Cooperatively run, non-profit vegan cafe est. 2013. Serves a variety of vegan snacks and meals like sausage rolls and samosas plus cakes, milkshakes, Zapatista coffee. Sells some retail items including chocolates, cheeses, mock meats, tofu, tempeh, and vegan cookbooks. A ramp is available to provide wheelchair access, however the toilet is reported not wheelchair accessible. Reported re-opened Sept 2024. Open Mon 11:30-16:00, Thu-Fri 11:30-16:00, Sat-Sun 10:00-16:00. Open hours vary so check ahead.
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76 Clarence Rd, Hackney, East London, England, E5 8HB
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- Wheelchair accessible
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Last update on 20 Sep 2024 by craigmc
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168 Reviews
First Review by HelenGi
GarrrliCat
Points +1968
The classic! - Edit
One of the few places in London where I come back. Changing menu is one of the reasons I like to come back. But I’m always happy to find the fishless stew on the blackboard;)
Read moreupdate august 2024: First time I visited Black Cat was back in 2014 when I moved to London and i thought was great. A lot has changed and after the last 2024 reopening i'm no longer interested. The menu seemed boring (like why would you have banh-mi on menu when so many authentic vietnamese restaurants are so close?), prices went up an the political background has disappeared. Going down to 4* from 5 and sooon will try to revisit to see.
Updated from previous review on 2020-01-20
Pros: Changing menu, Atmosphere , Service
Guest
vegotanuki
Points +1272
Great name, great food - Edit
Only had a homemade lemonade and cupcake to take away but would definitely like to return to eat there properly. Seemed reasonably priced compared to other cafes in the area
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2025-05-03
Guest
jon active
Points +3335
Still on of the best places for vegans in London. - Edit
The Black Cat cafe was born out of the ashes of Pogo Cafe many years ago. Pogo was an anarchist run cafe with plenty of political involvement and a bookshop going on. As well as a popular ‘generous portions’ vegan cafe. When Black Cat took over the politics took a step back but we’re still evident, the books and benefit nights persisted. After the recent 2024 change of management it is no longer a cooperative venture in the form that it used to be. The radical politics are largely gone but the food remains excellent and the portions still generous. One might say that the story of Pumpkins (the veggie cafe in that preceded Pogo) to Black Cat is a reflection of the story of the last 3 decades of Hackney.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2015-04-29
Pros: Great food, All vegan , Friendly atmosphere
Cons: Not open all week
Guest
Richard Ross
Points +1066
Good food in a nice environment - Edit
I hadn't been here for many years. It's been through a number of iterations and is much improved. A bright, open space and good food. I had a sandwich, full of vegetables and salad, and taste.
Read morePros: Friendly and welcoming, Good food, Helpful staff
Guest
Jazzyire
Points +306
Excellent Cafe’ in Hackney - Edit
I’ve been coming to Black Cat for years and the food is always delicious and hearty. The portions are big so it’s quite good value for money. The Cat Breakfast , which is the vegan full English breakfast, is particularly delicious.
Read morePros: Lovely atmosphere , Big portions , Tasty breakfast
Cons: Not the cheapest
Guest
Squizsh
Points +978
Beautiful shop with beautiful people - Edit
Stopped in for lunch on our first day in London, grabbed the buffalo chickain’t burger and an eggless sandwich for my partner - really great, feel good food that felt generally much healthier than a lot of the vegan fast food you get around London. The concept of the coop is super sweet, the staff are genuinely helpful, beautiful humans who make you feel so at home, and the space is bright and feels great to sit-in on a warm sunny day.
Read moreOnly con, and because this is such a personal pet peeve - the tables were so sticky. There’s nothing worse than taking off your jumper after entering a restaurant, and resting your bare arms on a sticky table which you’re going to have to put back into your long sleeve jumper as soon as you exit the restaurant. Otherwise - fab place! Highly recommend 👍
Pros: Staff, Choc brownie milkshake was bangin, Food felt great in my tum tum
Cons: Sticky tables
Guest
AmeliaRussell
Points +77
So sad it’s closing :( - Edit
My fave vegan cafe in London. So gutted it’s closing down. Have so many happy memories there and the food was always perfect ❤️
Read morePros: Fully vegan, Great atmosphere , Lovely staff
Guest
vegantravel93
Points +1065
Always amazing - Edit
I visited a month ago and the food and vibes are always amazing. The prices are also really good for London.
Read morePros: Amazing food, Really kind staff , Great vibes
Guest
CostanzaTermine
Points +42
Just wonderful - Edit
Love love love this place, the food and the vibe.
Read moreGuest
Evington
Points +3424
Dependable cafe style food - Edit
Had the English breakfast which was a good solid dish. They also offer a range of other dishes and baked desserts (eg muffins).
Read moreGuest
victisch1
Points +920
Cosy and reliable - Edit
Volunteer-run cafe. Relaxed and comfortable. Great for brunch.
Read morePros: Relaxed , Tasty, Friendly
Guest
verybadgirl
Points +34
Cute spot - Edit
Lovely spot, feels very community oriented. Not many options for gluten intolerant people, but worth a visit
Read moreGuest
NelsonVegan
Points +266
nice and relaxed - Edit
Food here is usually good and huge portions, home made feeling.
Read moreCoop and lot's of charity events.
