It’s a little oasis in the midst of a traffic choked thoroughfare writes Peter Gruner. And they do a mean full English too

From left to right: Owner Mahmoud Ismail with regular customer Alison Charles, a health care worker at the Whittington Hospital

EVEN on a grey day the award-winning Café Metro – with its outside tables and chairs – stands out like a beacon in Archway on a stretch of concrete opposite a traffic-choked roundabout.
It’s a touch of class in front of the busy Tube station and a vivid symbol of what can be achieved in an area sometimes better known for litter, graffiti and empty boarded up shops, than popular eating establishments.
But popular it is with residents, commuters, office workers and shoppers who can sit outside on a warm day with a sandwich and a cappuccino and pretend they are on holiday.
Islington North MP Jeremy Corbyn and Islington Council leader and Councillor Catherine West meet there regularly to discuss local issues and plan strategy.
The excellence of Café Metro has much to do with co-owner, Palestinian born Mahmoud Ismail, 41, who with his six staff has taken a leaf out of the West End café experience by providing a fast, friendly and professional service.
Here at 7am you can be tempted by the mouth watering smell of home cooked bread, rolls and banquettes wafting from the premises all of which are freshly prepared every day. The café serves a great full English breakfast, but concentrates on sandwiches, pies, pasties, pastries, jacket potatoes, teas and coffees which are what the customers want.
Check out their superb smoked salmon and cream cheese sandwiches, apple strudel and fudge cake.
Mr Ismail, who lives locally with his wife and two small children, came to Britain 23 years ago to study business administration.
He said he hopes his establishment compliments what he believes is a slowly improving Archway.
He said: “It seems that plans to develop the area are currently on hold but the council are anxious to clean up and improve the place.
“The council have even placed rows of flower baskets on the traffic island which I’ve never seen before. We still get a lot of litter, but unfortunately this is quite a windy area, and most of it is blown across the road.”
Mr Ismail once ran an all night supermarket in Kentish Town but gave it up after he was robbed at gunpoint.
He said: “We like Archway and it is relatively safe. I’ve not experienced any problems here. In fact we’re about to extend our summer opening times to 8pm.”

• Café Metro 4, Junction Road, Archway, N19. Call 0207 281 1883.