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

Sacred Cafe - Great coffee a few steps from Regent St by pinotlover

pinotlover — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 22:22:26 +0000

Review by pinotlover

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7734 1415

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

Why have Italians not discovered the flat white? This is the best way possible to do coffee with milk - a shot of espresso topped with textured, not frothed, milk.
Friendy service from mainly Kiwi staff and cosy ambience especially in the basement. For something different try the lolly cake... crushed malt biscuits and marshmallows bound together with butter and condensed milk and rolled in dried coconut. (tastes better than it sounds). Another Kiwi invention apparently.Why have Italians not discovered the flat white? This is the best way possible to do coffee with milk - a shot of espresso topped with textured, not frothed, milk.
Friendy service from mainly Kiwi staff and cosy ambience especially in the basement. For something different try the lolly cake... crushed malt biscuits and marshmallows bound together with butter and condensed milk and rolled in dried coconut. (tastes better than it sounds). Another Kiwi invention apparently.

Cafe Soho - Best value lunches in Soho? by lowjohnny

lowjohnny — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 15:15:07 +0000

Review by lowjohnny

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7287 8572

Tags: cosy, european, quick bite

I work in the area and have pretty much eaten here every day for almost a year, which is very unusual considering my attention span for most things.

Cafe Soho is not exactly in a prime location for walk by traffic, so I'd imagine they rely heavily on word of mouth to drum up business.

The sandwiches are to die for, and the daily hot food specials are very tasty with generous servings.

My personal favourites would be the Ground Beef Burger (low carb) and Roast Beef Special sandwich.

Yes, I like my meat, so much so that they call me "more meat boy" because I generally order everything with extra meat for a mere Â£1 more.I work in the area and have pretty much eaten here every day for almost a year, which is very unusual considering my attention span for most things.

Cafe Soho is not exactly in a prime location for walk by traffic, so I'd imagine they rely heavily on word of mouth to drum up business.

The sandwiches are to die for, and the daily hot food specials are very tasty with generous servings.

My personal favourites would be the Ground Beef Burger (low carb) and Roast Beef Special sandwich.

Yes, I like my meat, so much so that they call me "more meat boy" because I generally order everything with extra meat for a mere Â£1 more.

Zilli Cafe - Dinner quality at lunch prices by emmanx

emmanx — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:55:16 +0000

Review by emmanx

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7287 9233

Website: http://www.zillialdo.com

Tags: italian, cultured, lively

I happen to be lucky enough to work just around the corner from Zilli cafe. Anytime I'm in the mood for some tasty comfort food without the nasty pools of butter usually found at your local cafe, I head into Zilli to pick up whatever Italianesque my heart fancies.

My last meal at Zilli Cafe consisted of a blackened fillet of salmon with roasted carrots and freshly-made mash only for £7, well worth the £2 extra since lunch in Soho is at least a fiver. For the more budget conscious, Zilli's paninis are only about £3.50 and have a variety of combinations, roast vegetables rocket and mozzarella is my fav. Not to mention the endless trays of fresh pasta ready to for flash boiling and dumped into your favourite sauce...

Not to be underestimated, Zilli Cafe also serves a mean cup of coffee, similar to what you get in Rome. Give it a go, you'll be glad you did. Some outdoor seating in the summer too!I happen to be lucky enough to work just around the corner from Zilli cafe. Anytime I'm in the mood for some tasty comfort food without the nasty pools of butter usually found at your local cafe, I head into Zilli to pick up whatever Italianesque my heart fancies.

My last meal at Zilli Cafe consisted of a blackened fillet of salmon with roasted carrots and freshly-made mash only for £7, well worth the £2 extra since lunch in Soho is at least a fiver. For the more budget conscious, Zilli's paninis are only about £3.50 and have a variety of combinations, roast vegetables rocket and mozzarella is my fav. Not to mention the endless trays of fresh pasta ready to for flash boiling and dumped into your favourite sauce...

Not to be underestimated, Zilli Cafe also serves a mean cup of coffee, similar to what you get in Rome. Give it a go, you'll be glad you did. Some outdoor seating in the summer too!

