Best Cafes in Highbury, Greater london (2025)

Rating: 5 / 5

Really nice food, very good portions and super friendly owner. I had a very tasty avocado toast with feta, and a Gimber to drink, which I really enjoyed too. Was made to feel very welcome and will definitely return soon!

Rating: 5 / 5

A great spot for brunch close to H&I station. The food and coffee are quality, with friendly service. Reservations are highly recommended on the weekend. Tables are pretty close together, and a smallish staircase to get downstairs. Will definitely be back!

Rating: 5 / 5

Sawyer & Gray is hands down our favourite spot in Highbury. Marco and Darren always greet us with warmth, making every visit feel special. The food is consistently outstanding—thoughtfully prepared and bursting with flavour. The atmosphere is relaxed and cozy, perfect for everything from a quiet coffee to a weekend brunch. We can’t recommend it highly enough! Be sure to book ahead on weekends to secure your spot and avoid missing out.

Rating: 4 / 5

We had a nice lunch at Sawyer and Gray. Reservations is recommended as they are popular. The space is very tight here though. We had a good meal and enjoyed all the orders that we placed here.

Rating: 5 / 5

Always hits the spot! Friendliest staff around & the food is consistently good (excellent brunch options) Can recommend the halloumi breakfast or soup of the day…followed by a grilled sandwich They know their coffee & teas too! And the takeaway cake slices can’t be shied away from either…

Rating: 5 / 5

This place is a hidden gem💎 Beautiful venue, super neat and tidy, good food, efficient and super fast service. Love it! Definitely 10/10 recommend🫶🏼

Rating: 5 / 5

Great cafe! Good food and coffee and friendly staff. I recommend the goats cheese on sourdough

Rating: 5 / 5

We really enjoyed the food here! The grilled goat’s cheese was unique while the frittata and english breakfast was done nicely. We appreciated the generous portions and balance of fresh salad on the side.

Rating: 5 / 5

Great cup of coffee for the morning commute. I'll often take a longer route just to stop at this place. There's a really great team of staff. The Italian woman behind the counter is just brilliant. So good at her job and such a lovely rapport with her customers.

Rating: 5 / 5

A nice place to stop and get coffee between trains! I bought a drink yesterday morning and the lady serving me was so happy and friendly. She made the effort to say good morning to everyone she served, asked how they are, and asked about the book in my arm. Personal things like this keep you going back!

Rating: 5 / 5

I had a fantastic experience at this charming café! The atmosphere was cozy and inviting, perfect for a relaxing break. The coffee was exceptional—rich and perfectly brewed—and the pastries were fresh and delicious. The staff was friendly and attentive, making it a great spot to unwind. Highly recommend!

Rating: 5 / 5

Such a delightful lunch!! A great little spot for healthy and tasty salad or grab a coffee and homemade sandwiches. I am not really veg lover but even I had a delicious salad. The patato one and aubergine one is a must have. Also very lovely staff and good service 💕

Rating: 4 / 5

Nice place and pastries. We couldn't stay inside because it was crowded, neither outside because of rain. We need to come back and enjoy the place. Filter Coffee was nice and the pain chocolate with pistachio was insanely good.

Rating: 5 / 5

Great little neighbourhood cafe with fantastic coffee and friendly service

Rating: 5 / 5

A lovely local independent cafe. My two flat whites and my crushed avocado in toast with an egg was perfection. It is so much better than cage chains that are everywhere. Go and find an independent out and see the difference!

Rating: 5 / 5

Really nice brunch place, really cute and cozy. Staff really helpful and friendly, always kept an eye on everyone. Only thing I would mention is the cold inside as the main door is open, but there is a covered terrace which is maybe warmer. I didn’t have to wait for a table nor waited too much for food. I would come back 100%

Rating: 5 / 5

Wanted somewhere nice to eat before the Arsenal game on Saturday. Don’t know the area so googled the night before, pics looked good so thought we’d give here a try. We weren’t disappointed 😍 My son had an amazing omelette & I had the scrambled eggs on sourdough, both were so tasty. Service great, I had an amazing kombucha to drink, good variety of flavours in stock. Would def visit again if we get tickets in the ballot next season.

