Best known for its impeccable baked goods, ranging from signature cupcakes, chewy cookies, and the kind of cinnamon buns that make even the gloomiest mornings feel better, Violet Café is a hidden gem that cake lovers will highly appreciate. Founded by Claire Ptak, a former pastry chef at Chez Panisse, this tiny California-style bakery-turned-Café exudes warmth, from its pastel-coloured shopfront to the scent of vanilla wafting through the air. What’s on offer changes with the seasons. Their famous buttermilk banana loaf is a must-try, although personally, I go for the Halva Tahini Brownie.
Beyond cakes, the menu includes brunch classics such as avocado on toast and sourdough sandwiches, all prepared on the premises with organic, locally sourced ingredients. The daily-changing selection of pastries is impossible to resist, while if you’re in the mood for something savoury, the tartines and quiches hit the spot. Pair it with a cappuccino or a pot of loose-leaf tea, and you’ve got an ideal mid-morning or afternoon treat.
The café itself is small, but its lovely outdoor seating area on Wilton Way, a quiet leafy street that runs between Dalston and Hackney Central, is perfect for lingering over a coffee on a sunny day and watch the world go by. Whether you are after a quiet solo moment with a book, a catch-up with a friend over something sweet, or a cosy place to work Violet Café delivers a welcoming vibe and a touch of indulgence in every bite.
Find your way with 282 Insider Tips from our Local Spotters
Loved this Spot?Join your international community. Share your favs and become part of our international community!
Tita's is like a little alien spacecraft in the middle of the park: from a tiny coffee cart comes well-crafted coffees & tea along with buns and biscuits.
by
A beloved East London classic, E Pellici offers hearty Italian–English food, strong coffee, and warm family-run charm to a lively mix of locals and visitors.
by
Simmos is a stylish, cozy café with small-roaster coffee, delicious pastries, and a warm community vibe. It's a great spot for a quiet, quality break.
by
A haven for book lovers, the London Centre for Book Arts isn't only a shop. It's a studio & maker space, fostering a community devoted to artisanal printmaking.
by
Housmans is a thoughtful little oasis where curious minds feel at home and every visit sparks a new path to explore. It's much more than a regular book shop.
by
A must try for me at Paradise Soho are the gigantic grilled ceylonese prawns - tender and smokey from the charring & the cashew curry along with a hopper.
by
As an independent wine bar their focus is on stocking wines from smaller producers, lesser known regions and grape varieties, and also female winemakers.
by
The team at the Penny Drop are real coffee geeks in the best possible sense of the word and go to great lengths sourcing the best coffee beans out there.
by
If you arrive in the morning you’ll find their popular morning buns with a variety of fillings, sticky buns, beignets, and more!
by
Rondo La Cave is a hip wine bar situated in the basement of the Hoxton hotel and has a charming rustic interior with dim lighting.
by
Quiet yet somehow buzzing, classy yet unpretentious, central yet hidden. What impresses me most is the concentration of great spots in such a small area.
by
282 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
Authentic Stories by Real People
Escape the Crowd & Travel Slow 🐌
✓ 0 Insider Tips from our local Spotters
✓ 282 Insider Tips