Kobo Cafe in Islington

Lovely porridge and croissants for breakfast which we enjoyed but eating in means climbing a rather steep and narrow staircase.

Left Islington rental apartment at 10:00 am, raining and cold we four headed for nearby Ottolenghi for breakfast. Packed to the rafters, bags in tow we queued.As tables for two freed up, couples walked past us. Twenty minutes later we decided on plan B. Niece promptly gets her phone out and marches us up the road in the rain to Kobo. It looked a little unprepossessing but the welcome was very warm and food looked delicious. Upstairs is a small cafe (steep stairs) where we gratefully camped in relative calm. We ate smoked salmon & herby scrambled eggs on sourdough, coffees, breakfast teas, and fab Portuguese custard tarts. Food and drinks hot and tasty, good portion size, all for a fraction of the price we would have paid at first stop. Staff very friendly and helpful with bags. As we left we greedily surveyed in more detail the food displayed. So much choice of savouries and sweet treats, all looked delicious. Try this little cafe, you will not be disappointed. Another trip with ‘happy irregularities’

I bought 4 soups in kobo to take away. As I bought 4 I asked for the 5th free as the portions are already ridiculously small for 5 pound each. I was given the 5th but on getting home found they were only just over half way filled. I called and was told they were sorry and to come back and they would give a couple more complimentary. I walk nearly 30 mins there in the cold at the weekend only to be told that they weren’t giving me the soups that they only ever fill the cups like that as the soup expands while heating. What a load of rubbish. Told them mine hadn’t expanded. The size of these portions was only half the amount of what was in the soups the first time I purchased. You need two of these soups to even get one small portion in a bowl. Asked them why they asked me to come the whole way there only to retract their offer. The manager didn’t care. Said his staff shouldn’t have offered. A good manager would know he is responsible for what his staff offer so should honor what was offered. Terrible customer service. This is after my first trip there where I got two soups to take away only to find they weren’t closed properly and burst all over my shopping and coat. When I went back and complained they reluctantly replaced the soups. No apology for destroying my shopping or jacket. I asked at a minimum for them to give a complimentary soup which was the least they could do. I had to get my jacket dry cleaned as it had soup all over it. And they claim last week they had already given a complimentary soup. Rude rude is all I can say. Zero customer service and rip off. See pic of the magic expanding soup below. Will leave it to you whether you want to waste 5 pound on that!!!!

Ett mysigt café - goda och vackra bakverk, väldigt gott kaffe! Trevlig och förekommande personal, hit kommer jag gärna tillbaka!

Amazing food, excellent and very helpful staff, small and bijou with seating upstairs. The coffee was wonderful.

This is my favourite place in Islington. The staff is friendly and remembers you, the coffee is good and they even have vegan snacks from time to time. This is my favourite place for a midday break from work and to catch up on some reading/writing.

On visiting Camden passage to collect for clients it was always difficult to find a bite to eat and a coffee on the go..... well venture on to the high street that runs adjacent to the passage and you will find a small but very good coffee shop that does the best coffee I’ve had in a long long time ( and I drink coffee) and a toasted cheese sandwich to die for, and for London the prices were very reasonable. If you’re there I dare you to find nicer. Oh and the staff were as friendly as the coffee & sandwich were good. Safe travels RWH.

Kobo is now boringly consistent in being excellent. Forget the rest, go to Kobo and ruin your Costa / Starbucks notions of coffee for ever. 👍👍

Coffee, service, atmosphere all top marks. Lovely coffee shop and a great find for coffeelovers. Staff are super friendly and excellent. Coffees perfect, nice chilled place to sit and read a book

Cortado and Flat Whites from here over my few days in the area have been excellent. And perfect temperature, people who say coffee isn’t hot enough are ignorant and don’t understand the optimal temperature good coffee is meant to be enjoyed at. Real good juices and nice healthy bites and fresh foods. Friendly service. Would recommend.

