If you’re around the Chalk Farm end of Camden Town then wander up the road past the station and you’ll find a friendly cafe that will welcome you with open arms.

The Venue
This friendly cafe is part of a small parade of shops that lie awkwardly between Chalk Farm and Belsize Park. Unfortunately this means that very few people will actually venture this way on their travels. However, it’s a great spot for the locals, especially in the summer when the bay doors open.

The venue has large front windows that open up in the summer and overlook the street, and there’s a relaxing lounge area past the counter. Against the wall opposite the counter you’ll find a rather eccentric looking lamp made up of fairy lights in between three or four inviting leather chairs. Beyond this area are a few more tables and chairs and stretching across the length of the wall behind the bar is a shelving unit housing a variety of different bags of coffee and jars of pasta.

The Atmosphere
During the day it’s quiet and that’s purely down to its location. No one really stops off on this part of Haverstock Hill Road unless they live here, so take advantage. The staff are very friendly and makes you feel at home. Order something to eat in and they might bring a paper over to your table for you while you wait for your food - a nice touch. The mini hi-fi plays some very slow easy listening tracks, maintaining a peaceful environment.

The Food
Villaggio Cafe offers the good ol’ all day breakfast as well as a selection of sandwiches, toasted or otherwise. If you opt for a tuna melt it’ll be served on a white oval plate and cut into two triangle peaces, one neatly placed at an angle on top of the other. This little display of neatly choreographed excellence is completed by three baby tomatoes that have each been cut in half and placed on either side of the plate. Beautiful. It tastes like a tuna melt you’d make at home but with so much effort going into it’s presentation you can’t help but love it. They also serve a range of pasta dishes.

The Drink
The usual range of coffees and a small selection of teas are available. The freshly made juices include orange, apple, grapefruit and carrot whilst a variety of milkshakes can also be had including banana and strawberry as well as a few mixes. Bottled water and Coca-Cola is also available.

The Last Word
The fact that Villaggio Cafe is in a quiet patch is part of its appeal. If it were located further up the hill toward Belsize Park or closer to Camden, down the hill, it would have a completely different atmosphere. This is a great little cafe for the locals.

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