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

Foyles Cafe - creased sleeves and dirty plates by mazphd

mazphd — Tue, 08 Jul 2008 13:17:20 +0000

Review by mazphd

Rating: 2.00

Phone: 020 7437 5660

Like another reviewer, i've been here and felt disappointd.

Despite the fabulous book and music related setting the cafe lacked soul, inspiration and even a smile from the Foyles staff team.

Cheer up folk! its the wonderful world of books you're in , not a space for misery guts and dirty plates :P

I'm hoping my experience was a 'one off'. At the time the music wasn't playing, and books and plates had been left by the wayside, forlorn and a little lost. Hence the (harsh) two star rating. BUT I look forward to enjoying the setting, the jazzed atmosphere and perhaps a better brew at another date. As judging by Niamheen's comments foyles can do better!

On the up side, when playing the music is great filtering through from the blues and jazz of the main store.

So at present a worthy hideaway, that just needs a little push in the right direction to make it suitably inspirational and in tune. Like another reviewer, i've been here and felt disappointd.

Despite the fabulous book and music related setting the cafe lacked soul, inspiration and even a smile from the Foyles staff team.

Cheer up folk! its the wonderful world of books you're in , not a space for misery guts and dirty plates :P

I'm hoping my experience was a 'one off'. At the time the music wasn't playing, and books and plates had been left by the wayside, forlorn and a little lost. Hence the (harsh) two star rating. BUT I look forward to enjoying the setting, the jazzed atmosphere and perhaps a better brew at another date. As judging by Niamheen's comments foyles can do better!

On the up side, when playing the music is great filtering through from the blues and jazz of the main store.

So at present a worthy hideaway, that just needs a little push in the right direction to make it suitably inspirational and in tune.

Dolce - High Quality roast everyday! by Thomasinho

Thomasinho — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 08:58:52 +0000

Review by Thomasinho

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7287 5373

Tags: cosy, amazing brew, quick bite

Dolce, run by a friendly, charming Italian guy, is a great place to pick up a sandwich, I have to say that the Roast chicken, which they roast in house each day, is fantastic, as they always serve generous helpings.
The Pork sandwhich with apple saunce, salt & pepper, again great with the Ciabatta.
Or the Salt Beef on Ryebread, again great!
These guys also know how to make a good coffee, also on offer, is a selection of pasta's, from tradition Cabonara, to italian meatballs in ragu sauce, bangers on Mash, salads, and a stroganoff to die for, made with rump, again generous portions.
SO if your looking for a bit of diversity in a cosy cafe feel, this is the place to visit.Dolce, run by a friendly, charming Italian guy, is a great place to pick up a sandwich, I have to say that the Roast chicken, which they roast in house each day, is fantastic, as they always serve generous helpings.
The Pork sandwhich with apple saunce, salt & pepper, again great with the Ciabatta.
Or the Salt Beef on Ryebread, again great!
These guys also know how to make a good coffee, also on offer, is a selection of pasta's, from tradition Cabonara, to italian meatballs in ragu sauce, bangers on Mash, salads, and a stroganoff to die for, made with rump, again generous portions.
SO if your looking for a bit of diversity in a cosy cafe feel, this is the place to visit.

Milk Bar - Flat White's sibling by sue

sue — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:50:59 +0000

Review by sue

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7287 4796

Tags: coffee, australian, excellent brew

One of the hardest things about being an Australian in London is finding a decent coffee, so when I read about a new cafÃ© that had opened up, owned by the lovely Antipodean people who own Flat White (cafÃ© on Berwick Street, Soho), I had to go and check it out asap.

Wandering along Bateman Street on a grey, cold, wet summers(!) afternoon, I at first walked right past Milk Bar as it didn't appear to have sign outside (though it may have been hidden by the awning) and kind of looked closed. Thankfully I crossed the road to investigate and realised I must be at the right place.

The cafÃ© is bigger and brighter than Flat White. The menu seems to be the same - breakfasts, light lunches and snacks, though I wasn't there for food, but to sample the coffee.

Service was very smiley and cheerful, and after ordering and paying for my flat white coffee, I took a seat in excited anticipation. The coffee arrived looking gorgeous, with a slightly wonky 'fern' on top. The milk was perfectly steamed and creamy. A very good coffee indeed.One of the hardest things about being an Australian in London is finding a decent coffee, so when I read about a new cafÃ© that had opened up, owned by the lovely Antipodean people who own Flat White (cafÃ© on Berwick Street, Soho), I had to go and check it out asap.

Wandering along Bateman Street on a grey, cold, wet summers(!) afternoon, I at first walked right past Milk Bar as it didn't appear to have sign outside (though it may have been hidden by the awning) and kind of looked closed. Thankfully I crossed the road to investigate and realised I must be at the right place.

