East London Best Cafés: Hackney, Hoxton, Bow & Pophams Picks

Key Points

• East London, particularly Hackney, Hoxton, and Bow, boasts exceptional independent cafés, bakeries, and coffee roasters renowned for quality coffee and pastries.kbpersonaltraining+1
• Pophams Bakery, with multiple sites including Victoria Park Village, is celebrated for its maple-bacon swirl pastry, described as a must-try salty-sweet delicacy paired with flat white coffee.quieteating+1
• The author of the original feature recalls strolling along Regent’s Canal from Mile End to Victoria Park for Pophams’ treats, even after moving south to Camberwell near Toad Bakery.[query content]
• Brunswick East Bakehouse in Hackney Downs, opened in 2019 by a sister duo, offers Australian-inspired brunches like chilli poached eggs, bacon buns, and house-made jam, with guest roasts in cortados, piccolos, and espressos; a second site is near Dalston Kingsland.littleplaces+1
• Yeast Bakery near Broadway Market in Hackney uses high-quality ingredients like French Normandy butter, baking fresh bread daily and supplying coffee shops.butterandcrust+1
• Palm Vaults in Hackney is an Instagrammable spot with pink decor, hanging plants, açai bowls, avocado on toast, vegan banana bread, and sandwiches.palmvaults+1
• Ozone Coffee Roasters in Shoreditch (near Hoxton) roasts its own coffee in the basement, serving fresh brunches like Eggs Benedict on bubble ‘n’ squeak cakes.lockeliving+1
• Grounded Coffee Company in Bow, in a former bank, offers halal Full English breakfasts, cakes, chai lattes, and a rustic vintage vibe.theworkingline​
• E5 Bakehouse in Hackney uses organic UK-grown ingredients for sourdough and a changing hot café menu.bridgetdejong.substack+1
• The Dusty Knuckle Bakery in Hackney, founded in 2014, produces organic bread and employs vulnerable youth.foodism​
• Forno in Hackney serves Italian treats like maritozzi, focaccia pizza, coffee, and tiramisu.butterandcrust+1
• Other mentions include Jolene, Climpson & Sons, Le Pêche Mignon, and Finks in Hackney; Fabrique and Kiln Café in Hoxton; Caravan for fresh roasts.franzeevans+2

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East London (East London News) January 31, 2026 – East London’s vibrant café scene in areas like Hackney, Hoxton, and Bow continues to draw coffee enthusiasts and pastry lovers with its independent boltholes, exceptional bakeries, and in-house roasters, as highlighted in a feature by Suitcase Magazine.[query content] Pophams Bakery stands out as a top pick, famed for its maple-bacon swirl pastry – a salty-sweet treat ideal with a flat white – available at sites including charming Victoria Park Village. Brunswick East Bakehouse in Hackney Downs offers authentic Australian-inspired coffee and brunches, cementing the region’s status as a haven for caffeine fixes.theinfatuation+4

What Makes Pophams Bakery a Must-Visit in East London?

Pophams Bakery has become synonymous with east London’s pastry excellence, with multiple locations across the city including Hackney and Victoria Park. As reported in Suitcase Magazine’s feature, the author fondly remembers strolling up Regent’s Canal from Mile End towards Victoria Park to snag a maple-bacon swirl, declaring it one of the city’s best sweet treats despite relocating south near Toad Bakery in Camberwell.

Quieteating’s reviewer, visiting the Victoria Park branch at 110A Lauriston Road, E9 7HA, praised the bacon maple swirl as unique, noting:

“Sweet and savory and crispy, all together it makes for a delightful bite. Although it is a bit pricey for a pastry, it is as big as my head… So something that you can easily share.”

The Infatuation described the Hackney site’s bacon and maple pastry as “salty and sweet. It’s swirled and glistening,” arriving alongside a gooey ham and cheese croissant during early morning service from 7:55am to 9:20am. OAD Guides attributes Pophams’ appeal to photogenic items like rosemary and sea-salt twists and bacon maple scrolls since 2017, with three batons of chocolate in pain au chocolat and 27 butter layers in pastries; the Hackney site now offers evening pasta.kbpersonaltraining+2

Why is Brunswick East Bakehouse Drawing Crowds in Hackney?

Brunswick East Bakehouse, opened in 2019 by a sister duo in Hackney Downs Studios at Ground Floor, 17 Amhurst Terrace, Lower Clapton, E8 2BT, channels Melbourne’s caffeine culture. Suitcase Magazine notes its authenticity attracts homesick Aussies, featuring guest roasts in cortados, piccolos, espressos, plus brunch items like chilli poached eggs, bacon buns, and toast with house-made seasonal jam; a second location is a 16-minute walk near Dalston Kingsland.

