Our Story — Route, Mediterranean Cafe and Deli in London Since 2013

Route shopfront with Mediterranean awning
Est 2013

Our Story

Mediterranean food, specialty coffee and genuine hospitality across four London locations.

since

Est 2013 · East London

Where Route began

East London, 2013. A small kitchen on Dalston Square, a Mediterranean menu, and a simple idea: serve good food, properly. No shortcuts, no airs, just dishes made fresh and a welcome you remember.

Twelve years and four locations later, the spirit is the same. Hand-prepared plates drawn from Middle Eastern and Mediterranean traditions. Coffee taken seriously. A counter that changes with the seasons. The same approach, served in more places.

Cafe Route salad and deli counter with colourful Mediterranean dishes

Cafe / Deli / Bistro

The original Route experience

Our flagship concept, born in Dalston and grown to Haggerston. Mediterranean menus, a salad and deli counter at the heart of every site, and the kind of welcome that makes a regular out of a first-timer.

En Route grab and go counter with freshly prepared Mediterranean dishes

Grab & Go

Route, built for life on the move

The same bold flavours and proper coffee, in a format made for pace. Lunch box combos, signature salads and Mediterranean classics, prepared fresh every day and ready when you are.

What We Serve

Mediterranean soul, London spirit

Every dish starts with quality ingredients and a respect for the cooking traditions that inspire us. Seasonal produce, house-baked goods, bold spices and careful preparation, from the first coffee of the morning to the last plate of the afternoon.

Selection of Mediterranean salads and deli items at Route

Salads and Deli

The heart of Route. Colourful, nourishing bowls made fresh every morning with seasonal ingredients, quality proteins and house-made dressings.

Freshly prepared breakfast and lunch dishes at Route

Breakfast and Lunch

Seasonal menus made fresh daily. From hearty morning plates and house-baked pastries to satisfying Mediterranean-inspired lunches.

Specialty coffee and drinks served at Route cafes

Coffee and Drinks

Specialty coffee roasted with care, served by a team that takes it seriously. Plus fresh juices, house lemonades and a curated drinks selection.

Come find us

Follow along on Instagram for daily specials, behind-the-counter moments and the occasional recipe. Or get in touch to say hello, book a table or ask about catering.