The cafÃ© is bigger and brighter than Flat White. The menu seems to be the same - breakfasts, light lunches and snacks, though I wasn't there for food, but to sample the coffee.

Service was very smiley and cheerful, and after ordering and paying for my flat white coffee, I took a seat in excited anticipation. The coffee arrived looking gorgeous, with a slightly wonky 'fern' on top. The milk was perfectly steamed and creamy. A very good coffee indeed.

Bar Italia - A classic by gastro1

gastro1 — Sat, 14 Jun 2008 16:43:25 +0000

Review by gastro1

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7437 4520

Tags: quick bite, italian, lively

Great old style italian cafe bar.

Coffee could be better . I'm sad to see another Italian owned business cutting corners and compromising on quality.

Vergonia !Great old style italian cafe bar.

Coffee could be better . I'm sad to see another Italian owned business cutting corners and compromising on quality.

Vergonia !

Just Falafs - Rude owner avoid! by powerchord81

powerchord81 — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:13:41 +0000

Review by powerchord81

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7734 1914

Website: http://www.justfalafs.com/

Tags: middle eastern, lively, expensive

Was ordered to leave by the owner as I had a bottle of coke with me that I hadn't purchased from them, despite my girlfriend ordering and paying extra to eat outside on their tables.

The owner was rude, undiplomatic and didn't seem to care that my girlfriend was a paying customer.

I will never visit again and would advise people to avoid after the service we received.Was ordered to leave by the owner as I had a bottle of coke with me that I hadn't purchased from them, despite my girlfriend ordering and paying extra to eat outside on their tables.

The owner was rude, undiplomatic and didn't seem to care that my girlfriend was a paying customer.

I will never visit again and would advise people to avoid after the service we received.

Flat White - The Best Coffee in the Northern Hemis' by Goosestep

Goosestep — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 11:21:32 +0000

Review by Goosestep

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 0370

Website: http://www.flat-white.co.uk

Tags: amazing brew, quick bite, cosy

Man I love these guys!

Without doubt they service the best coffee in London!

They say a good cuppa is 85% barista and 15% coffee machine.

These fellas get 100/100.
Man I love these guys!

Without doubt they service the best coffee in London!

They say a good cuppa is 85% barista and 15% coffee machine.

These fellas get 100/100.

Camellia Sinensis - The Wonder of Tea by ONscotland

ONscotland — Wed, 09 Apr 2008 02:10:14 +0000

Review by ONscotland

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 9939

Tags: cosy, quick bite, cultured

Camellia Sinensis is the Latin name for the Tea Plant, and as you'd expect, this tea room celebrates tea - and how!

Jars upon jars of blends and infusions line an entire wall, and there are so many to choose from it would take forever to list them here. But looking at all the different kinds is just one of the pleasures of this lovely tea room. Another is the genuinally friendly service, the wholesome food and cakes (!) on offer (Lemon Polenta Cake is addictive!) and it's slightly out of the way location in Kingly Court.

A welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of nearby Carnaby Street, and the perfect antidote to anyone tired of the Costas and Starbucks of this world, please go along to Camellia's and discover tea how it should be!Camellia Sinensis is the Latin name for the Tea Plant, and as you'd expect, this tea room celebrates tea - and how!

Jars upon jars of blends and infusions line an entire wall, and there are so many to choose from it would take forever to list them here. But looking at all the different kinds is just one of the pleasures of this lovely tea room. Another is the genuinally friendly service, the wholesome food and cakes (!) on offer (Lemon Polenta Cake is addictive!) and it's slightly out of the way location in Kingly Court.

A welcome retreat from the hustle and bustle of nearby Carnaby Street, and the perfect antidote to anyone tired of the Costas and Starbucks of this world, please go along to Camellia's and discover tea how it should be!

Make Mine - Great Sandwich, but.... by Thomasinho

Thomasinho — Sun, 30 Mar 2008 00:38:46 +0000

Review by Thomasinho

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7636 1308

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

Tags: takeaway, delivery, sandwiches

This place makes fantastic sandwiches, really, I struggle to find better quality ciabatta, the problem however is the service, the staff are very inpersonal, and the pricing is a bit weird, so for example if you order a bacon sandwich before 10,30 you pay like 80pence less for the same thing, its more expensive afterwards

Other than that you have like four people working behind the counter but only one is making the food, irrespective of the amount of people waiting.

The food is great, as is the coffee.This place makes fantastic sandwiches, really, I struggle to find better quality ciabatta, the problem however is the service, the staff are very inpersonal, and the pricing is a bit weird, so for example if you order a bacon sandwich before 10,30 you pay like 80pence less for the same thing, its more expensive afterwards

Other than that you have like four people working behind the counter but only one is making the food, irrespective of the amount of people waiting.

The food is great, as is the coffee.