One of the oldest vegan cafes in London, great place to support.
Updated from previous review on 2023-08-19
Pros: Relaxed place, Friendly staff, Cheap
Cons: Really busy at times
Guest
framtid
Points +1572
🏴✨ - Edit
stunning food, great stuff, awesome politics
Read moreGuest
Valeriazwow
Points +1050
Big delicious bowls of vegan goodness - Edit
Wow! The food here is incredible, so many elements to it and so filling. Really good value for money. A really lovely menu too, I wanted to try so much.
Read moreI ended up with a salad bowl which was so tasty and so vegan, no fake meats etc just classic veggies and tofu etc
Pros: Big portions, such good value for monej, Healthy
NelsonVegan
I want that salad now
Read moreGuest
LizzieAnnWatts
Points +29
Delicious! - Edit
Amazing food, great variety and value, perfect portion sizes
Read moreGuest
T_uckers
Points +367
Banging - Edit
Good food, plenty of choice, reasonably priced. Would reccomend. Had the seitan sando and a frangipane cake, both really good!
Read moreGuest
veganwarrior666
Points +357
For the hipster vegan punx out there - Edit
Really cool hip vegan brunch place. 80s hardcore punk music and posters, great vibes. I had the full english breakfast for £12 and an americano for £2.30. very friendly staff, will be back.
Read moreUpdated from previous review on 2018-06-02
Guest
mockingbird
Points +3028
Cool, ethical cafe - Edit
Love Black Cat, cheap food for the (vegan) masses, with a slice of leftie politics as a side serving. Consistently great everytime.
Read moreGuest
Michael.kalmanovitch
Points +400
Power to the Vegan Food! - Edit
I like the feel of this place. It pushes their beliefs out there and I admire that. Businesses like this are in business to make the world better and they use their business as their vehicle to share their message with a larger audience.
Read moreI stopped in the cafe today (I tried to eat there the other day but got there at 15:50 and they close at 16:00) and I was glad I did.
I had the large mixed salad. It had so many things on this large platter. Three types of creamy dips/sauces, chickpeas, slaw, green salad, olives, tofu, tofu scramble, and more. Normally it came with couscous and bread but I chose the gluten-free option.
The fellow behind the counter was very knowledgeable and respectful of my gluten-free choice. I appreciated that.
The salad was normally 11.50 but they had a "Monday special" and it was only 10 pound.
A kind of place that I like to support because of its social enterprise, mission, and good food.
Pros: Good food., Wearing politics on their sleeves, Good vibes and posters
Guest
AndyWilson
Points +15
Amazing food - Edit
The food is all vegan and all fantastic. This is the place I bring people to to convince them that vegan food requires no compromise whatsoever on taste but is actually better than non-vegan / vegetarian food. Certainly the food here is the best in Hackney, whether vegan or not. Their mixed salad is a small work of art. I often sit there eating it, trying the different bits of it in different taste combinations, almost rolling my eyes with pleasure.
Read morePros: Gorgeous food, Great vibe, The posters!!
Cons: Sometimes very busy
Guest
Yergi
Points +249
Beautiful food, reasonably priced - Edit
What a lovely find; found through the app when in London in December, and just realised I forgot to rate. Wonderful and friendly vibe inside, helpful and knowledgeable staff, and obvious fully vegan menu, so plenty of options.
Read morePros: Fully vegan menu, Well priced , Friendly staff
Guest
PaulDaly☘️
Points +2957
Best vegan restaurant in London man! - Edit
Nacho & Carla & team are passionate about their venue/brand and it shows in everything. It’s more of a way of life community thing really.
Read moreI’ve eaten here very very often and have never been disappointed
PROPER portions & killer vegan grub, and that’s why I keep going back. They are like vegan 🌱 family really
Updated from previous review on 2022-09-02
Pros: Lots of vegan desserts , Carla Nacho Marco Maria John & Marcos lady , Amazing staff
Cons: No outside seating
Guest
pippydippy
Points +16
Revolting food, revolting attitude towards people with different opinions than them - Edit
The food is the worst I've eaten.
Read moreThe staff are rude and ignorant.
Wish I could give it 1 star, but happy cow is biased towards fully vegan places and only lets you give them minimum of 2 stars.
They have stickers up in their toilet that discriminate against people with different belief systems than them, discriminate against protected characteristics and also have signage promoting violent terrorist groups.
Why does this cafe not stick to focussing on making their food taste better than the burnt cardboard it currently resembles.
PaulDaly☘️
Pippy you are on your own with this review unfortunately. Let love rule
Read moreGuest
dalstonian90
Points +111
Best vegan spot in London - Edit
Love the food, the changing menu, the staff, the dirty chais… I could go on and on.
Read moreGuest
Eleni444
Points +370
Lovely food and staff - Edit
Very nice food especially the breakfast scrambled eggs. The portions are more than satisfying. My only comment would be that in some salads and bowls some of the foods wouldn’t really fit each other and there were too many different ingredients mixed. I’ve been at black cat several
Read moretimes and will definitely come back again!
Guest
dain
Points +15
Great place with decent portion sizes - Edit
Black Cat is an old favourite, you can actually get full under a tenner which is rare in most places nowadays, let alone after the "vegan tax" is added... And luckily the portion sizes aren't to the detriment of quality, the meals are tasty and nutritious.
Read moreGuest
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