Norman's Cafe
About This Spot
Norman's Cafe is a quietly confident neighborhood gem tucked into the heart of Archway, where the familiar comforts of a traditional English cafe meet a fresh, modern sensibility. Upon stepping through its door, you’re welcomed by a calm yet purposeful rhythm — a place where neither chatter nor clatter overwhelms, and where the pace invites you to settle in without hurry.
The atmosphere strikes a careful balance between stylish simplicity and unpretentious warmth. Natural light spills through windows that frame the bustling street outside, casting a soft glow over wooden tables and thoughtful touches that feel effortlessly curated. It’s the kind of spot where locals and visitors alike come to share a slow moment with good coffee and honest food — a pause in their day rather than a race to the next thing.
Norman’s menu carries that same vibe: straightforward, crafted with care, and carrying subtle twists that lift familiar British cafe fare to something memorable. Whether it’s the gently smoky aroma of sausages sizzling alongside a perfectly fried egg, or the creamy comfort of a well-made bubble and squeak paired with a robust cup of filter coffee, each offering is a quiet celebration of humble ingredients done well.
While the venue is intimate, sometimes necessitating a brief wait, the attentive and friendly staff make the experience feel personal rather than rushed. There’s a welcomed sense of honesty in how the cafe moves — from the clear communication during busier moments to the simple, satisfying plates that arrive just when they should.
For those who appreciate a spot that offers more than just food — a place where genuine moments between daily routines can unfold — Norman’s Cafe feels like a thoughtful discovery, quietly proud and warmly inviting, right in the heart of North London.
What’s Available Here
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No wheelchair-accessible car park
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Has outdoor seating
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Offers delivery
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Offers takeaway
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Serves dine-in
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Serves great coffee
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Has great tea selection
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Popular for breakfast
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Popular for lunch
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Good for solo dining
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Serves alcohol
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Serves coffee
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Quick bite
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Serves wine
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Serves breakfast
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Serves brunch
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Serves lunch
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Serves dinner
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Serves dessert
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Has seating
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Has toilet
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Casual
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Cosy
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Trendy
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Accepts credit cards
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Accepts debit cards
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Accepts NFC mobile payments
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Credit cards
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Good for kids
Matt Abbott 06 Jan 2026
The best breakfast I've had out in a long, long time. Everything was absolutely gorgeous. Really nice vibe in the cafe, too. Their menu is simple but brilliant. The cafe is stylish without being pretentious. The service was quick. Can't say enough, really...if we lived in North London, we'd be there every week. I had Set 1 with a black coffee (which was lovely) and my wife had the muffin with the sausage. Oh and the eggs were nice and runny - cooked to perfection.
joan lockwood 05 Jan 2026
Stopped in for something to eat after a long walk. Ordered the Welsh Rarebit, chips and some tea. Food was good and service really great. Thought the prices were a bit high for portion sizes and value for money.
C-Reviews 05 Jan 2026
Great service, good food, cool menu and decent prices. What more could you ask for! 20 min wait on a Sunday mid morning. Queue time was clearly communicated throughout! Thanks guys!
Nicholas Galea 31 Dec 2025
Such a cool place, coming as a tourist this place was great. English style food but with a twist. Very tasty and lots to choose from. The venue is quite small, so there is often a line to get I . We got there just at opening time and waited for about 10minutes. The filter coffee was fantastic. The prices are also very reasonable.
Tanya Lake 23 Nov 2025
Norman's Cafe is a modern take on a traditional cafe with excellent food and friendly staff. Their vegetarian Set 2 is a feast, featuring a generous serving of bubble and squeak, egg, hash brown, grilled tomato, and beans. The highlight for me was the bubble and squeak, which was notably creamy, even the baked beans were better than usual. I asked for my fried egg to be well done and they obliged. My dining companion opted for Set 3, which includes sausage, chips, and beans, and praised the quality of the sausages. The café's interior exudes a nostalgic retro charm with its formica tables and chairs, and there are a few outdoor tables as well. It's popular so you may have to wait to get a table. As with most places these days it is cashless. The staff's friendliness left a lasting impression, making it the most welcoming eatery I've visited this year. With a clever concept, excellent food and friendly staff, I loved the entire experience of dining there.
Mr. Kellogg 16 Nov 2025
The line out the door was worth the wait. Great fry up with a reduced menu with plenty of great options. Service was quick and friendly. Food and drinks were quick out even with the place packed. Good music playing in the background and everything came to a very reasonable price. Will be back when I’m in the area. Thank you Norman’s for a great start to my day.
Ella Park 29 Sep 2025
The atmosphere is cozy and has a lovely, relaxing vibe. The music is a bit loud, but I actually enjoyed it. The interior is beautiful on its own, so I hadn’t expected much from the food quality, to be honest—but it turned out to be fantastic. We ordered Set 2 (Vegi) with added black pudding, which was thick and satisfying. The bubble and squeak was also delicious. The prices are reasonable, and both the coffee and tea were even better than expected. I think I’ll be coming here regularly! A couple of suggestions: 1. It would be great to have a mushroom option on the extras menu. 2. The food would be perfect if it were a little less salty. Overall, it was an enjoyable brunch. Thanks!
Martin Yeh 19 Sep 2025
Came nearly closing time but our server is very kind and friendly, even just him working on the floor. The restaurant is tinny but very tidy with cute vibe and the food is excellent. That delicious bean I would love to have it every morning ! Everything is simple but you can tell how fresh and good quality of food itself. Thank you guys made a such good and simple food. Will definitely come back soon for more food !