Best Coffee Shops and Cafes in London Borough of Islington

"For a lunch date to remember, 155 meters high at the top of the famous ‘Walkie-Talkie’ building, the Sky Garden offers spectacular views of the city. But it’s the incredible tropical garden which makes this iconic London landmark a must-see. There are multiple restaurants and bars to choose from, but for informal yet stylish lunchtime dining, we highly recommend Darwin’s Brasserie to take in some of the best views of the city."

"20 Fenchurch Street was beautifully designed by renowned architect Rafael Viñoly. The building spans 37 storeys and rhubarb occupies the top three levels alongside the public space known as Sky Garden, which provides 45,000 sq ft of high level amenity space. Visitors can wander around the exquisitely landscaped gardens with 360 degree panoramic views of London and all of the flora and fauna they need!"

"Get the lift to the top of 20 Fenchurch Street and let your toddler explore London’s highest public garden. There are 360 degree views of the London skyline, gardens to run around in and a café where you can buy cakes and pastries. Cost – Free, but you need to prebook."

"For truly breathtaking ice-cream creations, head on down to Chin Chin. This little dessert spot is famous for its extravagant flavors (you can find things like meringue pie and tonka bean on the menu!), and you can even grab a signature hot chocolate if you want something to enjoy on the go. Such a great option if you’re looking for the best desserts in London."

"The Lowdown: ​Look no further for quirky hot chocolates than Camden Market’s Chin Chin Labs – Europe’s first liquid nitro ice cream parlour​. They have pimped up the hot chocolate experience – expect a delicious hot chocolate, complete with torched homemade marshmallow fluff. For your Instagram feed alone, it’s something you simply must try."

"Restaurants Vegetarian Camden Market. They say:‘Europe’s firstliquid nitrogen ice-cream parlour.’. The sweet stuff: Cherry pie and chocolate cookier but the main event is the kits for creating you own nitrogen ice cream."

"Nestled in the heart of Soho lives Cutter & Squidge, artisan cake makers who specialise in extravagance and wonder. Serving up slices of uniquely flavoured and decorated cakes along with their signature Biskie - a mix of cake, biscuit and cookie topped with marshmallow, buttercream and other goodies - it’s a one-of-a-kind shop in London. And it’s not just for the dairy eaters and gluten-friendly."

"A post shared by Cutter & Squidge (@cutterandsquidge) on May 28, 2018 at 5:50am PDT. Just yards away from its previously successful pop-up space, Cutter & Squidge's Soho home is full of sweet delights. Choose from a wide selection of its speciality biskies, or opt for vegetarian marshmallows, dream cakes, honeycomb or its award-winning salted caramel."

"Each one features two biscuit pieces closing in on a layer of cream to create a beautiful dessert sandwich. They’re the perfect sugary pick-me-up and come in a selection of creative flavours. Try the rich billionaire dreambar, which is served with an extra layer of chocolate in the middle."

"Patisserie Saint Anne is a cute and cosy little patisserie, based out in Hammersmith, that has over 20 years of experience in producing delicious cakes, pastries and chocolates. The bakers and pastry makers have definitely satisfied Malcolm Gladwell’s 10,000-hour rule and the proof is in the delicate viennoiserie they serve. Patisserie Saint Anne’s pain au chocolat and pain au raisin would give any Parisian bakery a run for its bakery with their selection of freshly baked gateaux being equally deserving of your attention."

"Since relocating to London from Paris in 2014, husband and wife team Alain and Keiko have made all their pastries, cakes, bread and tarts on-site so walking into this tiny shop always smells delicious. Patisserie Sainte-Anne has a genuinely boutique feel and the married duo work their craft with true passion. It’s usually full, and predominantly with French shoppers!"

