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Haggerston Perk

cafes and bakeries•
London
London

Haggerston Perk

40-44 Goldsmiths Row, Shoreditch, London, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on Goldsmiths Row overlooking Haggerston Park, this isn't your typical Shoreditch café. Haggerston Perk operates as London's first supported-internship café, training people with learning disabilities and autism while serving up excellent coffee with vinyl spinning in the background.

Haggerston Perk: Where Social Impact Meets Proper Coffee

A rare gem that does good while serving great brews

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The moment you step into this small, cozy space, you're struck by its genuine community feel rather than manufactured hipster vibes. With a uniqueness score of 8.5/10, this place has carved out something genuinely special in an area saturated with cafés trying too hard. The record player spinning vinyl creates that perfect low-key background ambiance – not performative, just naturally cool. The casual decor keeps things relaxed (flexibility score of 7.5/10), while windows overlooking Haggerston Park offer a lovely nature view that softens the urban buzz of Shoreditch. The energy level sits at a calm 3.5/10, making it ideal for laptop work or quiet conversations. Both indoor seating and outdoor tables accommodate different moods, though the small space can feel intimate with its social group size rating of 4.0/10. This feels like a proper second home rather than just another coffee stop.

Food & Drink

The menu focuses on café essentials done well rather than trying to reinvent the wheel. Their coffee and tea game is solid, complemented by toasties and bagels that hit the spot for a proper meal. The Victoria sponge and chocolate banana bread deserve particular mention – these aren't afterthought pastries but genuinely delicious cakes that locals return for. What's particularly impressive is their commitment to plenty of vegan and vegetarian options, ensuring the community-hub ethos extends to dietary inclusivity. The food serves its purpose perfectly: quality ingredients prepared with care, nothing fancy, but everything executed properly. It's honest café fare that doesn't pretend to be more than it is, which in an area full of overpriced, Instagram-focused spots, feels refreshingly authentic.

Service & Experience

This is where Haggerston Perk truly shines. The staff create that welcoming atmosphere through genuine friendliness and attentiveness, but what makes it meaningful is knowing you're supporting their training program for people with learning disabilities and autism. The service feels personal rather than transactional – these aren't just employees going through motions, but people who genuinely care about creating a positive experience. The conversation-friendly score of 6.5/10 reflects staff who'll chat when appropriate but respect when you need to focus. There's a warmth here that stems from the café's social-enterprise mission, creating an experience depth of 7.0/10 that most commercial venues simply can't match.

Value for Money

With a price level of just 1/4, Haggerston Perk delivers exceptional value, particularly impressive given its Shoreditch location where cafés often charge premium prices for basic offerings. The 'affordable-for-shoreditch' and 'value-for-money' tags aren't marketing speak – they're accurate descriptions of what you'll find. Your money goes further here while supporting a meaningful cause, making every purchase feel worthwhile beyond just the immediate transaction. The pricing reflects the café's community focus rather than profit maximization, creating that rare combination of quality offerings at genuinely reasonable prices. For students and locals seeking everyday affordability without compromising on quality, this represents outstanding value in an area where such finds are increasingly rare.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Weekdays only (Mon-Fri: 9am-3pm, closed weekends), with the sweet spot being 9:30am to claim the coveted window seat overlooking Haggerston Park before the lunch rush hits. The small space gets cramped during weekday lunch hours, so early morning or mid-afternoon visits offer the most comfortable experience.

What to Focus On

Don't miss the Victoria sponge and chocolate banana bread – these are standout items that locals specifically return for. The coffee is excellent, and if you're hungry, the toasties provide proper substance. Take advantage of their strong vegan and vegetarian options.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The record player creates perfect ambient vibes for laptop sessions – arrive early to secure a good spot for remote workDogs are welcome in the outdoor seating area only, making it a great stop during Haggerston Park walksLocated just 600m from Hoxton station for easy access, but the café's community focus means supporting local rather than just passing through

The Final Verdict

Haggerston Perk succeeds brilliantly at being exactly what it sets out to be: a genuine community hub that serves excellent coffee while making a real social impact. The combination of quality offerings, reasonable prices, and meaningful purpose creates something genuinely special in an area often dominated by style over substance. Yes, it's small and only open weekdays, but these limitations feel minor compared to what it delivers. This isn't just about good coffee – it's about supporting a business model that proves social enterprise can work beautifully when executed with genuine care and commitment.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

Remote workers seeking laptop-friendly spaces with soulDog owners wanting pet-friendly outdoor seating near the parkAnyone seeking quality coffee with genuine social impact

Quick Details

1

Haggerston Perk

⭐️ Social enterprise
⭐️ Vinyl soundtrack
⭐️ Park views
☕ Training cafe
⭐️ Community impact

London's first supported-internship cafe overlooking Haggerston Park, where friendly staff support people with learning disabilities and autism through meaningful employment. The cozy space features vinyl records spinning throughout the day, creating perfect low-key background ambiance for laptop sessions. Excellent coffee, toasties, and homemade cakes come at reasonable Shoreditch prices, while outdoor tables provide nature views mixed with urban energy. The welcoming second-home atmosphere created by attentive staff makes this a favorite among remote workers who appreciate both productivity and social purpose.

What's Great

✓ London's first supported-internship cafe empowering people with learning disabilities

✓ Record player spinning vinyl creates perfect background ambiance for work

Keep in Mind

× Closed weekends and small space gets cramped during weekday lunch rush

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Roll up at 9:30am on weekdays to claim the window seat overlooking Haggerston Park before lunch rush

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Fri: 9am-3pm, Sat-Sun: Closed"
📍40-44 Goldsmiths Row, Shoreditch, London, United Kingdom
💷££
📞+44 7508 214 431
🌐Website

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Haggerston Perk has been featured in 2 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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