Hungry Cycles, Islington (4★)

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A bike themed cafe with speciality coffee, artisan food and a bike workshop in the heart of Islington. Screens for the Giro, authentic cannelloni and some great wines for the evening, bringing Italian flair to this fun and friendly cafe.

★★★☆☆ Coffee

★★★★★ Cake

★★★★☆ Bike Friendly

★★★★★ Service

★★★★☆ Location

From the outside Hungry Bikes logo ('Packman & a penny-farthing') tells us something of the ambition behind the cafe. It's for cyclists, it's modern & it's fun! Inside you see bike frames hanging on industrial partitions, offset against pastel green walls to create an industrial vibe with bundles of style. On paper and in person this is a great cafe - it looks very cool and and you'll see the scores for key elements are very good.

But there is something a little clinical about the cycling elements. The hanging frames are more for show that a story, and it's all so stylish! Of course that's far from a bad thing... But the very best cycling cafe's I've seen are well used & well loved, so the lack of scuffs, hooks, and cycling elements make it feel more 'cycling-themed' than 'for-cyclists'. Don't let that take away from the excellent service, coffee and cake. I'll be back for sure.

Coffee

Good coffee, nice flavour, with a decent flat white. Cappuccino was also solid and I would definitely come back.

Cake

Pretty bloomin' marvellous. When you approach the counter you'll immediately recognise that everything is made in house, and the chaps serving know just how good they are! Lot's of original recipes here, and a solid variety from cakes, sponges, tortes and pastries. Extra points for stuffed croissants, and the triple layer carrot cake slices of heaven.

Bike Friendly?

Absolutely - on a cold winter afternoon I was welcomed in with my bike and ushered to a window seat. You might struggle to get a large group of bikes inside, but 3/4 would be fine. In the summer there's plenty of room outside with the tables, though the lack of a bike rack does mean there's nothing to lock your bike too. If they add a bike rack outside and provide some communal locks to borrow they'd hit a firm 5/5

Service

Friendly, fast and possibly the most polite person I've ever met. My order was brought to the table with cutlery, napkins and check for anything else... A very nice experience, as good as they come.

Location

Perfect start or end point for rides north of London - be it Potters Bar, Lee Valley, or Epping Forrest. it's right by Essex Road Station (and 1o mins walk from Highbury & Islington tube) so potentially good for some work from home scenery changes.

There is also a nice wooden bar across the front window sitting 4, with dedicated power sockets would also be great for catching up on emails.

Summary

A great cafe and a thoroughly lovely place to rest your cap for breakfast. The carrot cake deserves a dedication, as it's the best I've ever had. If they could just put a bike rack outside, and make it work more for a cycling community rather than a photoshoot, this could be the top scorer.

If you've been, or you're there right now (!)

let us know your feedback in the comments below:

Quick note on the review process

We either find the cafe's on our cycling adventures, or we're directed to them by friends. From there we rock up on the bike, order coffee, soak up the vibe and speak with the staff. Once we've been there 4/5 times we'll write the review.