Vent Coffee Co. Islington Memorial Green

You'll find Vent tucked onto Islington Memorial Green, that brilliant slice of grass where locals actually congregate instead of just walking past. It's the kind of place where the staff know regulars by name but won't make you feel like an outsider if you're just passing through. The coffee here genuinely hits different—they're clearly fussy about their beans and their technique, but it never tips into that exhausting third-wave snobbery. Grab a flat white or an espresso and post yourself at one of their outdoor tables if the weather's cooperating. It's become exactly what Upper Street needed: somewhere unpretentious that takes its coffee seriously.