Café Oto, Dalston, Hackney

https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/
18-22 Ashwin St, London E8 3DL
Down a side street just a stone’s throw from Dalston Junction and next to a Woman’s refuge charity and retro football shirt shop sits a strange yet expansive space that swells out into the large hall it lends itself to. A sort of community centre come coffee shop, it sells books and vinyl, hosts events and just acts as the sort of multi-functional venue everyone wishes they could run one day and seems to exclusively exist in places like Hackney.

I realise I’ve been to this area before as I notice the Arcola theatre just a few doors down, somewhere I used to frequent when doing my ‘writing for stage’ module when studying Creative Writing at university. That was around a decade and a half ago now and yet I’m still shocked the memory of this place did not emerge from the depths when I turned onto the road. Now I know it more because my partner works nearby.

I later discover that this place is a performance venue but people come here during the weekdays for their coffee and a place to rest because of its immaculate vibes and great coffee.
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 The iced oat latte I order is sweet and light, delivering a burst of fruity flavour in a refreshing manner as I step out into the oppressive heat again so I can amble down to the letting agency by Hackney Central. I’m about to throw a ridiculous amount of money at a studio flat and so needed a pick me up to brace myself for the coming pain. Thank goodness I found a good one otherwise things may have become hairy.