An endearing little lagoon teeming with options.

The Venue
The "legume" sign that hangs outside is actually an aubergine. Thankfully, the blue part is accurate. This striking all-blue exterior-ed cafe/restaurant/juice bar is located further north of Stoke Newington Church Street. Past its eye-catching exterior (and seasonal alfresco seating) are two mid-sized rooms: a front, high-ceiling-ed but low-lighted blue room and a bright conservatory-style seating area in the back. The two are separated by a very compact food and drink preparation and display area.

The Atmosphere
The front room is extremely colourful: upon entering, one will notice the prevalent cirque/jester decor, mosaic-tiles tables and the densely-boarded cashier's area (also the food and drink display and prep area). Menu boards hang above, around, in and behind this middle area, showcasing the varied selection available. The extensive menu can make it hard, even for its regulars, to decide; even the most health-conscious, babies-in-the-tow mothers are tempted to abandon all for the well-stocked dessert case. The back area is less confounding, as its boards are more orderly-placed, and the lighting bright and natural. Fortunately, indecision is eased by accommodating service.

The Food
The Blue Legume has its fingers in a lot of pies - sweet, savoury, even non-pie pies. The menu stretches from eggs to pastas to meals-in-a-cup. The most prominent menu, located right in the middle, is that of breakfast. The Cumberland Sausage breakfast is a £6 plate of an unusually large portion of baked beans in ketchup, a mound of mushrooms, vinegary poached egg, grilled half-tomato, bland and dry sausage, and two slices of toast. A large variety of prepared foods ("daily specials") sit in the display area. These consist mostly of colourful pastas, savoury pies and pretty desserts. The plum pie boasts a lively colour but has a compressed, stale crust.

The Drink
This is more of a juice bar and coffee-or-tea place than alcohol; there is a reasonable selection of wines but a much larger (and more prominent) selection of fresh-pressed juices, smoothies, coffees and teas. Prices are very agreeable with juices starting from about £2, and smoothies from £3.

The Last Word
Caters to breakfast junkies, healthy and nonchalant. The alcove is a comfortable place to while away an afternoon.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (5)