VIBE

In an organic-chic, pared-down space (complete with requisite exposed brick walls, bright white paint job, and farmer trestle tables), Albion serves up simple, hearty portions of British "caff" classics. Clever design touches, like the cutlery stacked in retro-trendy Golden Syrup tins, and old-school menu choices give this café a shabby-chic feel.

CROWD

Predominantly Shoreditch media types and hipsters, though as Albion’s buzz grows, cool kids and foodies from farther afield are coming to check it out.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Something stylishly comfortable, like favorite jeans and t-shirt with a silk scarf.

GO HERE WITH

Friends; yourself

WHY WE LIKE IT

The food is simple and delicious, and the relaxed, urban-hippie ambiance is pleasantly laidback.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

Layout of the space–you have to walk through the small food shop to get to café, which can be annoying if the shop is crowded. Also a bit of a pain: the bathrooms are in the hotel itself and one floor down.

GOOD TO KNOW

A shop in the front sells fresh-from-farm veggies and kitchenwares (aprons, cookbooks, jams, etc.). The attached Boundary Hotel is a hotspot, but Albion, while catering to a hip crowd, is markedly relaxed. It’s a good spot for solo dining too, especially if you’re planning to bring a laptop or book and linger. (There’s complimentary Wi-Fi available.)

CLOSEST COMPS

Tom’s Deli (London); Daylesford Organic (London)

Read more about Cafe Albion in The Diary

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