Everyone has an opinion about the best parks LondonBut what about the best park cafe? The map of London is defined by its green spaces. Parks are an essential part city Lives all year round, but come summer, every inch of them is filled with people looking for a patch of grass. And yet, until recently, Park Cafe was little more than a good-enough chain serving up tuna sandwiches and juice cartons. But in 2020, when the walk became a legitimate social scheme, the park’s coffee shops changed. Since then, they’ve been quietly and honestly upping their gourmet game. From Sri Lankan breakfasts in East London to peachy panzanellas at a city farm, these are the capital’s park cafes that are worth a detour.
Fink at Clissold House, Clissold Park
One of north London’s prettiest park pavilions now houses a color-blocked cafe inside, serving coffee and pastries from the brilliant baking establishment Fink. Stoke Newington locals are basking in the sun on the slopes below the 18th-century Grade II-listed mansion, drinking matcha and sharing slices of Fink’s famous Guinness cake. Also on the menu are cornflake-fried chicken sandwiches and hot beef brisket baps, as well as all the provisions for a perfect picnic in the park. Opt for Chips de Madrid for the adults and Ella’s Kitchen Melty Steaks for the little ones, plus homemade ice cream sandwiches for all.
Cafe at Stepney City Farm
On paper, this city farm is very small scale and rough around the edges – there are sheep and goats and pigs and chickens. But London also has a more interesting menu served on picnic tables outside cafes. Opened in 2025 and run by Natasha Salis and Florence Crayfield, there may be stone-fruit panzanella. Salad Bright green bowls of chicken soup with whipped ricotta and fig leaf oil, or orzo, as well as fish-finger sandwiches make up the reputation ahead of it. If sticky glazed rhubarb-and-custard buns are on the counter, order two.
