Toconoco

Thrive by London's Hidden Canal Retreat

Toconoco is a charming little hideaway that feels like a clandestine portal to the heart of Japan, nestled by the Regent's Canal in East London. This café has an uncanny ability to make you forget that you're just a stone's throw from the urban sprawl – a hidden gem that requires a bit of determination to find, but once inside, rewards you with an atmosphere that is both calming and invigorating. The décor exudes a warm, homey charm, accentuated by the gentle clatter of children at play, for this space is refreshingly welcoming to families. Forget the typical cookie-cutter babycino cafes; Toconoco combines authentic Japanese cuisine with a family-friendly setting, elevated by its thoughtful service (on good days) and blissful canal-side views.

While it may struggle with loose ends like inconsistent service and the odd culinary hiccup, most who visit leave enchanted rather than disgruntled. The range of udon – robust and delectably chewy – and rice balls with various fillings reimagine comfort food without breaking the bank; though some guests might fancy more generous fillings or topping options. On segueing from bites to sips, the black sesame and hojicha lattes have etched themselves into aficionados' taste memories. Toconoco beautifully assembles the delicate textures and flavours into ceramics that are themselves like the tactile love letters of a potter enamored with their craft. Yet, what stands whispers about Toconoco hovers calmly above simple criticisms—is it our common quest beneath concrete and sky to find spaces softly echoing a life's poetry? In short, it's not flawless, but that imperfection only highlights the cafe's genuine warmth. — Milo Tastemaker