Top Five East London Coffe Hangouts ~ #4 'The Cute' Violet

Violet is the cutest little coffee shop tucked away in Hackney, just off London fields on the hip Wilton Way. Surrounded by other independent shops like a boutique hair salon, vintage stores and a grand old pub.

With a delectable selection of organic cakes and savouries, this is the place to go if you fancy a cosy getaway with some magazines a coffee and a cupcake, which is exactly what Lena and I did.

We opted for the Red Velvet cupcake to share and a flat white & cappuccino not to share.

The coffee in here is deliciously smooth and presented in adorable vintage style cups, I saw another girl at the end of our long share table upstairs with an expresso in the most gorgeous, elaborately decorated tiny tea-cup. I must admit I was a teeny bit jels, but this was my excuse to come back!

A stones throw away from Broadway Market, which Violet sells every Saturday (rather well in fact,) you can buy all of their gorgeous cupcakes which include a lavish range of flavours-

candied violet, salted caramel, english strawberry, fragolina grape, french apricot, valrhona choc, milk coconut, english raspberry and vanilla bean, all  made with a limited edition buttercream icing that change with the seasons.

You can also pick up some of their cuter than cute MINIATURE cupcakes, which in my opinion are a like a little bite of heaven.

Great for gifts or just eating yourself, no-one would know because you can slip it into your gob pretty well un-noticed.

But it's not just cupcakes that they do well, they also have an eye popping selection of other cakes (many suitable for those choosing a gluten-free option) and also ridiculously amazing looking savoury treats- the day I went they had (generously sized) red cheese & onion pasties, squash & cream tarts and a deep pumpkin & veg quiche.

All in all a lovely place to catch up over coffee (and a smidge of cake naturally), and with the bakery downstairs on show, it has a wonderful atmosphere, the glorious constant smell of baking wafting around the cafe. 

Violet is open Tuesday to Friday 7:30–6:00

Saturdays 9:30-6:00

Sundays 9:30-5:00

47 Wilton Way, E8 3ED, London

Top Five East London Coffee Hangouts ~ #1 "The Classic" Albion

 Albion is the modest but chic ground level cafe, part of the Boundary Hotel located just off Redchurch Street in Shoreditch. The light and bright kitchen on show let's you see the chefs at work as well as the bakery constantly producing fresh bread and cakes, and with a shop attached selling everything from homemade jams, fresh cheeses, meats, fresh seasonal veg, organic beverages and of course the freshly baked breads and cakes- a fantastic selection to get carried away with.

The menu in here I feel covers something for everyone; plus the menu updates reasonably often. The food is a wholesome and hearty mix of good comforting english grub, things like homemade soup, shepherd's pie, fish and chips, quiches, delicious side vegetables and I would definitely recommend the kedgeree. The breakfast's in here are also a must try. To see the full menu go here.

I must go to the Albion at least once a week, it is that good.

The atmosphere is unbeatable, the staff are the friendliest (especially the lovely Irish girl with the dark bob who always has a smile on her face) and the service is always impeccable.

The afternoon tea in here is a great modern classic - a warm scone with a generous serving of jam and clotted cream plus a slice each of sticky flapjack, goey chocolate brownie, and fruitcake, very moorish and perfect for two to share. 

The coffee is presented beautifully in a big porcelain cup, I think you know a good coffee when it has a pattern on top, and this is such good coffee, the beans are strong but never leaves a bitter taste in your mouth, the foam is the perfect amount, and it is always the perfect temperature.

To take away I recommend the apricot and rosemary baguette, this is my favourite thing to have with some goey box baked Camembert. 

Albion is amazing, from breakfast, brunch lunch or dinner it ticks all the boxes for a truly scrumptious treat.

Open 8am - 11.30pm seven days a week

2-4 Boundary Street, Shoreditch, London E2 7DD 02077291051
Check out their twitter @albionsoven for updates and pictures.