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

Chocolate Bar - Willy Wonka's birthplace?!!! by nell4tune

nell4tune — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 02:28:48 +0000

Review by nell4tune

Rating: 4.00

Phone: +44 (0) 20 7730

Website: http://www.harrods.com/HarrodsStore/GlobalPages/Re

It was my birthday and my family opened their cheque books and risked it by asking me where I wanted to spend my birthday. BIG BIG MISTAKE!! Never mind how old I am, I wanted to indulge in blissful sin...this is my chance. Alarm bells started getting louder and louder till it deafened their ears when I locked myself in our little study and started chomping away at the keyboard googling for Chocolate restaurants... And hey presto! this place came up. Oh oh Harrods - hmmm that might be expensive. Just mention Harrods and every wallet in this planet will start to tremble nervously as if wanting to flee from pockets. My answer to that is research, research and research - prepares you for anything... Catch my drift? It paid off, I even got a copy of the menu and emerged out of the study with a big grin on my face like a kid in a candy store! Well at least I will be a big kid but in a Chocolate... Ha ha ha! can you hear the thunder crackling above... Anyway we got to Harrods - found the cafe pretty easily. On a weekend Harrods is pretty packed and yes you guessed it - there was a long queue just to get into this cafe. By hook or by crook I am going in there to have my chocolate indulgence. No actually I NEED to get in there no matter how many bodies I have to trod on...!!! 30 minutes later we're at the head of the queue!!! Yippee!!! By now you may probably have sussed that this cafe is really not that big. To get a table you have to wait for people to leave. So there I was at the top of the queue peering hard at people happily eating away at their melted chocolate wishing them to go away as quickly as possible. I began to grow horns. My heart tells me "why are these greedy ba...s taking so long to eat for goodness sake", but my head tells me "patience Nadia patience...your time is coming soon - you will get your fix". Oh my god what is happening to me? I must be going mad!!! A waiter comes up and escorts us to a table - YIPPEEEEHHH!!!we made it! I'm thinking - there is fondue set in my name - A Fantastic Chocolate Desire - A chocolate Miserable - A Chocolate Milkshake - A Chocolate Bar Colibri - aaarrrgggghhh!!! everthing there has my name on it. My kids had to calm me down - what is wrong with me??!! Would you believe it even my kids! I am a chocoholic!! I need help. The fondue arrived and dipping my fingers into it and licking the melted chocolate off was absolutely am mammia - heaven - hmmm. It was warm and oozing. My first sip of the Chocolate milkshake was just... ooooh la la! Need I say anymore?! Frankly I nearly got carried away by wanting to order the white, the dark and the milk chocolate fondue but as everyone else like milk chocolate that was the unanimous decision. The fresh strawberries and champagne needed to be tried so moi tried it... It is a glass of tasty Harrods champagne with melted chocolate dip where you can dip your strawberries into. I guess that is how posh people do it - a bit pretentious to me as it felt like a contradiction of tastes - the chocolate and champagne. Maybe it is me - I am not big on champagne. Give me a Guinness, melted dark chocolate and a Cohiba cigar and I am yours!!! Anyway I had my fix and washed everything down with an expresso and a capuccino with sprinkled chocolate. What a good way to put a finale to my fix. Strangely enough though the cafe has an open concept to it, we could not hear or feel the shopping hustle & bustle around us. Okay so I was in another planet indulging & working my way through the menu but the cafe seems to be placed in one corner and the acoustics seemed to have worked to keep the noise level down. Clever. Remember it is a very popular place and you cannot make reservations. It is on a first come first serve basis so be patient with the wait. Our party consisted of 6 people and the bill was very affordable. By the way the menu do cater for a light lunch and it is not all for chocoholics like me. So if you just want a sandwich and/or salad you will not be disappointed. I would advise you to leave your car at home - tube it! Do not be frightened of the HARRODS name - go to their website and access the menu and you will see what I mean about the price. Please for goodness sake you really do not