Chicchi

They have great coffee and good panini, and it really feels like an Italian place. Now, truly Italian cafes are rarely nicely decorated, and this one is no exception. The furniture is very 80s style, and the artwork on the walls doesn’t really help much to give it a modern feel. Still, nice atmosphere with nice guys running the place (even though they come across as being more Eastern European than Italian).

Decent local place where you can get full with delicious food. There are several breakfast options that are real bargains and also, you can enjoy all in a comfortable atmosphere.

Worth the trip to Roman Road for great coffee, amazing salads, more-​ish milkshakes and interesting art to peruse at the same time. The half pizza toasted sandwiches are a bit of a let down — the advertised bacon was ham and the cheese practically non-​existant — but the aubergine and sunblush tomato pasta salad is wonderful and very very big too. Go for lunch and you won’t need any supper later on!

The best eating place in Bow I think. A lot of regular customers (like me :)) Awesome coffee (forget about Starbucks and Costa — they’re like rubbish when you’ll try this one), delicious Italian food and great service.

Chicchi is a fabulous Italian café at the middle intersection of Roman Road. Although a café it has a cool, sophisticated feel to it and the menu selection is excellent.
For sandwiches and toasties there is a great selection of breads and fillings. They also do a good range of hot meals like, lasagne and carbonara. For those feeling a little naughty the cakes are lovely with a few traditional Italian options to try.
The price is very reasonable and they have a few computer terminals in the back for internet access.
Chicchi is a great café and totally unexpected for the area.

Once you’ve stumbled across it, you can hardly believe this place exists. A true Italian café, complete with a sleekish sheen, smack on rough-​around-​the-​edges Roman Road; it’s almost mind-​boggling. Yet, spectacularly, there it is, and it’s the real deal.
Expect friendly, familiar and helpful counter-​service. Expect espresso, cappuccino, even flavoured lattes that are strong, authentic, and worth-​sipping. And perhaps most marvelously, expect the best panini in the whole of London.
That’s a pretty lofty list of expectations to jot down, I realize, but oh, I am so not kidding on that last point. I dream of these panini: substantial, delectably filled, toasted to crispy perfection, and then wrapped up in white parchment like a wonderful present you can’t wait to open. Make sure they make you one on the focaccia so that you can savor the depth of flavour and airy texture that the olive oil-​laced bread imparts. I almost always go for the roasted vegetables and sun dried tomatoes combination — then ask them to add fresh mozzarella. Divine. I mean, where else in London can such edible excellence be had for less than four pounds?
Caveats: As I said, the place is authentically Italian, which tends to mean the service is slow (but worth it!). Also, I would avoid ordering ice blended coffees here; they usually come out extremely weak and watery — again, authentically Italian, Starbucks this is not. And don’t forget (as I have) they’re closed on Sunday… most, most unfortunately.