Aquila Cafe in Islington

Friendly small place to have a nice cup of coffee.

This is one of the best caffs in London. Genuinely friendly staff, delicious food made with love, and a grateful clientele who are relieved to find somewhere that offers all this at an affordable price.

Amazing vegan and veggie breakfast. Spotlessly clean and super friendly. Bring your appetite - the plates are very generous and you won’t want to leave anything!

Went to Aquila on our last trip to London, we were staying nearby and I wanted to go somewhere that served good coffee, vegan breakfasts and opened early. Found Aquila while researching this online. Coffee was really good, I had two Americanos while there! They were nice and strong. The vegan breakfast was really good. Tofu, sausages, mushrooms, beans, hash browns, falafel. They didn't have the Mediterranean potatoes so substituted for extra hash browns. Well-cooked and plentiful for the price. Lots of toast with the breakfast. Everything was really yummy and I would definitely go again if staying in the area. The service was particularly good, the man who served us was super friendly and helpful.

Amazing great food , friendly customer service

The absolute best bacon baps! Perfect Chrispy Bacon. Really friendly staff, lovely and clean, great quality food. Thank you

I had a wonderful time at this family-run cafe. The cozy atmosphere and warm, friendly staff make it a great spot. The homemade pastries and coffee are top-notch. What sets this place apart is the personal touch and sense of belonging. I'll be coming back for sure!

Lovely comfort food place with consistently decent food.

The cafe I found by chance near my accommodation is characterized by a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. I liked the interior, especially the animal pictures hanging on the wall. I ordered a simple breakfast menu, and although the bread was ordinary, I was happy just knowing that I could drink iced Americano coffee, which is hard to find in London. ----- The cafe I discovered by chance near the accommodaton is characterized by a cozy and comfortable atmosphere. I liked the interior, especially the animal picture hanging on the walls. I ordered a simple menu in the morning, the bread was ordinary, but I was happy with the fact that I could drink iced americano, which is hard to find in London.

Excellent breakfast. Spotless, great service, and freshly cooked food. A refreshing change to the big chains. Will be back

We ordered The Masters, which were excellent! Very big portion, nice food quality, and good taste! The service made me feel comfortable and friendly. A very lovely Cafe with warm vibe! I’d definitely visit this Cafe again. :)

This is rallye a bloddy nice Cafe! The service is very frendly, the food is good and the price also. If you are nearby, go in and enjoy IT!

Fresh products, quality, and good staff. This place is a gem in london. I've been there a couple of times and never disappointed.

I always enjoy having breakfast here. Service is fast and friendly, food is fresh and tasty and the coffee is really good. Thanks.

This place has a peaceful energy, its small but cosy, the owners are very accessible people and the employees also have a very good customer service. The food it's fresh and very well handled. They are dedicated and friendly.

Best coffee and food in the area, highly recommend.

The staff and very friendly and welcoming, providing fast service. Good variety of hot and cold food. All ingredients are fresh and good quality. Reasonable prices. Can eat in or take away.

Had a big breakfast here and was very tasty and service with a smile. Awesome cafe

What can I say about this place? Well, acquila cafe don’t only have the best sandwiches, but they have the best staff preparing the greatest food. I consider myself truly blessed to have lived within the vicinity of this establishment. We have been coming here for 2 years and it saddens me more than anything that we will never find a cafe quite like this. So if you’re confused on where to go for your breakfast, brunch, lunch or even dinner, then do NOT hesitate to go to acquila - it will be the best decision of your life!

We always go out for breakfast when staying in London and found this cafe when wandering out of the nearby Montcalm hotel. Looks a bit pokey from the outside but, once past the front take-away counter, the space opens out and there's quite a decent dining area at the back. Their breakfast menu includes traditional british and american pancake type suspects but we'd had a big meal the previous evening, so went to bacon/egg and sausage sandwiches with americano coffees. All very good and service was prompt and friendly - also reasonably priced. Recommended and will definitely pop back when next in the area.

