The first time Craig enters The Kennedys is to meet his girlfriend Kate for what he thinks will be a serious discussion about their relationship. Suddenly finding himself stripped of everything recognisable and comfortable in his life, he feigns sickness from work and starts frequenting the north London café daily seeking new experiences.

He befriends Paul, the café's wise, soft-spoken owner, gets to know Donna, a hemiplegic woman who frequents the café with her carer, and Marie-Louise, the new headstrong French barista. Over the following three weeks he establishes himself as a regular and has his opinions and preconceptions challenged at every turn by many of the café's atypical guests, forcing him to examine his job, ambitions, and life in London.