Cafe Route is a cafe/deli/bistro in the heart of bustling and vibrant Dalston Junction & Haggerston. The food is well travelled and exciting; drawing inspiration from the Middle East and Mediterranean, whilst keeping a local, dynamic and modern spirit. Vibrant and welcoming, serving seasonal menus of breakfast, lunch and dinner made fresh every day.
At the heart of our cafe's is the amazing salad and deli counter that serves the most inspired salads and finest quality sourced charcuteries. The team all have a massive passion for food and draw inspiration from their rich and colourful local surroundings, as well as their diverse backgrounds; ingraining in them a strong sense of generousity and hospitality that they strive to establish in the caf.
At the heart of our cafe's is the amazing salad and deli counter that serves the most inspired salads and finest quality sourced charcuteries. The team all have a massive passion for food and draw inspiration from their rich and colourful local surroundings, as well as their diverse backgrounds; ingraining in them a strong sense of generousity and hospitality that they strive to establish in the caf.
Services
With a varied menu, Cafe Route Dalston is a staple breakfast spot amongst Hackney locals. Full english breakfast (veggie options), mediterranean classics, pastries, pancakes and a few special twists are all on offer. We also serve quality barista coffee and have a selection of fresh juices always available.
So if you are looking to eat dinner in Dalston, walk this way. Although we call ourselves a cafe due to the relaxed atmosphere we've created. At Cafe Route, we certainly aren't just about breakfast or lunch. Our dinner menu is full of delicious, hearty mediterranean influenced dishes to suit all tastes.
Our pre-theatre dinner Dalston is a real tempting option. Cafe Route is ideally located, just a 5 minute walk to both the Arcola Theatre and Vortex Jazz Club. You can enjoy some of our delicious mediterranean dishes at a pinch of the price and enjoy your show after, comfortably full.
We are very lucky to have two such great venues like Arcola Theatre and Vortex Jazz Club in our neighbourhood, so join us at Cafe Route for pre-theatre dinner before your night out.we are all friends in Dalston.
We are very lucky to have two such great venues like Arcola Theatre and Vortex Jazz Club in our neighbourhood, so join us at Cafe Route for pre-theatre dinner before your night out.we are all friends in Dalston.
From Dalston to Haggerston we paved a route of Mediterranean delicacy and called it Cafe Route. Our first home is on a bustling vibrant street in Dalston, while our second location greets you as you wander the noticeable sidewalk close by the captivating canal in Haggerston. Your warm welcoming home in East London.
Cafe Route also offer catering in Dalston and across London. We cater for dinners and lunch parties, to office events and wedding catering Hackney and throughout London. If you have an event and need catering, the let Route take care of it for you, you won't be disappointed. Our catering is taken care of by our sister brand Route Catering.
Reviews (20)
Cameron Ross
Jan 15, 2022
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Great hummus, but we didn't feel like the vegan jackfruit shawarma had that much flavour, and half of the dish is made up of plain rice, which was a bit boring.
It was someone's birthday in our group, and it was nice to be offered a shot on the house.
After splitting and paying our bill, we were about to leave when we were told we had underpaid by £25. Upon checking, the staff member realised their colleague hadn't added a bottle of wine to the bill, which we then paid for before leaving. It would have been better for them to double check the bill before accusing us of under paying.
It was someone's birthday in our group, and it was nice to be offered a shot on the house.
After splitting and paying our bill, we were about to leave when we were told we had underpaid by £25. Upon checking, the staff member realised their colleague hadn't added a bottle of wine to the bill, which we then paid for before leaving. It would have been better for them to double check the bill before accusing us of under paying.
Fides Dagongdong
Dec 28, 2021
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The place was really nice, the interior was aesthetically pleasing despite the building works outside. They did the best they could with the current exterior's building works!! The staff were relatively friendly too and the atmosphere was pretty relaxed. The coffee was okay, not great nor bad. Just okay.
I gave 2 stars is not because the coffee was okay since I'm not *that* petty, but because somehow I got given the wrong order and caused an allergic reaction. This event occurred a couple of weeks ago.
I had ordered a dairy alternative as I have lactose intolerancy. It could've been an easy mistake
I gave 2 stars is not because the coffee was okay since I'm not *that* petty, but because somehow I got given the wrong order and caused an allergic reaction. This event occurred a couple of weeks ago.
I had ordered a dairy alternative as I have lactose intolerancy. It could've been an easy mistake
Juice G.
Dec 06, 2021
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Alex Ayhan
Sep 23, 2021
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Mattie P. W.
Aug 28, 2021
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Avoid the pancakes: caked in yogurt and fruit compot and honey and nuts. The pancakes were bland with no taste of their own.
I think keep it simple is best good pancakes hint of lemon with some maple syrup.
This review was of the Broadway branch but location not listed yet so cannot leave a review .
I think keep it simple is best good pancakes hint of lemon with some maple syrup.
This review was of the Broadway branch but location not listed yet so cannot leave a review .
Andrius
Aug 19, 2021
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Harry-Dean Corfield Infinityharry
Sep 10, 2020
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Andrew P.
Jan 15, 2020
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Celine J.
Feb 03, 2019
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The B.
Oct 13, 2018
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Andrew Schultz
Jun 09, 2018
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Wow, this place is awesome! Such a fantastic venue for enjoying the sunshine and amazingly healthy dishes. I ordered the pulled pork with two salad choice and it blew my mind! The salads are so diverse and delicious, I tried the carrot and aubergine salads but they all looked great. Meals start at around 10 pounds, that’s 10 pounds well invested in my opinion! I’ll be back to small their breakfast next time. #BeatTheGrind
Meng W.
