Guide to the best cafés in Islington

Common Ground is one of the most popular local coffee shops Islington-wide. It's a welcoming and contemporary venue near Finsbury Park with indoor tables and a peaceful garden. Visit for speciality coffee and sweet treats like brownies or cinnamon buns, or choose something more filling from the sustainable brunch menu. Dogs are welcome too.

Just like the name implies, Blighty is a celebration of all things British, serving a contemporary take on a classic greasy spoon. You'll see British paraphernalia all over this quirky space, plus a secluded garden and a work-friendly area. Indulge in traditional cooking like a fry-up or something lighter like cake, pastries, tea, or coffee.

Grab a coffee to takeaway or to enjoy in a modern and trendy space at Blank Street Coffee. This Upper Street coffee shop is across the road from Angel station. It's compact and comfortable with friendly service, music to add atmosphere, and sweet treats in addition to freshly-brewed coffee drinks. You're welcome to work or study here too.

Get a taste of Greece at Phyllo Bakehouse in Holloway Road. This bakery and coffee shop specialises in Greek pastries and desserts and offers strong Greek coffee. You can also choose from a vibrant salad bar, filled bagels, or baguettes. This relaxed venue is friendly and welcoming, with pavement tables available.

Friendly and bustling eatery Cally Café is a popular destination in Caledonian Road. Breakfasts are a big attraction at this down-to-earth café, with numerous set options available including vegetarian choices. Other classic dishes here include omelettes, burgers, sandwiches, and baked potatoes. It's popular for dining-in as well as takeaways.

Charming venue River Lane Café has a friendly and welcoming atmosphere and is located only a short distance from Finsbury Park. At this quiet and relaxed café, you can kick back with a coffee but you'll also find plenty of food options. There are fresh empanadas available every day in addition to bagels and a varied range of cakes and sweet options.

One of the most popular spots for coffee in Holloway is Vagabond N7. This vibrant and eclectic café is packed with secondhand items and reclaimed materials, and it has a peaceful garden at the back too. Many people come for the coffee, but cakes and a regularly changing food menu is also available here.

At Highbury Corner you'll find bold and colourful café Temptations. This casual spot serves quality coffee and a broad range of food choices, including grab-and-go options. It's an ideal choice whether you've got time to spare or are rushing to get the tube. Food ranges from pastries and soup to sandwiches, salads, and hot meals.

Airy and contemporary café Fantail opened in 2023. The venue is painted in bold colours and has large windows for views of the busy street outside. Here you can enjoy fresh pastries and speciality coffee in addition to homemade bites like quiche, savoury scones, sandwiches, and salads. Fresh bread is also available for purchase.

Perched just behind Angel station, Candid Arts Trust is a well-established arts centre and charitable organisation, staging exhibitions, art classes, and events. It's also home to an eclectic café with a cosy and quiet atmosphere. Escape the pace of the city and enjoy hot drinks, alcohol, or Mediterranean-inspired dishes and sandwiches here.

EZ & Moss serves an entirely vegetarian and vegan menu as well as working to be sustainable and environmentally-friendly across the whole business. This cosy café serves filter coffee from guest roasteries and does food all day. Expect brunch and café favourites like a fry-up, French toast, and eggs or vegan scramble on toast.

Located on Upper Street, Workers Café is a modern take on a greasy spoon. It has a vibrant pink and black facade and indoor and outdoor tables. All-day breakfasts are a hit at this popular café, including vegetarian versions and the option to build your own. Other dishes like pies and baked potatoes are also served.

Highbury Corner is home to Vertige Café, a compact and cosy French-style café. You can sit at a pavement table or in the pared-back contemporary interior. Hot drinks are served plus a varied selection of fresh food, including veggie options. You can expect pastries, croque monsieur sandwiches, granola, and miniature tarts and pastries.

Miki's Paradise in Holloway Road is a snug café that's gained traction on social media thanks to its mind-boggling freakshakes. It's an award-winning venue with a cosy and contemporary look enhanced by gleaming white tiles. You can also try hot drinks, crêpes, and Med-inspired breakfast dishes surrounded by greenery here.

Whether you're after a quick coffee, some fresh bread, or a satisfying lunch, Benita Bakery is a great option in Islington. This café and bakery in Upper Street is warm and welcoming. Freshly-baked goods are for sale every day and in the café you can sample cakes, pastries, quiche, pizza, and a wide array of different sandwiches.

Rustic French café Le Péché Mignon is tucked away in a quiet Islington street. Artisan coffee and snacks are available but there's also a deli where you can shop for premium ingredients such as cheeses, preserves, and biscuits. Premium coffee beans and top-of-the-line equipment are used to craft the drinks here. The food includes the likes of quiche, salads, and sandwiches. 

Fans of coffee and wine will appreciate High Ground in Upper Street. This place is smart and sophisticated, specialising in artisan coffee and wine from small producers, with many bottles being organic or biodynamic. Vibrant food, including cakes and pastries, is also served. Enjoy a drink in the contemporary interior or buy a bottle of wine to take home.

Whiskers & Cream stands out because it's Islington's cat café. This cosy spot has a troupe of rescued feline residents who come and go whilst you try hot drinks, sweet treats, or light savoury bites. The venue also offers afternoon tea, including selections for kids and different dietary requirements.

Based close to Finsbury Park, Salt the Radish is a popular female-owned local café. Takeaway coffees are available from the hatch on the street or you can head into the cosy and contemporary interior for breakfast or lunch. Speciality coffee and food that's seasonal and sustainable are served. The café also does catering and holds special supper club events.

Beam in Highbury is a bright and airy café with big windows and plenty of space. You can sit indoors or outside. This contemporary venue is known for its top-quality coffee, but food is also served. Expect Mediterranean-inspired options like wraps, sandwiches, salads, and breakfast. Food for kids is available as well.

Trampoline Café opened in Islington in 2022. This spot trains and employs refugees to help them integrate. Set across two floors, the café is bold and vibrant. It's popular with remote workers but there's plenty of space for everyone. Hot and cold drinks as well as breakfast and lunch dishes are served here.

Redemption Roasters works with offenders in prisons to roast its coffee and provide support with new skills and work opportunities once they're released. There are a number of these cafés in London and the Islington branch is airy and spacious. Try espresso drinks or filter coffee, plus pastries, sandwiches, and brunch dishes.

At Daily Grind you'll find a small indie coffee shop where breakfast is a big attraction. A wide range of dishes are offered at this cosy spot known for generous portions, with options like fry-ups, paninis, and omelettes available. Sweet treats like cannoli as well as fresh coffee and juices are available to round things off. 

Near to Highbury & Islington station, Sawyer & Gray is a chic and low-key café with no wi-fi and a ban on laptops. You're free to bring your dog though. Coffee, breakfast, lunch, and a weekend brunch menu are all served as this cosy neighbourhood spot, as well as homemade cakes for when you fancy a treat.

Visit Frequency Coffee and you'll find a coffee shop with a difference. This place fuses a passion for coffee with a love of music. It's a smart and contemporary venue set over two floors, serving coffee, pastries, and cocktails, whilst also laying on music performances and other events. There are meeting spaces for hire too.

One of the city's best-known greasy spoons, The Hope Workers Café has been open since 1937 and retains plenty of its original style. This Holloway Road venue is popular with the local community and serves hearty British and Greek dishes, including various fried breakfast sets. Filling meals like shepherd's pie, moussaka, and lamb chops are served too.