About Time You Tried: London’s Nichest CafésBy Angelica Malin
Like a side of crazy with your coffee? Here’s London most unusual and quirky cafes… No surprises most of these can be found in Shoreditch. Just saying.
1. For Cereal Lovers: The Cereal Cafe
What: You’ve probably heard the hype. Cereal Killer Cafe is the UK’s first speciality Cereal Cafe; selling over 120 different types of cereal from around the world. You can choose from 30 different varieties of milk and 20 different toppings – and you can come for breakfast, lunch or dinner in their nostalgic cafe displaying hundreds of pieces of memorabilia from the 80s and 90s for you to feast your eyes on.
Why: Oreos as a topping? Go on, then.
Where: 139 Brick Lane, London E1 6SB
2. For Oat Lovers: The Porridge Cafe
What: The Porridge Café, brainchild of Nik Wiliamson and Elly Harrington, the founders of food truck business The Bow Street Kitchen, and will serve porridge made from 11 different grains. The pop-up between Old Street and Shoreditch, opens on March 2 and serves unusual grains, fruity toppings and alternative milks, such as coconut and almond milk. They are serving a daily-changing menu of seriously fancy porridges, including savoury porridge like lemon, fennel and mushroom ‘porridge’ (more like risotto) on a spelt base.
Why: Think things like ‘passionfruit, coconut and agave nectar’ porridge on a gluten-free buckwheat base. Stop it.
Where: Old Street, London EC1Y 1BE
3. For Bird Watchers: The Owl Cafe
What: Missing a hoot at your drinks party? Well from March 19 and 25, Londoners will be able to enjoy cocktails mixed by some of London’s finest mixologists, and hang out with a group of owls. Just, really. The bar is only open in the twilight hours – between 8.30pm and 2am every night – you can meet Annie the owl, Darwin, Ruby, Cinders and Hootie. Money goes to charity by entering their ballot – read more here.
Why: I’m not really sure. I hate birds.
Where: Secret Location, Soho
4. For Ballers: The Hot Dogs + Champagne Bar
What: At Bubbledogs they do two things, and they do them well: hot dogs and champagne. You may not think those two concepts go together, but hey ho, they think differently. In fairness, you know what you’re going to get. The hot dog menu includes treats like the breakfast hot dog with egg, crispy bacon and black pudding, and veggies can enjoy the vegetarian hot dog with mango chutney and mint sauce.
Why: For the undeniable delicious bubbly list, including pink bubbly and delicious unusual Brut.
Where: 70 Charlotte Street, London W1T 4QG
5. For Vegans + Veggies: The Polenta Cafe
What: La Polenteria, which opened last year on Old Compton Street: its menu is comprised of varied polenta dishes. Think polenta with blue cheese and mushrooms, and other wicked dishes. The only issue is the entire menu features polenta dishes – and we say three courses of polenta is too much. The chocolate polenta cupcakes for pudding? A step too far.
Why: A great quick stop before the theatre; the food is good value, warming and surprisingly delicious.
Where: 64 Old Compton Street, London, W1d 4UQ