The barista took his time to extensively advise various tastes of coffee. We had a fantastic V60 brew.

Cute and cosy. Great vegan and gluten free choices. Had a delicious parsnip and cauliflower soup with sour dough toast. Followed by a gf vegan pistachio cake and coffee with oat milk. Great, attentive and thoughtful service.

Stumbled upon this coffee shop when visiting London. The filter coffee is very decent (I’m pretty picky about coffee). The seating is upstairs and it’s not crowded by people trying to work away from the office.

This is a small but great coffee shop. Fantastic choice of coffee and tea. Cakes and biscuits are exquisite. Such friendly staff - a joy to visit

Cannot recommend kobo enough! With so many independent coffee shops around the area, Kobo is by far the best. The staff are super friendly too. Don’t miss out!

A very cosy coffee shop with beautiful decoration in Angel. Cool cups, good coffee, nice people! There are many options, coffee, tea, muffins, ice coffee...

Healthy AND delicious food at a decent price compared to other restaurants in a walkable distance. Worth the visit if healthy eating, vegetarian options, and a small budget are important factors. I only tried one dish (no coffee). I highly recommend trying anything with the...

In an area filled with many independent and chain coffee shops, Kobo is the best by far. The coffee is that good, I’ve been known to go twice a day to get my caffeine hit! In addition, it’s such a friendly, positive place, they often...

The area around Angel is awash with great coffee shops, and so there is really steep competition. Over the last year or so of working regularly in the area though, Kobo has become my favourite and most regular haunt. The filter coffee is consistently excellent,...

Having failed to get breakfast at the Business Design Centre across the road, where I was an exhibitor, I decided to go in search of a place nearby where I could get something hot and quick. Kobo Cafe was just the ticket and a very...

I had a very busy day with fan activities like the National Portrait Museum and the New Designers convention but reflecting on it, finding Kobo café was the best part. The staff are beyond lovely and know so much about all the different coffees there....

Ah Kobo. .. I so wanted to love it. The coffee was really delicious but not hot enough and service so slow. Breakfast .. smashed avocado fresh and lemony but no chilli and eat too much rocket. Açai bowl .. nothing special and prepackaged in...

Service and coffee never disappoints at Kobo! Wonderful staff, friendly atmosphere. Just the perfect place to get or have your coffee, juice, cake, lunch etc

Friendly service & great coffee and veggie toasties. Great place for a Sunday chillout with friends or for working.

Kobo is relatively new, but seems to have found its place among the throng of chains and other independents in Islington. A particular favourite is the hot chocolate - very rich but very good,

Beyond deliscious coffee! And the service? Out of this world! The staff is so happy to help and suggest! The desserts - Oh boy, remarkable! Overall yummy score: 12/10

I have been a regular at Kobo since my first visit. It has everything you could hope for in a lovely neighbourhood cafe—great coffee, delicious and healthy food (honestly more than once I skipped my office’s free lunch for a chicken sandwich at Kobo’s. so...

Super friendly staff and good coffee and tea options. Food choice is selective and healthy. I sat in the cafe upstairs for +3hours during the week to work and found it just perfect. Free wifi, power points, not noisy and as mentioned good tea, coffee...

Really small espressobar (about 2.5 meters wide). Bar downstairs and seats upstairs. I had a really nice cappuccino. No great latteart but really nice texture and wellmade espresso. They used the marketblend from Caravan roasters (blend of Guatamala, El Salvador and a little Ethiopia). Also...

Kobo is home to possibly the best coffee on Upper St! My cappuccino was crafted expertly and just the right drinking temperature. The coffee used had a nice smooth taste and good aroma. Also very good value, everything that you want from a coffee shop!

This coffee place makes really good coffee! I'm from Melbourne, Australia and we love our coffee and this place can sure execute.. They do cortado's well and have a range on the menu. Their selection of pastries are always tempting. Last week they had a...

Try any of their coffees with oat milk. The oat milk late is a must try. It is arguably the best coffee in London.

