Park View Café

I don’t like to leave tenured without trying out a place first but I thought to she are this story.
There are very few times that I walk into a place and not give it a try. I was on my way rock climbing when I saw this café as a convenient place to wait for someone and have a tea.
As I walked in, I could see that it was cramped in space and I was trying to move the table around to manœuvre myself into the chair while the waitress stands from across the room and just stares at me.
She later walks over and I ask for a tea but didn’t have cash on me. As I was settling down, she mentioned that there is a £1 charge on the card. I thought, I’m not that desperate for tea to pay £3 for what would be P&G in a mug of hot water. She looked at me dumbfounded as I searched for coins I hoped to cover for my the tea but with no luck, I grabbed my stuff and walked out apologising.
Even though I was sorry, I felt very uncomfortable walking out of the café as I got stares and an unsettling vibe. I don’t think that’s how you want to tell someone «it’s OK», maybe don’t roll your eyes at a customer? I thought.

Good for a quick coffee or tea on your way to catch the tube or bus from Manor House. Situated just to the right of the main gates of Finsbury Park, this place isn’t necessarily for the discerning coffee drinker, people looking for cool surroundings or interesting menus, but what it does do well is offer a friendly welcome for a quick drink or bite to eat (toasties, sausage sarnies, soup and a roll etc.) when you don’t want to go too far from local transport links. Builders tea is acceptable (to drink in served in a large white mug — perfect to get your hands around on a chilly day!) — range of fruit teas (bags not loose) are also available. Didn’t try the coffee, but don’t get the sense they search wide and far for barrister talent! Some of the exterior, and interior décor is questionable and there’s gimmicky plastic cartoon character statues outside the door which would undoubtedly put many off, but give it a go if you’re in need of hydration and haven’t got time to head towards the café inside the park, or more refined café spots as Moka or Blend in Harringay!