A haven from the crowds outside, Ko Coffee is like a slice of Shoreditch in King’s Cross: exposed brick walls, funky brightly coloured chairs and chic hanging lighting. Staff are friendly and helpful, too.
The coffee, from Assembly Coffee Roasters, is equally delightful. The flat white was smooth, never inching close to that classic pitfall of being too bitter, while the chai latte had a nice hum of spice. Plus, there are lots of alt milks.
Generally, the food delivered. The savoury stuff, in particular, was ace. The bagels, shipped in from Brick Lane (see, this really is Shoreditch goes to KX), were quality, with a slightly sweet dough, and were plentifully filled. The smoked salmon, cream cheese and rocket one was delicious, and generous with the fish, too. A pot of overnight oats soaked in almond milk was a mini marvel: ultra-creamy, with a smattering of cinnamon to keep things interesting.
Not everything shone, though. The vegan raspberry cake was an absolute fail – dry, lifeless and the little flavour that it had was a bit synthetic-tasting. Plus, a watery hot chocolate, ho-hum hazelnut brownie and dull croissant were all pretty average. Still, Ko makes a great spot for a cosy work meeting, or just some respite from all the bustle.