Tinderbox has settled nicely into its new home in Islington’s N1 Centre.

The Venue
Located in the N1 Centre, which also houses restaurants, a cinema and an array of fashion, home and beauty shops, Tinderbox is the perfect place to stop by for a sweet pick-me-up. Its clever multi-purpose space is spread out on two levels. The lower level is a coffee bar, with a quirky, retro theme set off by thoughtfully chosen decor which includes dark wood panelling on the walls, a ‘70s-looking espresso machine and soft brown leather reclining seats tucked away in the corner.

The upper level is clearly intended for those who wish to linger for a bit longer and is appointed in a slightly more modern, angular style with polished honey-coloured wood. The stairs bring you into a long and narrow room with the bar nestled against the back wall. There’s a mix of informal seating areas – tables with black stools, cosy booths stacked on top of each other with burgundy banquettes, a stepped wooden stage with soft leather cushions dotted about and a row of tall stools over looking the Perspex-roofed deck. As can be expected, on milder days, the deck fills up first.

The Atmosphere
The smells wafting around are divine and there is generally a laid back vibe with calming yellow light and soothing music. There is a comfortable buzz of activity, with the occasional peal of laughter ringing out over the hiss of the milk steamer. The crowd is mostly the trendy Islington set, with small groups brainstorming and other people working on laptops, chatting, sipping their coffee dreamily or reading. Unfortunately, staff aren’t particularly friendly, although that doesn’t manage to ruin the experience.

The Food
There is a wide selection of sweet treats that all seem to be homemade. Giant pretzels, carrot cake, cheesecake and muffins smile provocatively from the counter. The brownies look so criminally moist and inviting it might be wise to steer clear of them if you’re prone to over-indulgence. The apple cake, which initially looks a bit stodgy, turns out to be delicious, packed full of zesty flavour and well worth £2.45.

The Drink
The drinks menu features an equal showing of hot and cold drinks. Apart from the usual suspects – Americanos, lattes, mochas and macchiatos – there are almond, caramel and cinnamon flavoured wonders which punctuate the atmosphere with comforting smells, all served warm and frothy. The Raspberry Breeze at £2.60 is a bit of a let down. Despite being described by the staff as a sorbet, it’s not frozen; it’s not thick enough to be a milkshake, nor cold enough to be a refreshing drink. The taste is deliciously tart but feels strange and separates in the mouth.

The Last Word
Tinderbox is overall a pleasant experience at any time of day, with great coffee and scrumptious food available at decent prices.

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