The Fields Beneath

Can’t understand the type about this place. Nice seating area out front under the bridge and average coffee. Cakes and sandwiches are good but I don’t think they warrant the price tag. Paid £9 for a coffee and hummus and avocado sandwich.

The Fields Beneath is only a touch of the coffee culture that the city of London direly needs, complete with easy-​going/​apathetic cashier, too-​cool-​for-​skool barista and makeshift seating of milk crates.
The food did look amazing, and one co-​customer of mine declared «I’ve been told I NEED to try your sandwiches!» so their rep obviously preceded them, and me.
My filtered black coffee (only £1!!!1!) was one of the best I’ve yet had in London, and I’ve hunted high and low for a decent coffee. I can’t tell you when that £1 coffee filtered coffee is or isn’t, it might only be a Sunday thing, but get on that!
The space would be great for groups; the café monopolises the valuable footpath real estate in front of Kentish Town West station, under a bridge (NB no trolls in sight, fear not) and within walking distance to all that the Camden/​Kentish Town area have to offer, so a must of your East London pilgrimage.
This café scores top marks for street cred, hipster culture and record staff disinterest, but seemed to lack an atmosphere or energy, odd for a late Sunday afternoon when I’d expect a café of this calibre to be pumping.

The boys were enjoying Camden Brewery right around the corner. My daughter wanted an iced coffee so we popped into this quaint shop. It is very tiny, but at an off-​hour, we were able to get a table. The sole barista was juggling multiple orders, yet when we asked for sugar for the iced latte, he made a simple syrup instead. A nice gesture, as it is always impossible to dissolve sugar in a cold beverage. My daughter proclaimed it her best iced coffee ever. It didn’t hurt that it was made by a young man with a great accent and killer eyes ;o)

Consistently gorgeous coffee (I get flat white or latte) served by really lovely friendly people who all seem to be cheerful no matter how early in the morning.
The food is delicious too and they have a reassuring emphasis on local products, some of their vegetables are grown at the local school!

Coffee is excellent and staff were extremely friendly. Tiny place but very cozy and the yogurt with granola (as simple as that sounds) was delicious.

Great coffee and cute little venue.
There isn’t a massive amount of space to sit and sip but those of us that appreciate coffee for coffee and aren’t too bothered about looking hip Sat for hours occupying a seat for the price of a coffee, can probably cope with the space issues.
Haven’t tried the food but it all looks good and the staff are always quick to great with a smile and quick conversation.

This place is funk-​ay, with a captial A. Tiny, charming little shop under the brick railway arches. The coffee is excellent, the staff is friendly, and the location is unique. As another reviewer says, it is _​small_​, so don’t come with a big group. But that’s part of its charm!

In the food review guides, Fields Beneath is treated as one of London’s jewels as a coffee bar.
What is good at Fields Beneath is absolutely positively fantastic — and the widespread buzz is well deserved.
But «Paradise Has Its Price» -
and there are a few downsides that have to go on the register as well.
One Major Plus is the Cuteness of the Location
The place is in a railway arch immediately under Kentish Town West Overground Station.
Score one for edginess here.
Major Minus — The Place is Microscopic.
Two tables outside — two tables inside.
Period. Stop. The End.
There is «sitting on a box with no table» space for two people
(three if they have small hips).
Implications of Above:
Odds of you getting a table — small.
Morality of you staying a long time. Right up there with poisoning the reservoir.
Want to stay there with your laptop and get some work done?
FUGGGETABOUTIT.
This is not a place for home workers. Drink your coffee, eat your sandwich and get the h out.
Added Microscopic woe — the officially mandated bike racks for the station are right next to the two outside tables. Like inches from your table.
So if you are outside — whether in the cold and the rain and counting on the partial shelter of the arches — or on a balmy spring sunny day with bluebirds singing on the rooftops — you are jammed in next to the commuter’s bicycles and next to the commercial trash tips for the neighbors.
Further incentive to eat and go.
Plus — Awesome sandwiches and desserts.
Think sandwiches are never awesome? Try these.
I had a toasted ham and pickle sandwich to die for and a chocolate mandarin bread for dessert that was the paradise for after I died.
Up for Grabs — but Basically Good — The Coffee
Coffee at Fields Beneath is bitter — bitter by design.
To my mind this is absolutely outstanding in a straight espresso.
It is good — but not to everyone’s taste — in steamed milk concoctions such as flat whites and lattes.
I was quite happy with my flat white —
but on any return I would just go for the coffee straight up and leave the dairy products on the side.
A good bitter espresso is one of life’s joys.
My table companion does not like bitter coffee and that person was less happy.
Note that London is a GREAT coffee town and there are lots and lots and lots of places to get good cups of coffee.
So you can hold out for getting exactly the kind of coffee you want if Fields Beneath doesn’t cut it for you.
So should you travel to eat at Fields Beneath?
It probably will be hard to get a table and that could be a real downer.
Don’t bring your computer and figure you are going to get work done. This isn’t going to happen.
But if you LOVE fantastic sandwiches, great café-​style baked desserts and an edgy demanding cup of espresso — this could be worth the trip.
If you already live in Kentish Town and take the Overground to get anywhere —
you definitely want to make this your place to get coffee and breakfast on the go.

I come here nearly every day on my commute. Great coffee, really tasty snacks and meals. The staff are friendly, and love recognizing regulars and having a chat. The only indoor seating is one large table that people tend to crowd around. Although it can be a game of musical chairs to get a seat, it encourages the visitors to get to know each other, which adds to the great feel of the place. Would absolutely recommend. Even when I catch the underground, I make a special trip to the overground station just to grab a coffee. They make their hot chocolates with real chocolate too!

Absolutely, without a shadow of a doubt, one of the best coffee shops in London. This establishment provides more than just your standard caffein hit, it represents West Kentish Town’s emergence as a vibrant and cultural new hotspot on London’s map, and this hip new joint is just the latest addition.
Recommended are the Flat White served in a tumbler, and if you are lucky enough to be there at the right time (before they sell out) — go for the Beef Doughnuts (trust me on this).
The owner is super cool, very friendly, and loves to talk coffee!
Treat yourself, if you’re in the Camden area, its worth a small detour !