The Hope

4.4(256 reviews)CafeLondon

Quick info

111 Holloway Rd, London N7 8LT, United Kingdom

£1–10 · Reported by 59 people

About The Hope

A "pay it forward" box sits inside The Hope, a greasy spoon caff on Holloway Road in Holloway, letting customers fund a meal for someone else. The kitchen works through around 150 dishes, from full English breakfasts, including a numbered "Holloway" option, to plates of egg, chips and beans or sausage, egg and chips. Greek cooking runs alongside, with fasolada, a white bean casserole, on the list, and there is a separate lunch menu. Plant-based eaters get options such as vegan shepherd's pie, and puddings include jam roly poly and crumble. Large hardwood tables fill the room, and dogs are welcome. Payment is cash only, with a minimum spend posted on a sign inside, and tables are walk-in rather than booked. A couple run the place and serve at the counter, and it opens daily. Islington Central Library stands nearby.

Good to know

Parking
Difficult to find a space
Accessibility
Has wheelchair-accessible entrance · Has wheelchair-accessible seating
Good for kids
Good for kids · Has kids' menu
Dietary
Serves vegan dishes · Serves vegetarian dishes

Menu & Prices

150 dishes · mains £1–16

Egg, Chips And Beans£6.10
2 Eggs And Chips£6.10
Sausage, Egg And Chips£7.30
Bacon, Egg And Chips£7.30
Egg, Bacon And Tomatoes£5.20
Egg, Bacon And Mushrooms£5.40

See full menu & prices →

Reviews

4.4/5

256 reviews

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention traditional greasy spoon breakfast, cash-only payment, vegan and plant-based dishes and greek specialities.

5★

179

4★

3★

2★

1★

What reviewers say

Reviewers most often mention traditional greasy spoon breakfast, cash-only payment, vegan and plant-based dishes and greek specialities.

Customer Review Summary

Reviewers describe a proper old-school greasy spoon, and the traditional breakfast is the draw, with one diner calling the Holloway breakfast very decent and nicely presented. Close behind is lunch, where solid caff food sits alongside Greek specialities. The plant-based dishes also earn praise, including a vegan shepherd's pie and the Fasolada white bean casserole. Desserts come up too, with a jam roly poly enjoyed and the crumble saved for a return visit. Several credit the owners and staff as lovely, friendly and up for a chat, and the room is called spacious and peaceful, with large hardwood tables and extremely affordable prices. One reviewer paints a very different picture, reporting that the woman at the counter was extremely rude to them and their partner after they came in for a cup of tea and read a sign about a minimum spend. A regular describes the place as a community service, and another points to a pay it forward box that helps feed a few hungry people.

Customer Review Summary

Featured reviews

Jamie Graham
7 months ago
“A proper greasy spoon, with good food at decent prices, that's not actually very greasy. Run by a lovely couple who provide more than just good service and food. This place also provides a community service in many ways. I'm a local and a regular at this place and I highly recommend it.”
London Pub Map
8 months ago
“Superb Cafe, great grub, and lovely people.”
Duncan Lindo
8 months ago
“I used to come here years ago, very happy to see they are still going. We had a great lunch. Friendly welcome, great space, solid caff food with delicious greek specialities. Plus they have a pay it forward box that helps them feed a few hungry souls.”
Maryam
9 months ago
“I have NEVER been treated so horrendously in my entire life. The lady at the counter was extremely rude towards me and my partner. We originally came in just for a cup of tea…then we read the sign inside which stated £4 minimum spend so we …”
Selvi Frost
1 year ago
“Friend took us to her local and had a nice solid late lunch - and a jam roly poly!! Food was delish, Staff were lovely. Need to come back to have the crumble… 😊😊”

Holly Stanton
1 year ago
“Returned to London after many years and wanted to have breakfast in a proper caff (greasy spoon). The Hope was perfect. They have all the traditional menu options and other variations including vegan options. The owners were so lovely and friendly and up for a chat. Wished we could have come back to try the lunch menu. Cash only. Good value.”
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Valerie Orpen
1 year ago
“Proper old-school greasy spoon. What drew me to this caff, which I had seen before but never been to before last weekend, was the cash-only payment policy. Beyond that, it's a gorgeous room, the food (I had the Number 1, 'Holloway' breakfast) is very decent and nicely presented, delightful smiling service, and a quiet atmosphere. I shall definitely return, even though it's not on my doorstep (in my neighbourhood, greasy spoons have mostly been replaced with cosmetic surgeries...).”
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Ellen Doran
2 years ago
“A proper old-school cafe, with great food and a warm welcome. A real bonus for me are the plant-based dishes also on offer. Today's options were vegan Shepherd's Pie or Fasolada (white bean casserole). Fasolada was a no-brainer... who …”
Javier Marín Martín
3 years ago
“A great little traditional cafe in Holloway near Islington Central Library. The service is excellent, fast and diligent. …”
Kk Aoki Izu
7 years ago
“Spacious, large hardwood tables, great lighting, peaceful, and extremely affordable. …”

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Read all 256 reviews on Google

Hours

Monday: 7 AM – 5 PM
Tuesday: 7 AM – 5 PM
Wednesday: 7 AM – 5 PM
Thursday: 7 AM – 5 PM
Friday: 7 AM – 5 PM
Saturday: 8 AM – 4 PM
Sunday: 9 AM – 3 PM

Highlights

Serves great coffee
Serves great dessert
Popular for popular for breakfast
Popular for popular for lunch
Popular for good for solo dining

Amenities

Has wheelchair-accessible entrance
Dogs allowed inside
Offers takeaway
Serves dine-in
Good for kids
Serves vegan dishes
Casual
On-site services available
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Serves dessert
Has table service

Show more amenities

Casual
On-site services available
Serves coffee
Quick bite
Serves dessert
Has table service

Dining options· 3: Serves breakfast
Serves brunch
Serves lunch
Accessibility· 1: Has wheelchair-accessible seating

Popular for· 3: Popular for breakfast
Popular for lunch
Good for solo dining
Parking· 1: Difficult to find a space

Offerings· 1: Serves vegetarian dishes
Facilities· 1: Has toilet
Crowd· 1: Good for groups
Family-friendly· 1: Has kids' menu

Location

Cafes near The Hope

The Hope

£1–10

4.4256

Urban Social-Islington4.5830
0.3 mi
breakfast burrito, salmon club, paprika lime fries
SUNDAY cafe & restaurant4.51,182
0.5 mi£20–30
courgette fritters, french toast with salted caramel, fluffy buttermilk pancakes
TRAMPOLINE Cafe4.9650
0.9 mi£10–20Outdoor seatingVegetarian optionsDelivery
vegetarian thali with curries, stuffed roti rolls, fish roti

Place	Rating	Distance	Price	Mentioned in reviews
The Hope	4.4256	—	£1–10	traditional greasy spoon breakfast, cash-only payment, vegan and plant-based dishes
Urban Social-Islington	4.5830	0.3 mi	—	breakfast burrito, salmon club, paprika lime fries
SUNDAY cafe & restaurant	4.51,182	0.5 mi	£20–30	courgette fritters, french toast with salted caramel, fluffy buttermilk pancakes
TRAMPOLINE CafeOutdoor seating · Vegetarian options · Delivery	4.9650	0.9 mi	£10–20	vegetarian thali with curries, stuffed roti rolls, fish roti