Pogo Café is permanently closed
Pogo Café
Pogo Café, a co-operative run wholly by enthusiastic volunteers, is one of my favourite London digs in which to kick back and simply enjoy good vegan food. Its feel is not unlike that of a student’s living room, relaxed with no pretenses; what you see is what you get. Plus the food is incredibly reasonably priced, with a selection of scumptious cakes and pies to satisfy your sweet tooth. It’s well worth a trek to Hackney to wile away a few hours in this completely vegan establishment.
A great big vegan fry up
Sunday Brunch at Pogo
I’ve been to Pogo a few times now, one of the most recent visits on an invitation by a friend to try the Sunday Brunch. Given the choice between the healthy option and a huge (and I mean absolutely stacked) plate of fried breakfastness, well, it was an obviously choice. ‘Sides, It took me more than two hours to get there! I earned it! The plate included vegan sausages and facon, mushrooms, tofu scramble (one of the best I’ve had), fried potatoes as well as a hash brown, beans, and tomato.
All in all, it was a trip well worth my time. I just wish we had somewhere in Crawley where I could roll out of bed and pop to a local café for a fry up.
Dessert
Knickerbocker Glory Sundae at Pogo Café
From another visit to Pogo, but worth a mention anyway, this Sundae is a heavenly (and dairy free) interpretation of the British classic. Swedish Glace ice cream packed into a tall ice cream glass, layered with fruits sauces and nuts, this alone makes Pogo worth a visit.
Final Thoughts
Okay, so Hackey may be a pain in a typical Londoner’s arse (those not in the East of the city, at least) to get to, but make the effort. The café has all sorts of evening events too, so keep an eye out for something that interests you and enjoy an evening at one of East London’s best vegan eateries.
My God, that looks amazing!
FUCK ME, I LOVE their Knickerbocker Glory! I want to try a Fry Up too!
We'll go when you're in London! Jojo's never been and wants to try it out too.
AWESOME! I need to email you about an idea I have for my London event and then flying out of Gatwick.. aka, take me home with you!
Pogo Café has been a great vegan place. Sadly, as from this
moment, it has to close down due to financial difficulties.
Dear Pogo: we will remember how you stood tall in Hackney.
Thank you to all who volunteered at some point, and also to those who came and enjoyed this very special project.
On Sunday 1st August it will open from 11-5pm for the last Sunday roast. Please come if you can and help us give this unique café a good send off… 🙁
The good news is that the place is not to be lost as a vegan space in Hackney, and many of the ethical alternative values that Pogo embodied are going to be renewed in a new vegan project that will open sometime by mid or end of September 2013. Like the Phoenix, the best of Pogo will live on.