Brasil by Kilo - What happened to this place by Thomasinho

Thomasinho — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 23:09:17 +0000

Review by Thomasinho

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7287 7161

Tags: brazilian, cheap, central

The first time I went here, was almost three years ago, just when I moved back to London from Brazil, I was really craving some nice Brazilian lunch time food, so I heard about this place and went along.

It was fantastic, the beans were cooked to perfection with generous helpings of different porks, and the rice was great, as were all the other things in the buffet.

Recently I went back a few times, and the place has gone right on down, from what I would rate a four, to a one.

They had beef, that was clearly stewing steak, that was simply browned, and battered, as it wasnt stewed, it was overly chewy, so like eating a shoe sole.

The chicken (Frango Pasarinha) was awful, the whole place has gone down hill, also now they dont weigh anymore, they simply charge a fixed price, and you eat as much as you want 6.99 + 1.00 for a drink, soft drinks only.

This place was once really great, and for some reason, has gone completely the other way..The first time I went here, was almost three years ago, just when I moved back to London from Brazil, I was really craving some nice Brazilian lunch time food, so I heard about this place and went along.

It was fantastic, the beans were cooked to perfection with generous helpings of different porks, and the rice was great, as were all the other things in the buffet.

Recently I went back a few times, and the place has gone right on down, from what I would rate a four, to a one.

They had beef, that was clearly stewing steak, that was simply browned, and battered, as it wasnt stewed, it was overly chewy, so like eating a shoe sole.

The chicken (Frango Pasarinha) was awful, the whole place has gone down hill, also now they dont weigh anymore, they simply charge a fixed price, and you eat as much as you want 6.99 + 1.00 for a drink, soft drinks only.

This place was once really great, and for some reason, has gone completely the other way..

Nordic Bakery - Nice buns, but over priced and quite overhyped by LondonBoy08

LondonBoy08 — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:56:17 +0000

Review by LondonBoy08

Rating: 2.00

Tags: quick bite, good brew, bakery

Nice place, I quite like the cinnamon buns.

This is not a retail store, they only sell a bit of bread and some sweets and some very expensive bags. Their selection of food is limited, I think, compared to many other cafes in the area.

Nordic Bakery is nice enough but not that exciting. Nice coffee, okay service, the sandwiches are generally a bit over priced.

Better than Starbucks, but I would not go out of my way to go here - unless I had a craving for cinnamon buns.

P

Nice place, I quite like the cinnamon buns.

This is not a retail store, they only sell a bit of bread and some sweets and some very expensive bags. Their selection of food is limited, I think, compared to many other cafes in the area.

Nordic Bakery is nice enough but not that exciting. Nice coffee, okay service, the sandwiches are generally a bit over priced.

Better than Starbucks, but I would not go out of my way to go here - unless I had a craving for cinnamon buns.

P

Amato Patisserie - Better Pastries than Cakes by Micheke1977

Micheke1977 — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 15:23:40 +0000

Review by Micheke1977

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 5733

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

Tags: quick bite, amazing brew, cosy

I must say i really like this place and have been using it for a number of years.

I needed a personalised birthday cake for a friends 30th and found the place on the web. Since then i have purchased numerous cakes for any given occasion, but i will say that the pastries are better, seem fresher and the choice is exceptional. They will also take special orders for Italian specialties that are not on the menu (sfogliatelle being a good example for any Italians out there!)

The quality of the cake/pasties is excellent, they even do a reward system to get one free after 10 buys.

The only slightly negative thing to say is the cost.....but then again no ones suggested you go here every day :)I must say i really like this place and have been using it for a number of years.

I needed a personalised birthday cake for a friends 30th and found the place on the web. Since then i have purchased numerous cakes for any given occasion, but i will say that the pastries are better, seem fresher and the choice is exceptional. They will also take special orders for Italian specialties that are not on the menu (sfogliatelle being a good example for any Italians out there!)

The quality of the cake/pasties is excellent, they even do a reward system to get one free after 10 buys.

The only slightly negative thing to say is the cost.....but then again no ones suggested you go here every day :)

Sacred Cafe - good coffee but a bit like a student hang out by Coffeegeek

Coffeegeek — Tue, 25 Mar 2008 22:23:25 +0000

Review by Coffeegeek

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7734 1415

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

Tags: good brew, cosy, quick bite

Good coffee, they know how to do make a proper coffee here but the decor reminds me of a budget student union. If you're in the area its worth a visit. Haven't tried the food but if it's as good as the coffee I'd be very happy.Good coffee, they know how to do make a proper coffee here but the decor reminds me of a budget student union. If you're in the area its worth a visit. Haven't tried the food but if it's as good as the coffee I'd be very happy.

