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

Conduit Coffee House - Really awful coffee - Vote with your feet by hhrtmnn

hhrtmnn — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 02:11:35 +0000

Review by hhrtmnn

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7242 8707

Be Warned - as an independent on the lovely Lambs Conduit you may be enticed - but get your coffee elsewhere!

The coffee beans used come from a fine italian brand but the product was brewed so badly that you could not drink it and keep it down.

Staff also seemed to have attitude (you have to beg for brown sugar) and this is a pity as they have a great location and sitting out under the trees with a cuppa was just what I was looking forward to.

Pricing's also a bit squiffy - Cappuccino is Â£1.45 but double espresso is Â£2.40. I'm confused as it doesn't gel with other places prices!

Under new management and with a complete overhaul this could be a real little treasure.Be Warned - as an independent on the lovely Lambs Conduit you may be enticed - but get your coffee elsewhere!

The coffee beans used come from a fine italian brand but the product was brewed so badly that you could not drink it and keep it down.

Staff also seemed to have attitude (you have to beg for brown sugar) and this is a pity as they have a great location and sitting out under the trees with a cuppa was just what I was looking forward to.

Pricing's also a bit squiffy - Cappuccino is Â£1.45 but double espresso is Â£2.40. I'm confused as it doesn't gel with other places prices!

Under new management and with a complete overhaul this could be a real little treasure.

Forum Cafe - Very bad customer service by makisushi007

makisushi007 — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 00:46:21 +0000

Review by makisushi007

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7404 1878

I 100% agree with the previous post. Zero communication, bad body language, VERY bad customer service. Very disappointed, I wanted to say he was doing the business bad but just by being in the shop for 10 minutes, i could tell he could become a very violent man and would be shouting till i got out of the shop.

I do not recommend this place to anyone.

I 100% agree with the previous post. Zero communication, bad body language, VERY bad customer service. Very disappointed, I wanted to say he was doing the business bad but just by being in the shop for 10 minutes, i could tell he could become a very violent man and would be shouting till i got out of the shop.

I do not recommend this place to anyone.

Italiano Coffee Co - ...and I still love Icco! by miggy

miggy — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 14:14:05 +0000

Review by miggy

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7580 9688

Tags: italian, quick bite, crowded

It was my regular haunt back in the uni days, when I lived a few doors away in my halls of residence.
Of course, back then it was referred to as 'the £3 pizza place'. But of course, it couldn't stay that way forever, so now it's more like 'the £4 pizza place'. *gasp*

Years on and I will still happily pay this bright and honest restaurant/canteen a late evening visit, after a few drinks in the area.

You can't go wrong. If you want some quick, filling and tasty (when you're a little tipsy, it's all delicious anyway) grub, ICCo is the place to go.

They don't pretend to be something they're not. It's simple: pay your price (from £3.50 - £6ish), take a seat, wait for your name to be called, go and pick up your pizza, add oil and seasoning if desired, devour and go home.
Don't expect the freshest artichokes or the best flavours but do expect to leave smiling and with enough change left to do it all over again the next night! :)It was my regular haunt back in the uni days, when I lived a few doors away in my halls of residence.
Of course, back then it was referred to as 'the £3 pizza place'. But of course, it couldn't stay that way forever, so now it's more like 'the £4 pizza place'. *gasp*

Years on and I will still happily pay this bright and honest restaurant/canteen a late evening visit, after a few drinks in the area.

You can't go wrong. If you want some quick, filling and tasty (when you're a little tipsy, it's all delicious anyway) grub, ICCo is the place to go.

They don't pretend to be something they're not. It's simple: pay your price (from £3.50 - £6ish), take a seat, wait for your name to be called, go and pick up your pizza, add oil and seasoning if desired, devour and go home.
Don't expect the freshest artichokes or the best flavours but do expect to leave smiling and with enough change left to do it all over again the next night! :)