need to dress up in your best 'whistle & flute' to get there. It is a pretty relaxed atmosphere. It is one of the best & memorable birthdays I have ever had.It was my birthday and my family opened their cheque books and risked it by asking me where I wanted to spend my birthday. BIG BIG MISTAKE!! Never mind how old I am, I wanted to indulge in blissful sin...this is my chance. Alarm bells started getting louder and louder till it deafened their ears when I locked myself in our little study and started chomping away at the keyboard googling for Chocolate restaurants... And hey presto! this place came up. Oh oh Harrods - hmmm that might be expensive. Just mention Harrods and every wallet in this planet will start to tremble nervously as if wanting to flee from pockets. My answer to that is research, research and research - prepares you for anything... Catch my drift? It paid off, I even got a copy of the menu and emerged out of the study with a big grin on my face like a kid in a candy store! Well at least I will be a big kid but in a Chocolate... Ha ha ha! can you hear the thunder crackling above... Anyway we got to Harrods - found the cafe pretty easily. On a weekend Harrods is pretty packed and yes you guessed it - there was a long queue just to get into this cafe. By hook or by crook I am going in there to have my chocolate indulgence. No actually I NEED to get in there no matter how many bodies I have to trod on...!!! 30 minutes later we're at the head of the queue!!! Yippee!!! By now you may probably have sussed that this cafe is really not that big. To get a table you have to wait for people to leave. So there I was at the top of the queue peering hard at people happily eating away at their melted chocolate wishing them to go away as quickly as possible. I began to grow horns. My heart tells me "why are these greedy ba...s taking so long to eat for goodness sake", but my head tells me "patience Nadia patience...your time is coming soon - you will get your fix". Oh my god what is happening to me? I must be going mad!!! A waiter comes up and escorts us to a table - YIPPEEEEHHH!!!we made it! I'm thinking - there is fondue set in my name - A Fantastic Chocolate Desire - A chocolate Miserable - A Chocolate Milkshake - A Chocolate Bar Colibri - aaarrrgggghhh!!! everthing there has my name on it. My kids had to calm me down - what is wrong with me??!! Would you believe it even my kids! I am a chocoholic!! I need help. The fondue arrived and dipping my fingers into it and licking the melted chocolate off was absolutely am mammia - heaven - hmmm. It was warm and oozing. My first sip of the Chocolate milkshake was just... ooooh la la! Need I say anymore?! Frankly I nearly got carried away by wanting to order the white, the dark and the milk chocolate fondue but as everyone else like milk chocolate that was the unanimous decision. The fresh strawberries and champagne needed to be tried so moi tried it... It is a glass of tasty Harrods champagne with melted chocolate dip where you can dip your strawberries into. I guess that is how posh people do it - a bit pretentious to me as it felt like a contradiction of tastes - the chocolate and champagne. Maybe it is me - I am not big on champagne. Give me a Guinness, melted dark chocolate and a Cohiba cigar and I am yours!!! Anyway I had my fix and washed everything down with an expresso and a capuccino with sprinkled chocolate. What a good way to put a finale to my fix. Strangely enough though the cafe has an open concept to it, we could not hear or feel the shopping hustle & bustle around us. Okay so I was in another planet indulging & working my way through the menu but the cafe seems to be placed in one corner and the acoustics seemed to have worked to keep the noise level down. Clever. Remember it is a very popular place and you cannot make reservations. It is on a first come first serve basis so be patient with the wait. Our party consisted of 6 people and the bill was very affordable. By the way the menu do cater for a light lunch and it is not all for chocoholics like me. So if you just want a sandwich and/or salad you will not be disappointed. I would advise you to leave your car at home - tube it! Do not be frightened of the HARRODS name - go to their website and access the menu and you will see what I mean about the price. Please for goodness sake you really do not need to dress up in your best 'whistle & flute' to get there. It is a pretty relaxed atmosphere. It is one of the best & memorable birthdays I have ever had.

