The best places to have a coffee on the Roman Road – chosen by you
As everyone here at Roman Road LDN is a huge caffeine fan, we decided to ask you, our readers, for your favourite places on the Roman Road and nearby to grab your lattes or cappuccinos. We’re going to start with some cafes around the eastern end of the Roman Road and saunter up towards Bethnal Green with your recommendations.
Nunnery Cafe, Bow Road
Found next the Nunnery Gallery on Bow Road, the aptly named Nunnery Cafe offers a fully vegetarian menu and delicious AllPress coffee. The sandwiches here are prepared in-house each day, and the walls are hung with gorgeous affordable art. With the gallery right next door, why not grab a coffee and make an afternoon of it?
Address: 181 Bow Road, London, E3 2SJ
Monday Closed
Tuesday to Sunday: 10am–5pm
Targa Green Cafe, Tredegar Road
Slightly off the Roman Road Targa Green Cafe got the vote from two of you and it’s a charming little venue. Colourful tiles and delicious cakes make this a bit of an office favourite as well. The friendly owner is planning mini food festivals which will be coming soon, celebrating cheese and other foods. ‘It used to be a famous photographers gallery. They do amazing buffet lunches too!’ you told us.
Address:137 Tredegar Road, London E3 2EU
Monday to Saturday: 7am–7.30pm
Sunday 8am–6pm
Muxima, Roman Road
Muxima – we recently profiled this arts cafe on the Roman Road. Several of you gave it the thumbs up and with its uniquely boho decor, cool background music and art shows there is a lot to enjoy here. They do delicious brunch style meals and are dog and family friendly. Their lattes are luxuriously large and pack a punch – no wishy-washy coffee here!
Address: 618 Roman Rd, London E3 2RW
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday 9-5pm
Friday 8am – 12 Midnight
Saturday 10am – 12 Midnight
Sunday 10am – 6pm
Idea Store Bow, Roman Road
‘Best latte’ one of you told us! Ours came in a beautiful glass cup, you can sit at a comfortable table here and read your library book in peace. It’s wheelchair accessible too and there is a public loo. Family friendly venue.
Address: 1 Gladstone Place, Roman Road, Bow, London E3 5ES
Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday 9am – 9pm
Friday 9am – 6pm
Saturday 9am – 5pm
Sunday 10am – 4pm
Zealand Road Coffee Shop, Roman Road
On the corner of Zealand Road lies every hipster’s cafe heaven. Beautiful wooden tables, grey brick walls, geometric paintings and loads of natural light make it one of the most Instagrammable spots on the Roman. But Zealand is not only perfect for improving your social media feed. ‘Free babycinos, wonderful staff.” commented Anna Sudbury of EatDrinkEastLDN and “They do really good cake” said another Facebook commenter. The staff, always in a happy mood are sure to bring a smile to your face.
Address: 391 Roman Road London E3 5QS
Monday to Saturday 8am–5pm
Sunday 9am–5pm
Sazzy and Fran, Roman Road
Vegan pancakes, matcha lattes and Taco Tuesdays. Sazzy and Fran is best known for its delicious plant-based food and as well as being a tranquil little oasis in the middle of the busy East End. Almost everything here is made in-house, apart from the pastry which is delivered fresh every morning. Oh and their Instagram? Pure foodporn.
Address: 133 Roman Rd, London E2 0HU
8.00am to 5pm Monday to Saturday
9.00am to 5pm Sunday
Recharge, Roman Road
Does what it says on the tin. Their delicious Turkish breakfast gives you an instant energy kick, as well as their fresh coffee and juices. It’s not unusual to see joggers and dog-walkers popping in as it’s one of the most favourite and affordable places to eat and recharge on Roman Road. Top tip? Try the homemade banana bread- it’s soft, it’s warm, it’s delicious!
Address: 140 Roman Rd, London E2 0RY
Monday Closed
Tuesday to Friday 9am–5pm
Saturday 9am–4pm
Sunday 9:30am–3:30pm
Symposium, Roman Road
Chic and stylish cafe/deli/restaurant Symposium has a lot of admirers among local coffee-fanciers. They serve artisan wood-roasted Italian Coffee and bespoke coffee blends all day and their coffee beans are sourced from Brazil, Salvador, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Colombia, Congo, Ethiopia and India. “For when you need cheese as well as coffee” says Anna Sudbury while another Facebook commenter added “Symposium pairs coffee with the best Italian wine …cant beat that!”
Address: 363 Roman Rd, London E3 5QR
Monday Closed
Tuesday, Wednesday 6pm-10pm
Thursday, Friday 12pm-3pm and 6pm-10pm
Saturday 11am – 10.30pm
Sunday 11am – 3pm and 6pm – 9pm
Mae + Harvey, Roman Road
Mae and Harvey is a cosy little cafe selling very instagrammable cafe food on the Roman Road. Behind the black facade is a neutral coloured cafe brightened up with jazzy tiles. “Mae and Harvey for pancakes and pretty tables” commented Anna Sudbury of EatDrinkEastLDN.
Address: 414 Roman Rd London E3 5LU Greater London
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday 7:30am–5pm
Tuesday 7am–9pm
Saturday 9am–5pm
Sunday 10am–5pm
Hiland Cafe, Roman Road
The atmosphere created by contemporary brick walls and graffiti paintings transports you into a local joint in Brooklyn, with busy freelancers typing their life away while sipping on extra strong expressos. Hiland’s coffee beans come from Colombia, Salvador and Guatemala and are freshly ground every day. But what’s the best about this place are its lovely owners who always go far and beyond to meet their customers’ needs.
Address: 467 Roman Road, London E3 5LX
Monday to Friday 8 am – 5 pm
Saturday: 9 am till 5 pm
Sunday: 10 am till 5 pm
Mono, Roman Road
Its interiors might not be as fashionable as the other coffee shops on our list, but it’s certainly the cafe with the biggest terrace and lots of loyal customers. ‘Perfect for watching the world go by’ one of you said and we agree. If you get hungry during shopping at the market, Mono also offers fresh baguettes and bagels made to order.
Address: 535 Roman Rd, London E3 5EL
Monday to Saturday: 6:30am–5:30pm
Sunday Closed
Loafing, Roman Road
They say what is small is also cute and the rule definitely works for Loafing. The tiny corner cafe has everything you need for a morning pick me up- delicious coffee, fresh croissants and an outside space perfect for people watching. The rustic wooden interiors are just there to delight your eyes.
Address: 407 Roman Road, London E3 5QS
Monday to Sunday: 8:30am–6pm
Quarantacinque, Roman Road
This stylish venue at the Bethnal Green end of the Roman Road has Italian style written all over it. Coffee is all Caffe Molinari served however you want. Settle in with your latte here for some great people watching. You can bring Fido too if you sit at the front tables outside and it’s family friendly as well. Bonus points!
Address: 45 Roman Road E2 OHU
Monday to Wednesday: 7.30am to 5.30pm
Thursday to Friday: 7.30am to 6.30pm
Saturday to Sunday: 9am to 6.30pm
Best of the rest
A few of our favourites didn’t get a mention by you, so we’d like to shout out to Cafe East, Pavilion in Victoria Park, the Coffee Room on Grove Road and the Larder.
If you enjoyed this article, you might like our round-up of Best vegan and vegetarian cafes
