up, featuring vegan sausages, harissa potatoes, butter beans and garlic oat yoghurt.

Address: 49 Bethnal Green Road, Bethnal Green, E1 6LA.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5pm, Sat-Sun 9am-6pm.

What is it? A social enterprise café, bringing good coffee and good vibes to Covent Garden.

Why we love it: A registered UK charity that works with young adults with learning disabilities and autism, 100% of Fair Shot’s sales go back into training their participants - meaning that every bev you buy is genuinely doing good. Their own house blend Inclusive Coffee is available by the cup or to take home by the bag, while their food menu changes seasonally, with focaccia sandwiches, fresh salads, hot options and a solid patisserie selection.

Order this: Grab a brie and blackcurrant jam croissant from their breakfast menu and try their in-house beans.

Address: 3 Slingsby Place, Covent Garden, WC2E 9AB.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 8am-6pm, Sat 9am-6.30pm, Sun 12pm-6pm.

What is it? A tiny neighbourhood hangout in Kentish Town, with a fully plant-based menu.

Why we love it: Taking its name from a classic book on local history, this dinky neighbourhood drop-in is an enduring hit with caffeine-loving locals. Inside, there’s just one long(ish) table for communal sipping, but ample space for takeouts – all very handy for commuters spilling out from the station next door. The Fields Beneath is totally vegan, while their coffee is thoughtfully sourced from a farmer in Costa Rica. Focussing on seasonal fare, expect delicious plant-based treats such as roasted squash and butter bean baps spiked with smoky almonds, creamy sweetcorn chowder, or oyster mushroom banh mi.

Order this: The Fields Beneath don’t mess about with their pastries: previous specials have included a croissant filled with raspberry and rose coulis, ginger creme pat and pistachio praline. Phwoar.

Address: 52a Prince of Wales Road, Kentish Town, NW5 3LN.

Opening hours: Mon-Fri 7.30pm-4pm, Sat 8am-5pm, Sun 8.30am-4pm.

What is it? Nan’s living room vibes in a quirky Lewisham tearoom.

Why we love it: The Copper Tea’s exterior may say ‘New Cross Appliance Centre’, but rest assured there’s a tiny little café serving banging breakfasts and a strong cuppa in quirky china behind those quaint floral curtains. Head in and find an oh-so-cute space with mismatched picture frames, plenty of lace and the general vibe of days gone by. The menu, meanwhile, brings The Copper Tea up to date, combining British and Japanese dishes from eggs and soldiers to bento boxes.

Order this: Their fish bento box is full of variety, with vegetables, pickles and more all served on a substantial rice bed.

Address: Ground Floor, 137 Lewisham Way, Lewisham, SE14 6QF.

Opening hours: Mon, Wed-Thu 10.30am-4pm, Tues, Fri 11am-4pm, Sat-Sun 10.30am-3.30pm.

What is it? A legendary biker hang-out, dating back to 1938.

Why we love it: This roadside café has, unsurprisingly, been through some changes since it first opened almost a century ago. It was re-built after a World War II bomb raid, and then closed down and re-opened again years later. But all the while, the Ace has stayed true to its biker roots. The space holds regular moto and classic car events, catering to motor heads from all over. Food-wise, it finds a middle ground between an old-school caff and a diner, with unpretentious classic breakfast options lining up next to burgers, sandwiches and ribs.

Order this: Let’s be honest, you’re going to Ace Café for the vibes rather than the gourmet fare. But a Big Breakfast will no doubt keep you going for those long miles on the open road.

Address: Ace Corner, North Circular Road, Wembley, NW10 7UD.

Opening hours: Sat-Thu 8.30am-9.30pm, Fri 8.30am-6pm.

A social enterprise and neighbourhood cafe serving Palestinian crafts (pottery, soap, textiles) and produce (stock up on their olive oil) as well as coffee and lunch – think soups, wraps, traditional Palestinian mezze, and cakes and more. On Sundays come for a full brunch spread and every other Thursday a vegan supper club takes place in the evenings. 

This pint-sized cafe on Askew Road boasts minimal interiors that let the truly innovative menu shine through. You won’t find bog-standard avo toast here – instead you’ll get salt beef and sauerkraut croque madames, and sloppy merguez sausage and fried egg breakfast buns. Burnt imports its beans from east London favourites Climpson & Sons, and pastries from the Dusty Knuckle. 

Being slightly out of the way affords this spot on the Hammersmith riverside a breezy two floors and a courtyard, where buckets of natural light ripple through some very tasteful Crittall style windows. Food here is as important as the coffee (which comes from Ozone). The ever-rotating, totally seasonal menu ranges from kimchi-fried rice to black rice porridge with miso sauce. This is a spot where you can easily whittle away a few hours, just be warned: you’ll be surrounded by what sometimes feels like every labrador and their yoga pants-clad owner in west London.

A tiny eccentrically decorated place with a total commitment to quality across the board, Lowry & Baker on Portobello Road is a local godsend. Food is served on a delightful jumble of unmatched crockery, but the perfectly brewed coffee – with beans from Monmouth – comes in well-warmed white cups.