Latest reviews for Cafes & Coffee Shops in Holland Park, London, United Kingdom

Cyrano - Beg to differ further, I like it. by lancelot

lancelot — Tue, 01 Sep 2009 19:29:47 +0000

Review by lancelot

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7221 3598

Tags: french, friendly staff, brasserie

Dont believe the last grumpy reviewer, it's a good friendly little local brasserie and cafe with simple but good food and nice pavement tables. As for 'never was refused my Amex card elsewhere' - nonsense, neither do half the restaurants in London. I think 'asenglish' is used to eating in flashy places with flashy people, it's great that he won't be there trying to impress his girlfriend next time I go there - which will be tonight in fact!Dont believe the last grumpy reviewer, it's a good friendly little local brasserie and cafe with simple but good food and nice pavement tables. As for 'never was refused my Amex card elsewhere' - nonsense, neither do half the restaurants in London. I think 'asenglish' is used to eating in flashy places with flashy people, it's great that he won't be there trying to impress his girlfriend next time I go there - which will be tonight in fact!

Mike's Cafe - Mike's Cafe by Magie

Magie — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 12:29:23 +0000

Review by Magie

Rating: 4.00

Tags: cosy, quick bite, cheap

After a very tiring Saturday walking all over London, me and my friend were in Portobello area and just wanted to sit anywhere and have lunch. We accidentally found Mike's Cafe and decided to give it a try. The food was very good and tasteful, the dishes were huge and the place was actually really cheap. When the bill came we actually thought that they made a mistake.
The waitresses were very friendly and helpful with one exception that actually made us laugh. When we asked for ketchup, the girl that was serving us told us to pick one from a differe table. (All the tables were occupied so we actually had to â¬Üstealâ¬" someone elseâ¬"s ketchup ï` ).
Overall we were very satisfied with all the service, the environment was relaxed and we enjoyed our cheap and delicious food!
After a very tiring Saturday walking all over London, me and my friend were in Portobello area and just wanted to sit anywhere and have lunch. We accidentally found Mike's Cafe and decided to give it a try. The food was very good and tasteful, the dishes were huge and the place was actually really cheap. When the bill came we actually thought that they made a mistake.
The waitresses were very friendly and helpful with one exception that actually made us laugh. When we asked for ketchup, the girl that was serving us told us to pick one from a different table. (All the tables were occupied so we actually had to â¬Üstealâ¬" someone elseâ¬"s ketchup ï` ).
Overall we were very satisfied with all the service, the environment was relaxed and we enjoyed our cheap and delicious food!

The Muffin Man Tea Shop - A great little find! by nip_and_nosh

nip_and_nosh — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 19:19:47 +0000

Review by nip_and_nosh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7937 6652

Tags: cosy, quick bite, quiet & relaxed

If you are in the general area, it is worth a stop for some tea and a scone at the Muffin Man. A quaint and cosy tea room, the Muffin Man is how one pictures a British Tea Room to be. You feel more like you are in someone's home, or in a Bed & Breakfast - it has that comfortable, no-fuss feel.

The scone was nice - nothing too out of the ordinary, but just as you would expect from a nice little tea room.

It's probably not one I'd go out of my way to see, but if you are in the area, doing a little shopping, and want a nice quiet escape to rest the feet and have some nice tea, the Muffin Man is a perfect respite.If you are in the general area, it is worth a stop for some tea and a scone at the Muffin Man. A quaint and cosy tea room, the Muffin Man is how one pictures a British Tea Room to be. You feel more like you are in someone's home, or in a Bed & Breakfast - it has that comfortable, no-fuss feel.

The scone was nice - nothing too out of the ordinary, but just as you would expect from a nice little tea room.

It's probably not one I'd go out of my way to see, but if you are in the area, doing a little shopping, and want a nice quiet escape to rest the feet and have some nice tea, the Muffin Man is a perfect respite.

