Profile Coffee's coral frontage opens onto a small room of pale wooden tables, coffee books and retail beans in Highbury, north London. The large window table looks onto Highbury Park, the shopping street just beyond the northern end of Highbury Fields. Walk through the park from Highbury & Islington station for a hand brew and something from the cake counter; seats can be scarce.
Coffee
La Cabra supplies the house espresso and filter, joined by a monthly guest from the UK or Europe. Recent guests have included Taith, Dak and Dark Matter, spanning washed coffees, natural processing and more experimental fermentations. The team uses reverse-osmosis treated water for both espresso and filter.
Choose batch brew for a quick cup or look through the hand-brew menu for a coffee made to order. Hot and iced pour-overs have included limited Geisha lots alongside other seasonal releases. Browse the bags near the entrance if you want to brew a favourite at home. Matcha is also available.
Food
The counter carries banana bread, changing cakes and pastries. Focaccia sandwiches make a more substantial order: recent fillings include nduja, salami, ricotta and rocket, or courgette and ricotta. Choose from the counter on the day; the menu changes with the season.
Service & Room
Small tables face the counter, with a bench outside for warmer days. One sharing table is allocated to laptops, leaving the rest for coffee and conversation. Come alone or with a friend rather than counting on space for a group; a takeaway and a walk through Highbury Fields is the fallback when the tables fill.
Why Filter Notes shortlisted Profile Coffee
Profile earns a Highbury stop for its changing filter selection and La Cabra programme, with enough food to stay for a light lunch.