The refurbished Parliament Hill Café on Hampstead Heath reopened its doors on July 22, 2026, following a controversial change in operator that sparked backlash from thousands of customers and celebrities including Benedict Cumberbatch and James McAvoy.
New operator faces boycott
The café, now run by London-based Australian-style chain Daisy Green, faced a boycott campaign led by celebrities and local MP Tulip Siddiq after the City of London Corporation put the site up for tender last year. The D'Auria family, who had run the café for decades, were ousted in the process.
Despite the change, manager Maria Jakubiec, who has worked at the café for over 34 years, remains with the existing staff. Many long-standing menu items, such as spaghetti vongole, are still available.
Refurbishment and menu
Daisy Green invested significantly in the building to create a "brighter, more welcoming space" with indoor seating and an outdoor terrace. The menu now features Australian-style brunch, coffee, and bakery items, alongside locally sourced dishes and affordable favourites.
Prue Freeman, co-founder of Daisy Green, said: "During Covid, when the future of our business felt uncertain, we found ourselves walking Hampstead Heath every day with our newborn son. It became a place of hope, perspective and community. We’ve approached this café with enormous respect for everything that has made it so special."
Summer opening and community focus
The reopening coincides with the start of summer holidays and forecasts of 28°C temperatures. Alderman Gregory Jones KC, chair of the City Corporation’s Hampstead Heath committee, said: "It’s fantastic to see Daisy Green opening just in time for what promises to be a vibrant and busy summer on the Heath."
Daisy Green has also secured contracts to run cafés in Golders Hill Park, Queen's Park, and Parliament Hill Lido. The previous operator of the latter two, Hoxton Beach, had started a petition to pause the takeover, citing 'money-making' concerns. The City of London Corporation defended the retendering, stating it aimed to ensure a high-quality visitor experience and that previous tenancies were 'unsustainable'.