Cafe Garcia - Heavenly drinking chocolate by bellaphon

bellaphon — Wed, 15 Oct 2008 19:25:01 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7221 6119

Tags: cultured, tapas, quick bite

What is it with the Spanish Chocolate a la Taza; I mean Iâ¬"m not even a chocoholic, but this drink is dangerously addictive. Itâ¬"s so deliciously rich one might even treat it as a pudding course.

CafÃ© Garcia is great for solo diners and time killing. Itâ¬"s also perfect for my countless re-reads of Homerâ¬"s Iliad (30 years on and yet to complete) or perusing over the Sunday Sport with the said drinking chocolate and a slice of Pastel de marron glaces (Sponge and egg cake topped with a layer of sweet marron glaces cream). However the Tarta de Santiago is not quite up there with Barrafinaâ¬"s. The microwaved savouries of Paella, Tortilla espaÃ±ola or Croquetas are consistently flavourful and moreish.

A small tip I suggest is to proceed next door and stock up on your groceries of tinned fish, jamÃ³n, tapas and wine before you visit the cafÃ©. As youâ¬"ll be too stuffed to contemplate any shopping for food thereafter.

Barrafina for the masses.
What is it with the Spanish Chocolate a la Taza; I mean Iâ¬"m not even a chocoholic, but this drink is dangerously addictive. Itâ¬"s so deliciously rich one might even treat it as a pudding course.

CafÃ© Garcia is great for solo diners and time killing. Itâ¬"s also perfect for my countless re-reads of Homerâ¬"s Iliad (30 years on and yet to complete) or perusing over the Sunday Sport with the said drinking chocolate and a slice of Pastel de marron glaces (Sponge and egg cake topped with a layer of sweet marron glaces cream). However the Tarta de Santiago is not quite up there with Barrafinaâ¬"s. The microwaved savouries of Paella, Tortilla espaÃ±ola or Croquetas are consistently flavourful and moreish.

A small tip I suggest is to proceed next door and stock up on your groceries of tinned fish, jamÃ³n, tapas and wine before you visit the cafÃ©. As youâ¬"ll be too stuffed to contemplate any shopping for food thereafter.

Barrafina for the masses.

Starbucks Coffee - I love Starbucks....a little too much by tightwad

tightwad — Sun, 21 Sep 2008 22:47:48 +0000

Review by tightwad

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7727 7890

Website: http://www.starbucks.co.uk

Tags: lively, cosy, amazing brew

I actually agree with clubby2. I got into the habit of having a coffee on the way to work everyday. I then started having one at lunchtime "just because" and yet another on the way home as i was tired. All that cafeine was great at the start but the headaches started and i had to cut back on my addiction to starbucks. The money it saved me over the month is ridiculous! I can't believe how much i was spending - especially as i was having a cake here and there, plus a sandwich from them at lunchtime. Don't get me wrong, i love starbucks with all my heart, its just too much coffee was getting bad for my health!I actually agree with clubby2. I got into the habit of having a coffee on the way to work everyday. I then started having one at lunchtime "just because" and yet another on the way home as i was tired. All that cafeine was great at the start but the headaches started and i had to cut back on my addiction to starbucks. The money it saved me over the month is ridiculous! I can't believe how much i was spending - especially as i was having a cake here and there, plus a sandwich from them at lunchtime. Don't get me wrong, i love starbucks with all my heart, its just too much coffee was getting bad for my health!

Apostrophe - chain reaction! by sophietemples

sophietemples — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 15:31:09 +0000

Review by sophietemples

Rating: 2.00

Tags: good brew, average brew, proper food

I was warned off this cafe by a good friend after their staff rudely refused to let her son use the toilet during the carnival a few weeks back, despite buying coffees and several snacks for the kids. However my husband visits their branch in the city and swears by their coffee, so we popped in while passing over the weekend. My husband flashed his evening standard card for his usual discount and staff looked at us blankly! I don't know who was more embarrased.

Disappointing, but I should have known to steer clear of the chains.I was warned off this cafe by a good friend after their staff rudely refused to let her son use the toilet during the carnival a few weeks back, despite buying coffees and several snacks for the kids. However my husband visits their branch in the city and swears by their coffee, so we popped in while passing over the weekend. My husband flashed his evening standard card for his usual discount and staff looked at us blankly! I don't know who was more embarrased.

Disappointing, but I should have known to steer clear of the chains.

Arancina - Italian fast food mecca by bellaphon

bellaphon — Wed, 10 Sep 2008 18:46:41 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7221 7776

Website: http://www.arancina.co.uk

Tags: italian, cosy, lively

The lure of that sawn up orange Cinquecento is a great marketing exercise.

I donâ¬"t normally care much for pizzas in this country but at Arancina the Paletta (to all intents and purposes; by the slice) portion of parmacotto ham and mushrooms was outstanding. It tasted fresh, utterly Italian and the total absence of the dreaded stodgy thick crust. This portion was more than enough for lunch, but if you can fit it in and not be too conscious of the Atkins Diet the delicious arancinas (Sicilian rice balls) belong to the dangerous â¬Übingeingâ¬" category.

I included fast food as one of the things I love when I played the TasteMatcher, Arancina upholds the inclusion without fail. Bravo.
The lure of that sawn up orange Cinquecento is a great marketing exercise.

I donâ¬"t normally care much for pizzas in this country but at Arancina the Paletta (to all intents and purposes; by the slice) portion of parmacotto ham and mushrooms was outstanding. It tasted fresh, utterly Italian and the total absence of the dreaded stodgy thick crust. This portion was more than enough for lunch, but if you can fit it in and not be too conscious of the Atkins Diet the delicious arancinas (Sicilian rice balls) belong to the dangerous â¬Übingeingâ¬" category.

I included fast food as one of the things I love when I played the TasteMatcher, Arancina upholds the inclusion without fail. Bravo.

Starbucks Coffee - Starbucks Coffee Shop by Jessica_UK

Jessica_UK — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 02:05:51 +0000

Review by Jessica_UK

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7938 2335

Website: http://www.starbucks.co.uk

Tags: cosy, takeaway, good brew

I really like starbucks in general, and this branch of starbucks was what I expected. There are a wide selection of cakes and cookies, as well as hot and cold drinks. It has to be said that starbucks is pretty overpriced with their frappochinos costing over Â£3 for a decent sized cup. As a student I don't visit often, but when I have done, it has been a very relaxing and friendly place to meet up with someone. There are quite a lot of seats to eat whilst you talk, but it does get crowded sometimes and noisy. Apart from that, a convenient location to meet a friend, though maybe a bit difficult to get good seats at lunch. The staff are usually very friendly and polite as well.I really like starbucks in general, and this branch of starbucks was what I expected. There are a wide selection of cakes and cookies, as well as hot and cold drinks. It has to be said that starbucks is pretty overpriced with their frappochinos costing over Â£3 for a decent sized cup. As a student I don't visit often, but when I have done, it has been a very relaxing and friendly place to meet up with someone. There are quite a lot of seats to eat whilst you talk, but it does get crowded sometimes and noisy. Apart from that, a convenient location to meet a friend, though maybe a bit difficult to get good seats at lunch. The staff are usually very friendly and polite as well.

Bagel Factory - Bagel Factory by arcantara99

arcantara99 — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 21:27:17 +0000

Review by arcantara99

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7792 9040

Website: http://www.bagelfactory.co.uk

Tags: quick bite, patisserie, average brew

The great thing about places like this is that you can have your bagel made with whatever fillings you like and tailored to your taste (with or without mayonnaise, ham and rocket or turkey and pickle). There tends to be a good range of bagels available too â¬ wholemeal, plain, poppy seed etc. So there's a good choice. Unfortunately some of the fillings look like they could have been there for a while and the portions of fillings can be on the scant side (definitely more bread than meat). But it's all perfectly fine and tasty for a bagel fix. Coffee is reasonable too.

