Hokka Brasserie Finsbury Park — Restaurant in London

Disappointing brunch that doesn’t live up to the hype!

After hearing so much buzz about Hokka, I was excited to try it out—but sadly, it didn’t live up to the expectations. As someone who considers themselves a brunch connoisseur, I was hoping for a standout experience, but the food was underwhelming.

First, the positives: the staff was lovely. Unfortunately, that’s where the highlights ended.

I ordered the chicken waffle, and it was a letdown. The waffle was a Liege waffle, which is unusual for this dish—it’s typically made with a Brussels waffle for a lighter, crispier texture. The one we got was old and dry. The chicken wasn’t crispy or deep-fried as expected, but more like pan-fried or baked, and lacked flavor or crunch.

My partner had the American breakfast, and again, everything was dry. The pancakes tasted like they had been reheated, and the bacon seemed oven-baked and not fresh. Overall, the meal felt like it had been prepped too far in advance.

The menu is quite large, which could be part of the problem. While offering variety isn’t inherently bad, it’s often better for restaurants to focus on fewer dishes and do them really well. Perhaps we had bad luck with our choices, but nothing we tasted felt truly fresh or carefully made.

All in all, I wouldn’t return...

Hokka Brasserie isn’t just a place to eat—it’s a place to feel nourished. Nestled in the lively rhythm of Finsbury Park, it offers a vibrant blend of comfort food, fresh smoothies, and a welcoming atmosphere that feels both local and lovingly curated.

Atmosphere The décor is playful yet polished—lush greenery, cozy corners, and a jungle-like vibe that makes even a quick coffee feel like a mini escape. It’s the kind of spot where you can brunch with friends, recharge solo, or prep for a Park Theatre matinee with something delicious.

Food & Drink Hokka’s menu is a celebration of brunch culture with a twist of wellness:

Brunch classics – from full English plates to salt beef sandwiches, all generously portioned and beautifully plated

Zest Salad Bar – vibrant, customizable bowls and jacket potatoes that hit the sweet spot between hearty and healthy

Smoothies & juices – energizing, fresh, and full of flavour (the “Berry Go Round” and “Energiser” are local favourites)

Coffee & milkshakes – consistently good, though some guests note the milkshakes...

The food was great but was let down by the poor service. First I was given a dairy flat white when I ordered an oat flat white and they insisted it wasn't. I explained that I could tell it wasn't by the taste and they argued with me. It was remade and this time tasted like oat milk. Luckily I dont have a dairy allergy as that would have been very problematic! I then ordered the pancakes but was told they had run out, so ordered the french toast (delicious). When we came to pay we weren't shown the bill and asked to pay X amount of money. It sounded a lot so asked to see the actual bill and they had charged us for the pancakes I never had - you should always give the customers an itemised bill before paying! We then had to calculate the right amount ourselves and tell the staff how much we should be paying. The whole thing was stressful and the staff kept saying it wasn't their fault so seems to be a severe communication issue there. Such a shame as we will not be going back, but the food was brilliant but service needs to...