"A post shared by London Cheap Eats (@ldncheapeats) on Oct 14, 2016 at 4:15am PDT. Get a sense of community at Bonnington Cafe, which was first set up in the 1980s as a co-operative to feed the artistic squatters in Vauxhall’s leafy Bonnington Square. The same community values are present today, as cooks from all over the world create menus inspired by their homelands."

"If you fancy rehydrating with a refreshing juice then head to the aptly-named Joe & The Juice in Richmond – concoctions such as The Iron Man (made with strawberry, kiwi and apple) and the Energy Shake (made with raspberry, bananas and vanilla milk) are great refuelers."

"For a relatively small town, Windsor has a wide range of shops, including department stores, high street outlets, specialist fashion shops and local independents. There are plenty of retail stores catering for tourists, offering souvenirs and other memorabilia. The main shopping areas are Peascod Street, the High Street and Thames Street, along with Windsor Royal Station and Eton High Street, where the upmarket, fashionable stores can be found."

"Whether you’re looking for local crafts or designer duds, you’re bound to find something that strikes your fancy at this quirky shopping arcade located opposite Windsor castle. Housed in a fromer Victorian Railway Station, architecture lovers will get a kick out of spotting the building’s original remaining features including Jubilee arch, the cobbled stones, and Queen Victoria's Royal Waiting Room."

"Windsor Royal Shopping, in the heart of the town, boasts top retail brands in a cafe culture setting. Names like Links, Pandora, Phase Eight and Whistles rub shoulders with Carluccio's, All Bar One, Bill's and La Tasca providing a welcome break from serious shopping. This is the place to meet and be seen."

"Get your fix for pizza, pasta and grilled dishes at Cafe La Divina, one of the best Italian restaurants in Islington. You’ll notice the model, life-size car hanging off the wall, along with the quirky wall art that pays homage to all things Italy, as soon as you walk in. But the food will soon capture your attention, with tasty pizzas like the Toscana with tomato, mozzarella, Parma ham, rocket and Parmesan flakes."

"The name means ‘daily bread’ – a phrase that conjures up eating together around communal tables. It’s a theme that sits at the heart of Alain Coumont’s bakery chain, an outfit also known for its organic breakfasts, tartines, quinoa scones and vegan apple pie. Flagship site: 72-75 Marylebone High Street, W1U 5JW"

"Restaurants Contemporary European Angel. There’s no denying that Frederick’s lush garden and expertly tended plants are a thing of beauty for those who sit outside at alfresco tables. However, the owners of this Islington classic have also struck gold with a spacious conservatory-style Garden Room that offers the same gorgeous outlook, but with the bonus of a roof that keeps unwelcome rain, excessive sunshine and wind at bay."

"The narrow frontage of this Camden Passage restaurant gives no hint of what's to be found at the back. One of London's great garden restaurant spaces, part of it's laid out in patio but there are also mature gardens too. It's popular as a wedding space though, so check ahead to see if it's booked out."

"Restaurants French Bermondsey. For breakfast/brunch, read ‘petit déjeuner’ at this deliciously traditional French eatery within a mock-Tudor outhouse on the fringes of Tanner Street Park. Pique-Nique is from the people behind Casse-Croûte, which means it’s ‘parlez français’ all the way when it comes to the food and service – so brush up on your lingo before ordering chausson aux pommes, croque monsieur or an omelette nature."

"Restaurants French Bermondsey. Quirky Gallic charm personified from the folks behind Bermondsey hit Casse-Croûte, Pique-Nique occupies a 1920s mock-Tudor pavilion on the edge of Tanner Street Park. Even the kookiest backdrops can be romantic, so take advantage of P-N’s cosy vibe, affable staff and a menu stuffed with gutsy pleasures redolent of rural France."

"Restaurants French Bermondsey. From the folks behind Casse-Croûte, this quirky mock-Tudor pavilion on the edge of Tanner Street Park is affably French, right down to its untranslated old-school menu. Flavours are traditional to the core, with the kids’ menu promising rotisserie chicken plus potatoes and ice cream for £10."