The Towpath Café
A dip into hipster waters
Finding a Shoreditch alley not emblazoned with colourful street art would be a quest for a cooler day. An amble down Regent's Canal, a historic (completed in 1820) and remarkably peaceful waterway is more suited to a 30+ degree day in East London. The area is distinguishable for its hipster population, and artsy vibe, yet the Hoxton stretch of the canal retains a modest cool - in its climate as well as atmosphere.
If you happen to find yourself in this area of Hackney, in need of sustenance or a time-out from the stuffy heat that London's streets incubate on a sunny day, duck down below Whitmore Bridge to discover more than merely mallards. The Towpath Café seamlessly blends in amongst its namesake. It is unsuspecting - literally built into the wall in what used to be three storage containers, which had been kitted out with rustic kitchen interiors and wooden benches. Relatively new, and a favourite amongst locals, it came as a surprise that even on the 'hottest day of the year' (a national phenomenon for weather-obsessed Brits) there was still plenty of room to sit and people watch.
You can enjoy unfussy yet modern home-style food such as granola, porridge with rhubarb, and edgy eggs. Current lunch options involve plenty of seasonal vegetation, with dishes implementing asparagus, aubergine, and avocado. As any self-respecting café should, their cake selection does not scrimp. Opting for just an iced coffee and a promise to return with a strong appetite, I perched on a bench and watched a picturesque canal-side scene play out.
Cyclists skillfully weaved along the narrow path at a practised speed, brushing past pedestrians with all the subtlety of the Knight Bus. This sight would make for endless entertainment for anyone with a creative imagination. I chuckle to myself as I picture one of these pédaleurs nipping a canal boat with a rogue handlebar and catapulting cartoon-style into the murky water, emerging with a green toupee and staring a bewildered duck in the face.
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