CAFE FORUM — Restaurant in London

We organised a community social event at this venue for people around London on a Sunday at noon, reserving three tables. Many people were late, so at about 12:20, while we only four have arrived - the owner/manager approached us and aggressively complained about the number of people present. We apologized for the delays, but he continued to berate us. At one point, a participant at our event asked him to stop shouting over his head while trying to enjoy his meal, prompting him to leave.

While I can understand his frustration about the underutilised reserved tables, there is a courteous way to approach customers dining at your establishment. Eventually, more than 20 people were squeezed into three tables, and most of us ordered meals and drinks while the café was half-empty.

The hostile atmosphere didn't end there. I inquired with the waitress about possibly making one of the dishes vegan. She said she would check on it. After waiting 15 minutes, I approached the counter to politely ask if it was possible to make the dish vegan. Instead, she raised her voice and rudely said, "Wait! It will be ready in two minutes!". Her tone shocked me, and although I explained that I was inquiring about the possibility. However, she remained rude, answered aggressively and rolled her eyes angrily.

While the food was nice, we felt unwelcome due to the aggressive and rude interactions, which ultimately ruined the entire experience...

Café Forum on Holloway Road has quickly become one of my favorite spots in North London. From the moment you walk in, you're greeted with a cozy, relaxed atmosphere and the rich aroma of freshly brewed coffee. The decor is simple yet stylish, with a mix of comfortable seating and natural lighting that makes it an ideal place for both casual meetups and focused work sessions.

The coffee here is top-notch — smooth, flavorful, and expertly made. Whether you go for a cappuccino, flat white, or a simple Americano, you can count on it being just right every time. They also offer a lovely selection of teas, fresh juices, and smoothies.

What really sets Café Forum apart is their food. The breakfast and brunch options are fantastic, with generous portions and great presentation. I highly recommend their avocado toast with poached eggs or their freshly baked pastries, which are always warm and buttery. There are also great vegetarian and vegan options, which is a big plus.

The staff are always friendly, attentive, and quick to serve, even during busier times. They make you feel welcome without being intrusive, and you can tell they care about creating a great customer experience.

Whether you’re stopping by for a quick coffee or settling in for a few hours with your laptop, Café Forum offers the perfect blend of quality, comfort, and community vibe. It’s a real gem on Holloway Road, and I can’t recommend it highly...

I usually don't leave reviews unless I feel like reporting something very good or bad.

I've been here several times and brought friends and family for brunch.

Breakfast is nice and well priced except the eggs white always being runnier than they should be. Either they're poached or fried, they struggle to get them right.

But today it was a total plot twist. There were some good medical news to celebrate a home and thought to stop by somewhere on the way, a local rather than a chain, to buy some cake.

I walked in and spoke with a man, pointed at the chocolate cake and asked how it was, he told me it was the best. I paid £13.50 for 2 slices, bit pricey but I thought it'd be nice to help a local and today I really wasn't thinking about money, it was a celebration for the good news.

The cake was cardboard, stale like it was at least 1 week old. I could only taste the sugar and even with a drink it was hard to eat. I feel lied at and ripped off. I could have walked to the nearby M&S and bought ANYTHING, it'd have been nicer at a fraction of the cost. It's a shame because it kind of ruined a celebration for a person who can't have desserts that frequently for dietary reasons. A real waste of money, time and trust.

Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me. This activity may have stolen £13 from me today but they have lost me, my family and my friends...