Cà Phê
149b Upper St, Islington, London N1 1RA
The sign outside reads Phó Express, but it’s as Cà Phê (just say it out loud) that this little hole-in-the-wall diner attracts its most devoted fans. If you’re not yet hooked on sweet, strong Vietnamese coffee, one visit should do the job. The beans themselves are Vietnamese and brewed using individual drip filters with the optional addition of condensed milk. An offshoot of the same owners’ big hit in Broadway Market, it also serves delicious Vietnamese baguette sandwiches – try the roast pork bánh mì – and a range of rich phô noodle soups. Most customers take away but there are a couple of seats inside and they put stools out on the pavement in summer, when iced coffees are also available.