Maison Bertaux - My favourite place in London by Jobob

Jobob — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 21:09:06 +0000

Review by Jobob

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7437 6007

Tags: cosy, good brew, friendly atmosphere

Everytime I come to Maison Bertauz it makes me happy..simple as that..

I love good tea, i love cakes and i love places with a bit of a buzz.. Maison Bertaux is perfect..would walk miles for their cakes..and often do!!(I can justify the cake it I walk there first!!)Everytime I come to Maison Bertauz it makes me happy..simple as that..

I love good tea, i love cakes and i love places with a bit of a buzz.. Maison Bertaux is perfect..would walk miles for their cakes..and often do!!(I can justify the cake it I walk there first!!)

The New Piccadilly - Now closed by darika

darika — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 17:10:51 +0000

Review by darika

Rating: 4.00

Tags: cultured, quick bite, european

Sad news is this wonderful placed closed down a few months ago.Sad news is this wonderful placed closed down a few months ago.

Jumbo Eats - YUM YUM YUM by dloizou

dloizou — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 10:57:50 +0000

Review by dloizou

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7494 2133

Tags: wraps, lively, turkish

Jumbo eats is a little gem for anyone who loves mediterrainain foods...

Although you'll likely have to queue for out the shop and onto the street at any given lunchtime, people queue coz they know the grub is good.

Once inside you'll be correct in thinking that you've stepped into a daytime rave with the blarring dance party music and chaotic manner in which they're signature wraps are made... but don't be alarmed, in my expereinece the team behind the counter work best under pressure.

Its always a challange to get through the ample serving and for around < Â£4 for a wrap you should be satified.

They also do great fresh juices, coffee, pastries and the like as well as other delishious hot food (mezze, lasange etc). You can eat in or take away.

These guys are my little haven... and always deliver quality food with a unique experience.

Jumbo eats is a little gem for anyone who loves mediterrainain foods...

Although you'll likely have to queue for out the shop and onto the street at any given lunchtime, people queue coz they know the grub is good.

Once inside you'll be correct in thinking that you've stepped into a daytime rave with the blarring dance party music and chaotic manner in which they're signature wraps are made... but don't be alarmed, in my expereinece the team behind the counter work best under pressure.

Its always a challange to get through the ample serving and for around < Â£4 for a wrap you should be satified.

They also do great fresh juices, coffee, pastries and the like as well as other delishious hot food (mezze, lasange etc). You can eat in or take away.

These guys are my little haven... and always deliver quality food with a unique experience.

The Breakfast Club - by totuck

totuck — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 18:58:03 +0000

Review by totuck

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7434 2571

Website: http://www.thebreakfastclubsoho.com

Tags: free wifi, cosy, friendly

I usually go to the one in Angel. This TBC is much nicer insider and feels more homely. I think it's the comfy couches in back. The food's great and the staff are always friendly. I usually get pancakes and vegetarian sausages. Mmmm...I usually go to the one in Angel. This TBC is much nicer insider and feels more homely. I think it's the comfy couches in back. The food's great and the staff are always friendly. I usually get pancakes and vegetarian sausages. Mmmm...

The Star - Great Little Cafe / Restaurant.... by collector

collector — Wed, 18 Jul 2007 17:17:47 +0000

Review by collector

Rating: 4.00

Tags: italian, good value, quick bite

I have visited the Star Cafe on many occasions. It is an authentic Italian cafe serving a selection of hot and cold meals including sandwiches.

It is a great place to sit and watch Soho go by whilst reading the newspapers that are provided daily.

The decor and ambience are not modern, which to me adds extra value...

The food is served with humour, and a chat as well.. Something that you rarely get in London these days....

The cafe has been there for years....I have visited the Star Cafe on many occasions. It is an authentic Italian cafe serving a selection of hot and cold meals including sandwiches.

It is a great place to sit and watch Soho go by whilst reading the newspapers that are provided daily.

The decor and ambience are not modern, which to me adds extra value...

The food is served with humour, and a chat as well.. Something that you rarely get in London these days....

The cafe has been there for years....

Crepe Affaire - Pancake Day... or Night... by Samantha

Samantha — Fri, 18 May 2007 14:48:07 +0000

Review by Samantha

Rating: 4.00

Tags: quick bite, good brew, fun

This cafe on Wardour Street has been a great little find. Serving savoury or sweet crepes for breakfast, lunch or simply post-drinking snacks, it offers something a little different.

After dinner and drinks somewhere else we stumbled upon this on the way back to the tube. So we stopped in for late night chocolate crepes and coffee - delicious!This cafe on Wardour Street has been a great little find. Serving savoury or sweet crepes for breakfast, lunch or simply post-drinking snacks, it offers something a little different.

After dinner and drinks somewhere else we stumbled upon this on the way back to the tube. So we stopped in for late night chocolate crepes and coffee - delicious!