Great coffee! They store your coffee card there so you don't have another card to shove in your wallet :)

My daughter found this excellent cafe while we were in Islington. We visited both days we were in town as it was so nice. Small but relaxing space, delightful staff and very nice food. From the croissants to the quiche, tea and coffee it was...

Kobo is an absolute gem of a cafe. Tasty coffee, with friendly and knowledgeable staff, with a very tempting array of snacks to go with it (gluten free options available!) The seating upstairs is bright and cosy, and is a lovely place to relax or...

We found this place by chance a few months ago, when we were still new to the neighborhood, and we have been regulars ever since. In Kobo we have always found delicious organic food (the Red Leicester toastie is to die for!) combined with the...

This is a great, small coffeeshop with relaxing atmosphere. I love coming here to write. There coffee is very good, and they have delicious (gluten free!) baked goods as well.

I usually go there for morning coffee, raw juice or for the wonderful matcha latte! The service is very good, considerate and always up for advice on their products. It is a great place to sit alone or with friends or family, and enjoy their...

Hidden Treasure in Angel A big variety of fresh juices, smoothies, tea, coffee and not to forget the best matcha latte in town. I also can recommend the great selection of healthy sandwiches and soups, especially the AVO toast is super tasty. The staff is...

Small but very nice coffee shop in London (Islington). I can really recommend it if you want a gluten free coffee shop. Not very big selection but the ones we tested (2) were very tasty. All cakes looked very delicious (with or without gluten). They...

This cafe is the best. They have a variety of teas made from the loose leaf. I definitely recommemd the matcha latte and the chai! Real tea!

This is an amazing coffee shop. It is the best coffee in east London. The food is delicious a great selection of healthy sandwiches and cake treats. Wow!!!!

I really enjoyed my coffee here. It's got nice music, a lovely atmosphere and the coffee is superbly made. Free wifi too!

Love this super cute relaxing cafe! Great fresh juice and top notch coffee, rarely do you get both in one place! Plus great healthy cakes! ;-) Lovely decor, friendly staff and such a calm atmosphere. Found it by chance and come regularly now. You should...

I was lucky enough to stumble upon Kobo cafe on my first day in Islington. They have beautiful cakes and sandwiches, and delicious teas. I was so happy to find that they carry rooibos tea and oat milk, which is not always easy to find...

Fantastic new addition to Upper Street. Great coffee, friendly and helpful staff, pleasant light filled room upstairs and a range of (mainly gluten free) cakes on the counter to die for. I had a Nutella gluten free cake, which was delicious and will be back...

My morning ritual now includes a Swedish brew from Kobo. Really good coffee. Great to take away but even better to savour upstairs in their seating area.

Charming coffee shop with a different variety of hot and cold drinks (especially for me the orange, carrot and ginger juice!) Food so good as well!

Nice and quiet. I love the fresh juices and the Camembert cheese and honey croissant is just delicious. I highly recommend it! :)

I am not a person who writes reviews on Trip Advisor, however you all need to know about Kobo. If you're in Angel and wanting delicious food, a brilliant selection of teas, coffees and juices, plus in an environment that is bright, light and super...

As a freelancer, I spend most of my days at Kobo working on my laptop. The space is really bright, super comfortable and the coffee/food is delicious! The upstairs space feels like home away from home. Favourite cafe in London by far.

Love Kobo, I discovered it when it first opened as I work opposite. So quaint and different and extremely healthy. Protein balls, matcha and turmeric lattes and fresh salads and juices made to order. Would definitely recommend and staff are super friendly. Also a great...

I had a cup of coffee here last month after passing by almost every day. The coffee was great and it had a really cute upstairs to sit down. The cakes always look incredible too!

This is a fabulous little cafe and the owner Leo is very warm and welcoming. We love it upstairs which is fantastic meeting place. Very comfortable. I come whenever I am in the area and cannot recommend it highly enough. A must visit when in...