Photobook Cafe emerged from Shoreditch’s renowned photo lab and darkroom Rapid Eye which was established in 1996.

Over the years Rapid Eye expanded their services to include studio space, classes and workshops, and in 2019 they launched the Photobook cafe bar and gallery space.

In 2023, Photobook Cafe partner and London nightlife legend Farika Holden took a more active role to transform the food and drink. Over the last year, new breakfast, brunch and lunch menus have been introduced as well as monthly supper clubs, house-made cocktails and a carefully curated list of beers, wines and non-alcoholic drinks.

Sustainability and Zero Waste

We support Made in Hackney, a local charity that provides emergency plant-based meals for households in need, and encourage our customers to donate to this cause.

We also send our organic food waste and coffee grinds to another local charity Sustainable Nutrition Academy, who are on a mission to divert the hospitality industry’s waste from landfill and give it a second lease of life, in a circular economy that benefits local communities.