The great thing about places like this is that you can have your bagel made with whatever fillings you like and tailored to your taste (with or without mayonnaise, ham and rocket or turkey and pickle). There tends to be a good range of bagels available too â¬ wholemeal, plain, poppy seed etc. So there's a good choice. Unfortunately some of the fillings look like they could have been there for a while and the portions of fillings can be on the scant side (definitely more bread than meat). But it's all perfectly fine and tasty for a bagel fix. Coffee is reasonable too.

Tom's Delicatessen - Expensive yummy mummy hangout by Lacrimosa

Lacrimosa — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 10:24:26 +0000

Review by Lacrimosa

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7221 8818

Tags: cosy, cool, trendy

I used to regularly work around the corner from Tom's, and more lately had lunch with friends there on a Wednesday in April 2008. It has a bunch of takeaway items at the front, such as filled rolls, pastries, coffee, and posh Tyrrells crisps. As might be expected in Notting Hill, these are all well above average in price and, personally, I was never wowed with the sandwich selection, as they always seemed a little dry - not 'dry' as in 'stale', just not a very moist choice of fillings, and an over-realiance on that most evil of dry salad leaves... rocket. Uuuuurgh, rocket! I much preferred to fetch my lunch from Fresh & Wild nearby, which now seems to have disappeared unfortunately.

In April we ate in at one of the tiny tables at the back (see photo), surrounded by yummy mummies and displays of vintage packaging promoting the Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising around the corner in Colville Mews. I ordered quiche with salad and a freshly squeezed orange juice. As someone with hollow legs, you can imagine my disappointment when a tiny slice of warm quiche with a wisp of salad garnish was placed in front of me - tasty but simply not good enough for circa. Â£8, even in Notting Hill. Granted, I had been informed that it was the last slice, which may have accounted for its extreme smallness, but if that was the case they could have at least padded it out with more salad, surely?

I went away still hungry, although my friends declared themselves happy with their choices - one of which was a three egg omelette, as I recall, and I think the others had moussaka.I used to regularly work around the corner from Tom's, and more lately had lunch with friends there on a Wednesday in April 2008. It has a bunch of takeaway items at the front, such as filled rolls, pastries, coffee, and posh Tyrrells crisps. As might be expected in Notting Hill, these are all well above average in price and, personally, I was never wowed with the sandwich selection, as they always seemed a little dry - not 'dry' as in 'stale', just not a very moist choice of fillings, and an over-realiance on that most evil of dry salad leaves... rocket. Uuuuurgh, rocket! I much preferred to fetch my lunch from Fresh & Wild nearby, which now seems to have disappeared unfortunately.

In April we ate in at one of the tiny tables at the back (see photo), surrounded by yummy mummies and displays of vintage packaging promoting the Museum of Brands, Packaging & Advertising around the corner in Colville Mews. I ordered quiche with salad and a freshly squeezed orange juice. As someone with hollow legs, you can imagine my disappointment when a tiny slice of warm quiche with a wisp of salad garnish was placed in front of me - tasty but simply not good enough for circa. Â£8, even in Notting Hill. Granted, I had been informed that it was the last slice, which may have accounted for its extreme smallness, but if that was the case they could have at least padded it out with more salad, surely?

I went away still hungry, although my friends declared themselves happy with their choices - one of which was a three egg omelette, as I recall, and I think the others had moussaka.

