La Tete de Turc: Coffee in the park, in London’s East End
One of my favourite things to do is have a coffee in the open air. Whenever the weather is even remotely bright or sunny, I get the urge to propel myself to the nearest cafe, sit at an outside table and watch the world go by.
But where can you have a coffee outside in East London, in a pleasant space, surrounded by green?
Your choices are a bit limited.
However, may I recommend an option to you.
Tucked down a side street in Wapping, in the corner of Wapping Gardens, under the shade of huge trees, is the building that used to house The Turk’s Head pub.
This historic old boozer is now home to the Tete du Turc bistro and cafe.
Cafe at the Tete du Turc
At night, you can eat French cuisine and drink wine in the restaurant. By day, you can drink coffee, and eat pastries and cakes from the van, surrounded by plants.
You can sit properly outside if it’s nice
The Tete du Turc is one of my favourite things about London’s E1. During the pandemic lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, it was a joy to escape there.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, you can get a cooked breakfast. (A “Full French” fry-up?)
Or you can have your coffee at a table looking out to the park. As dogs race around, and people sweat off the pastries at the outdoor gym.
You can sit properly outside if it’s nice
The Tete is close enough to the city, but still quite off the beaten track. It looks out onto green. And in London, that makes it a rare jewel.
The Turks Head. 1 Green Bank, Wapping. London E1W 2PA