The Best Cafes in Spitalfields Sorted by Reason for Visiting

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Nestled between the towering skyscrapers of the city of London and the impossibly cool sophisticated grunge of East London, Spitalfields has somehow taken on a character which is both a reflection and fusion of its immediate surroundings and yet somehow something different entirely. There’s nowhere better to experience that particular uniqueness than the best cafes in Spitalfields which show all sides of this lovely area between them.

Each of these special cafes does something particularly well, so you’ll find our suggestions grouped according to what the café does best. But that doesn’t mean the food can’t also be delicious if it’s also a great place to work remotely, so we’ve pointed out what you can expect so you can make a beeline depending on the vibe you’re feeling.

This little area packs more than you thought possible, so make sure to read our guide to Spitalfields and Brick Lane to get your bearings.

Our Favorite: Townhouse

Townhouse is so wonderful that we wrote an article on why this hidden café in Spitalfields is so special. In my humble opinion as a local resident, this is the best place in East London for antiques, paintings, coffee and cake all under one roof. The café is located in a beautifully restored Georgian building with an atmosphere that is skilfully crafted to transport you back to Victorian England.

It doesn’t stop at the décor: Townhouse bakes so-called ‘Queen cakes’ using a recipe from 1721. You really can’t find them anywhere else and they are a real treat. But there is also a healthy blend of contemporary, with regular exhibitions by contemporary artists in their gallery (including one of my favorites, Eleanor Crow).

When you’re ready to treat yourself to some coffee and cake, walk down the spiral stairs near the courtyard. Every step you take down the stairs feels like you’re going further back in time. And watch your head as you’re going down: 18^th-century homes were not built for people over 5’10.

The interior, vibe and Queen cake will win you over. But, if you need extra convincing, ask the baker for a slice of bara brith, a delightfully tasty tea-soaked bread of Welsh origin – a perfect complement to your afternoon tea or coffee. Food tastes better when eaten in a space that respects it, and that is the space that Townhouse creates.

The best spot in the house is in the sitting room, just beside the small kitchen. Take a seat closer to the roof light so that you can watch people in the courtyard walk through to the art gallery you were just in. The setting is just perfectly English: green, paneled walls, cozy small spaces, and nothing but the sound of creaks and footsteps overhead.

Best for lunch

Potter & Reid

Potter & Reid is the ultimate all-day neighborhood cafe which you need to be careful not to simply walk by. The vibe of the space isn’t fussy, and it doesn’t try to be trendy in the way that East London cafes do all too well. Instead, the focus is fresh and seasonal breakfast and lunch dishes made with quality produce and attention to detail.

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Because of that focus, the menu changes virtually every week, but you can almost certainly be sure their super tasty grilled cheese toastie is on the menu (and we are the authority on grilled cheese toasties in London). Potter & Reid is also a great place for a late breakfast in Spitalfields, but occasionally the team throws evening parties so you might just find yourself overstaying lunchtime.

Fazenda

Not to be confused with an entirely different chain Brazilian restaurant of the same name (with one location close by), Fazenda is a hidden gem among the best cafes in Spitalfields. Fazenda maintains an emphasis on casual lunch experiences with a touch of gourmet flair. If you were to ask locals for an Italian restaurant, they might send you to Eataly, but Fazenda is what you were really looking for.

Fazenda offers a buffet-style food service in the afternoon – but don’t take buffet-style food to mean that it is anything less than Grade A quality. The team does an impeccable job of delivering tasty Italian meals that are always changing so you know you’ll get something interesting every time.

For the coffee aficionados among us, Fazenda’s coffee isn’t quite like any other you’ll find: they use wood-roasted coffee beans which creates a palpable difference to the flavor profile. If the coffee isn’t enough, they always have a great selection of Italian cakes and desserts including torta della nonna, one of my favorites (it’s the custard for me).

Current Cafe

This Japanese-inspired café just next door to Fazenda is a space which invites you to be present in the moment while enjoying loose-leaf tea, a superfood latte and pan-Asian food. Current Cafe is one of the best cafes in Spitalfields if for no other reason than they’ve created an oasis in the middle of the hustle and bustle of the city while serving up incredibly tasty food.

The menu has all the delicious pan-Asian foods we’ve all come to know and love like kimchi, tofu and teriyaki, but their sandos are what you really want to treat yourself to. The milk bread is perfection, and they have a variety of fillings to keep you coming back. Current Cafe is also a great place to work remotely in Spitalfields (you’ll end up getting one of their unique cookies if you stay long enough).

Best for desserts and treats

Mada Mada

Mada Mada is as Spitalfields as it gets: it is first and foremost a maker of quality pralines and spreads, but they also happen to have a small coffee shop at the back of the Tea Rooms just off Brick Lane that is only open on Saturdays and Sundays. The atmosphere of this little cafe feels so quaint and local – in fact, the owner of Mada Mada, a French graphic artist-turned-pâtissier who is always happy to chat, turned his daughter’s little artwork into the logo you see at Mada Mada today.

Their pralines are natural, vegan and gluten-free (as you’d expect in East London) and you’ll find them served at restaurants in major brand hotels like the Peninsula and the Savoy.