Greens & Beans - Delicious home cooked food for vegetarians by Katharine

Katharine — Wed, 12 Nov 2008 17:25:26 +0000

Review by Katharine

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7380 0857

Tags: cosy, amazing brew, proper food

The cooking at Greens and Beans has been reviews in Time Out as 'first class'. I would certainly agree with that! Popular with yoga class students, Greens and Beans cafe offers a variety of healthy breakfasts, very reasonable take-away lunches and a la carte dishes. I enjoyed a pizza salsicia - a delicious veggie pizza with artichoke hearts and sausages, with 'now that's what I call a salad' with baby greens, sprouts and avocado. My friend had veggie bangers and mash which she was very impressed by. The friendly atmosphere and excellent service would make me recommend Greens and Beans cafe very sincerely.The cooking at Greens and Beans has been reviews in Time Out as 'first class'. I would certainly agree with that! Popular with yoga class students, Greens and Beans cafe offers a variety of healthy breakfasts, very reasonable take-away lunches and a la carte dishes. I enjoyed a pizza salsicia - a delicious veggie pizza with artichoke hearts and sausages, with 'now that's what I call a salad' with baby greens, sprouts and avocado. My friend had veggie bangers and mash which she was very impressed by. The friendly atmosphere and excellent service would make me recommend Greens and Beans cafe very sincerely.

Squat & Gobble - Gobbley Squat by MissGosh

MissGosh — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 09:20:34 +0000

Review by MissGosh

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7580 5338

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

Tags: lively, busy, quick bite

The portion sizes seem to have shrunk recently but it's still one of my favourite places for a quick lunch; you can't go wrong with the falafel salad.
Be warned about the surly staff & make sure you get there early if you want a table at lunch time - it's normally rammed between 1-2pm...
The portion sizes seem to have shrunk recently but it's still one of my favourite places for a quick lunch; you can't go wrong with the falafel salad.
Be warned about the surly staff & make sure you get there early if you want a table at lunch time - it's normally rammed between 1-2pm...

Buon Appetito - Hello mate by ANON1

ANON1 — Fri, 17 Oct 2008 17:13:31 +0000

Review by ANON1

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7242 7993

Excellent small cafe with good choice of food. Particular skilled at counting to Â£3.60, adding salt, pepper, lemon, avacado and goulash.Excellent small cafe with good choice of food. Particular skilled at counting to Â£3.60, adding salt, pepper, lemon, avacado and goulash.

City Snacks - by Fenris

Fenris — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 17:22:06 +0000

Review by Fenris

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7242 5912

Been here a few times. Every visit the staff have been friendly and polite and the food has been excellent. From sandwiches to snacks, it's been very good. It's now my main sandwich bar when I'm in that part of London.Been here a few times. Every visit the staff have been friendly and polite and the food has been excellent. From sandwiches to snacks, it's been very good. It's now my main sandwich bar when I'm in that part of London.

Cafe Rive Gauche - Fay Maschler has only gone⬦ by bellaphon

bellaphon — Thu, 18 Sep 2008 18:34:01 +0000

Review by bellaphon

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7387 8232

Tags: cosy, cultured, quick bite

â¬¦and told all the Observer readers about this gem of a place. Although this French run cafÃ© is a popular spot for workers in Fitzrovia grabbing a sandwich as a takeaway, you can also dine in and sample the delightful salads and platters from the menu. The delicious omelettes made from organic eggs make a perfect lunch and the pÃ¢tisseries are simply too irresistible to ignore.

Two negative issues with this place, a 12.5% service charge is added to dinersâ¬" bill (itâ¬"s only a cafÃ© FGS!) and Iâ¬"m also sorry that the French still canâ¬"t make a decent cup of tea.
â¬¦and told all the Observer readers about this gem of a place. Although this French run cafÃ© is a popular spot for workers in Fitzrovia grabbing a sandwich as a takeaway, you can also dine in and sample the delightful salads and platters from the menu. The delicious omelettes made from organic eggs make a perfect lunch and the pÃ¢tisseries are simply too irresistible to ignore.

Two negative issues with this place, a 12.5% service charge is added to dinersâ¬" bill (itâ¬"s only a cafÃ© FGS!) and Iâ¬"m also sorry that the French still canâ¬"t make a decent cup of tea.

Wellcome Collection Cafe - Disappointing. by spacekadet

spacekadet — Sun, 07 Sep 2008 12:18:33 +0000

Review by spacekadet

Rating: 1.00

Tags: quick bite, quiet & relaxed, average brew

Sad to report that this place has gone downhill since it first opened. Staff are clueless. Food is average, overpriced, and meager. Last Saturday, salads looked like they'd been sitting out for while. Not tempting at all. The hummus wrap was fine. But at 5.50, it should have been way more special. My friend's pie said it came with salad; he got maybe 5 leaves. Oh yeah, and it was only 12:30 and they were out of most host savories. Apparently the coffee is OK and the space itself is nice and open. It's a shame the food is such a waste of money.

