There are some places that mean more than just good food. They become part of your everyday. Your weekend routine. Your community. Black Cat Café in Hackney has been one of those places for me for years.
You can imagine how gutted I was when the vegan café closed for a spell after original team Carla and Nacho made the decision to leave London. For a while, it was unclear what would happen. The shutters came down. The building sat quiet.
But now for the good news. Black Cat is back.
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The beloved café was reopened in September 2024 by new hands who clearly love the place as much as the rest of us do. I dropped by at the weekend and let me tell you something, that lentil empanada hit the spot. Especially washed down with the strawberry milkshake.
There’s a feeling in the space that makes you want to hang about. Chat with friends. Read a book. Plot how to dismantle capitalism. You know. The usual Black Cat stuff.
It is genuinely moving to see this café still standing. Still feeding people. Still being a hub for connection and conversation. I’ve hosted countless events at Black Cat over the years and it has always been more than just a venue. It’s been a home for activism. A place where people come to be heard.
The new owners have done something very special. They’ve kept the heart of Black Cat beating while giving it fresh energy. It still feels like Black Cat. That same warmth. That same spirit.
If you’re in London or passing through, make time to visit. Order something tasty. Sit down. Stay a while. Support a vegan café that has supported so many of us.
Black Cat Café lives on. Long may it continue.
Click here to see the exact location of Black Cat thanks to Google Maps. Follow Black Cat on Instagram.
You can order my book ‘Fat Gay Vegan: Eat, Drink and Live Like You Give a Sh!t’ online now. It has been out a while now but is still a good read. You can also listen to the Audiobook read by me!
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