Opened in 1900 by Priamo Pellicci and his wife Elide, E Pellicci claims to not only be the oldest cafe in London, but in the entire country. The East End institution counts Idris Elba and Tom Hardy amongst its regulars, and Madonna is allegedly a fan of their bread pudding. Today, the cafe is run by the couple’s grandchildren, Anna and Nev Pellicci. In 2024, the pair launched Down the Caff, a podcast in which they converse with the cafe’s celebrity regulars over a hearty meal. Conversations in the podcast, which is now back for a second season, range from their guests’ relationship with food to their experiences at the cafe. “People don’t talk to anyone anymore,” said Anna. “One of the loveliest things in here is people are forced to sit down next to each other. So many friendships have been made here.” —Paulina Prosnitz