DIJöN Café opened last October at Hampstead Community Market, taking over a nine square metre unit with a few outside tables at the back of the market for customers to eat.

Owner Dijon Bascombe has now taken on a second unit at the venue just off the High Street.

The original unit will continue to operate as a pizzeria while Dijon will move his cafe into the neighbouring unit selling more bread, pastries and bakes. (Image: Dijon Bascombe)

He had been running pizza stalls and pop ups all over London under his brand Good F’ing Pizza before opening the cafe, which serves coffee, cakes, pastries and sandwiches by day, and pizzas by night.

Taking over the next door unit will allow him to extend his opening hours and offer a wider range of pastries and cakes – while the original unit will continue to operate as DIJöN Pizzeria.

The new cafe opens in April and is a collaboration with High Barnet based Marley’s Bakery whose second site in Hampstead will offer 100% gluten free brownies, cakes, cupcakes and all things sweet. 

The fully gluten-free environment ensures there is no risk of cross-contamination for those with Coeliac disease or gluten intolerance.

Guy Wingate, chair of Hampstead Community Action – which runs the market – said he was happy for Dijon.

“We are delighted that DIJöN Café and Pizzeria has built such a loyal following in Hampstead and that we can support the continued success and growth of this local business,” he added.

The market supports a mix of independent traders serving up fresh food to Hampstead village, and it was originally intended to find a butcher for the empty unit.

Mr Wingate added: “The empty unit has recently undergone a refurbishment since the retirement last year of our long resident butcher. The original intention was to secure a viable replacement butcher for this unit, however that has proven difficult.

“At the same time, we’ve seen how strongly the community has responded to DIJöN and so we are glad to provide an opportunity for them to expand.”

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Dijon revealed in an Instagram post on Monday that he’s been working a side hustle at Sainsbury’s to make ends meet.

But under the line “end of an era” he posted: “Today I finally handed in my notice at Sainsbury’s and that is all down to all of you ❤️

“Something that feels both surreal and long overdue. Not many people know this but for the past five years I’ve been working two, sometimes even three jobs, 7 days a week just to make Good F’ing Pizza & DIJöN a reality.

“Now THANKFULLY a few opportunities have come up where I’m now in a position to take the leap and give this my full time, energy, and focus!!!

“This is just the beginning.” 🍕