Kentish Town institution Map Studio Café remained shuttered this morning, and sadly, word is that it may never open for business again. Hungry breakfasters were greeted by the slightly cryptic sign pictured above.
So what’s the story? Kentishtowner photographer Sally Lyall Grant tipped us off late yesterday that closure was imminent. “Chris [the owner] told me that Itch FM – the radio station dedicated to hip hop music – will broadcast from upstairs, but the café may not re-open at all,” she reports.
“He and Map Cafe may move to different premises and he is looking at the Mamelon Tower pub on the corner of Grafton Road/Queen’s Crescent as a possibility.”
We’ve tried to speak to owner Chris today, who has yet to respond to our email. We then also tried his brother, Queen’s Crescent antique dealer Matt, who alas is off on his holidays.
Have you heard anything more about the fate of Map? Do let us know.
12 thoughts on “Why has the iconic Map Studio Café shut down?”
Wow, many a good Saturday morning spent there enjoying breakfast.
I’m going to miss that place….they loved frying my eggs in my brought along coconut oil.
Good idea, hadn’t thought of that, I’m a coconut oil freak also
Too many French people?
But seriously, enjoyed many a soothing post-yoga hot chocolate on a Sunday afternoon listening to lovely jazz on vinyl. Yes I know how middle-class that sounds.
Great cafe but food could be better and poor coffee. Few small tweaks would make it great. Dont close chris.
Yes, move to Marmelon Tower that would be great, have a vision for it being like Passing Clouds in Dalston.
i miss it already! it was the perfect breakfast cafe for our neighbourhood! i overheard the owner Chris mention that he had sought and been denied a liquor license just to serve wine! that corner is begging for a tiny wine bar and i’m sure the area would support it! something is fishy here!
Website says closed for refurb from 1st August.
You didn’t review my exhibition of paintings that has been on at MAP all year, although you were asked. Why didn’t you?
I instantly liked the atmosphere of MAP and thought it might become a regular haunt for me when I first moved to K-Town. Sadly after a quite a few visits I resigned myself not to bother any more because the service was always painfully slow and a bit chaotic. The food was mostly lovely. It was so close to being great, such a shame.
Perhaps they’re building up to opening a new improved version? Hope so!