Le Pain Quotidien - if you have time by foodrambler

foodrambler — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 01:29:03 +0000

Review by foodrambler

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 020 7486 6154

Website: http://www.painquotidien.com/

Tags: cosy, lively, brasserie

Light and spacious with pine scrubbed tables, this is like walking into heaven after the scrum on Oxford Street. They do hearty salads around the Â£10 mark and nice wine - perfect for a lazy lunch, but not great if you're planning a quick stop, as they seem a little understaffed.Light and spacious with pine scrubbed tables, this is like walking into heaven after the scrum on Oxford Street. They do hearty salads around the Â£10 mark and nice wine - perfect for a lazy lunch, but not great if you're planning a quick stop, as they seem a little understaffed.

Cotton Cafe - ATTN: Breastfeeding ladies... Go elsewhere. by pips

pips — Thu, 04 Dec 2008 14:57:27 +0000

Review by pips

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 02072873200

Tags: quick bite, breakfast, cafe

Cotton Cafe is the same, standard kind of sandwich bar that you find all over London. It serves baked potatoes, sandwiches, breakfasts etc and you'd probably only go there because it's the closest option - there isn't any other reason to.

I popped into the Cotton Cafe today for a baked potato with cheese and beans. It was okay.... Not earth-shatteringly, brilliant, not awful, just okay... Actually, if anything, it was a bit soggy. Go to Caffe Tosca instead, folks.

What was absolutely NOT fine about the Cotton Cafe, and is the reason that I will never set foot in the place again, was hearing a young woman who, in a cafe containing just TWO other people (aside from her partner and their baby), was loudly berated by the man behind the counter for having the audacity to very discreetly, breastfeed her 2 month old.

Various excuses were made by him for his revolting behaviour including the gems: "this is a place for eating"
Uh, hello? What did you eat when you were an infant, mate? I'm pretty sure that it wasn't cheese and beans on a spud.

The lady breastfeeding rightly pointed out that she couldn't go outside to do it (genuine arctic winds today) and that the child would scream if left unfed. She was then told that she'd have to leave!
Justifiably angry, she asked for her money back and was told "you've drunk two coffees". But she had not drunk two coffees. She hadn't had a *chance* to take more than a sip before being told that she'd have to leave. She finally got her money back by going ballistic (and bloody good for her too), but the refund was most unwillingly given.

I finally got my baked potato at this time and left just as they did. On the way out, I noticed that a customer was sitting reading a copy of the Sun. I'll stake my life that the boobs in *that* are okay.

So horrible. So unnecessary.

Cotton Cafe = FAIL.Cotton Cafe is the same, standard kind of sandwich bar that you find all over London. It serves baked potatoes, sandwiches, breakfasts etc and you'd probably only go there because it's the closest option - there isn't any other reason to.

I popped into the Cotton Cafe today for a baked potato with cheese and beans. It was okay.... Not earth-shatteringly, brilliant, not awful, just okay... Actually, if anything, it was a bit soggy. Go to Caffe Tosca instead, folks.

What was absolutely NOT fine about the Cotton Cafe, and is the reason that I will never set foot in the place again, was hearing a young woman who, in a cafe containing just TWO other people (aside from her partner and their baby), was loudly berated by the man behind the counter for having the audacity to very discreetly, breastfeed her 2 month old.

Various excuses were made by him for his revolting behaviour including the gems: "this is a place for eating"
Uh, hello? What did you eat when you were an infant, mate? I'm pretty sure that it wasn't cheese and beans on a spud.

The lady breastfeeding rightly pointed out that she couldn't go outside to do it (genuine arctic winds today) and that the child would scream if left unfed. She was then told that she'd have to leave!
Justifiably angry, she asked for her money back and was told "you've drunk two coffees". But she had not drunk two coffees. She hadn't had a *chance* to take more than a sip before being told that she'd have to leave. She finally got her money back by going ballistic (and bloody good for her too), but the refund was most unwillingly given.

I finally got my baked potato at this time and left just as they did. On the way out, I noticed that a customer was sitting reading a copy of the Sun. I'll stake my life that the boobs in *that* are okay.

So horrible. So unnecessary.

Cotton Cafe = FAIL.