A wonderful little gem near Montcalm East. The restaurant was clean, service was courteous and the food portions were very generous! Great value!

Amazing coffee, best mocha I’ve had in London. Really friendly staff. Thanks guys 😁

Been coming here for a sit down lunch once a fortnight since our office move in Feb. Plenty of choices on the menu of regular lunchtime sandwiches/wraps etc, cooked breakfast, standard cafe fare. Individual requests catered for. I don't have much time, order taken quickly and food arrives promptly. Can be in and out in 30 mins without eating too fast. It is always busy, and it is hard to tell there are tables in the back. You have to squeeze past people queuing for take away to get in. Normally spend just under £10 for a light lunch, e.g eggs on toast with avocado. Decent serving of mixed side salad always on the plate. Tips can go in a large teapot by the till!

Delicious options whether you’re taking away or dining in. Warm and friendly service and a cool decor! I’d recommend eating here!

Great salt beef sandwich. Fast lunchtime service.

Great breakfast Cafe. Recently had an impressive make over. Make a very tasty breakfast bap.

Love this place. Great food and lovely staff.

The woman who serves you has a serious attitude problem, she was very rude when it came ordering. I witnessed her being rude to another customer who looked shocked at her attitude. Also, when my bacon came out, it was so hard and crispy I wondered how long it had been left there cooked... When I asked the woman to return it she gave me a dirty look and more attitude with a big sigh. Multiple times my mushrooms have came out undercooked. They also only use streaky bacon.

I went there at 2.49pm on Saturday 7th November and they were closed.. although its supposed to close at 3pm. This is the second time ive been there and they have closed early. Its UNPROFESSIONAL

Amazing Cafe with great food and staff

Popular with locals and all cooked on the spot. Good wholesome food

Absolutely great food always stop for coffee and food while at Moorfields eye hospital. Staff very friendly and attentive and sticking to Covid rules with track and trace QR code on wall very polite staff. What more could you want.

The best caff around old street.period.

Went there had a sandwich it was way to expensive considering how stingy they were with the filling.

Delicious coffee, decent food and the friendliest staff

Comfortable, nice ambience, charming staff and excellent coffee

Always busy but friendly staff are really quick getting orders to you.

I got their only vegan sandwich and it wasn’t fresh. Mind you, I got it at 2pm and all the items to make a sandwich (tuna, veggies, meat, etc.) we’re sitting out in in the front window that wasn’t refrigerated, but slightly covered. The bread was stale and the veggies were too and they didn’t have any seasoning on them (including salt or pepper). We wanted to sit near the door, but they told us to move and sit in the area in the back without reason while we were the only ones in there. Then, they started sweeping and cleaning the floor with bleach right when they brought my sandwich out! They close at 4, so it wasn’t like we were there right before closing... Very disappointing and I couldn’t even finish half the sandwich because it was inedible. Would not come back here.

Tras seis días en Londres éste es lugar donde hemos tomado el mejor café, recién molido, preparado con mimo y lo mejor el sabor.

Delicious food and friendly staff.

Friendly staff, good choice of food, delivered swiftly, excellent chicken special today. And very reasonable prices as well!

I was visiting Shoreditch for the first time and thought instead of going to a chain or a pub for lunch I would think like a local and go to a cafe. I was delighted I did as I tried Aquila and enjoyed the friendly, informal atmosphere the second I walked in and was offered a seat at a table. I ordered a cod and steak chips with peas to which the owner was very keen to add salad which I was pleased to accept. The food was hot, tasty, a very generous sized portion, perfectly cooked and filling as well as being amazing value. Throughout my meal I observed regular customers come in to pick up their lunch and there was a constant stream of people drifting in and out who were served fast in a very relaxed manner. It goes to show if you offer people what they want at a reasonable price they will flock to you. Even paying was a friendly enjoyable experience and I felt like an old friend leaving who would be welcomed back the next time I am in the area.

