Shepherdess Cafe

I found this place quite nice overall. The food was tasty and well-prepared, though it was a bit frustrating that my order was initially forgotten, and I had to remind them about 2-3 times. Still, once it arrived, it was enjoyable though would've preferred not to eat alone.

Had a mushroom omelette, with chips and salad, and it was absolutely delicious. The omelette had plenty of mushrooms, and the portion of chips, was very generous. The salad was plentiful, and absolutely gorgeous. The prices are very reasonable also. I would definitely recommend this cafe. Try it, you’ll be glad you did..

Such an amazing place for breakfast! I came here five days in a row for their Turkish breakfast and sujuk yumurta — everything was perfect. The staff are super friendly and make you feel good!

This place is a no-frills, no-nonsense greasy spoon in the best possible way. The kind of spot where the coffee is always hot, the grill is always on, and nobody’s pretending it’s anything other than comfort food done right. The menu sticks to the hits—eggs, bacon, hash browns, burgers, melts—and everything comes out fast, filling, and exactly how you want it. My breakfast was cooked perfectly: crispy on the edges, generous portions, and seasoned like someone actually tasted it. The bacon had a proper crunch, the eggs were spot-on, and the toast showed up already buttered (a small detail, but it matters). Service is friendly in that easy, familiar way—efficient, chatty if you want it, and happy to keep your coffee topped off. You get the sense a lot of regulars eat here, which is always a good sign. Is it fancy? Absolutely not. Is it honest, satisfying, and worth every penny? 100%. If you’re craving real English breakfast without the gimmicks, this place delivers. Come hungry, leave happy, and don’t overthink it.

As a complete stranger to London, I happened upon this lovely cafe on a busy street corner in Islington near Moorfields Eye Hospital 's private wing. From massive breakfasts for £12, mixed grill (£16.50) to homemade 'Sucuklu Yumurta' (Pan fried eggs and Turkish sausage), they really do offer an eclectic selection. I opted for the very tasty cheese on toast (£6.50) and an excellent cappuccino (£3.50). I thought the prices extremely reasonable for London. Nice clean loos and free WiFi. A great find!

Great breakfast. Had to rush off half way thru, they very kindly kept it warm for me until I got back. They even put it on a new plate with fresh eggs and offered a fresh tea - Excellent service

This place was so close to being 5 stars for me, good prices, big portions, the mixed veg omelette and fries was really delicious, the beef and onion pie was so so. Mocha was big and delicious too. A really nice casual old fashioned diner at a street junction. Took one star off because the waitress somehow couldn't really understand us, and also couldn't understand the kitchen because she told us they ran out of pie and then we cancelled it, but then they just serve it to us even though we already decided not to have it. One of the item we ordered never arrived too.

Grabbed a lunch with my father & sister yesterday. Cafe set up is simple but it is neat and clean. Service was fast. Place kept all organised. Food was good. We ordered two sets grilled chicken with side of chips & salad plus Chicken Escalope with sides of rice & salad. I love that the chicken has a kick of little spice. Escalope is moist and crunchy. Chips are properly cooked (fresh and crisp). Fresh salad too. But most of all, the staff were welcoming. Sincere smile from our lady server and greetings from another staff is appreciated. Though I have doubt that she mistakenly serve us spicy chicken instead of the Grilled one, didn't complain as it is tasty anyway.

Wanted to try a full English breakfast--found this place online with great reviews. It was within walking distance of my airbnb. Plenty of seating, service was quick, and there is WiFi. I got the Cop the Lot, which came with bacon, sausage, eggs, beans, tomato, and blood pudding/sausage. Everything was cooked fresh (you could hear the cooks at the grill). It came out quickly and was definitely very hearty. Also super cheap and they accept credit card!

Hangovers and hunger go hand in hand and there's one tried and tested cure... A decent full English from your local greasy spoon. The Shepherdess is one of my all time favourite places to visit when after a breakfast to overcome a hangover. The coffee is pretty spot on and the food will have you back on your feet and ready to conquer another day after a big night out. What's even better than the great food is the incredibly decent prices - you can't beat £5.60 for the builders breakfast that has chips, bacon, sausage, eggs and a whole lot of beans.

Food was okay but the service was pretty awful. We tried to split the bill and the lady was like "I can't because I already added it up" (with her calculator). She could have easily charged my friend's two items then charged my 3 items separately. Instead, she split the bill evenly after she just said she couldn't split it and was rude about it. The food itself is pretty plain but for the price it's expected. I personally won't be going back.

What to say, this unassuming classically decorated café is exactly what you should be looking for in a greasy spoon. Big portions, good classic ingredients, and good service. Bustling with locals and passers by, none is out of place here. Why not 5 stars? These places are not meant to have five stars.

This is a quintessential greasy spoon and I am awarding it 5 stars. It's exactly what you should expect when looking for this type of food in London! It's an establishment full of locals and regulars and I'll admit that I felt a little out of place, but I can see past that with how good the food was. I had the "Cop The Lot" and the blood pudding did not disappoint. Super tasty and very fulfilling. I would definitely return!

