Dalston’s fried and tested

Leo's Cafe

Leo’s Café

In what’s easily the most orange cafe in Dalston, the perpetually smiley owner  of Leo’s serves up a decent  veggie breakfast amongst the weird uncategorisable  artwork,  let down only by the thin French fry-like chips that come with it (although perfectly poached eggs are always a delicious alternative ).

At the northern end of Kingsland High Street, this cosy café avoids the crush and heave of the busier strip further south, but you’ll still need to get there early on a Saturday to grab a good newspaper. This is a local café for local people, and usually contains a few local eccentrics who some might unkindly think outstay their welcome on the odd occasion when they can get a bit shouty.

Good for: local character

Evin Café

Evin Café

Somewhat gloomy but spotlessly clean, Evin lays on a hearty array of healthy and not-so-healthy Turkish and English breakfasts with a good line in veggie specials from both countries to boot.

Notable for the two women who sit in the café window each morning making delicious doughy Turkish pancakes stuffed with tasty fillings Evin is ideal for gentle post-hangover cures. English breakfasts are well made and Turkish menemen (a scrambled egg and cheese and onion combo) hit the spot too.

Food is a tad on the pricey side but portions are generous. Look out for the funky handheld digital notepads clutched by the staff.

Good for: soothing gloom

Antep Café

Antep Café

Right next door to Evin Café,  its neighbour serves up a smaller range of breakfasts, limited mainly to the English trad selection.

Veggie specials are available too, (although  poached eggs aren’t on offer) as are a massive selection of robust Turkish pastries stacked along the counter if a full fat meal doesn’t fill you up.

Very traditionally Turkish and quiet, so good to ensconce yourself inside.

Good for: contemplating pastries

Kingfisher Café

Kingfisher Café

Cockney-ish, friendly, bustling trad café slap bang in middle of Kingsland High Street.

No Turkish options here but instead there are satisfyingly fat chips that make for a hearty veggie breakfast. Top service (the staff will give you your bill before food arrives) so easy to eat and go if you’re in a hurry. Great views of Dalston life through the big windows and always a plentiful supply of newspapers.

Good for: cockney charm

Café Bliss

Café Bliss

Despite being potentially the most depressing of all Dalston’s cafes the lovely late 70’s nostalgic feel of Café Bliss rescues it from the depths of despair.
On first glance there’s not much going for it: the cafe sits right on thundering Dalston Lane and the betting shop opposite brings with its regulars a doom–laden quality to the place that really shouldn’t be pleasant but, against all the odds, is.

Perhaps it’s the unpredictable staff, the excessively high counter,  the finest chips in the area,  the satisfaction of nabbing a newspaper or the ticking clock of fate as the construction mini-boom ploughs on opposite but a warm glow is pretty much guaranteed.

Good for: the ‘older gentleman’