Sad to report that this place has gone downhill since it first opened. Staff are clueless. Food is average, overpriced, and meager. Last Saturday, salads looked like they'd been sitting out for while. Not tempting at all. The hummus wrap was fine. But at 5.50, it should have been way more special. My friend's pie said it came with salad; he got maybe 5 leaves. Oh yeah, and it was only 12:30 and they were out of most host savories. Apparently the coffee is OK and the space itself is nice and open. It's a shame the food is such a waste of money.

H T Harris - The BEST Sandwich Shop in London... FACT by RichardGreen

RichardGreen — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:06:29 +0000

Review by RichardGreen

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7636 4228

Tags: mediterranean, delicatessen, rare finds

Welcome to a hidden gem in Central London, the shop does not look anything special from the outside and with cafe's and sandwich shops all down this street you may never find it - Don't be distracted, stay focused and find HT Harris.

The owner, an Italian maffioso legend from Sisley has been making panini's since his mamma taught him how.

The food is fresh, the service is raw and the eating experience is simply divine. I warn you, a sandwich will last you the whole day.. they just never seem to end.

Treat Yourself to a HT Harris Special - Spicy Sausage Welcome to a hidden gem in Central London, the shop does not look anything special from the outside and with cafe's and sandwich shops all down this street you may never find it - Don't be distracted, stay focused and find HT Harris.

The owner, an Italian maffioso legend from Sisley has been making panini's since his mamma taught him how.

The food is fresh, the service is raw and the eating experience is simply divine. I warn you, a sandwich will last you the whole day.. they just never seem to end.

Treat Yourself to a HT Harris Special - Spicy Sausage

Saffron - That's good grub! by greedoe

greedoe — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:58:57 +0000

Review by greedoe

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7402 9992

Website: http://www.saffroncafe.com

Tags: lebanese, cosy, quick bite

This place comes rather recommended. The grub is traditional Lebanese and the atmosphere is cosy if not a tad cramped.

The mixed grill contained enough different meats from enough different species to be a manly enough feed.

The mixed meze is a nice dish too - you get 5 (small portions) different things off the menu for under Â£8. Have some falafel, hummus, chicken, rice and potatoes.

Good grub, good value and nicely filling. Can't wait to go back.This place comes rather recommended. The grub is traditional Lebanese and the atmosphere is cosy if not a tad cramped.

The mixed grill contained enough different meats from enough different species to be a manly enough feed.

The mixed meze is a nice dish too - you get 5 (small portions) different things off the menu for under Â£8. Have some falafel, hummus, chicken, rice and potatoes.

Good grub, good value and nicely filling. Can't wait to go back.

Blue River Cafe - Blue River Cafe by Nessa

Nessa — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 23:08:14 +0000

Review by Nessa

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7278 2261

Tags: cosy, good brew, top food

This is the place for all those locally who have just got up after a night of some serious clubbinâ¬" . Their fry ups are hefty, and lets just say that they are not stingy with their portions. Good cafÃ© food, their fry upâ¬"s are intensely satisfying, and sometimes a good traditional twist is on their specials menu occasionally brings me to order take aways on top of what Iâ¬"ve had already. I had the most amazing falafel I have ever tasted in this very shop. Also, their garlic chicken is Delicious! Iâ¬"ve tried it myself but it never quite tastes the same lol. The service is lovely, gives off a comfortable unprofessional vibe, but they defo know what theyâ¬"re doing.
They are more than reasonably price, and I have never been unsatisfied with their service. My only complaint is that I find that theyâ¬"re sometimes to full for me to be seated. This is the place for all those locally who have just got up after a night of some serious clubbinâ¬" . Their fry ups are hefty, and lets just say that they are not stingy with their portions. Good cafÃ© food, their fry upâ¬"s are intensely satisfying, and sometimes a good traditional twist is on their specials menu occasionally brings me to order take aways on top of what Iâ¬"ve had already. I had the most amazing falafel I have ever tasted in this very shop. Also, their garlic chicken is Delicious! Iâ¬"ve tried it myself but it never quite tastes the same lol. The service is lovely, gives off a comfortable unprofessional vibe, but they defo know what theyâ¬"re doing.
They are more than reasonably price, and I have never been unsatisfied with their service. My only complaint is that I find that theyâ¬"re sometimes to full for me to be seated.

