Cakes of Hungary

Sure, this is a blog about London cafes. But it's also about cakes. And if you like cakes, go to Hungary.

Hungary is the mother-land (literally), where my mum’s family all hail from, going back many generations.

My grandmother asked me to visit Hungary before she dies, hence this trip (not that she’s about to die any time soon, but she turns 85 this year so no point in leaving it too much longer!).

During this visit I discovered something that was kept hidden from me by my family all through my childhood: Hungary has utterly delectable cakes. How could I have not known this sooner?

This omission may have something to do with there being only one Hungarian cake shop in the city where I grew up in Australia. Nonetheless I couldn't help but feel betrayed and cheated out of an entire sensory experience growing up.

Hungarian cakes are mostly of the sponge variety, with rich gateau-style creamy fillings, but very light and fluffy (think whipped chocolate mousse).

They come in dozens of different varieties, with different flavours and colours. All this cream certainly had an effect on my stomach… I had not been so regular for a long time if you know what I mean!

No wonder diabetes runs in my family. While France wins in the pastry stakes, I think Hungary might even win in the cake stakes. We were well on our way to eating ourselves into a heart attack….

Most days started with cake for breakfast, followed by cake for lunch, then again for afternoon tea, sometimes again in the evening (alternate was gelati, another popular dessert).

Best of all, Hungarian cakes are not expensive (about £1 to £1.50 at most per slice). This meant that we could eat a lot.

And eat a lot we did!

CakeMyDayLondon Rating

To the Jungle (E8 3AZ)

16 Dalston Ln, Dalston E8 3AZ

@tothejunglecafe

We came across this café by accident en route to another venue. On the first visit I forgot to take cake photos, so we had to return again (tough life isn’t it).

I couldn’t remember the address, but I think I gave Ben pretty clear directions:

“Remember when we tried to find a car park at that bar-café but had to park a few blocks away, then on the way we stuck our heads into the garden café, then went to the bar-café but there was no cake, so we went to the other café with the Singer sewing machine tables and then next door was that shop with the grass stuff?”

So back we went…. Can't exactly miss the striking street frontage!

I like this little place. The cakes are yummy (particularly the plum cake). The atmosphere is very calming and relaxing, with a lot of wood, leather and natural fibres comprising the interior decor as well as recycled Singer sewing machine tables sans the sewing machines (which probably ended up gracing the front windows of an All Saints). 

It’s wonderfully cosy without being stuffy, and feels like a bookshop but without the books.

Finding a table can sometimes be a challenge, because customers like to make themselves at home here, typing away on laptops, probably blogging about cafes or something. 

But I’m sure if you ask nicely they’ll let you share a table, because you shouldn’t let other people prevent you from exercising your right to plum cake. 

CakeMyDayLondon Rating

Kahaila Café (E1 6SB)

135 Brick Ln, London, Tower Hamlets E1 6SB

http://kahaila.com/

Many years ago in Australia, a colleague and I used to sneak out of work for a cheeky hot chocolate/tea/coffee and gossip during quiet afternoons. Our meeting place of choice was at a nearby Christian café. It was the perfect hide-out, since we knew no-one we worked with would venture in there and catch us out. Brilliant strategy if I say so myself.

There is no hiding out at Kahaila café however. It’s located smack bang in the middle of Brick Lane, a place I only ever seem to venture on Sundays and which always induces in me a touch of agoraphobia by the time I get half way down its length. 

You can’t miss it, because the window display attracts cakeaholics like myself and quite a few passing photographers snapping shots of their gorgeous cakes.

Forget loaves and fish... I want enough cake to feed 5,000

This café invariably has a long line at the counter, sometimes stretching out onto the street. I think the line length is testament to both the popularity of the café and also to the incredibly sloooooow service from the staff. But being a community Christian venture perhaps they are too polite to rush people through.

It is often difficult to find a seat inside; to be honest, I think they could use the space better and cram in a few more tables. But perhaps I’m only saying that out of bitterness due to past disappointments at not being able to get a table.  

The café has a large selection of cakes to choose from, and just when you think they’re about to run out, a miracle happens and more cakes appear to feed the multitude. 

CakeMyDayLondon Rating

The Counter Cafe (E3 2PA)

7 Roach Rd, London E3 2PA

http://thecountercafe.co.uk/

Unpretentious is the word that perhaps best describes this café. Artsy is another one, probably because of the lofty exhibition space in the entry foyer.

It’s probably not the sort of place you’d stumble upon by accident, unless you happen to like wandering around industrial areas, which is not something I’d recommend in London (speaking from experience).

Counter Café is situated on the enigmatically named Fish Island in Hackney, directly on the River Lee Navigation canal. Affording great views, it also overlooks the Olympic Stadium at Stratford. 

For free car parking, visit on Sundays; I’ve no idea why the council sees fit to charge for car parking on Saturdays since the area isn’t exactly thronging with visitors.

The café takes rustic shabby chic to a new level, and makes clever use of old cinema/theatre seating at some of their tables. The lighting inside can be dim particularly at tables away from the windows, so take a reading lamp in winter.

Low light conditions with cake as the highlight

The cake selection is not particularly extensive, but it always tastes great. Brownies are a staple. I thought banana cake was also a staple until one visit when there wasn’t any – I had to “make do” with the carrot cake, which I felt was a more than satisfactory trade off. 

The prices are very reasonable, which is both a good thing (economically) and a bad thing (when you then order three cakes instead of two).

The crowd is a mixed bag which makes for good people watching. The staff are relaxed, and help make the Counter Café a great place to hang out and while away quiet afternoons.

I particularly enjoy coming here when it’s cold and miserable outside because it always makes me feel warm and cosy inside. 

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