One of Kingsland Road's many Vietnamese restaurants, this spot is a longstanding part of the 'Pho Mile', as this area is affectionately known. It's set over two floors, with the cafe upstairs and the 'Mess' downstairs, where diners can cook their own food to suit their preference on the individual infrared grill on each table.
The menu blends traditional and modern Vietnamese cooking, whilst incorporating influences from elsewhere, too. Examples range from summer rolls, banh toms and pho noodle soups to pan-Asian salads, wok tossed chicken dishes and a tender beef stew with chilli, lemongrass and sesame seeds. There's certainly authenticity when it comes to the Vietnamese coffee though - it's suitably sweet and strong.
There's a delivery facility too, should you live locally.