The owner of new Chingford Green coffee spot Ouna says she wants it to be a gathering place for friends, neighbours and colleagues, writes Liedson Moreno Gomes
Aceil Haddad, the owner of newly opened Ouna in Chingford Green, has swapped a 15‑year career in corporate communications for life behind the counter of a neighbourhood coffee shop serving locally roasted coffee and a menu built around simple, fresh food.
After years working with developers, local authorities and businesses of all sizes, she says the best advice she received shaped her vision of what a high‑street café should be. Ouna, she explains, was designed to feel like “somewhere people can gather, meet friends and colleagues” – a place that feels lived‑in, local and welcoming.
For Aceil, the emotional role of a café is as important as the coffee itself.
“Coffee shops are so important for our mental health,” she said. “The coffee shop is what saved me. If I could get up, go out and get a coffee, I’d done one thing and the day wasn’t a complete disaster. You have to feel comfortable enough to linger, to feel that human connection.”
Alongside its community ethos, Ouna puts real emphasis on its food and drink offering. The café serves locally roasted espresso (£2.50) and a full range of coffees including flat whites, cappuccinos and lattes (all £3.75), as well as matcha (£4), chai lattes (£3.75) and hot chocolate (£3.50, or £2 for kids). Tea drinkers can choose from builders’ tea (£2.50 in, £1.50 takeaway) or a pot of tea (£3.50).
The food menu focuses on comforting, homemade dishes, breakfasts include toast and jam (£4.50), eggs on toast (£7.50) and eggs with feta (£8.50).
Toasties and jacket potatoes (£7.50) come with fillings such as tuna crunch, roast veg and feta, spicy chorizo, or a classic grilled cheese.
Fresh quiches and tarts (£7.50) rotate daily, salads (£10) range from warm butternut squash and rosemary to a cold green salad with goat’s cheese.
Chia pots (£4.50) and a changing selection of cakes round out the menu.
Aceil says the focus is on “good, honest food that people can enjoy every day”, with clear allergen labelling and options for gluten‑free and dairy‑free customers.
Ouna’s belief in community runs through its programming. The café hosts regular events aimed at creating connection and supporting groups who may not always feel visible.
Mondays bring a Mum Club, offering space for new parents to talk, rest or simply have a coffee without pressure. Wednesdays host a Golden Lunch Club for over‑60s. On the first Friday of each month, an Entrepreneur Circle offers practical advice and networking for people starting or growing a business.
Workshops – including modern calligraphy sessions – are already underway, with supper clubs and guest chef events planned for later in the year, including a Latin American chef in August and a Thai chef in September. Aceil also hopes to launch a wine bar as part of Ouna’s next phase.
She is particularly committed to working with minority groups and using the café as a platform to amplify under‑represented voices. She also runs a campaign with Helen Pankhurst to promote the Equal Franchise Act and wants to use her own experience to encourage more women into business.
“People come in every day and tell us how happy they are,” she said. “When people put that trust in you and come back every day or every week, it feels incredibly rewarding to know they feel welcome in this safe space.”
More information about upcoming events can be found on Instagram at @headtoouna
You can find Ouna at 5, Crown Buildings, The Grn, London E4 7EX
Local news needs your support
We are proud that we were at the forefront of reporting on the recent local elections. We can’t do this without the support of our readers.
Independent news outlets like ours – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly, yearly or one-off donation.
ACT NOW!
Monthly direct debit
Annual direct debit
£5 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else, £10 per month supporters get a digital copy of each month’s paper before anyone else and a print copy posted to them each month. £50 annual supporters get a digital copy of each month's paper before anyone else.
More information on supporting us monthly or annually
More Information about donations
