Black Cat Cafe may be 100% vegan, but it’s won the hearts of meat eaters and plant based locals alike. Beyond just the food, all cleaning products and materials are also 100% vegan and haven’t been tested on animals. It believes that veganism is connected with other important subjects and wants to make an impact across the board, offering up the space for education, as well as making it a place to raise awareness and fund lots of worthy causes - for animal rights and beyond. For those who are looking to hire the cafe, it is available for events and fundraisers on Tuesday.
The food is inspired by chefs from across the world, cookbooks and even instagram accounts, which is then given its own Black Cat twist. The menu changes regularly and includes things like sandwiches, salads, soups and main dishes like curry. Sample dishes include things like jerk tofu stew with steamed rice, beef style burger with seitan and soy mince, and served alongside salad and homemade chips. As well as this there are rice noodle salads, pasta bakes and various pies and pasta dishes. Plus, all mayo and hot sauce is made in the kitchen, to ensure optimum flavour.
To drink you can choose from fresh coffee, kombucha that’s been brewed locally in Hackney Wick, and plenty of teas from English breakfast to peppermint. The desserts are a combination of options made in house, or provided by local bakeries Kraving Cakes and Manna Organic Cakes. The Black Cat team make all of the tiramisu, rocky road, cinnamon rolls, bread pudding and cheesecakes.
There is a small selection of chocolates and locally made products for sale at the cafe, and a bookshop run by Active Distribution who sell fanzines, political literature and vegan cookery books.