A review of Redemption Roasters in Islington, North London; a secret instagrammable cafe with a sculpture-clad basement that doubles as a perfect work cafe!
Tucked away near Camden Passage in Islington, Redemption Roasters is the kind of classic coffee shop Londoners turn to for great brews and a chill atmosphere.
I first came across it when going to said Camden Passage, a historic street filled with antiques, unique grocery shops and lifestyle brands, and didn’t think much of the coffee shop exterior.
Because what really makes it stand out is its secret basement, an instagrammable hidden gem where the walls are covered in white sculptures, creating a vibe you won’t find anywhere else in the city.
Redemption Roasters North London: A Cafe with Sculpted Decor
Redemption Roasters started with a simple idea: to create a space where coffee lovers could enjoy quality, ethically sourced beans with a side of community.
Located at 96-98 Islington High Street, North London, it quickly became a favorite for students, freelancers, and locals who needed a reliable cafe to work, study, or catch up with friends.
While it’s a classic coffee shop on the surface, what sets Redemption Roasters apart is not only its unique design choices and hidden surprises that reveal themselves the more you explore the place.
It’s also the fact that it’s strongly committed to helping reduce reoffending by giving people a second shot at life.
Inside Redemption Roasters Coffee Shop, Islington
At street level, Redemption Roasters looks like that classic, almost vintage coffee shop, with a side of minimalism in how the menu and coffee packs are displayed.
Further down this review, I’ll be showing you all the little details in the white basement filled with sculptures, which make Redemption one of the quirkiest cafes I’ve ever come across.
On the Menu at Redemption Roasters, Islington
When I visited the Islington High Street branch of Redemption Roasters, the largest out of the thirteen the coffee shop now has in London, I didn’t find lots of vegan baked goods.
This cafe chain doesn’t really advertise their cakes and pastries as being vegan but some are gluten-free (I’m not, but like trying out vegan coffee shops like the wonderful The Vaults Collective).
To be fair, that’s really not the point of Redemption Roasters, whose main goal is to ‘train prison leavers and people at risk of offending with the skills they need to gain secure and meaningful employment’.
On the menu, you’ll find pretty much everything you’d come across in a French bakery; pains au chocolat, croissants, almond pains au chocolat, and a few other international goodies.
Pastel de nata elbow carrot cakes, flapjacks and muffins, all alongside really, really good coffee.
If you choose to eat in, you can also have a totally vegan breakfast or brunch with a few options like toasted sourdough and jam or avo on toast.
Redemption Roasters, Islington: What I Ordered
If you’re after coffee that actually tastes like something — Redemption Roasters delivers.
I found out about that with the matcha latte I ordered, which was genuinely matcha, quite strong actually, and hit the right balance without being too sweet or weak (but very matcha-y).
The carrot cake is another highlight; one of the best carrot cakes I’ve ever, ever tried in London!
The creamy frosting is rich and makes for such a tasty cake that even if I lived all the way in North Finchley when I first discovered Redemption Roasters, I didn’t mind the trip.
I’ve found out about quite a few American bakeries and spots for amazing British desserts while living in London, but I know for a fact that this carrot cake here is worth any trip on any bus/Tube line.
The vibe at Redemption Roasters is relaxed but lively.
The main floor is spacious, with plenty of tables where you can settle in with your laptop, sip your coffee, and watch the world go by.
The staff are friendly and know their stuff, adding to the welcoming feel that makes Redemption Roasters more than just a quick pit stop.
The Instagrammable Basement of Redemption Roasters: London’s Secret Cafe with Sculptures
Down a staircase near the back of the shop, you’ll find the basement; the secret heart of Redemption Roasters.
This space transforms the coffee shop into something else entirely.
The walls are covered from floor to ceiling in white painted sculptures, giving the whole room an artistic, almost otherworldly atmosphere.
Here’s a gallery to show you details I’ve captured:
I’ve read and watched some reviews about Redemption Roasters on social media that specified the sculptures would be Greek, but there’s something a little more theatrical to it.
Some of these are clearly ethnical, while some sculptures are more baroque, and some are literal pinecones painted in white.
What’s sure is that the origins of these sculptures aren’t documented, although they’re most likely from the previous owners.
The staff weren’t sure what was up with that when I asked.
I like to think that most of these artsy pieces come from vintage shops or warehouses, or forgotten bits of lives from people’s old homes, and stay at that.
But I have to say, still, that these sculpted walls add a mysterious charm that fuels curiosity and Instagram posts alike.
It’s a creative contrast to the modern, minimalist decor upstairs and definitely makes visiting Redemption Roasters a multi-layered experience.
Redemption Roasters Cafe’s Secret Garden: A Hidden Outdoor Oasis
Step right out of the basement and through a discreet door, and you’ll find Redemption Roasters’ secret garden…
Somehow, I lost the photos of the garden.
But does this coffee shop keep on giving, or what?!
It’s a quiet, leafy spot tucked away behind the cafe, offering a much-needed break from the busy streets of Islington.
This garden is a rare find — a peaceful green space where you can enjoy your coffee surrounded by nature.
I preferred to enjoy my carrot cake and matcha latte inside, since it was empty, and I was so right in doing so; a few minutes after I took those pictures, the cafe started getting packed.
But still.
Whether you want to soak up some sun, read a book, or chat quietly, the garden feels like a hidden gem in the heart of London.
More Than Just Coffee
Redemption Roasters isn’t just about drinks and cakes. It’s a space that embodies community and support, from the very beginning of the coffee production chain:
At the core of our mission we create opportunities for prison leavers. So it only makes sense that our coffee starts behind bars.
And for those who want to take a bit of Redemption home, the cafe also offers a selection of beans for sale, letting you recreate the experience in your own kitchen.
Redemption Roasters North London: A Cafe with Sculpted Decor
If you find yourself near Camden Passage or the Islington High Street in North London, make a point of stopping by Redemption Roasters.
It’s the kind of place that surprises you — a classic London coffee shop with a secret side, blending quality, comfort, and a dash of mystery.
The sculptures downstairs, the secret garden, the perfect matcha, and the carrot cake with that unforgettable cream all come together to create an experience that’s just…
More than just coffee.
It’s a spot where people have a new shot at life, locals hang out, creatives gather, and visitors discover a little-known corner of London with something special to offer.
If you’re into such hidden places and gems, here are a few guides and reviews I’ve written you might enjoy:
