Latest reviews for Cafes & Coffee Shops in Charing Cross, London, United Kingdom

Cafe in the Crypt - Convenient but not stellar by Izabel_blue

Izabel_blue — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 19:38:41 +0000

Review by Izabel_blue

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7839 4342

Website: http://www.stmartin-in-the-fields.org

I've been going to the Cafe in the Crypt off and on for about 7 years now, and though I can't fault them for offering good-value dining in a busy area, it's not amazing. The food is very 'school dinners' and tastes of mass catering, and the hot food is always lukewarm.

That being said it's a quiet oasis away from the touristy din of Trafalgar square, and one of the few places in the area where you can get a decent, filling main meal with a glass of wine for under a tenner. The staff is friendly and there is a nice ambience due to the candles and stone walls. Just don't expect a culinary adventure, OK?I've been going to the Cafe in the Crypt off and on for about 7 years now, and though I can't fault them for offering good-value dining in a busy area, it's not amazing. The food is very 'school dinners' and tastes of mass catering, and the hot food is always lukewarm.

That being said it's a quiet oasis away from the touristy din of Trafalgar square, and one of the few places in the area where you can get a decent, filling main meal with a glass of wine for under a tenner. The staff is friendly and there is a nice ambience due to the candles and stone walls. Just don't expect a culinary adventure, OK?

Epoca Expresso Bar - expresso expresso! by jlonners

jlonners — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:33:07 +0000

Review by jlonners

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7379 7299

Tags: coffee, illy, amazing brew

this is a long narrow proper coffee bar, ie you go in, get your coffee expresso style and drink and and get on your way, just like in italy! the expresso is proper italian and really strong so be warned, its not for the faint hearted. i like the expresso with steamed milk for a quick pick me up. this isn't the place to chill with a coffee and a book but more a fast moving place. it can get busy at lunchtime with people popping in so be prepared to queue. i wouldn't come in here for one of the snacks, they aren't the best!this is a long narrow proper coffee bar, ie you go in, get your coffee expresso style and drink and and get on your way, just like in italy! the expresso is proper italian and really strong so be warned, its not for the faint hearted. i like the expresso with steamed milk for a quick pick me up. this isn't the place to chill with a coffee and a book but more a fast moving place. it can get busy at lunchtime with people popping in so be prepared to queue. i wouldn't come in here for one of the snacks, they aren't the best!

Pret A Manger - Useful link between Charing Cross and Embankment by chocolatebutton

chocolatebutton — Wed, 27 Aug 2008 10:17:59 +0000

Review by chocolatebutton

Rating: 5.00

Tags: crowded, top food, good brew

Villiers Street is the tiny street between Charing Cross and Embankment, and Pret a Manger is towards the bottom (river) end of this street. Itâ¬"s always packed, but itâ¬"s also always full of lovely food, and helpful staff. I do find Pret the best sandwich shop, as their food is great, and their coffee is good (if not quite as good as Caffe Nero).

I really like the Mocca from Prets - I have visited A LOT of Pret outlets (almost every outlet in London!) and sadly I can state with some confidence that what makes a cup of nectar is the individual staff member, rather than the individual store. Pret is always worth a visit, though!
Villiers Street is the tiny street between Charing Cross and Embankment, and Pret a Manger is towards the bottom (river) end of this street. Itâ¬"s always packed, but itâ¬"s also always full of lovely food, and helpful staff. I do find Pret the best sandwich shop, as their food is great, and their coffee is good (if not quite as good as Caffe Nero).

I really like the Mocca from Prets - I have visited A LOT of Pret outlets (almost every outlet in London!) and sadly I can state with some confidence that what makes a cup of nectar is the individual staff member, rather than the individual store. Pret is always worth a visit, though!

Chandos Sandwich Bar - by simonB

simonB — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 13:35:46 +0000

Review by simonB

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7836 0060

Tags: lively, crowded, quick bite

This place is a daily stop for me....A proper workman's cafe in the heart of Covent Garden

Chandos is an Italian-run place that's been there for over 20 years and it's a bit of an institution. It's just changed hands and had an extensive refurbishment (February '07) but the quality of the food and the prices are still as good as ever.

Opens at 6am and is winding down by about 4.30pm...in the mornings you can get a full english fry up and at lunch their pasta dishes (generally £4.80 - and you can get them to take away) are tasty and you're given enormous helpings. It also does very tasty sandwiches (e.g. the special today was duck with spring salad in Ciabbata).

Great place if you want a meal that's a bit of a change from the usual lunchtime fast food eateries.This place is a daily stop for me....A proper workman's cafe in the heart of Covent Garden

Chandos is an Italian-run place that's been there for over 20 years and it's a bit of an institution. It's just changed hands and had an extensive refurbishment (February '07) but the quality of the food and the prices are still as good as ever.

Opens at 6am and is winding down by about 4.30pm...in the mornings you can get a full english fry up and at lunch their pasta dishes (generally £4.80 - and you can get them to take away) are tasty and you're given enormous helpings. It also does very tasty sandwiches (e.g. the special today was duck with spring salad in Ciabbata).

Great place if you want a meal that's a bit of a change from the usual lunchtime fast food eateries.