The official site emphasises:

“We have a top notch seasonal brunch menu, a jam packed cake and patisserie counter, hand crafted organic sourdoughs and enough speciality coffee to sink a ship.”

Little Places London describes it as serving Australian-inspired brunch and speciality coffee.brunswickeast+1

Which Hackney Bakeries Excel in Viennoiserie and Bread?

Hackney teems with standout bakeries. As per KB Personal Training’s guide, Yeast Bakery near Broadway Market and Netil House focuses on simple, high-quality ingredients including the best French Normandy butter, baking bread fresh every morning and delivering to coffee shops seven days a week, open Saturdays. Butter and Crust’s 2025 article calls it a hidden gem for viennoiserie, perfecting croissants in vibrant colours and flavours, with seasonal specialties supplied to London spots and open Wednesday to Sunday.kbpersonaltraining+1

Foodism highlights The Dusty Knuckle Bakery on Abbot Street, E8 3DP, founded in 2014 by Max Tobias and Rebecca in a Hackney shipping container to produce knockout organic bread while employing vulnerable youth. Bridget de Jong of Substack praises E5 Bakehouse near London Fields for organic UK-grown ingredients, sourdough loaves, and a frequently changing hot café menu. Forno, per the same, offers Italian maritozzi, focaccia pizza, coffee, and tiramisu – best midweek for a quieter vibe.bridgetdejong.substack+2

What are the Top Instagrammable Spots in Hackney?

Palm Vaults at 411 Mare Street, E8 1HY, is Hackney’s hidden gem, as noted by KB Personal Training: famous for hanging plants, pink decor, delicious açai bowls, avocado on toast, vegan banana bread, and sandwiches. Its site lists apparel, soft serve, cookies, sweet treats, drinks, cocktails, and events.palmvaults+1

Bridget de Jong recommends Climpson & Sons on Broadway Market for favourite takeaway coffee, ideal for London Fields strolls; Le Pêche Mignon for excellent coffee and pain au chocolat; Finks for delish coffee, baked goods, and pavement seats; Dusty Knuckle for amazing sandwiches and pastries (go early due to lines); Forno for Italian sweets during canal walks.bridgetdejong.substack​

Where to Find Premier Coffee Roasters Near Hoxton?

Hoxton and nearby Shoreditch host roasters like Ozone Coffee Roasters on Brick Lane, E1 6SB. Locke Living’s guide calls it the best for healthy weekday breakfasts in a relaxed, quirky, organic atmosphere, roasting coffee in the basement for fresh brews and brunches like Eggs Benedict on summer bubble ‘n’ squeak cakes with hollandaise. WeJoie notes it as a roastery-café great for work, with speciality coffee, tea, soft drinks, breakfast, and lunch; hours include weekdays 7:30am–4:30pm, weekends 8:30am–5pm.wejoie+1

Franzè & Evans describes Kiln Café in Hoxton as a small family-run spot near Hoxton station and Geffrye Museum, specialising in fresh homemade lunches, coffee, salads, bagels, toasties, smoothies, deli bites, and signature cakes. Art Distance praises Fabrique on Geffrye Street for cosy Swedish cardamom and vanilla buns. Vocal Media’s guide lauds Curious Yellow Kafe on Pitfield Street for Swedish-influenced menu, great cakes, good coffee, all-day weekend breakfast, and free WiFi.artdistance+2

What Draws Visitors to Bow’s Café Scene?

Bow features gems like Grounded Coffee Company at 90-92 Bow Road, E3 3AA. The Working Line’s review hails it as a rustic spot in a former bank with art deco touches, offering halal Full English breakfasts, delicious cakes, chai lattes, quality dishes at affordable prices – perfect for chats or solo time near Mile End station and Tower Hamlets Cemetery.theworkingline​

Bow Quarter mentions Counter Café on Roach Road, E3 2PA, in Fish Island for canal breakfasts opposite Olympic Park (15-minute walk), and Crate at 7 Queens Yard, Hackney Wick, E9 5EN.thebowquarter​

How Does East London’s Café Culture Compare to Elsewhere?

Locke Living ranks Caravan highly for freshly roasted coffee from single farms, hipster decor, quirky staff, healthy dishes, juices, smoothies, and green coffee emphasising quality and sustainability at Exmouth Market and Kings Cross branches. Brian’s Coffee Spot notes Workshop coffee at Caravan with Cult of Done blend on espresso, single origins on V60 and batch-brew, extensive breakfast to 11:30am, all-day plates, weekend brunch, plus beer, cider, cocktails, and wine.