Candid Cafe in Islington

Arty and quirky café with tasty food at a reasonable price and a great vibe.

It’s a cute little cafe hidden away in the back streets of angel. I have come here for years now and the food / deserts / coffee never disappoints ! They have a seasonal menu that changes every day which is really nice as you never know what might be on offer. Music was a bit loud this time around, but it’s fine.

Artsy, eclectic and never overwhelmingly busy! My friends and I always find ourselves back here when a big assignment is coming up as they’re open later than most cafes. The staff are always friendly and play great music!

Very atmospheric cafe. Like old 80s Islington. Feels cosy, loved.

Been coming here for over 15 years love it

Nice coffee ..love the tostie 😊grate cafe

Cutie place but and not that good. Latte too strong, tea without any taste and piece of cake : way too small. But thank you so much. You can only do better.

Up a few flights of stairs is this down at heel cafe with a Bohemian ambiance. The clientele are fairly out there in a misfit manner. The food options are meagre but tasty enough. The drinks ok but can only have alcohol with a meal. Price was reasonable. Staff are ok. Probably not one I’ll return to but worth trying once.

Very original place with a lovely atmosphere and a good coffee and cakes...

Nice little find, a Sunday morning, limited food. Only one person serving and cooking, he did a blinding job! Lovely aubergine dhal.

It's Wednesday today and you weren't open, and I travelled some distance to have lunch with a friend who works at Angel. Are you still in business?

Amazing and lovely place! I love this atmosphere! ✨💙✨

This place appears to be closed. Shame as it looked great. 😕

Nice little cafe hidden away. Great place to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Also a good place to enjoy a coffee after 6pm where most cafes are closed. Couldn't tell you about the food as I had none here.

If there is ONE place I love most of all when visiting London it is Candid Cafe. I used to go back in the 90's with my bff & it still exists (I hope it ALWAYS does!). It has the feel of a upscale squatted building - which sounds awful but it's not, it's an experience & it's genuine & DIFFERENT which these days, well that's rare. This is the real Angel Islington - the kooky, one-off, unique mad little holes in the wall. It's never a bad experience. It's all about the atmosphere. You can feel it literally envelop you when you come here. It's so relaxing & friendly & happy - with good snacks & kind staff & REAL people. They have never changed it & I love that. I really pray they never get rid of this place as this is the REAL LONDON & what so many of us absolutely loved about London before it was sold out. Please stay because you are very appreciated & I literally tell everyone to go to you because they will experience a bit of the magic too. Yes this is magic place out of time that is a gift to this city of ever changing things - some must be constant - some must be the Candid Cafe of The Angel. GO THERE and CHERISH IT.

A lovely Café with fun interior and a "living room" atmosphere. It's a great place to spend some time reading or chatting with friends. The staff was really friendly and the cake absolutely delicious! I'll definitely come again :)

Went here a while ago now. Was working opposite. Quirky little place. Very different. Good food, friendly staff, decent portions. Would recommend

A sweet little Bohemien cafe which is refreshingly a little rough round the edges and not a large chain or too corporate. Down side was slightly slow service and a lol that could do with some TLC

I’ve never seen cafe staff swear at customers before I came to this one, avoid at all costs, there’re many other choices within 10mins walk.

Great place and well-decorated lol.

Character, uniqueness, etc. Got a bright and well stacked salad. 👍

This was a cafe I used to adore attending and would regularly run events here quite some tears ago. This is my second time attending in the space of a month and will not be returning. The new staff are extremely dismissive and come off rude if you are not one of their regulars maybe. Today I was approached at 16:45 in the middle of my work and advised the cafe was closing at 17:00. I was confused because both signs outside before you make the trip up the 2 flights of stairs definitely stated 6pm, so I shared this with the staff member and she abruptly said no and walked off. a simple acknowledgement that they had changed the times would have smoothed the scenario. The space has definitely gone downhill and from the balls of dirt, tobacco and food that was on the table when I arrived to the attitude of the staff just not worth it.

Super cute spot in Angel. The chocolate and orange cake was delicious.

Lovely interior, super nice stuff and yummy cakes & drinks! We even got free croissants when they closed :)

El Staff es super amable y el lugar lleno de arte... si estas cerca vale la pena pasar a tomar un café... yo le doy un 9.5

Paid the most disinterested looking girl we'd ever had the pleasure of being served by £6 for a cheese sandwich and when it came, brought by a bewildered looking Japanese girl about 40 minutes later, it was a toastie. It was quite nice. But if they can't get a sandwich right....

just discovered, evening, just heading home. Little, pretty gem.