Lovely sandwiches made to your liking while you wait or sit in for cooked food. I'd say the extras are a little expensive, making a good value sandwich into an expensive lunch when crisps and a cold drink are added, but all prices are on the menu. Friendly service.

A local family dinner. Great variety of delicious and fresh sandwiches. All ingredients are fresh and good quality. Coffee is good. The stuff and very friendly and welcoming, providing fast service. The prices are fair and with good value for money. You can eat in or tak away. Enjoy :)

Been twice and had a simple egg on toast with proper ketchup. Lovely welcoming service and great sandwich. I’m very fussy with eggy sandwiches, but this was a job well done for something so simple! Also had the spaghetti with prawn on a different day for lunch to take away. Really tasty and delicious Italian food served with salad. Couldn’t fault it at all. Really nice local cafe and friendly service. Thank you!

Nice place, good coffee.. could do with bit more vegetarian options..

Great place for a fast tasty lunch

A fantastic cafe situated in the heart of Old Street. A must visit in my opinion!

Quite good coffee...by the London standard...

Always a bit pricey for a standard greasy spoon but decor gone upmarket as City Rd development goes on. Good service & good food.

Great food, friendly staff and not badly priced.

Fast service, sandos do what they say in the tin, what is not to like? More famous place across the street, but slower...

The Aquila Café is a gem on City Road. The staff are pleasant and service is brisk. The Mediterranean breakfast is healthy and delicious, and you can 'make your own' breakfast too from the varied options. The granola bowl is huge and very filling. I just wish it was open at the weekend.

Lovely service! One of the best vegetarian breakfast Iv had in London! The price was good too and the customer service was awesome! Perfect place to go when your visiting moorfields hospital! X

Excellent place for breakfast - very quick, clean and with friendly service. Great restaurant that is not overpriced.

Excellent food good prices and served quickly by friendly staff

Great friendly staff and good wholesome homely food.

Great food, great options, well presented, lovely staff, good service, nice environment.

Great little cafe for lunch. With friendly staff and affordable food.

I have eaten here for breakfast and lunch and have always been impressed. The food is varied and all of it well cooked. Special praise goes to breakfast for not being greasy, and for serving Bubble & Squeak, and also for lunch as they serve a good liver and bacon with onion gravy: all too hard to find these days. The staff and friendly and efficient and you feel welcome every time you visit. This is a proper London cafe, and one of the best of its kind.

the best customer service ever the place is always clean and spotless which i give lot of attention too food is mouth watering coffee is lovely thank you guys ill always be a regular

Very friendly staff always make us feel welcome. Decent food as well.

Fab cafe. Staff are always friendly. Omelettes are great. Love the atmosphere.

Lovely cafe good pasty and coffee!

Lovely staff and great prices! Veggie stuff on menu and Seating area is spacious! Definitely recommend.

Lovely people and lovely food - I visit this place a few times a week! I have been coming here for lunch for a little while now and am never disappointed. I have tried different options from the menu and always enjoy my meal. The staff are always lovely and so friendly - I am always greeted when walking in, no matter how busy it is. I really don't know how the staff remember everyone's order when it gets really busy in the lunch time rush, but they manage and still create good food with a smile. Even when calling in and picking up an order they already knew who I was without mentioning my name and had the food all ready for me when I arrived. Although the price is slightly higher than if I'd have visited a supermarket, this seems to be in line with prices in the area and for London. I don't mind paying a bit extra now and again if I know the food is decent, the portions are big and the food is full of flavour. Will definitely continue to visit and sample more of their menu.

A friendly cafe with takeaway service and very generous breakfasts. I had the Apprentice Full English which was plenty. The Master Full English would be just the thing if you had done about four hours manual labour beforehand. Good coffee.

