The streets of Finsbury Park feel a little more continental with the scent of Bon Matin’s freshly baked bread and viennoiserie. The comely window display is a little Ottolenghi-esque and, inside, rows of good-looking tarts, sandwiches, mini cheesecakes and quiches provide further invitation. As the name suggests, this café is more of a morning venue, but breakfast is a leisurely affair, served until 4pm, and for lunch there’s a selection of colourful sandwiches (ciabatta, brioche or open) and a daily soup (a pleasingly light lentil and tomato when we dropped by) served with a basket of bread.
Following in the footsteps of its successful sister restaurant in Crouch End, however, there are plans to start serving a Middle Eastern-style lunch menu here too. Bon Matin attracts a friendly bunch: couples leafing through the free newspapers, small groups eating in the sky-lit extension at the back, young families on a weekend cake mission. French toast was incredibly light and fluffy, made with Bon Matin’s own brioche, which really crisped up around the edges. Moist, buttery scrambled eggs and a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice made a fine hangover cure.