I was passing by Old Street station - starving - and looking for somewhere to eat. Shepherdess Cafe saved the day. All I wanted was marmite; that was it. And, by Jove, they had it. This was the best marmite sandwich of my life. Perfectly toasted, with just the right amount of spread. All for under £3. Nothing else needs to be said. I'm won over.

There's a greasy spoon tucked into the nooks and crannies of just about anywhere. The Shepherdess is one of them, and spacious with ample seating for workmen on break, or a friends' meetup. If your favourite breakfast combination is not already listed, they'll sort it out a la carte and prices remain reasonable. It's a no-frills environment. In place of the expected frilly curtains, for example, the windows have been painted with pictures of curtains. If you love chips, order them. If you moderately like them, don't order them and you will still get half a dozen as garnish on the plate.

Go there for: A simple breakfast A coffee A simple order of chips The fact that it's legendary The funny, diverse crowd The staff (ladies with character!) The overall scene The few lonely but free chips you get on your plate when you haven't ordered them Don't go there for: Lunch/an actual meal (unless you're ordering only chips) More than a breakfast or a little toastie sandwich/snack As much as I really REALLY want to love this place (I work nearby), I can't give it 5 stars because every time I eat something else than a simple breakfast/small toastie or chips, my tummy isn't happy! It is cheap lunch but it's not worth an afternoon of feeling really blah. Good for little snacks, though.

Ok, so, this café has been awarded the 'best breakfast in London' title. And their Builders Breakfast definitely does not disappoint. I don't know how they do it, but they turn bacon, eggs, beans and chips into a gourmet meal that no man can resist... Unless you're a veggie! I've knocked a point off of this potential-five starrer because of one reason - inconsistency... I've been here a few times and had a couple of different dishes - builders and Eggs Benedict. On 4 separate occasions (2 each) the quality of presentation, and quantity have wildly differed - with an extra egg to a missing sausage, it may taste great but you never can tell what you'll actually get. If you want a greasy-spoon traditional fry up - here is your place, just don't be too disappointed if you don't get everything that you order...

This was a great place to get breakfast as I walked to work in London. When I am a tourist, I look for the places that locals would enjoy and this is one of those places. It is very similar to the diners that I love in the U.S. The tables a spare. The food is terrible for you and yet so good you'll be thinking about licking the remnants of your eggs Benedict off the plate.

Workermans cafe The Shepherdess Cafe aptly named is a place without formality. Its the feel of sweat and business, its got tension and anger. Well thats the different sort of crowd that eat here. Feeling uncomfortable are you? I have had a cup of of coffee here by myself early morning. There is a masculine aura about sitting there and often men from different professions walk in to have their lunch, I only think because its informal and reasonably priced for the pocket. Plus the service is very quick since they are always busy.

Tried the builder's breakfast, and gotta say I wasn't disappointed! Good taste and big portion, pretty satisfying :)

This cafe is a much-loved institution in this part of the world. But word has spread so far now that I've noticed that even the BBC keep filming interviews in there! However, the Shep's strengths still lie in the simple staples of British caffs everywhere egg, beans and chips is always a good bet. And you can add tomatoes and mushrooms if you're really peckish. Or any combination of your favourite cafe fare. They'll even poach an egg for you rather than fry it, if you ask nicely! Definitely worth a visit if you're in the area.

Superb food & good prices! All day english breskfast! Try Builders Breakfast for 5,60£

Lovely working man's caf - they got my order quite wrong but I didn't particularly care because what came out was so good (fried eggs, bacon, sausage, chips, and fry bread) - all the food was done just right - if you have a hangover this is the greasy breakfast you want. Sadly I didn't make it here until my last day because everyone's food looked great and I'd have loved to eat my way around the menu. I adore the waitress that works here - I would want to visit her every morning. Also nothing to do with the food - but the clientele here is largely male and CRAZY hot.

Good cafe food. No muss no fuss situation. Very cheap prices and friendly efficient staff. Perfect for those days when you just want a simple classic. I've heard it can be pretty rammed in the mornings but they have a quick turn around.

Very good British breakfast. Visited 2 times during our stay in London . Not expensive. Nice staff.

A nice, solid 3 stars. Friendly, fast service and very reasonable prices. I got a scrambled egg focaccia which is one of my favourite breakfast dishes and it was under £3, which for London is bargaintastic! I hear the full englishs are very good, so if you're hungover and need a greasy spoon, look no further.

Wonderful find on Saturday morning for 2 hungry travelers. Charming staff and good coffee and menu. Great value !

Recommended by Chris H. below and yes, a very good, standard Brit brekkie fare. Lashings of beans, decent chips, sausage big, a working men's breakfast. Tea is simple, cheap, and the epitome of what caff tea should taste like. Only downside: occasional but very strong whiff of synthetic air freshener, coming from somewhere. I'd rather smell the kitchen, thanks!

A delightful caff, with painted on curtains, and a spring in its step as it brings you great proper English breakfasts. Some of the best breakfast chips around, and good tea too.

Just what we were hoping for; homestyle simple food served with a smile (and a moderate price tag). The builder's breakfast is everything you could ask for at £5.50.

great bacon''sarnie'', good tea, friendly staff, best ''caff'' in the area bar none

I am a regular of the Shepherdess. You are always remembered and welcomed with a smile. It is good honest café food freshly cooked.