Picture of Kin, W1W 6DT

Kin, W1W 6DT

A vegetarian cafe in Fitzrovia.

With a fairly unflashy exterior, tucked away off Great Portland Street, this small cafe showcases a range of vegetarian and vegan food without making much of a fuss about it. There are tables inside, maybe around eight or so to the rear, with a couple of tiny ones by the window and some spaces for individual eaters on high stools opposite the counter. There are benches outside on the street. However, given the space limitations, it can get rather cramped at busy times like lunch.

The food selection is all displayed on the front counter photo of the breakfast selection. All of it is signed and named, and these also indicate whether the item is vegan, gluten-free, or contains nuts. Cakes and pastries are always present, as well as a couple of sandwich options for both breakfast and lunch (one vegan, one with cheese, both around £5). For breakfast, there are pastries and other dairy-based options (granola, fruit salad with yoghurt, et al.), as well as avocado on toast (vegan, £6). At lunch, a selection of salads are offered, as well as cooked items (baked aubergines or stuffed peppers, for example), and one can mix and match by getting a box with something warm alongside a selection of salads (around £7).

Alongside the food are coffees (£2.20 for an espresso), a wide range of interesting teas sourced from Postcard Teas, freshly-made juices (£3.50) and kombucha. The juice menu has around four options, all blends, changing regularly depending on what fruit they have in; there are also a couple of smoothies (£4). Takeaways also come with wooden cutlery where appropriate, and in general there's a pleasant focus on avoiding plastics and non-recyclables (drinking straws aside).

Ewan's verdict: As I work close by, I come here often for both breakfast and lunch, usually takeaway (though I've eaten in once or twice). The food is consistently interesting (especially the salads), and offers enough of a range that I've always found something I've wanted to eat. The service in particular is friendly and excellent, and they make a special effort with the coffee and tea selection.

See also:

Last visited by Ewan, June 2017. Opening hours and prices taken from website, June 2015.
OS X co-ord: 529121 OS Y co-ord: 181691 (Latitude: 51.519390 Longitude: -0.140367)
Last edited 2023-09-05 12:43:05 (version 4; diff). List all versions.