Morris Of Bond Street - Morris Of Bond Street by adriano13

adriano13 — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 20:02:43 +0000

Review by adriano13

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 6930

Tags: cosy, quiet & relaxed, amazing brew

Outstanding service, with a wide range of food and drink. Cleverly secluded just of New Bond Street.Outstanding service, with a wide range of food and drink. Cleverly secluded just of New Bond Street.

Piggy's - Pig out at Piggy's by Boomshanka

Boomshanka — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 13:59:14 +0000

Review by Boomshanka

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7734 0821

Tags: lively, quick bite, terrace

A great little sandwich shop and deli for a quick tasty lunch, and when I say little, I mean little!

Get there just before 1pm if you want one of the few seats available, and enjoy any one of their carefully selected house salads or ciabattas.

The staff are quick, efficient and polite, it's a regular stop of mine when working in the area, and easily the best I've found.A great little sandwich shop and deli for a quick tasty lunch, and when I say little, I mean little!

Get there just before 1pm if you want one of the few seats available, and enjoy any one of their carefully selected house salads or ciabattas.

The staff are quick, efficient and polite, it's a regular stop of mine when working in the area, and easily the best I've found.

Starbucks Coffee - Good quality coffee by pindulgence

pindulgence — Sun, 14 Sep 2008 16:04:22 +0000

Review by pindulgence

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7287 9441

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

Tags: cosy, american, quick bite

As a coffee shop chain, i like Starbucks probably the most of all. However, thats not to say its perfect. As a chain you know exactly what to expect when you step through the door, you know the types of coffee they sell, and you know what types of food as well. Incidentally, the cakes they have taste fabulous but are a little expensive. The sandwiches are also good on the whole, but occasionally a little stale - i don't know how long they keep them on sale for?! I love the fact that the large coffees come in a huge mug! The larger coffees are actually too heavy for me though! Prices are a little more expensive than other coffee shops!As a coffee shop chain, i like Starbucks probably the most of all. However, thats not to say its perfect. As a chain you know exactly what to expect when you step through the door, you know the types of coffee they sell, and you know what types of food as well. Incidentally, the cakes they have taste fabulous but are a little expensive. The sandwiches are also good on the whole, but occasionally a little stale - i don't know how long they keep them on sale for?! I love the fact that the large coffees come in a huge mug! The larger coffees are actually too heavy for me though! Prices are a little more expensive than other coffee shops!

Postcard Teas - Gorgeous Infusions by expired2008

expired2008 — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 23:03:58 +0000

Review by expired2008

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7629 3654

Tags: amazing brew, cosy, quick bite

Don't expect your usual tetleys or PG tips to be served here, this is a proper tea shop with a wide range of infusions that will intoxicate your senses! The price is really cheap, just Â£1.50, but the taste sensation is so much more.

Food is the same price but absolutely delicious, you just can;t go wrong!

Service is also amazingly friendly, with a smile which nowadays is a rarity! They are quick to serve you and never quick to get rid of you.

As already mentioned in an earlier review, its not a large teashop and youâ¬"ll be sitting next to strangers, but it seems to work so just go with it!

Definitely recommended
Don't expect your usual tetleys or PG tips to be served here, this is a proper tea shop with a wide range of infusions that will intoxicate your senses! The price is really cheap, just Â£1.50, but the taste sensation is so much more.

Food is the same price but absolutely delicious, you just can;t go wrong!

Service is also amazingly friendly, with a smile which nowadays is a rarity! They are quick to serve you and never quick to get rid of you.

As already mentioned in an earlier review, its not a large teashop and youâ¬"ll be sitting next to strangers, but it seems to work so just go with it!

Definitely recommended

The English Tea Room at Brown's Hotel - beautiful venue by beckyfox

beckyfox — Wed, 03 Sep 2008 15:02:53 +0000

Review by beckyfox

Rating: 5.00

Phone: 020 7518 4155

Website: http://www.brownshotel.com

Tags: restaurant, wi-fi, quiet & relaxed

Went to Brown's after a very long lunch at the ritz. it is a beautiful hotel the english tea room is very cosy in design with lovely seating areas and fires roaring. the food here is very delicious!! the staff were friendly and the atmosphere was great. would def go back and reccommend it to anyone who wants to have a great afternoon. Very good location only ten mins from green park tube station. very good venue for a nice drink with friends. i took my mum there for drinks and she loved it. she couldn't stop talking about it for ages.Went to Brown's after a very long lunch at the ritz. it is a beautiful hotel the english tea room is very cosy in design with lovely seating areas and fires roaring. the food here is very delicious!! the staff were friendly and the atmosphere was great. would def go back and reccommend it to anyone who wants to have a great afternoon. Very good location only ten mins from green park tube station. very good venue for a nice drink with friends. i took my mum there for drinks and she loved it. she couldn't stop talking about it for ages.