Feb 11, 2018
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Valerie B.
Feb 28, 2017
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We stopped in here for breakfast, as we were staying at the Premier Inn across the street. The portions were generous and the prices affordable (about 9 pounds per person). I had the English breakfast. I enjoyed the eggs, sausage, and especially the bacon and the portobello mushroom. But I did not like the beans (just tasted bland and meh), the potato hash (too many peppers!), and the bread (too hard to chew through). My husband got the Mediterranean breakfast. He did not enjoy his sausage, which was different than the one I had, nor the hash either.
The portion sizes were good and the service
The portion sizes were good and the service
Fu M.
Nov 18, 2015
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Route is our favourite breakfast place! The guys that run it are awesome and despite the fact that its always busy the service is great! True story: when we first went there, 5-6 months ago, there was a girl that was first day in the job / didn't like her job (or both) and we were unlucky enough to be served by her. The experience was horrific (will not get into the details) but the food was so good that we had to mention it to the manager as we thought it is a shame to have such poor service with such great food! It's just not right. We were gonna go back anyway as the breakfast we had
Melly M.
Aug 26, 2015
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When my friend suggested lunch at Cafe Route, I assumed that uneducated philistine needed to jump into the sea/be killed with fire. However, it was a mistake on my part - ROUTE was not a spelling error and indication of a bland, soulless French chain but instead, a cool little place in Dalston, just a stone's throw from Dalston Junction and not much further from Kingsland.
The rain was battering down as we walked toward the venue. I spotted outdoor seating and joked we pulled up a pugh. The tables of course were deserted but in hindsight, I know that on a summer's day, there would surely
The rain was battering down as we walked toward the venue. I spotted outdoor seating and joked we pulled up a pugh. The tables of course were deserted but in hindsight, I know that on a summer's day, there would surely
Louisa K.
Aug 12, 2015
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I accompanied some friends who knew the place already and allured me by promising fresh and healthy Mediterranean flavours.
I was immediately impressed by the very tasteful interior and the tempting delicacies on display. The breakfasts are modern takes on traditional English breakfast. I liked my veggie version but lusted after the sumpuous salads that were being prepared for lunch and carried from the kitchen to the counter. I'm definitely going again to take advantage of their 3 salads for 8.50£ or maybe better the 4 salads for 9.50£ offer ;)
See you there!
I was immediately impressed by the very tasteful interior and the tempting delicacies on display. The breakfasts are modern takes on traditional English breakfast. I liked my veggie version but lusted after the sumpuous salads that were being prepared for lunch and carried from the kitchen to the counter. I'm definitely going again to take advantage of their 3 salads for 8.50£ or maybe better the 4 salads for 9.50£ offer ;)
See you there!
Selma W.
Jun 22, 2015
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My friend and I visited this place for the first time for a pre-theatre munch and catch-up in the last of the evening's fleeting summer sun.
Feeling neither rich or starving we settled for their "3 salads for £8" of which we (both) chose: bulgar stuffed Aubergine with an aoili and pomegranate; chargrilled courgette and sweet potato; and a vibrant tabouleh. With a crisp white wine for accompaniment and a later regretted pining for a brownie, this was truly lacking of nothing.
Feeling neither rich or starving we settled for their "3 salads for £8" of which we (both) chose: bulgar stuffed Aubergine with an aoili and pomegranate; chargrilled courgette and sweet potato; and a vibrant tabouleh. With a crisp white wine for accompaniment and a later regretted pining for a brownie, this was truly lacking of nothing.
Ben B.
Mar 21, 2015
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Went today for the first time and thought it was a nigh on perfect relaxed cafe.
I had the chicken leg and selection of 3 salads - aubergine, squash and tabbouleh. All really good and fresh. It reminded me of a cheaper, less up itself and not quite as exciting ottelenghi.
It was very busy and staff were really friendly and on the ball. In fact I thought the service and atmosphere were a real plus. Def didn't experience the problems other's have mentioned.
Wholeheartedly recommend this place.
I had the chicken leg and selection of 3 salads - aubergine, squash and tabbouleh. All really good and fresh. It reminded me of a cheaper, less up itself and not quite as exciting ottelenghi.
It was very busy and staff were really friendly and on the ball. In fact I thought the service and atmosphere were a real plus. Def didn't experience the problems other's have mentioned.
Wholeheartedly recommend this place.
Charlotte S.
Mar 27, 2014
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Met a friend here for mid morning coffee the other day, had fresh fruit juice - apple lime and ginger and a chocolate brownie - both delicious and although not cheap at £3 each, it wasn't expensive either. Staff v friendly, table service - also provided with jug of tapwater with no fuss which is always nice. Menu looked good and it had a nice chilled out atmosphere, will be coming again for lunch!
Christine U.
May 17, 2013
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Cafe Route is a great addition to Dalston. Run by a local husband and wife team, their concept is broadly Turkish/Kurdish with a modern British twist. But I don't feel this category does the place justice - it makes it sound like yet another Mediterranean cafe, but Cafe Route is anything but; you can actually sense the passion the owners have for their culinary heritage and their business.
Their ingredients are all hand picked and sourced from the best possible suppliers, the salads on their deli counter are freshly prepared on site to owner Melek's own recipes and the chiller and shelves
Their ingredients are all hand picked and sourced from the best possible suppliers, the salads on their deli counter are freshly prepared on site to owner Melek's own recipes and the chiller and shelves
