Lati Ri is a stylish yet unimposing cafe within Rivington Place - a visual arts centre just off Old Street, nestled fashionably between Shoreditch and Hoxton.

The Venue
Lati Ri can be found towards the back of the venue behind the main gallery space. Its thick wooden block tables and chairs and unassuming dark interior colours do not leave a lasting impression but regardless of this, it is an intimate and friendly little space.

The Atmosphere
Lati Ri welcomes through its doors a number of modest local workers, attention-seeking media nodes and culture-hungry visitors to the capital, creating a suitably chilled ambience with a funky soundtrack in the background. There is a significant number of members on the staff and they ensure customer satisfaction with politeness and enthusiasm.

They also host music events here, which may surprise those assuming this is just a cafe. Pleasantly, the people hanging around are not the typical ‘I am cooler than you because I spent 5 years perfecting this whacky make up and odd pose’ Shoreditch types. Sure, there are a number of media hounds paying attention to fashion but there is no attention seeking dancing and look at me behaviour that so epitomises the area. The crowd is chilled and comprises mainly groups of friends in their late twenties and early thirties. Depending on the night, dancing may not start until late in the evening when the limbs have been loosened-up by a number of drinks. The dance floor is slightly daunting, being diminutive and occupied by people queuing to order drinks. However, just hanging around with a rum and coke is perfectly ok - you have options here.

The Music
There is a lot going on musically - more than enough to keep most entertained. Lati Ri regularly hosts small, intimate gigs (there is no stage so you will be very close to the action), DJs and bongo players. The music is mostly commercial with tunes like Toxic by Britney Spears and indie tracks. What’s nice is the bongo spin on them: if the drums are out, expect the unexpected with known songs being regurgitated with an interesting African or Latin American flavour to them. A definite hip shaker.

The Food
Rivington Place embraces cultural diversity in the arts and this is reflected with the occasionally exotic dishes on the humble chalkboard of Lati Ri. The lamb curry is a perfect dish, with tender pieces of lamb in a suitably spicy sauce. The range of sandwiches are different from your usual cafe. Salami and gorgonzola, fontina and mortadella and caprino and artichoke for vegetarians are all exciting options, beautifully presented and brimming with striking flavours – certainly a must for anyone tiring of their daily lunch box of ham sandwiches and crisps. Breakfasts and pastries are also available.

The Drink
Lati Ri serves a variety of beers, wines, spirits and Champagnes. The Ice Tropez is a nice option, a sparkling rose fused with the flavour of peach creating a delightfully fruity cocktail that is proving a very popular beverage in The City these days.

The Last Word
Lati Ri is an inviting, contemporary cafe and its fresh take on the association of a cafe with a gallery is inspired. In this culturally-rich area of East London, it is certainly worth a paying a visit.

venue information venue map view london review user reviews (1) image gallery (8)