Little Venice is one of London’s most picturesque neighbourhoods. Known for its canals, narrowboats and green spaces, the area has an atmosphere more often associated with European river towns than with central London. The canal itself stretches westward toward Maida Vale and Warwick Avenue, where boats double as homes, bookshops and even theatres.
The community spirit of Little Venice is reflected in its café scene. Rather than the uniform chains you might find elsewhere, cafés here often make use of their location in imaginative ways. Whether perched above the canal, floating directly on it, or tucked into side streets, cafes serving organic coffee, homemade pastries, rustic Italian dishes and traditional English breakfasts all find a place in Little Venice.
Café Laville
Situated on Edgware Road, Café Laville occupies a striking perch over the Regent’s Canal in Little Venice. Rather than sitting beside the water, it hovers above it, with its large balcony allowing diners to watch the boats drift below. In warmer months, the doors open, with the dining room turning into a semi-outdoor space where the boundary between café and canal blurs.
Café Laville’s menu features the Laville Breakfast with thin-cut grilled sirloin steak, two free-range fried eggs, grilled tomato, mushrooms and toast. The lunch and dinner offerings lean into rustic Italian cuisine, with the café making all of its pasta fresh daily, and organic ingredients being used wherever possible. Seasonal ingredients, salads, and pizzas are baked in a Moretti Forni Amalfi oven, and desserts such as tiramisu join coffee and Italian wines and beers. Café Laville presents itself as a friendly, authentic Italian establishment that focuses on clean and honest food. Rather than competing with dramatic interiors, Café Laville combines Italian tradition with one of London’s most picturesque canal locations.
Daniel’s Bake
Just a short walk from the canals of Little Venice, Daniel’s Bake is a community café tucked away on Shirland Road. With an unelaborate space designed for everyday use, Daniel’s Bake provides an easy-going atmosphere with its small tables positioned for conversation, and bar-style seating for those stopping by alone.
At the heart of Daniel’s Bake is its commitment to organic coffee, with an emphasis on organic beans and careful preparation. The beans are freshly roasted, offering a cleaner, more natural alternative to conventional blends. Free from harsh chemical treatments, the coffee retains its antioxidants and delivers flavour to its flat whites, lattes, espressos and mochas. The food menu includes sandwiches, salads and omelettes, with the signature Daniel’s Special Omelette built on seasoned white beans over fresh toast, finished with baby spinach, herbs, red onion and two free-range poached eggs. Daniel’s Bake is open daily from 7am until 7pm, serving commuters seeking their first coffee of the day, parents stopping by after the school run, and locals looking for an early evening spot to unwind.
Ginger
Also found along Shirland Road, Ginger is a new part café, part dessert destination specialising in coffee and ice-cream. Since opening recently in June 2024, Ginger is often referred to as a “hidden greenhouse café”. The space is filled with plants indoors, whilst trees and flowers at the front give the terrace a sense of privacy from the main road. The café is big on community. They often celebrate NHS workers, writers and local artists by displaying their work, and partake in community events with local schools and businesses.
Espresso-based drinks anchor the menu, and pastries, muffins and small baked goods also make appearances with homemade strawberries decorating the dishes. Keeping with their ethos of supporting local, gourmet focaccia sandwiches are provided from the nearby Bread and Truffle, with Nutty Ham, Crunchy Tuna, and vegan, vegetarian and halal options covered. Whether visited as a morning coffee spot or an afternoon dessert destination, Ginger is a Little Venice café where everyone feels welcome.
Waterside Café
Waterside Café is uniquely positioned as a floating venue in Little Venice, complemented by seating on the canal edge. Historically, the café was established around 1995 by Robert Shackleford, in partnership with the Canal & River Trust, as a canal-moored café barge in Little Venice. In 2025, the business was sold to new operators who continue its legacy as a community anchor, and celebrated its 30th anniversary in conjunction with its refurbishment, featuring a refreshed interior and updated cuisine offerings.
The on-board menu is traditional and straightforward, with their Big Little Venice Breakfast featuring bacon, eggs, sausage, tomato, mushrooms and baked beans. Lighter items include paninis, jacket potatoes, salads and afternoon teas, whilst the kiosk offers more than ten varieties of natural ice cream. Waterside Café places emphasis on being part of the Little Venice canal community. It is a place to relax, enjoy a bite to eat whilst taking in the beautiful sights, and where the canal itself becomes part of the décor.
Little Venice’s cafés do the basics well, but their settings make them memorable. Whether through a morning espresso, a leisurely lunch, or an afternoon spent with gelato by the water, each one offers a different way to experience the canals and surrounding areas.