Italia Uno - Little Italy on Charlotte Stret by JehonaGjurgjeala

JehonaGjurgjeala — Sun, 19 Aug 2007 22:44:40 +0000

Review by JehonaGjurgjeala

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7637 5326

Tags: cosy, lively, great food

If you are a fan of italian football or fancy a hearty italian welcome with a sandwich to match - Italia Uno will not dissapoint. This small and friendly cafe has had the same owner since I have known about it (about 8 years now). Althought the cafe does not do any warm meals to order, it does some of the best breakfast and sandwiches in town. There is not much else to it really - just simple, excellent italian nosh.If you are a fan of italian football or fancy a hearty italian welcome with a sandwich to match - Italia Uno will not dissapoint. This small and friendly cafe has had the same owner since I have known about it (about 8 years now). Althought the cafe does not do any warm meals to order, it does some of the best breakfast and sandwiches in town. There is not much else to it really - just simple, excellent italian nosh.

Costa - It's just a Costa, but I think I like it by LondonistMatt

LondonistMatt — Wed, 04 Jul 2007 18:44:55 +0000

Review by LondonistMatt

Rating: 3.00

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

Tags: cosy, quick bite, good brew

26-30 York Way? What, three whole buildings' worth of Costa? Well, it doesn't seem so big once through the doors. This place has the nice cozy feel of a community caff, rare in a chain.

They have a guest book. (Is this a Costa norm?) Someone hearts Rosa. Another person adores Luigi. A third customer was lost for words and simply left a coffee stain by way of feedback. At least I hope it was a coffee stain.

The branch is right in the middle of the 'Regents Quarter' - a major regeneration of derelict victorian warehousing and goods yards. Fans of loud drilling and buzz-saw duets will delight in the frequent aural intrusions from adjoining buildings. It's the closest experience I've yet had to dining on a construction site - one of my life's ambitions. (See also visiting my first Ikea, and getting the point of Bob Dylan.)

I had a mocha Flake, which I discovered is actually a mocha with two Flakes. Bad naming there.

OK, maybe on reflection it was a mocha with one Flake, but broken into two Flake moieites. I guess that's not so easy to fit on the menu board.

I also bought an egg sandwich (there's that streak of ambition shining through again). Which, in fact, was two egg sandwiches, and we enter the same argument about labelling as previously.

The cafe is not geared up for reading magazines printed on glossy paper. Bright overhead lights caused me all kinds of reflected inconvenience as I attempted to read an article on Cocknies in Time Out.

I didn't leave a message in the guest book. Instead, I left behind a book about graffiti. On purpose. I'm moving flat in a week or two and am trying to get rid of as many books as possible. It's quite thrilling, leaving things behind and sneaking away before a helpful neighbour tries to tell you you've left something. I just have to make sure I don't extend the habit to suitcases or fire extinguishers.

26-30 York Way? What, three whole buildings' worth of Costa? Well, it doesn't seem so big once through the doors. This place has the nice cozy feel of a community caff, rare in a chain.

They have a guest book. (Is this a Costa norm?) Someone hearts Rosa. Another person adores Luigi. A third customer was lost for words and simply left a coffee stain by way of feedback. At least I hope it was a coffee stain.

The branch is right in the middle of the 'Regents Quarter' - a major regeneration of derelict victorian warehousing and goods yards. Fans of loud drilling and buzz-saw duets will delight in the frequent aural intrusions from adjoining buildings. It's the closest experience I've yet had to dining on a construction site - one of my life's ambitions. (See also visiting my first Ikea, and getting the point of Bob Dylan.)

I had a mocha Flake, which I discovered is actually a mocha with two Flakes. Bad naming there.

OK, maybe on reflection it was a mocha with one Flake, but broken into two Flake moieites. I guess that's not so easy to fit on the menu board.

I also bought an egg sandwich (there's that streak of ambition shining through again). Which, in fact, was two egg sandwiches, and we enter the same argument about labelling as previously.

The cafe is not geared up for reading magazines printed on glossy paper. Bright overhead lights caused me all kinds of reflected inconvenience as I attempted to read an article on Cocknies in Time Out.

I didn't leave a message in the guest book. Instead, I left behind a book about graffiti. On purpose. I'm moving flat in a week or two and am trying to get rid of as many books as possible. It's quite thrilling, leaving things behind and sneaking away before a helpful neighbour tries to tell you you've left something. I just have to make sure I don't extend the habit to suitcases or fire extinguishers.