Route Haggerston - Dalston

Reliance Wharf, Unit Y, 2-10 Hertford Rd, London N1 5ET

https://caferoute.co.uk/

Never has ordering coffee scared me before, and yet, here I am sitting across from my dining companion wondering as to whether I should make the first move when it comes to caffeine based beverages. She hasn’t shown an interest in the coffee menu as of yet and I don’t know what to do. Infinitely smarter than I, she holds a masters degree in a second-language, does a job of vital importance and is scintillating witty and to the point. All this and she is Colombian, so knows damn well what a good cup of coffee should taste like.


No, this is ridiculous. She has decided on the venue and comes here regularly so the coffee must at least be to a certain standard. I order an oat latte and instantly regret my decision fearing that, if the coffee is good then maybe my diluting it with that much milk may also be a no-no. Christ, I know I’m overthinking this but I’m in somewhat of a tailspin here trying to impress someone brighter, funnier and endlessly more interesting than myself. Then there’s the food situation…


Route Haggerston is a cafe that sits on the Dalston canal, just a stones throw away from Haggerston station. I know the High Street from my university days where I’d come to visit a local theatre for part of my ‘Writing for Stage’ course, where I’d gleefully point out all of the kebab shops to my Cypriot class mate who would be horrified at what the English refer to as kebabs. But this is somewhere new for me. I’ve never strayed off the beaten track in this part of Hackney and this quiet, waterside brunch spot seems a world away from the bristling energy of the rest of the place. Sitting by the waters edge you can watch the moorhens drift by whilst enjoying the chatter all around you, and the dog walkers and joggers trotting along whilst you lazily brunch. I’ve foolishly ordered a Vegan Shakshouka. A rich tomato dish with peppers, spinach, onions and meat-free sausages in the place off eggs, this is not the ideal meal for someone who is naturally clumsy, then with the added nervousness on top of wanting to look sophisticated. Factor in, also, I never wear a shirt anyway, this whole thing could be a disaster, as I try to maintain eye contact in conversation, eat a meal and not get it down me.


The coffee comes from The Gentleman Barista’s and is vibrant and crisp, a sweet yet not too complex flavour. Mild and unassuming, it’s quite a pleasant oat latte that has a chocolatey base and syrupy texture and I breathe a sigh of relief when I see my dining companion eye up mine and order one too. To sit and while away the hours by the river is always a pleasant experience and Route has combined this ideal brunch spot with Mediterranean influence and great coffee to ease along the hours of a Sunday. It also probably helps if you are completely enraptured by your company.