Long time fan. Really unique place to sit and work, or hang out with friends over coffee or wine.

Lovely Romantic Cafe ,with Wine 🍷 and it was very Friendly....

Unique, quirky atmosphere. Big fan.

I love the atmosphere in this place. Nice food too.

Really lovely place hidden away you wouldn't know it was there! My friend took me there and I had a creamy coffee gateau and a tea. Really nice people and location.

Amazing atmosphere & decoration. Very spacious, kind staff. On the downside, there is no wifi and the coffee is not very good.

Lovely hidden away. I always have a great time here.

Quaint. Interesting food and space. Water leaks everywhere!

Lovely staff , quite cafe and excellent locatiin

Lovely atmosphere, limited food options. Certainly an amazing space for artistic spirits.

This is such a wonderful hideaway with the most lovely team running the place; a great favourite

The Candid Cafe is an unexpected, eccentric treat just a stone's throw from Angel tube (provided you can climb the stairs!). A big, welcome, eating space--flooded with natural light-- greets you , decorated with post-modern tacky art; it's sort of charmingly tasteless. There are always some reasonable homecooked meals for under a tenner, and an array of home made cakes if you arrive for tea. Alas, this little peace of wacky heaven loses a star due to the arduous staircase you have to negotiate.

Cute quirky café concealed from the crowds

I love hidden, antique places like this. It almost feels like you're going on a secret adventure. Plus they have live events which is a great opportunity to meet new people. You can come here to socialize or have an intimate conversation with a friend. It's a cool vibe either way.

Food was wonderful. Its has a funky vibe. Would I go again? Sure. Was 8 quid for the meal which was a fair price for what I had. Does need some building work completing however as the ceiling looks like it's about to collapse. But that's why more people should go. Give them your money!

Feel like it was kinda fate I discovered this cafe with my friend, when we had gone for dinner closeby and fancied a tea afterwards, that it was down a street the same as my last name. Super cosy and chill atmosphere with soft candlelight. Hot drinks and cake available as well as food (vegan options)

Very cozy and relaxing, great hot chocolate and cake.

This place is so cosy and unique that it should have more reviews! I don’t usually review places, but this cafe is exceptional!

The first time we tried to go we walked out as they wouldn’t serve us just tea without eating, despite being a cafe and having plenty of empty seats ! This time we ate, but of course it being a Saturday lunchtime they had no bread for sandwiches! My son eventually went for a chicken salad, but it was awful chicken roll. They haven’t a clue !

Bellissimo angolo d'arte adibito a cafè, luogo tranquillo per poter lavorare al pc, d'ispirazione per le persone creative. Hanno una torta al caramello super gnammy! Unica pecca: non c'è il wifi!

Beautiful and spacious with really delicious food and great vegan options. Good value and accessible - it's near the high street but feels really peaceful.This is a real find and I'll definitely be coming here more often.

Cozy atmosphere, friendly staff, great music, convenient location. Usually quiet and welcoming for coffee/wine with friends. Please don't change!

Super cute, mismatching furniture and wonderful soundtrack.

Loved the design, super chill and nice vibes, great vegan options, affordable, well located and friendly customer service.

A very delightful place. Great room, views, quite a selection of teas and cakes. I spend many happy hours here.

I love the unusual atmosphere of this quiet little place. The retro decor, the interesting artwork and the relaxing background music

Location. Exit Angel Station (Northern Line) then turn left. As you reach the junction turn left again and head into Torrens Street. The gallery will be to your right, next to Candid café. A four-minute walk in total. Exhibitors. Bath Spa University photography graduate show. Luminance. The gallery is well-lit. Interior design. Factory-styled exposed ceiling and floor. I.e. no design. If art school grad shows thrive on essay-writing skills and architects can solve crime, why not now let photography majors do what non-photographers would do? Let’s look at those that made their efforts to stand out. 1. Bed with projected scenes: inspired by insomnia and as experimentation on the therapeutic properties of picture-looking. There’s one thing good about these simple set-ups: you can just pretend it’s about you, and find yourself in an everyday activity that’s relatable. 2. And it’s flashing and noisy. (Remember what we saw in South London Gallery?) 2. Go upstairs to find a picture book where you get to fill in the story texts. 3. These interactive artworks intrigue me for some reason. (Also, they come in handy in the explaining of a large pool of information: ”Peek in the Kitchen” Tower, that quirky billiard table at Wardown House Museum and Gallery, and of course the showroom with my favourite model of London: Building Centre.)

