Isidora Popovic, a Serbian-born Goldsmiths art graduate whose father was a poet and great-great-grandfather a Duke, launched Popina in 1998 selling pastries at Portobello Road market. The first permanent cafe opened on Duke Street in Mayfair in 2018, moving to 1,500-square-foot Weighhouse Street premises in 2025.
Two gold Great Taste Awards distinguish the butternut squash and wild mushroom tarts. Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Fortnum & Mason, and 20+ farmers' markets stock the baked goods, while the Highgrove organic range carries her biscuits. Square Mile supplies the coffee.