Homegirl London’s Food Review: Salt the Radish. This cute independent café opened in May 2017 on Blackstock Road in the heart of Finsbury Park. They serve yummy food using good quality produce from local suppliers to feed the community. With breakfast, brunch, salads, small plates and sandwiches, they cater for vegans, vegetarians and their friends. If you’re looking for a vegetarian café in Finsbury Park, best places to eat lunch in N4 or coffee shops on Blackstock Road then you must pop into Salt the Radish.
“Relax in this cute and tranquil neighbourhood café while you sample wholesome, home-cooked and super tasty dishes which are mainly vegan and vegetarian,” Homegirl London
Salt the Radish Café Menu
This café is a welcome addition to Blackstock Road. The owner is Kat Halliday, who travelled the world in pursuit of the perfect dishes before realising her dream and opening up this place. She also caters for yoga retreats and holidays, so her focus is on healthy options but don’t worry, there will always be a decadent brownie to balance things out! Having started with a few dishes, the menu has now found its niche with the locals. If you pop in for breakfast, you can order the sourdough or hippy toast (bread is supplied by Bread by Bike) which you can pair with Newton and Pott jam or marmite. If you’re feeling virtuous try the spiced apple and pears with granola and a choice of Greek or coconut yoghurt. My favourite is the toasted banana bread topped with yoghurt, a drizzle of honey and a sprinkling of walnuts. Such as simple idea but delicious, I love it!
Toasted Banana Bread with Yoghurt, Honey and Walnuts
Brunch options include poached eggs or fried eggs on sourdough on their own or with smoked salmon or avocado. Their avocado on toast is perfect which includes chopped avocado, a choice of Greek or vegan feta, dressing of tahini and sumac, plus a wedge of preserved lemon to squeeze over the top. This is presented on either sourdough or hippy toast and comes with a colourful tomato salad. Something a bit different is the masala omelette with mint yoghurt, mango pickle and flatbread. Meat eaters can opt for the chorizo, spinach and roasted tomatoes on sourdough with sriracha yoghurt.
Poached Eggs on Toast
From 11 am until 3 pm, you can order yourself a selection of salads which are always tasty and fresh. Add a side of hummus and dukkah, feta, Franconian Sausage Co. chorizo or Forman and Sons smoked salmon. Or perhaps you’d prefer a small plate of house pickles instead. A few sandwiches are offered like the pimped-up egg mayo in a rye and caraway seed roll.
Hummus and Dukkah with Flat Bread
Look out for the hot food specials which are very comforting. The other day I sampled a cheesy cauliflower bake with squash and mushrooms topped off with hippy bread crumbs. The hearty soups and spicy chickpea stews are lovely.
Special Cheesy Bake with Salad
If you have room left in that satisfied tummy of yours, then you can squeeze in one of the homemade cakes, banana bread, Bakewell slices, flapjacks or brownies.
Bakewell Slices
Food prices are very reasonable, it’s £3-4 for breakfast, £4-7.50 for brunch, £5 for a salad plate, £3.50 for small plates and £4.25-5.50 for sandwiches. You can also take-away food and drinks. The coffee is by Climpson and Sons, and loose leaf teas are by Jeeves and Jericho. You can also buy health drinks like Moju Ginger or Turmeric shots.
Salt the Radish Café Interiors
Restaurant Interior
Considering this café is situated on busy Blackstock Road it’s a tranquil haven. You’ll notice the white-painted brick front on your approach. If you’re in a hurry, you can order your coffee from the hatch window. Inside you’ll find a calm hippy hang out. The Moustache Maker has recently made some rustic wooden tables and stools for the café. With a few sheepskin drapes over the seats and scatter cushions you can get snug and cosy. There are plenty of plants for a fresh burst of greenery. Towards the back, you have an open kitchen with tempting aromas wafting through. There is room for twenty people with stools facing a counter, a communal table with benches and tables for two. Dogs are welcome, but it is a small place so a Great Dane may take up too much room!
Salt the Radish Café Information
Restaurant Exterior
To find out more about this adorable eatery go to the Salt the Radish Website. In case you’re wondering, the café name is from a chapter called ‘Salt and the Radish’ in a Nigel Slater cookbook called ‘A Year of Good Eating’. The cafe address is 45 Blackstock Road, Finsbury Park, London N4 2JF. The nearest tube, train and bus station is Finsbury Park. Check the website for current opening times. They also host guest supper clubs, so look out for the posters inside. This is such as a lovely place to enjoy lunch, so make sure you check it out next time you’re in Finsbury Park!
Author: Homegirl London. Photographs: Homegirl London.