There are a few small places for you to sit and enjoy your drink and dessert, but this is really a place for you to grab one of their tasty cookies, cinnamon rolls with vanilla cream or their famous chouquettes and continue experiencing all of the things to do in Spitalfields and Brick Lane. You will almost certainly be served by the owner, a Frenchman who locals know and adore for his character and smile.

Whatever you do, make sure to buy a jar of their praline. You won’t be disappointed – and nor will your guests when you serve it with pancakes one day.

Okja (plant-based)

Once upon a time, there was a small bakery in Brick Lane that served only vegan and gluten-free desserts. That bakery no longer has a physical store, but Okja answered the call of all plant-based dessert lovers when it opened in summer 2024. Their pastries are on another level – and they really are all entirely plant-based (including the tasty morning bun).

We’re very glad to say that the team behind Okja has brought their impossibly delicious plant-based baked goods and other treats all the way from Camps Bay and Kloof Street in Cape Town. With treats like banana bread milkshakes and pistachio swirls, this is absolutely one of the best cafes in Spitalfields if you’re looking for dessert.

Best for coffee

Nagare

The thing about Nagare is that it’s just so cool. The space somehow feels like a cozy retreat the moment you step inside, even though just beyond its doors is the hustle and bustle of the area. But it doesn’t stop there: their signature pour-over coffee is the perfect balance of acidity and sweetness.

If you’ve ever visited Taiwan, you might recognize the vibe of this style of cafe from those that you visited in Taipei. The décor and ethos at Nagare is incredibly similar to the cool cafes in Da’an in Taipei or Shinjuku in Tokyo, and that is satisfying minimalism and unexpected calmness.

This is our pick for some of the finest coffee in Spitalfields and it generally is one of the best cafes in Spitalfields, all things considered. If you want to sit down and enjoy your coffee and treat, try not to go during the weekday rush hour when the space gets very busy. And make sure to get their miso caramel alfajor if it’s available – it rivals the best alfajores in Buenos Aires.

Trade

Simply put, Trade has simply got coffee right. The team behind Trade set out with a simple mission: serve small batch-roasted specialist coffee with delicious and humble food. The reason they have developed a loyal following among locals is because they really do deliver on this mission, and it’s joy to experience it each and every time.

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The space has a relaxed atmosphere despite being on busy Commercial Street. They also have an excellent breakfast offering which is always a good complement to a slow start on a weekend morning if you have the time to invest.

We also need to mention their very healthy selection of (unhealthy) grilled cheese toasties. Think everything from three cheeses and chilli jam to vegan cheese with mushroom. We know good grilled cheese toasties when we eat them, and Trade delivers. It’s the perfect start to any morning.

Best for working remotely

BeauBeaus

BeauBeaus is the perfect example of the fusion of styles that makes Spitalfields so unique. This is far more than just one of the best cafes in Spitalfields, it’s a community where people, as the family who runs BeauBeaus says, “can relax and be their unapologetic selves.” And in an area that straddles the line between nonstop city and slow living, this is much needed.

The vibe at BeauBeaus is chilled and subdued, with comfy vintage chairs and small tables to keep you happy with your laptop or notebook working away. It’s the perfect setting to work or whittle away the day. They also serve food on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, including an absolutely excellent cheese toastie with chilli jam.

If you happen to be a fan of the British-Nigerian designer and artist Slawn, plenty of his work adorns the space of the cafe.

Café Mission

Café Mission is located on the rooftop level of the same building that houses Mission E1, the premier yoga and wellness studio in Spitalfields and Brick Lane. Not too long ago, there used to be a restaurant named Maene in exactly this space; we were sad to see it shut its doors. However, the perfect consolation was the opening of Café Mission which has cemented its place as one of the best cafes in Spitalfields in a very short time.

If we had to describe Café Mission, it’s an oasis in an area where calmness seems almost impossible to achieve. This might feel like London’s best-kept secret when you’re inside, and it’s the perfect place to enjoy a long lunch or to unwind after a yoga sessions downstairs at the wellness studio.

The terrace at Café Mission is also one of the best rooftops for views of the City of London. Isn’t that a delightful way to start the morning – or to watch the sun go down, because Café Mission also has a dinner service in the latter part of the week (it could even give some of the best restaurants in Spitalfields a run for their money).

Special Mention: Phoenix Blend

Phoenix Blend proudly operates in support of people with learning disabilities, but check yourself if you think that means the bar for quality is lower: this is an incredibly warm and inviting space which gives real-world work opportunities for people with learning disabilities.

Don’t expect anything flashy at Phoenix; in my opinion it’s the fantastic service that is on show here rather than intricate interior design or coffee artistry. Phoenix boasts some of the most genuine service with a smile that you can find, and for that it is one of the best cafes in Spitalfields.

If you’ve tried one of our pick of London’s best cookies, you’ll be glad to know that East London’s very own Rinkoff Bakery bakes the banana loaves, Victoria sponge and so many more of the treats on offer at Phoenix Blend. Rinkoff delivers them fresh daily to Phoenix Blend which means you’re getting the same quality that you know and love (or will come to know and love) Rinkoff for.

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