Arcadia England

By Erica Kitchin

When you’re not in the mood to shuffle through Yelp or TripAdvisor, refer to this list of local-approved cafés and coffee shops.

The Breakfast Club - Angel

I woke up craving a poached egg. Specific, I know. It was day five of being in London and I had no idea where to take myself for breakfast. After getting caught in a random torrential downpour (you’ll get used to these), I spotted a bright yellow café on the corner called The Breakfast Club. Judging the restaurant on its name alone, I walked right up the steps and through the wooden door.

The place was smaller than anticipated but packed with guests. Each table was, some light or dark wood and others painted various shades of white. The floor had a worn-in wood look that felt welcoming. The walls were collaged with pop-culture posters, thrifted framed mirrors, and some hanging light fixtures that gave warmth to the room. Leah and I were greeted by a friendly, young Austrian guy who showed us to our table in the back corner: it was a super cozy bench style with outdoor pillows lining the backs. 

I ordered the avocado and poached egg breakfast on sourdough toast. The plate in front of me looked (and tasted) like a breakfast masterpiece. The avocado was mashed and sprinkled with lime on top of the three pieces of crunchy toast. Above this, was a single poached egg dressed with sea salt, black pepper and pumpkin seeds. It was one of those meals you eat super slow so it lasts as long as possible.

The Breakfast Club (www.thebreakfastclubcafes.com, 02070789634) £6- £12

Look Mum No Hands!

This is not your average café. Inside you can sip coffee, eat lunch, and get your bike fixed all at once. Your dog can come in with you, too. You can also sip on a beer with your buddy after a long day at work or catch up on emails on a Monday morning.

Look Mum No Hands is a unique two-in-one serving as both a café and a bike workshop. While the café has three locations, my personal favorite is on Old Street. This busy road is always filled with cars and red buses whizzing by. But the vibrant colors, stringing lights, and the large crowd hanging on the wooden tables outside will catch your eye. The 10-feet-tall “Look Mum No Hands!” black-painted sign will be a give away, too.

I walked in after class one day with my heavy backpack on and in need for some caffeine. I was surrounded by young people working on their laptops, reading books, or just enjoying an afternoon treat by themselves. 

It’s a walk up and then seat yourself type of place adding to the casual and laid-back vibe. There are homemade pastries in addition to a breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu. If you go in the AM, be sure to order their mix-and-match breakfast muffins. I’ll take one eggs royal and one eggs benedict, please. 

You will feel completely immersed in young British society while inside this café. Go in by yourself, it’ll be easier to eavesdrop on all the locals’ and really experience this totally uniquely London café.

Look Mum No Hands! (www.lookmumnohands.com, 020 7253 1025) £3-£12

The Shepherdess Café

It was a Friday morning and I had experienced O’Neill’s Irish Pub the night before. There was a lot of beer, live music, new friends … you get the picture. Walking into the Shepherdess Café that morning was pure luck. The outside décor is underwhelming. It looks old, a bit rundown, and is painted an unflattering leprechaun green. The very busy and local-looking crowd inside is what caught my eye.

The Shepherdess Café has mastered the comfort food category. You can get breakfast for lunch, order a ham and cheese sandwich with chips (aka fries), or stay on the lighter side with a roast turkey salad.  

The crowd is a mix of Londoners. There will be mothers with their hungry children, casual businessmen grabbing lunch together, and young friends working on University homework. It almost reminded me of a café you’d see depicted on a London-based sitcom, like a version of American’s network show Friends.

The Shepherdess Café (020 7253 2463) £3-£7

Appestat

This place is a hidden gem. It’s off the beaten path in the Angel area. The quietness of its location compliments the simplistic white walls and beautiful wooden countertops inside. I go in for coffee, for breakfast, or just to get away from the bustling crowd going up and down the adjacent road, Upper Street. 

As an American student, you are guaranteed to be the only non-local resident when you walk in. The staff is excited by newcomers and happy to help you pick out a coffee or a bite to eat. The avocado toast is top-notch and perfectly seasoned with feta cheese, smoked paprika (yum!), lemon, and a dash of olive oil. The lattes come out beautifully foamed with a drawn in white heart or flower. It’s all very Instagram worthy. 

To top it all off, Appestat houses different events throughout the year to support the local artistic community. The coffee house will have exhibits displaying someone’s photographs or paintings to educate the community on the artistic work that surrounds them. 

The aroma is of freshly brewed coffee and you’ll hear quiet acoustic tunes in between crunches of your rye toast. If you’re looking to have breakfast for lunch or just breakfast for breakfast, this place is truly fantastic. It’s perfect for the lone traveler or a pair of two looking to catch up after time spent away. Grab a seat by the window and watch the world go by from inside Appestat’s tranquil oasis.

Appestat (www.appestat.co.uk, 020 7226 5457) £2- £10.50

Black Penny

Whether you’re looking to have a cup of mint tea with a friend or scarf down a plate of French toast in between morning meetings, The Black Penny is the local spot for you.  

Inside, there are bare red brick walls, with others painted in cool tones of grey and green. At the back of the restaurant, there is a small room of homely wooden tables, with magazines and booked propped up alongside. 

And now, breakfast is served. From first cut, the egg oozed with yolk and perfectly soaked the sourdough bread it was laid upon. I then went in on the roasted tomatoes. I took my fork and knife and layered a piece of egg, atop a bite of toast, followed by some tomato, and finished it off by dipping it all in the runny egg yolk splattered across my plate. Perfection. I easily cleaned off my plate but was sure to capture the scrumptiousness of my meal on my phone before I did so. 

The food feels homemade, the coffee is fresh, and the ambience is welcoming but unique. I’d go back to the Black Penny tomorrow, and the next day, and the next day, and the day after that day…

Black Penny (theblackpenny.co.uk, 020 7242 2580) £4-£14