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Friends of Ours

61 Pitfield St, Hoxton, N1 6BU

Editor's Review

Hoxton is hardly short of brunch options so it takes something special for a brunch-centred cafe to stand out. Friends of Ours has buckets of ‘special’ though, combining superb simple food with good coffee in a friendly neighbourhood setting and once you visit, it’s likely you’ll fast become a regular. Although modelled on Antipodean examples, Friends of Ours also reminds us of the best of the Parisian coffee scene in its combination of food, coffee, style and atmosphere.

Anthony Dyer and Man Wong wanted to create somewhere that first and foremost offered a warm and friendly vibe, along with inventive brunch dishes and speciality coffee. They’d always been a huge fan of brunch - the chance to dig into some food and coffee in an informal, relaxed setting. After spending some time in Australia, they opened Friends of Ours in Pitfield Street, soon drawing the cowds.

Coffee is from Dark Arts and very well made indeed by head barista Sam who covers espresso and filter options – the filter fetchingly served in a conical flask. The fresh juices are also a must try – especially the apple, cucumber and mint. Tea is from T2.

The main event is the food. Brunch standards are given superbly inventive individual twists and flavours and textures are a delight. We loved the perfectly cooked tea smoked eggs and picked shitake served in the ramen – Friends of Ours smoke their own eggs in Ceylon tea. Brioche French toast is also a must, as is crayfish benedict. The head chef is Adam Andrews. Adam hails from New Zealand, via Australia, and he is passionate about the brunch scene having previously worked at Milk in Balham, Fields in Clapham, and Flotsam & Jetsam in Wandsworth.

Friends of Ours keep their food seasonal and fresh and avoid pre-cooking. Milk is provided by the Estate Dairy, and is pasteurised but not homogenised, to retain creaminess, fats and protein. Bread, pastries and pastel de natas are organic and are provided by Celtic Bakery in North London. Eggs are Arlington Whites and are free range and rare breed from the Cacklebean farm.