Rating: 5 / 5

I stayed overnight in London, and upon my early morning return I had a lovely emental omelette and two very fine coffees at this friendly little place before my 3hr journey home. Highly recommended as the guys are superb and being gluten free, the omelette made the mark.

Rating: 5 / 5

Love love love. I actually stopped for the price. I walked from Angel down Upper street looking for a well priced normal cafe and finally found it! Everything was central London prices and didn’t feel it was worth £10 for a sandwich. So when I seen Benita Bakery had great quality selection and great price tea and coffee of course I had to choose here. I ordered a mushroom and cheese toastie, chai latte with oat milk to sit in. And it came to just under £10 total! They offered free water in the tap as seen in the pictures I uploaded, nicely much needed touch! We shouldn’t have to keep buying bottled water or ask for water. Lots of seating available. I added in a notice they have in regards to laptop use which is totally fine by me. Saves the seats for everyone else. Very friendly and attentive staff who brought my hot drink to my table. Yes will be back. And it’s dog friendly so will be back with mine!

Rating: 5 / 5

I had a takeaway croque monsiuer and it was delicious. Love the ambiance of the bakery. So many options to choose from. I want to try out everything!Price is reasonable in comparison to the various cafe and bakery on Upper Street.

Rating: 5 / 5

I visited this cafe in late December 2023. The variety of the food and drinks on offer is impressive. The quality of all food is the highest I have seen and despite the price for a sandwich are not cheap (£6.95 at the time of visit), the price is justified in terms of ingredients and their freshness. Equally welcoming is the service. Unlike other cafes where service outside the main confinement of the preparation / coffee stand is an afterthought, the staff ventures out of their immediate preparation area to pick used plates and glasses (something rare in the post pandemic era in many cafes). The atmosphere of the place is also nice and the seating area at the back is really bright instead of gloomy in most other cafes. Last but not least, if you are vegetarian or vegan there are options for your in terms of sandwiches which you can inspect before you buy (see photos).

Rating: 5 / 5

Great range of hearty pastries and sandwiches, both sweet and savory. The staff were kind and prompt. The indoor area is pleasant, warm and has great natural lighting from the large sunroof.

Rating: 5 / 5

Really lovely place ran by two lovely friends, Sharif and Saaed. I work here for a couple of weeks, and unfortunately had to leave because of university complications but just wanted to write a review so people could know what a nice place it is. All food made fresh. Super high standards for coffee. Extremely generous owners, and great colleagues like Mohammed. They would give us anything to eat, anything to drink. Would allow me to read my book when it was not busy. I just wanted to say because you don’t get too many employers like that and it is a testament to their cafe. Visit temptations! It’s great.

Rating: 4 / 5

Really awesome atmosphere with fluffy warm croissants and other premium pastry. Why have you got terrible staff? These guys will lose you customers very quickly. I ordered a flat white coffee, and I was given a coffee that tasted like microwaved milk with a shot of espresso and he put chocolate on top. Clearly this guy isn't a trained barista. Also, if I eat in, you normally serve coffee in a proper cup and not a paper cup. There were a few other customers who came in and tried to buy stuff but your employees were not there for over 10 mins and so they left. Employ well trained baristas who also are excellent at being hospitable and Temptations will rock.

Rating: 4 / 5

Atmosphere and staff 10/10 the pasta Is nothing special so don't recommend but the wraps and coffee is AMAZING! if your near definitely check this hidden gem out.

Rating: 5 / 5

Great local cafe, with delicious food. Always greeted with a warm smile. Staff remember you and your favourite orders! Love to support local

Rating: 5 / 5

Good coffee, good service, and fair prices

Rating: 5 / 5

Lovely little local café with great coffee and a nice and homely atmosphere

Rating: 5 / 5

Cosy very nice cafe and lovely staff.

Rating: 5 / 5

The Place is a fantastic local coffee shop with a cozy, neighborhood feel. The staff is incredibly friendly and always makes sure you are completely satisfied. The coffee is outstanding, easily surpassing that of big chain stores like Starbucks. Situated on a side road off the main road, this hidden gem is a must-visit for coffee lovers. I was also impressed to see many locals and their furry companions frequenting the shop. I'll definitely be returning to The Place next time I'm in the area