Lele's, Hackney

Another of the places I was desperate to try out in my new discovery of Hackney was the vegan cafe Lele’s. Lele’s is situated on the lovely Mare street - home to many wonderful, independent shops, cafes and restaurants.

However, as sweet and homely as the cafe was, also run by friendly fellow vegans, I have to admit I was a bit underwhelmed. From following their Instagram page, the seasonal salads looked packed with flavour and variety. However, I felt that the selection of salads on my plate were a bit plain and on the minimal side. The options of the day were a beetroot fusilli dish with pumpkin seeds, roasted sweet potato and red cabbage, roasted leeks, courgettes and carrots and roasted cauliflower. I had to ask for extra olive oil to make up for the lack of dressing and season the food thoroughly. I felt the portion size was also a bit stingy compared to most salad plates.

Granted, it might have been dependent on the day I visited, as I’m sure the team are capable of producing genuinely delicious salads and as they change so regularly, their menu is reliant on experimentation. Furthermore, the cafe offers their food for very decent prices, and so I didn’t feel like I was being overcharged necessarily.

I definitely would go back to sample the brunch menu, which they are known for after all, or their desserts. Or perhaps to see if a different selection of salad would be more appealing on other days. Also, they are extending to another spot in Dalston, so perhaps this will give them the opportunity to extend their range and skill, as there is certainly a lot of potential for such a humble, and sustainable business!

Daily Salad Plate: £6.50

#Fresh #Healthy #Vegan #Hackney #Cafe #Leles