I have long debated whether I should give this new café in Crouch End four or only three stars...for now I have settled on three stars. Please let me elaborate my reasoning here: Having walked by this new place a few weeks ago, I was thrilled to see an independent coffee shop opening here. The mental note "to come back" was quickly made and yesterday I finally managed to return and try out their coffee... Let me say: I really like what they've done to this place. In fact, decor-wise I would give this place five stars; I especially like their wallpaper with the colourfully birds painted on it (see picture). Also, they have a cute little area in the back where a small group of people can have a lovely chat. So, where did they lose the stars? -Well, given that the decor was all tailored to make me feel at home, I didn't feel like it...and that has mostly to do with the fact, that the staff just wasn't very "warm". Don't get me wrong, nobody was unfriendly, but they were just very reserved...no smile, no "how are you doing?". And I just need that... Also, another reason, why they lost yet another star, was that they don't have free wifi. In fact, when I first saw this place I thought I might have found a good substitute to Starbucks...which I only frequent because they offer wifi at no cost, but... Nevertheless, I am willing to come back in due time and have yet another coffee, as this was actually quite delicious! read more

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So after nearly 2 months of life in N8, numerous lattes and loaves of artisan bread later, I am ready to give my award for the best cafe in crouch end to, coffee circus. I expect the reason is less to do with the coffee it serves and more due to the fantastic atmosphere inside. Think cosy unique decor, excellent brunch menu, charming baristas (it is like being on holiday in the med) and customers reading books instead of glued to their Smartphone's. Firstly the menu, like everyone else in there I went for the eggs Benedict with salmon which were divine. Eggs cooked to perfection on a beautiful English muffin and excellent quality salmon. If eggs aren't your thing they serve salads, sandwiches, soups and for comfort food at its best go for the amazing chunky French toast oozing with syrup. As others have noted this place is serious about the coffee so much so that customers were queuing out the door for it. If like myself your coffee palette is less refined, yes you can tell the difference between espresso and Nescafe but any further and you are out of your depth ,the staff are very helpful in giving recommendations of what to try. My mocha had a really deep, smooth flavour and definitely preferred it to any of the chain coffee shop equivalent. The food menu is just the type of thing you would want from a cafe of this size, think filled croissants. Eggs Benedict cooked to perfection and delicious thick cut French toast oozing with syrup. So if you are looking for friendly staff serving great food and coffee, in a charming environment, then coffee circus is worth the trip. Like the other yelpers I did miss the free wifi, but I don't think coffee circus would have the same charm if everyone was working away on their MacBoooks! read more

Coffee Circus - French toast - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

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Been here a couple of times both on weekends. The place has always been busy, but in a good way: I enjoy having some human background noise while I mind my own business. The coffee is very good if pricey: 2 good flat whites for a fiver is steep, particularly for those of us wandering from the Finsbury Park regions. We stayed for quite a while without being interrupted and only being politely told that the place was closing/ had already closed. It's a nice and relaxed little place where you can enjoy a quiet chat or read while sipping good if expensive coffee. They do also do cakes but I'm lardy enough as it is to indulge.... Oh! and they do have some outside sitting space: a bench outside the shop front with priviledged views of the W7 bus... read more

Coffee Circus is always a pleasure! It's got very friendly staff, charming decor, great coffee, and all the things I'd like to eat with my coffee. I personally would like it to have wifi, but my husband deems it "perfect" without. S read more

My favourite coffee shop in London and one of my favourite places in Crouch End. Coffee Circus has the best coffee I have tasted in the Capitol. It has just the right mix of yummy food, friendly staff, general cosiness and tasty coffee to make this the perfect regular haunt for anyone, especially at the weekend. I always thought that only in New York can one find truly cool independent coffee shops en masse, but bring on the London competition! read more

I was delighted to see this rather cute and quirky cafe in Crouch End. It looked inviting and there were certainly lots of customers - something that always bodes well. However, whilst the cafe itself looked good, the service left much to be desired. After a long wait to be served, I finally got to order. I enquired as to whether they did soya milk and decaf coffee. The response was, and I quote: "We do, but what's your point?" Rather taken aback, I ordered two take away coffees, explaining that it was a reasonable thing to ask if they served a particular type of coffee or not. When our order was up, I asked the same barista how long they'd been there. I was met with a curt "Since December." I asked whether they were doing well. He responded with rather patronising: "Look around you." Finally, I asked if they were on Twitter. He responded with a condescending: "We make coffee. We don't have time for that social marketing stuff." It was as if this guy was doing everything to spread a little misery through his customer's day. The coffee might have been good, but I was still left with a bitter taste in my mouth. Certainly not recommended. read more

I walk through the door, and I see two clowns bumbling behind the counter. Experience should have taught me to turn on my heel and not look back. But I've just woken up and I need a shot of coffee, so I figure I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. Boy, was I wrong. First, another customer walks in after I do, and he gets served first. Second, they get my order wrong and I have to repeat it to them. Third, they give my coffee to another customer, who very nearly takes a sip out of it. Fundamentally, these plonkers don't have the first clue about customer service. They couldn't decide who was working the till and who was making the coffees, and didn't know to priortise between customers who are sitting-in (and are therefore taking their time) and customers who want a take-out (because they have places to be). Last but not least, the coffee they made was abominable. Now, I've met the manager, and he's a nice bloke, really knows his stuff. But he needs to take better care over the staff he employs, because they're going to run his business into the ground. My goodwill has pretty much expired. read more

Best, and independent, coffee in Crouch End. Great team running the place. And huge tasty croissants and pain at chocolate too.

Amazing food, UK's best coffee ever. read more

Coffee Circus - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

I guess it's a matter of opinion if Climpson is the best coffee as leidyba says, but for sure the coffee here is above average, my espresso is well served and at a fair plus price. I have also posted a review of My Kind of Coffee which his just around the corner from Coffee Circus and these are my two favourite cafes in Crouch End, trust me the rest aren't worth visiting are interested in a good coffee serve. Like My Kind of Coffee, glasses of water are provided for free on a DIY basis, the staff are friendly and pay attention to a good range of coffee they feature and sell retail too. There are no free daily newspapers which I think is a shame and one reason why I prefer My Kind of Coffee to Coffee Circus, no meal deals are offered either so Coffee Circus skews to being a little more expensive. The toilet is great fun because it has a motion detector switch, so you will get plunged into darkness at a key moment until you wave your arms above your head so good fun and a challenge for us guys who aren't paying attention! Great sofa and seating area at the back and friendly staff. I score three stars on the basis that everything is just right, but the price point is above average, should justify courtesy newspapers and needs meal deals in this time of double dip I stop off here on my way to volunteer at http://foodfromthesky.org.uk/Food From The Sky on Wednesday mornings, so if you are in the area at that time pop up onto the roof, say hello and have a look at Crouch End's amazing community roof farm read more

The coffee and tea are great here, but the staff and service are a bit mixed. Some are really friendly, although others can be a bit nonchalant, and one in particular is rather supercilious. For example, I went in to purchase some loose leaf tea, which I had purchased at Coffee Circus previously one time before and was told that they don't sell it. When I said I had bought some a few weeks back, I was told by this individual, who continued to clean the coffee machine and barely made eye contact, "well, things change". Not particularly helpful or friendly. read more