Nordic Bakery - Chilled out Scandinavian coffee and cake by Izabel_blue

Izabel_blue — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 19:45:57 +0000

Review by Izabel_blue

Rating: 4.00

Tags: quick bite, good brew, quiet & relaxed

Great coffee and good pastries (especially the super sticky delicious cinnamon buns - as mentioned before) served in a pleasingly scandi - retro surrounds. Note the 70s style wall hanging!Great coffee and good pastries (especially the super sticky delicious cinnamon buns - as mentioned before) served in a pleasingly scandi - retro surrounds. Note the 70s style wall hanging!

La Strada - Oooh I miss you my cherished local by walid

walid — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 17:59:45 +0000

Review by walid

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7499 2027

Tags: european, friendly, quick bite

For 2 years I worked in Berkeley Square and would come to la Strada on a near daily basis. Was it for the friendliness of the staff, was it for the proximity to my work? Definitely yes to all of these questions. But over the first few months of going there and ordering my favourite, chicken escallop with roasted vegetables and cheese on a ciabata or focacia bread, they adapted an already great sandwich into a perfect one. What makes a great chicken escallop sandwich? Well first of all you need a good quality real chunky sized chicken breast that has been flattened into an escallop. Add to that fried peppers, aubergines, and courgettes. Then add some mozzarella cheese, put it all together in a ciabata or focacia bread and there you've got a picture of that sandwich above. Just writing this review makes me hungry. What are you waiting for, go to Landsowne Row and ask for the best chicken escallop sandwich in Mayfair.For 2 years I worked in Berkeley Square and would come to la Strada on a near daily basis. Was it for the friendliness of the staff, was it for the proximity to my work? Definitely yes to all of these questions. But over the first few months of going there and ordering my favourite, chicken escallop with roasted vegetables and cheese on a ciabata or focacia bread, they adapted an already great sandwich into a perfect one. What makes a great chicken escallop sandwich? Well first of all you need a good quality real chunky sized chicken breast that has been flattened into an escallop. Add to that fried peppers, aubergines, and courgettes. Then add some mozzarella cheese, put it all together in a ciabata or focacia bread and there you've got a picture of that sandwich above. Just writing this review makes me hungry. What are you waiting for, go to Landsowne Row and ask for the best chicken escallop sandwich in Mayfair.

Cibo Cafe in Mamas & Papas - Oasis for pregnant ladies by walid

walid — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 18:39:07 +0000

Review by walid

Rating: 3.00

Phone: 0845 268 2000

Website: http://tinyurl.com/2v58gv

Tags: comfortable, trendy, good value

What an interesting day this was, learned a lot about all the pleasures and challenges pregnant ladies have. On this particular day I was accompanying one of my best friends who is expecting her first born in a few weeks. So going from shop to shop looking for the odd set of baby equipment/cloth/..etc we came to Mamas & Papas looking at pushchairs. My friend, also a coffee lover, needed a rest and on the first floor of Mamas & Papas is Cibo Cafe that looks both stylish and comfy with its large pictures of babies.

The service was friendly whilst the food was so so. I had the Tiramisu, see picture, which unfortunately lacked in taste, had too much chocolate powder on top but at least it had a pleasant consistency. The coffee was acceptable but nothing incredible. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're not expecting a baby, but if you're it is a comfortable and peaceful little place.

Now I probably won't find myself returning to this particular cafe unless if one of my friends is also on the road to getting pregnant or perhaps.... ;-)What an interesting day this was, learned a lot about all the pleasures and challenges pregnant ladies have. On this particular day I was accompanying one of my best friends who is expecting her first born in a few weeks. So going from shop to shop looking for the odd set of baby equipment/cloth/..etc we came to Mamas & Papas looking at pushchairs. My friend, also a coffee lover, needed a rest and on the first floor of Mamas & Papas is Cibo Cafe that looks both stylish and comfy with its large pictures of babies.

