Malavenda Cafè & Bistro

You'll find yourself on a quieter stretch of Hackney's Mentmore Terrace, where this spot has quietly built a loyal following without shouting about it. The room feels lived-in—the kind of place where regulars nod at each other over cappuccinos and the staff remember your order. The menu skews Italian but doesn't pretend to be something it's not; this is neighbourhood cooking done properly, whether you're after a decent pastry in the morning or something more substantial at lunch. It's the sort of café that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.