Quirky setting with lots of potential. However, the 'antique' mouldy smell is overpowering and very unpleasant. No no for those with sensitive noses! Horrendous cappuccino, latte not bad. Didn't try any food. NO WiFi! Toilets filthy and in desperate need of a refurb if only for hygiene purposes. Will never come here again :/

Friendly staff , lovely atmosphere though the menu was very limited. Improve the menu and you'll have better reviews and more business

Very cosy! Amazing place to drink a coffee, read, study, draw or meet with friends! Spent 2 whole afternoons there and its my new favourite place!

I imagine that eventually everybody will find this place (by reading reviews like this) and there will be queues of bearded hipsters and people carrying their Mac Airbooks on the stairs waiting for the chance to plug in and make a double espresso last the morning but until then, if you cut through the office square behind Angel tube and cross the small street you find a set of stairs and a small entrance into a two room quickly decorated cafe with appropriately laid back staff and a very low key comfortable vibe. Worth checking out after the rush hour for a chance to sit and look at the help wanted ads.

A WiFi free zone. I loved this place. Great to be offline

Quirky and friendly, but not easy to get to or to everyone's taste

Very cool place with a unique vibe and a very warm welcoming atmosphere. Great for dates.

This place is a hidden gem. A great selection of games and tea to waste a few hours.

Only had coffee here but a lovely spot to relax on a comfy sofa in central london and even have a view of parks and greenery as you do.

Had veggie lasagna for lunch with my friend here. It was ok, but bit bland and way too much beshamel sauce. The place looks quite nice inside, but really humid and cold.

Nice little place for a coffee and sandwich

We discovered this place by fluke and came for a pre theatre meal. Entrance is spooky specially in the dark winter evening ,but after climbing the winding Victorian staircase you enter into this charming oasis of calm and cosiness. Friendly and accommodating staff with a come in and make yourselves at home attitude. Limited menu but something for everyone's taste .The meal was well cooked and freshly made and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit. The place has a bohemian feel and the prices are very affordable. A super place and worth a visit. Well be back!

Coffee was not good, the inside was really musty and made me feel a bit ill, can’t recommend.

Didnt like the place much. Food was good but service needs to improve.

Cosiest place around Angel,quiet and great food.

Very nice place for a delicious cup of Earl Grey and a piece of gluten free carrot cake!!

A really great little place in the way upstairs on the backstreet 30 seconds from Angel Islington tube. I haven of peace and quiet away from the rest of his Linton definitely worth coming for food or tea and cake.

Excellent atmosphere and decor. Terrible microwave salmon and uncooked rice

Candid Cafe is located in a small street, it has an nice outdoor area and a beautiful large room at the second floor. Food is tasty, perfect for a lunch break. There are also delicious home-made cakes. I am definitely coming back again to Candid Cafe for its peaceful and relaxing atmosphere.

I only purchased Coffee but the service was excellent. Service with nice smile :)

A refuge from the blandness of the low street seudo cafes and galleries.

What a very cool quirky little cafe. Lady serving was a bit rude. Drinks ok didn't eat. Good for a date.

My favourite cafe in Angel, and always able to get a seat during the evenings. The food is amazing, and they always have something interesting on the menu. Usually lots of vegetarian options. Welcoming and helpful staff

Very unusual caffe, there’s a board with menu at the bar and if the waitress doesn’t happen to come across, you just go to the bar and order. The food was quickly served 5-10 minutes - Maroccan spicy chicken wings - quite tasty, for 9.50£. Cheescake (gluten free) was delicious. No wifi, might be nice for a date.

Nice romantic atmosphere, perfect for a date, but not that good for working since there is no wifi. Food was good, tea was not that good, just a normal teabag.

Don't be put off by the outside or up 2 flights of stairs. You enter a charming space with an eclectic mix of tables and chairs Really welcoming staff, service spot on, value brilliant wine also super value. But most importantly. as a veggie, the menu was varied and I had a veggie lasagna to die for! I really felt comfortable and well fed. A "come back to" place .. I will be bringing friends.

Great place for a cosy coffee and catch-up. Wonderful living room vibe

Not everyone's cup of tea, requires a decorative overhaul, but if it had one, it would lose its appeal. Quirky, unusual and very bohemian. The place to go for a lazy afternoon or a long conversation. The big room faces west and catches the son in the afternoon. A place to lounge.

