Map Café is a curious little venture – run by indie record label Map Music, it’s a café, music venue and recording studio all rolled into one on a quiet residential street in Kentish Town.
Books, postcards, vinyl, ceramic vases and bowls line shelves, giving the café a cosy atmosphere. A mixture of young families, small groups of friends and solitary people on laptops or reading books fill the room.
Behind the counter is a selection of mostly homemade dishes which vary each day; parmigiana, vegetable lasagne, quiche, salads and cakes are standard fare. Breakfasts are available too; a large plate of scrambled eggs with smoked salmon, grilled mushrooms, tomatoes, spinach and toast is deeply satisfying and only £7 including a tea or coffee.
The spinach and mushroom quiche is rich and delicious because they haven’t scrimped on the cheese; it’s around a fiver with a couple of salads. The homemade carrot cake (£3) is very good, with ginger, cinnamon and the odd crunchy walnut.
A staircase leads up to another level with a bar, further seating and a space for jazz bands to perform (gigs take place every Wednesday evening and Sunday from 1pm) but even more exciting is the charming roof terrace that provides alfresco seating on warmer days.