Arco Dars Of Knightsbridge - Great family place by Lotte32

Lotte32 — Thu, 11 Sep 2008 11:44:18 +0000

Review by Lotte32

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7235 3200

Tags: lively, takeaway, quick bite

I have been going to Arco since I was a small child and it was previously located in the side street at the side of Harrods.
They are an excellent family restaurant, nothing fancy, but the food is reasonably priced and very good.
I would recommend it as a good place to stop during a shopping spree where it will not break the bank and it isn't another faceless chain!
The spaghetti bolognese and toasted sandwiches are very good. the coffee is excellent too.I have been going to Arco since I was a small child and it was previously located in the side street at the side of Harrods.
They are an excellent family restaurant, nothing fancy, but the food is reasonably priced and very good.
I would recommend it as a good place to stop during a shopping spree where it will not break the bank and it isn't another faceless chain!
The spaghetti bolognese and toasted sandwiches are very good. the coffee is excellent too.

Pret-a-Portea at The Berkeley Hotel - Wow - but expensive! by expired2008

expired2008 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 22:34:28 +0000

Review by expired2008

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7201 1619

Website: http://www.the-berkeley.co.uk/restaurants_and_bars/restaurants/the_caramel_room/the_caramel_room/

Tags: expensive, afternoon tea, posh

This excursion turned out to be a fabulously delicious, although ultra expensive, afternoon. If you are expecting a run of the mill afternoon tea in a posh hotel, you arenâ¬"t fully prepared for what you are about to experience!

The tea itself was outstanding, as was the coffee my partner had. However where they stand out from the crowd is with their patisserie. They were all mouth wateringly delicious.

We also had a range of sandwiches which were all gorgeous and the tastes were amazing.

The hotel itself is decorated wonderfully, itâ¬"s a perfect place to take someone you want to impress! Just donâ¬"t forget to go to the bank first!
This excursion turned out to be a fabulously delicious, although ultra expensive, afternoon. If you are expecting a run of the mill afternoon tea in a posh hotel, you arenâ¬"t fully prepared for what you are about to experience!

The tea itself was outstanding, as was the coffee my partner had. However where they stand out from the crowd is with their patisserie. They were all mouth wateringly delicious.

We also had a range of sandwiches which were all gorgeous and the tastes were amazing.

The hotel itself is decorated wonderfully, itâ¬"s a perfect place to take someone you want to impress! Just donâ¬"t forget to go to the bank first!

Ben's Cookies - Cookies by spokane12

spokane12 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 19:19:24 +0000

Review by spokane12

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7589 9155

Website: http://www.benscookies.com

are meant to be like this. Big and chunky with plenty of taste, bite and chew. I really like the peanut butter cookie and the oatmeal and the chocolate and ... okay I like a lot of cookies. But can you blame me. Try them all. Unlike Millie's the cookies are weighed - so the price is always different. The milkshakes here are okay but not awesome. Just go for the cookies - get a range of them and find your favourite. They sometimes do kind of like a cookie of the week and original flavours. Great for a cake day and very hefty and filling. These are not for the lightweight. The price is around about Â£1 a cookie but like I said, it is done by weight so that can vary. I have not tried the tea or coffee.are meant to be like this. Big and chunky with plenty of taste, bite and chew. I really like the peanut butter cookie and the oatmeal and the chocolate and ... okay I like a lot of cookies. But can you blame me. Try them all. Unlike Millie's the cookies are weighed - so the price is always different. The milkshakes here are okay but not awesome. Just go for the cookies - get a range of them and find your favourite. They sometimes do kind of like a cookie of the week and original flavours. Great for a cake day and very hefty and filling. These are not for the lightweight. The price is around about Â£1 a cookie but like I said, it is done by weight so that can vary. I have not tried the tea or coffee.

The Drawing Room at the Cadogan Hotel - Superb Supper on Sloane Street by chrisp

chrisp — Tue, 12 Aug 2008 16:52:16 +0000

Review by chrisp

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7235 7141

Website: http://www.cadogan.com/

Tags: cosy, quiet & relaxed, cultured

I've been to Langtry's, the restaurant at the Cadogan, a couple of times, and have had a pretty good experience each time. I'm not quite sure why I haven't written about it yet; probably because I want it to remain my little secret and not have it spoiled by the world. But also - and here's my inherent British pessimism showing - it could be that I'm waiting for them to mess up one day, and I will finally understand why the place is always empty and be able to give it the inevitable low score. Until then, I'm withholding my final appraisal.

But this isn't a review of Langtry's, the Cadogan's fine dining restaurant (Â£22.50 for 3 courses at lunchtime - try the prawn cocktail). This is Afternoon Tea, which you take in the Drawing Room, a pleasant wood-panelled space served by smart waiters in dark suits, some of whom look old enough to have served Lily Langtry herself. There's a lot of history at the Cadogan, not much of it immediately obvious until you do a bit of research. Oscar Wilde, for example, was arrested in his room here in 1895 (room 118, apparently - we were tempted to try and put down this number on the bill when it arrived, but thought better of it. I do want to go back, after all), and Lily Langtry, 19th century beauty and mistress to Edward VII, continued to live here for many years after her house was adopted to become part of the hotel. How nice it must be to have your house converted into a hotel around you and to be able to carry on living in your own bedroom, only with room service. I can't think of a better way of enjoying my twilight years.