Raoul's - the place for breakfast! by jlonners

jlonners — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 19:36:17 +0000

Review by jlonners

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7229 2400

Tags: brasserie, average brew, cosy

this place is great for breakfast, you can choose all the usual english breakfast items. The scrambled egg is perfect as is the bacon. As soon as you sit down you are handed a menu and quickly asked what you would like, they are more than happy to change any of the breakfasts to add or subtract any items you donâ¬"t like. The food is served equally quickly and is piping hot. The place itself is simple with and not a lot of space to spare but its well worth it as the prices are reasonable and the food is great (its also good hangover food!). they also do decent tea.this place is great for breakfast, you can choose all the usual english breakfast items. The scrambled egg is perfect as is the bacon. As soon as you sit down you are handed a menu and quickly asked what you would like, they are more than happy to change any of the breakfasts to add or subtract any items you donâ¬"t like. The food is served equally quickly and is piping hot. The place itself is simple with and not a lot of space to spare but its well worth it as the prices are reasonable and the food is great (its also good hangover food!). they also do decent tea.

Lazy Daisy Cafe - Lazy Daisy Cafe by gilka

gilka — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 15:55:52 +0000

Review by gilka

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7221 8416

Tags: quick bite, quiet & relaxed, cosy

Visited on 26/07/07.
This place is very popular amongst mothers with babies. (children friendly)
The environment does look a bit like a 'kindergarten' from outside.
I had a mushroom and onion quiche and it was deprived of any culinary touch,
just bland. The salad which came with it, was boring with almost an invisible and tasteless dressing. There was also some anonymous cold pasta salad on my plate.
The smoothie tasted like â¬"innocent drinkâ¬" and not fresh like I was expecting.
The cappuccino was weak with no character.
I noticed that the minimum order was Â£3.5- I personally donâ¬"t mind but some people might find this annoying. We were charged extra 70p for paying with visa which also doesn't make sense to me.
The only good thing about this place was the inside area which has nice wooden tables and chairs and felt friendly. 'Healthy' food doesn't need to taste bland!
This experience will be deleted...Visited on 26/07/07.
This place is very popular amongst mothers with babies. (children friendly)
The environment does look a bit like a 'kindergarten' from outside.
I had a mushroom and onion quiche and it was deprived of any culinary touch,
just bland. The salad which came with it, was boring with almost an invisible and tasteless dressing. There was also some anonymous cold pasta salad on my plate.
The smoothie tasted like â¬"innocent drinkâ¬" and not fresh like I was expecting.
The cappuccino was weak with no character.
I noticed that the minimum order was Â£3.5- I personally donâ¬"t mind but some people might find this annoying. We were charged extra 70p for paying with visa which also doesn't make sense to me.
The only good thing about this place was the inside area which has nice wooden tables and chairs and felt friendly. 'Healthy' food doesn't need to taste bland!
This experience will be deleted...

Bar6 - Intimate, unique Bar 6 by Roya

Roya — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 13:02:50 +0000

Review by Roya

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7937 3367

Tags: cosy, cool, sexy

This is a secret W8 treasure. You wouldn't necessarily notice it when passing. It isn't always open, so best to call before hand to check (the owner opens it at his whim). It is very small, thus very intimate. Always candle-lit, the decor is plush red, so it's rather romantic. Though it is fairly pricey, the bar servings are generous and the atmosphere is worth it.

As you step inside you feel a little like you've stumbled upon a private party. Somewhere different for a tete-a-tete. Perfect place to continue your evening if you've been dining at the Lebanese, Randa, opposite. Should it be closed there is a pub ten metres down the road, with a completely different atmosphere, but you won't go thirsty.This is a secret W8 treasure. You wouldn't necessarily notice it when passing. It isn't always open, so best to call before hand to check (the owner opens it at his whim). It is very small, thus very intimate. Always candle-lit, the decor is plush red, so it's rather romantic. Though it is fairly pricey, the bar servings are generous and the atmosphere is worth it.

As you step inside you feel a little like you've stumbled upon a private party. Somewhere different for a tete-a-tete. Perfect place to continue your evening if you've been dining at the Lebanese, Randa, opposite. Should it be closed there is a pub ten metres down the road, with a completely different atmosphere, but you won't go thirsty.