Macondo Cafe Bar

popped in for the apple ginger tea with pear and cinnamon. i shared a slice of the almond cake with my friend. there was a bit of a wait for a table. we offered to sit outside in the cold, but no one came out to provide menus.
despite the service, the tea was heavenly and the cake was sweet but not overpoweringly so.

I love this place in theory. Cute, outdoor seating, quirky latin-​infused menu. But unfortunately the service is really bad and not well run. They aren’t rude per se, just completely obvious to the fact that they have customers who want a table, menus, coffee and food delivered in a reasonable time. If they could get these basics down, it has a lot of potential.
Coming from California, I was excited to see huevos rancheros on the menu. But don’t get too excited. This means there are black beans, tortilla and a dab of so-​so salsa on the side. It’s more breakfast with a hint of mexican flavor.
Sitting outside on a beautiful sunny weekend day is really a pleasure though. And their mid-​day cocktails are worth it, even if they take 2 hours to reach you.

What have you done to my eggs? No really, I want to know why my baked beans are black and my toast is a really rather flt and round. I’d also like to enquire as to were the ketchup is? There seems to be some sort of spicy salsa on my plate by mistake… oh…are you sure?
It’s meant to be like this? Oh, right, silly me! So this is some sort of Mexican breakfast special that I’m not appreciating? Right. Just thought I’d get that straight.
It’s a nice place though, and your cakes look awfully tasty. Actually, can I leave my eggs and just eat cake? Mmmmm… cake. They are all displayed so nicely along the counter.
I like these plush looking cushions too, I feel like your trying to seduce me. Cake and posh cushions — yes I think you are. I’m just not so sure about your funny eggs.

Whenever it’s a lovely sunny morning, Macondo is the place to go if you’re in Angel.
As it’s tucked behind Upper Street you feel a million miles away from the city and noise. You can sit outside peacefully and enjoy your coffee in an al fesco environment. The ‘healthy’ breakfast is delicious, possibly the nicest granola I’ve ever had but if you’re after something more substantial there is plenty to offer on the menu.
And if you pop by in the evening, the Espresso Martini is definitely worth a try!

Ok, first of all, haven’t tried the food and I tried not to look at all of the tantalizing cakes and pastries and I wasn’t there during the Camden Passage rush hour on the weekend and am skeptical about the huevos rancheros… BUT…
As a Sunday night need a place to have a date and can’t possibly put another drop of alcohol into the mouth so hoping for a tea/​coffee kind of place where one can converse and still have ambience… this place scored a 10.
Still determined to check it out under other circumstances, but definitely one to add to your «I don’t want to go to SBUX and need an open café in the evening» list.

I do not know whether this is Spanish food, Mexican or an amalgamation of both. The breakfasts though are different, tasty and because I’m a piggy, leaves me wanting for more. The smoothies are also yummy and come in strange little cups that empty far too quickly.
What caught my eye and tantalised my belly was the array of stunning looking cakes. I had a chunk of Lizzie’s chocolate brownie and without hesitation I tell you it is the best brownie I have ever tasted.
If you fancy a slice of indulgent cakey delight in simplified rustic surroundings you should come to Macondo.

Fancy a sweet treat? Macondo’s your spot. This tiny Spanish inspired sanctuary tucked away in Islington’s Camden Passage is a veritable paradise of tantalizing cakes, brownies, loose leaf teas, and baked delicious.
Huevos rancheros? Not so much.
(Proven by the fact that our British dining partner sounded like she was asking «Who is Rancher Ross?» When ordering this dish.)
But seriously guys, who Is Rancher Ross?
Point taken.

Although I like the concept of a café-​bar-​gallery, I feel like Macondo has got a little too big for its boots. I came here recently for breakfast as I’d heard they make good Mexican food, but I was surprised by the limited choices and more to the point the price tag — I mean Huevos Rancheros for £6.45? We’re talking about tortillas and eggs. £6.95 for Nachos or £3.95 for a small bowl of olives? Madre Mia.
The surroundings are warm and rustic and they choose good artwork for the gallery, but I’ll stick to making my Mexican nosh at home thanks.

Sister to the slightly smaller Hoxton Square outlet, Macondo in Camden Passage is a welcome retreat away from busy Upper Street. Settle at one of the tables with a Mexican treat such as spicy fried eggs or big juicy wedges of potato omelette — just like your mamacita made it! Or, if you’re feeling indulgent, settle along the bar and choose a chocolate brownie with a smooth and thick hot chocolate to wash it down. Not adventurous enough? Ask for a shot of rum in your ‘choco’! Macondo is a pricey but classy tastebud-​tempting experience.

Macondo is a loosely Mexican café on the Camden Passage in Islington. It is a long, slightly narrow café with the counter on the left and tables on the right. The décor is simple and modern, though pleasant enough.
I went today for breakfast. I sat on a high top counter on the left and I had a cappuccino and huevos chicanos, which together came to about £7. Huevos Chicanos is a breakfast dish of fried eggs on ham and tortillas. I’ve never been to Mexico so I’m not sure how things compare in terms of authenticity. The eggs were well cooked and the ham was of a good quality, however, the whole thing was a little bland. So perhaps give it a miss. The coffee was good, though and the staff were really warm and nice.
A good place, but perhaps give the breakfast a miss.

I loved the Latin inspired cosy atmosphere of this café-​bar-​gallery. The lunch meny changes daily, food is fresh and colorful and the portions generous. The menu is about salads, tortillas, paella. and it is all displayed in big bowls around the bar desk.
And once you see the cakes, oh the amazing home made cakes, you just can’t leave without having a taste. The place is mostly known by it’s cheesecakes.
For lunch I had the Spanish tortilla with salad, fresh mint tea and a piece of almond cake for a desert. I was struggling to finish it all, so I would recommend to share the piece of cake with your friend, it is definitely enough to fill two persons. Yam!