The food itself is pretty much a secondary consideration to the pomp and furnishings, as with any afternoon tea. Sandwiches were nice enough, with fresh ingredients and crusts cut off. The complimentary champagne was Perrier Jouet, and one of our party, being t-total, had a non-alcoholic cocktail made up for no extra cost (it had mint and elderflower in it and was lovely). Scones were the highlight - warm and fluffy with a huge dollop of clotted cream, although the jam was bought-in and not up to the standard of Brown's homemade offering. Finally, pastries were pretty good, with mini-Ã©clairs, strawberry tarts and coffee cups making up what turned out to be quite a generous amount of food.

It all added up to a very enjoyable afternoon. The Cadogan is unmistakeably a five-star hotel, but is unstuffy and relaxed in a way that, say, Claridge's or the Dorchester aren't. Staff are chatty and accommodating without being overly "matey", and it feels very comfortable and homely, like you're kicking back of an afternoon in your rich auntie's front room. This atmosphere was even further enhanced by the fact that we were one of perhaps only 4 or 5 tables taken, and as I mentioned earlier on previous visits to the restaurant next door we have found the place similarly and pleasingly tranquil. So I will not hesitate to recommend the Cadogan, with one proviso - that you promise not to tell too many of your friends. Deal?

"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." Oscar WildeI've been to Langtry's, the restaurant at the Cadogan, a couple of times, and have had a pretty good experience each time. I'm not quite sure why I haven't written about it yet; probably because I want it to remain my little secret and not have it spoiled by the world. But also - and here's my inherent British pessimism showing - it could be that I'm waiting for them to mess up one day, and I will finally understand why the place is always empty and be able to give it the inevitable low score. Until then, I'm withholding my final appraisal.

But this isn't a review of Langtry's, the Cadogan's fine dining restaurant (Â£22.50 for 3 courses at lunchtime - try the prawn cocktail). This is Afternoon Tea, which you take in the Drawing Room, a pleasant wood-panelled space served by smart waiters in dark suits, some of whom look old enough to have served Lily Langtry herself. There's a lot of history at the Cadogan, not much of it immediately obvious until you do a bit of research. Oscar Wilde, for example, was arrested in his room here in 1895 (room 118, apparently - we were tempted to try and put down this number on the bill when it arrived, but thought better of it. I do want to go back, after all), and Lily Langtry, 19th century beauty and mistress to Edward VII, continued to live here for many years after her house was adopted to become part of the hotel. How nice it must be to have your house converted into a hotel around you and to be able to carry on living in your own bedroom, only with room service. I can't think of a better way of enjoying my twilight years.

The food itself is pretty much a secondary consideration to the pomp and furnishings, as with any afternoon tea. Sandwiches were nice enough, with fresh ingredients and crusts cut off. The complimentary champagne was Perrier Jouet, and one of our party, being t-total, had a non-alcoholic cocktail made up for no extra cost (it had mint and elderflower in it and was lovely). Scones were the highlight - warm and fluffy with a huge dollop of clotted cream, although the jam was bought-in and not up to the standard of Brown's homemade offering. Finally, pastries were pretty good, with mini-Ã©clairs, strawberry tarts and coffee cups making up what turned out to be quite a generous amount of food.

It all added up to a very enjoyable afternoon. The Cadogan is unmistakeably a five-star hotel, but is unstuffy and relaxed in a way that, say, Claridge's or the Dorchester aren't. Staff are chatty and accommodating without being overly "matey", and it feels very comfortable and homely, like you're kicking back of an afternoon in your rich auntie's front room. This atmosphere was even further enhanced by the fact that we were one of perhaps only 4 or 5 tables taken, and as I mentioned earlier on previous visits to the restaurant next door we have found the place similarly and pleasingly tranquil. So I will not hesitate to recommend the Cadogan, with one proviso - that you promise not to tell too many of your friends. Deal?

"I have the simplest tastes. I am always satisfied with the best." Oscar Wilde

Top Floor @ Peter Jones - Crowded, noisy and only OK by Izabel_blue

Izabel_blue — Mon, 21 Apr 2008 13:31:51 +0000

Review by Izabel_blue

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7730 3434

Tags: crowded, lively, good brew

There aren't many places to stop for a decent coffee and cake around Sloane Square and there is almost always room to sit upstairs at Peter Jones. The food is good enough (for the price), the coffee is OK, but the wonderful views are most likely obstructed by screaming kiddies running rampant around the place.