I saw this place online when looking for somewhere to have lunch on my sister's hen do, after we had an activity in the same area. I was amazed by the reviews and pics - the cafe looks so cute and kind of like a hidden gem, the menu also looks lovely. We found the cafe and went upstairs, there was only a couple of customers and lots of space to sit. We stood for 5 mins and suddenly a lady appeared from the kitchen, I said hi to her and she looked at us and shouted 'Oh, okay!' as if she was taken aback by us standing there. She then walked into the dining room to another customer and we were completely ignored and there was nice greeting or acknowledgement at all. At least say take a seat or I will be with you in a second. We all just looked at each other and went back downstairs, walked round the corner to Bill's and had tapas!

Wonderful atmosphere. Good service.

wonderful vibe and super friendly staff.

Love this place. Very quirky and chilled vibe - perfect Sunday afternoon spent here with lots of tea, reading and great veggie food.

Cute and kitch gem hidden just off Angel High Street. The pleasant atmosphere for casual meet ups and lazy Sundays. Can get bit warm in there when windows/doors are shut. Attracts a nice group/clientele. Staff are lovely and polite. Angel tune station is literally 5 mins away.

Cozy hidden cafe with quirky vintage interior. Quiet and relaxing place perfect for catching up with friends or reading a book! Great location and affordable prices. Unfortunately, not suitable for working with pc as there is no WiFi.

It could almost be difficult to spot but tucked away at the back of the bustling Angel tube station this place is situated on the second floor which will challenge your fitness levels. Once you get here you do experience some bohemian feel and décor with this massive communal table and scattered ageing sofas. With candelabras and bottles covered with melted wax, paintings and burgundy walls, u could say it is cool. As a matter of fact is so cool that you feel that you could take all your technological paraphernalia with you and spend the week end here while writing a dissertation on Blake and nobody will bat an eye lid and it seems very unlikely that anyone will tell you to go away. I also think the staff either by design to fit in it with the atmosphere or through character don’t seem to be bothered, which is fine by me. When it comes to coffee the “music” changes. I have been here a few times before and I don’t remember the cappuccino being so bland and watery. The coffee or some coffee substitute was noticeable for its absence. It was not just that it had nothing to do with a classic cappuccino it didn’t seem to belong to any variation on the theme of coffee beverages! Whatever it was it seemed to be a very pale imitation of the real thing. It is slighter cheaper than many other places but then…….! My friend had an Americano which according to him tasted like instant coffee, and I have no reason not to believe him! the clientele seem to be a mixed bunch from students to arty or business types. It is a bit of a shame because I like the place but hurry up and do something about the coffee!

The Candid Yam in Salisbury, Md. is without a doubt the best place I have eaten in years. Food is home cooked and service is 5 star. Food is reasonably priced....you won't be disappointed.

Lovely quirky venue with lovely service. Shame they don’t know how to make proper flat whites

Café with an amazing arty interior. Delicious food and cosy environment. Very friendly staffs there.

Discovered the Candid cafe thanks to a friend. We went for lunch and thoroughly enjoyed it. The food was very nice, the decor unique and really lovely. Loved the authentic feel, no corporate ambience a definite plus, choice of food was fine for lunch.

Lovely hidden cafe with wide range of teas and yummy food. Good for working and meeting friends.

Lovely atmosphere cafe, very comfy furnishings, but slightly irritating rule about only being able to buy alcohol if you also buy food

Este restaurante siempre ha sido mi favorito con un simple casero (bueno para vegetarianos) y con un entorno ad hoc simplista, rústico y sin adornos. Es un precio muy atmosférico e increíble para los escondites secretos simples pero llenos para tener una cena tranquila. Aunque tienes que conseguir una llave especial para visitar el baño, este lugar tiene tanto encanto y calidez.

I was excited to discover this cafe with its hidden entrance, comfortable alternative feel and picturesque views. But the staff seemed uninterested and the coffee undrinkable, so I won't be rushing back.

Wonderful people, wonderful food in a wonderful setting. Places like this really are a treasure trove not to be spoilt!

Lovely café, hidden away upstairs and really close to Electrowerkz, the gallery and angel station.

Encontré esto en las 1000 cosas para hacer de Time Out en Londres. Entrada descuidada y hasta unos tramos de escaleras en el viejo almacén victoriano. Pero lo vale.