Great food , cosy , fast and friendly service . " what more could you want ? "

Pleasant service in a comfortable environment, cracking prices, and genuinely great home cooked food, massive portions, and lovingly prepared hot chocolates!! Please visit this venue xx

These guys really know how to make a great Flat White coffee, and it's very reasonably priced too. Run by a friendly and welcoming family. If you are a regular customer, they would remember what you usually order :D This cafe has recently been refurbished, making it even neater and cosier than before.

Love this place and I live just up the road. Breakfast is great and the sandwiches are delicious. Just wish it was open on a Saturday!

Bog-standard veggie burger from a freezer, cheeseburger ditto, mixed grill okay but too dry. Prices are fine and the staff were very nice but this isn't worth stopping into for lunch.

Encontramos este pequeño café ayer por casualidad pura. Tienen una muy buena selección de sándwiches saludables (y no tan sanos) que son preparados a la orden. Buen pan tostado. Puede tomar un tiempo para conseguir su orden porque es preparada como usted lo pide, pero ser paciente, la espera merece la pena.

Personal muy amable, muy acogedor. El desayuno caliente era bueno con un plato enorme de patatas fritas. Calidad - como era normal el desayuno. Pero era bastante agradable, muy vacío y no muy conocido, pero mejor que algunos de los lugares populares cerca. Volvería.

Apesar de eu gostar de café mais fraco, o ambiente e o atendimento ajudaram muito!!! Lugar para fazer um horinha!!

Called in for breakfast as was walking through the area whilst working nearby. The staff all greeted me and said hello which was nice. They had a good variety on offer but I wanted the full English wand was rewarded with great breakfast and a...

Have been going here regularly for the last few years. Food is always great with good sized portions and great value for money. What sets this cafe apart from others is the service. Waitresses, servers and chef always take time to ensure that everything is to your liking whether you eat in or just have the takeaway menu. Great selection of cafe and takeaway menus. In summary it's a little gem.

We have to make regular visits to Moorfields eye hospital and struggle to find a nice lunch. This time we walked past the hospital about 200m and found this super little cafe.Very friendly, super clean, reasonable prices, quick service and very tasty food! What more can you ask? My husband had a huge sausage and egg bap for £3.60 and I had a foccacia toasted bread sandwich for £4 - lots of filling choices. They. Also do meals, jacket spuds, salads and more. I am recommending this cafe to friends who also visit the hospital and will be using it myself next time I go.

Probably the best coffee I've had in London which surprised even me, a coffee snob. The flat white is excellent and the taste is smooth, no bitterness at all. The Bacon sandwiches are really good too. Proper thick cuts of bacon and not very fatty. Lovely friendly family too :)

Good coffee and an excellent egg bacon and chips. The service is prompt and friendly. The place is very clean and reasonably priced.

I was in the area on business, but had allowed longer than needed for train delays. With a bit of time to kill and not having had time to grab breakfast I popped in here for a bite to eat. There's a range of hot food (café standards), some delicious looking pastries, and a cabinet full of sandwich fillings. I went for a Tomato, Olive and Mozzarella Ciabatta. The bread and ingredients were all fresh (the tomatoes and olives had flavour - something not guaranteed with takeaways) and there was enough basil to add flavour without overpowering the other ingredients. The sandwich was made while I waited - no soggy or stale pre-prepared over-chilled mess. Service was very friendly and prices were reasonable. It's a shame I don't live closer by.

The staff were really, really lovely but served me one of the grossest sandwiches ever. Lemon chicken. The chicken was like chewing on a heavily seasoned flip-flop, enrobed in hot, slimy lettuce (No I didn't want this thing toasted, thanks) and globules of mayo. It was then encased in the driest panini that has ever existed, it's taken me 35 mins to get my saliva back. This experience cost me £4. I should have walked the extra 5mins to Whitecross Street.

Nice little place to come for breakfast or lunch. No pretentiousness and a little dated but more than made up for by the warm service, fair prices, and wide variety of food available. Great place to brush up on your Italian or Spanish.