On the flip side, this is a very child-friendly place - lots of thought has gone into children's options, etc.

It's *very* popular at weekends though decent during the week. I'd avoid at peak shopping times. There aren't many places to stop for a decent coffee and cake around Sloane Square and there is almost always room to sit upstairs at Peter Jones. The food is good enough (for the price), the coffee is OK, but the wonderful views are most likely obstructed by screaming kiddies running rampant around the place.

On the flip side, this is a very child-friendly place - lots of thought has gone into children's options, etc.

It's *very* popular at weekends though decent during the week. I'd avoid at peak shopping times.

Cafe Montpeliano - Viva Italia by david_2001

david_2001 — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 07:08:29 +0000

Review by david_2001

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7225 2926

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

Tags: italian, takeaway, cultured

This restaurant is directly opposite/next to Bonhams in Knightsbridge and hence has a very stylish eclectic mix of clientÃ¨le and decor.

The lay-out, ambiance and lighting is quite extraordinary with a tardis like feel that you would not perceive on entry.

This is a restaurant for grown up children with the Matradie being the head of your surrogate family.

Montpelier is a feast for the eyes as well as the spirit, sit back and enjoy with your friends or wander in on on your own.

Be aware that there is a cover charge so you will not be able to pop in for a lunch time coffee, the benefit is that you will not be jostling with the local tourists.

This restaurant is directly opposite/next to Bonhams in Knightsbridge and hence has a very stylish eclectic mix of clientÃ¨le and decor.

The lay-out, ambiance and lighting is quite extraordinary with a tardis like feel that you would not perceive on entry.

This is a restaurant for grown up children with the Matradie being the head of your surrogate family.

Montpelier is a feast for the eyes as well as the spirit, sit back and enjoy with your friends or wander in on on your own.

Be aware that there is a cover charge so you will not be able to pop in for a lunch time coffee, the benefit is that you will not be jostling with the local tourists.

Carluccio's - Nice Italian chain by RedCheeks

RedCheeks — Wed, 20 Dec 2006 19:47:42 +0000

Review by RedCheeks

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7581 8101

Website: http://www.carluccios.com

Tags: italian, takeaway, good value

Carluccios is always a safe bet if you want a nic e meal. The food isn't your authentic Italian but it is tasty and comes at a reasonable price. Staff are friendly and the tiramisu quite nice.Carluccios is always a safe bet if you want a nic e meal. The food isn't your authentic Italian but it is tasty and comes at a reasonable price. Staff are friendly and the tiramisu quite nice.

Laduree - Chic French tea room by Hazzabout

Hazzabout — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 05:54:44 +0000

Review by Hazzabout

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7730 1234

Website: http://www.laduree.com/public_en/maisons/londres_accueil.htm

Tags: french, chic, afternoon tea

The only London branch of this Paris tea room is, appropriately enough, based in Harrods. The first exciting thing is the interior which is absolutely sumptuous an Alice-in-Wonderland-esque outer room, all delicate white and gold with beautiful pyramids of jewel-coloured cakes and an exclusive-feeling inner room which is a sanctuary of black velvet and gold statues. Ive only ever been there for afternoon tea, which was superb. Theres a huge choice of teas and cakes, with the macarons being particularly outstanding. They are TO DIE FOR. Go for the mini macarons (around 2 quid a go) and taste several but dont miss the salted caramel.

Somewhere to take your mum, or for a pitstop during your shopping spree at Harrods and Harvey Nics, or for a very civilised hen do. You will feel v elegant just being in there.
The only London branch of this Paris tea room is, appropriately enough, based in Harrods. The first exciting thing is the interior which is absolutely sumptuous an Alice-in-Wonderland-esque outer room, all delicate white and gold with beautiful pyramids of jewel-coloured cakes and an exclusive-feeling inner room which is a sanctuary of black velvet and gold statues. Ive only ever been there for afternoon tea, which was superb. Theres a huge choice of teas and cakes, with the macarons being particularly outstanding. They are TO DIE FOR. Go for the mini macarons (around 2 quid a go) and taste several but dont miss the salted caramel.

Somewhere to take your mum, or for a pitstop during your shopping spree at Harrods and Harvey Nics, or for a very civilised hen do. You will feel v elegant just being in there.