The service was friendly whilst the food was so so. I had the Tiramisu, see picture, which unfortunately lacked in taste, had too much chocolate powder on top but at least it had a pleasant consistency. The coffee was acceptable but nothing incredible. I wouldn't recommend this place if you're not expecting a baby, but if you're it is a comfortable and peaceful little place.

Now I probably won't find myself returning to this particular cafe unless if one of my friends is also on the road to getting pregnant or perhaps.... ;-)

Starbucks Coffee - Why? by ONscotland

ONscotland — Mon, 10 Dec 2007 01:25:09 +0000

Review by ONscotland

Rating: 1.00

Phone: 020 7629 4911

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

Tags: quick bite, takeaway, patisserie

Expensive Coffee. Tick.
Pricey Sandwiches. Tick.
Toasted sandwiches. Tick.
Cookies. Tick.
Big cakes. Tick.

If there's one thing Starbucks has, it's the formula.
Take an average blend of coffee, take some fair-to-middling food and some ultra sweet cakes, find yourself a wide range of unique shops and kit them all out identically (variety is SO over-rated) and serve to the public. Enjoy.

I am not a fan of Starbucks, but have been known to find myself in one of their awful identikit cafes, and while I have found the staff to be generally very good (they should be, Starbucks is in the Top 50 Best Places To Work league), the whole experience has the heart and soul of a production line. From the careful choice of where the sofas, chairs and tables are placed, to the overbearing and terribly insincere leaflets on display ("We are so good to our farmers, and here's why" etc. etc. ), Starbucks is the place that doesn't dare to be different.

As you're reading Trusted Places, then trust me, you can do better than this.Expensive Coffee. Tick.
Pricey Sandwiches. Tick.
Toasted sandwiches. Tick.
Cookies. Tick.
Big cakes. Tick.

If there's one thing Starbucks has, it's the formula.
Take an average blend of coffee, take some fair-to-middling food and some ultra sweet cakes, find yourself a wide range of unique shops and kit them all out identically (variety is SO over-rated) and serve to the public. Enjoy.

I am not a fan of Starbucks, but have been known to find myself in one of their awful identikit cafes, and while I have found the staff to be generally very good (they should be, Starbucks is in the Top 50 Best Places To Work league), the whole experience has the heart and soul of a production line. From the careful choice of where the sofas, chairs and tables are placed, to the overbearing and terribly insincere leaflets on display ("We are so good to our farmers, and here's why" etc. etc. ), Starbucks is the place that doesn't dare to be different.

As you're reading Trusted Places, then trust me, you can do better than this.

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.

Il Pan D'oro - A good find by TheMoth

TheMoth — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 16:03:58 +0000

Review by TheMoth

Rating: 4.00

Phone: 020 7629 6879

Tags: european, quick bite, terrace

While waiting for the shops in the Oxford/Regent Street area to open, we happened upon this little coffee shop and decided to while away some time sitting at one of the tables outside the front while drinking coffee.

And I'm rather glad we did, this was a very nice place to stop. Service was quick and put us at our ease - we didn't feel rushed, but within a few seconds of setting foot in the place we had given our order and been invited to sit outside. It can't have been much longer before the coffee itself was in front of us.

Excellent cappuccinos, dark, creamy and frothy, perfect for breakfast. While we sat down, several people popped in to buy lunch - we didn't try the sandwiches, but judging by the little shop's popularity it wouldn't have been a mistake to do so.While waiting for the shops in the Oxford/Regent Street area to open, we happened upon this little coffee shop and decided to while away some time sitting at one of the tables outside the front while drinking coffee.

And I'm rather glad we did, this was a very nice place to stop. Service was quick and put us at our ease - we didn't feel rushed, but within a few seconds of setting foot in the place we had given our order and been invited to sit outside. It can't have been much longer before the coffee itself was in front of us.

Excellent cappuccinos, dark, creamy and frothy, perfect for breakfast. While we sat down, several people popped in to buy lunch - we didn't try the sandwiches, but judging by the little shop's popularity it wouldn't have been a mistake to do so.