Great British Cafes

The Great British Cafe (Caff) or Greasy Spoon as they are affectionately known is under threat from Continental Café Chains and American Coffee Bars. In fact in London, an average of six Classic Cafes per year are disappearing forever. It's time to pull together and remember that there is only one place to go for a Full English Breakfast, Egg and Chips and of course the Bacon Butty with HP Sauce.

They are very easy to spot by looking out for one or more of the following; fixed to the floor Formica tables and rigid plastic chairs, tomato ketchup in big plastic 'tomatoes' and the mandatory 'Pukka Pies' sign hanging outside the door.

Believe it or not, the actual design of these Cafes was considered contemporary and chic in the 1950s and 60s. In fact it was influx of Italian immigrants that provided this post-war fresh look, first in Clerkenwell (Little Italy), then Soho and then the rest of London and the UK.

Your mission (if you choose to accept it), is to use the information provided below to go out there, locate a Great British Cafe and enjoy real British (and Italian) food at very reasonable prices.

Good luck! Your Country Needs You!

LondonEats.com favourite Great British Cafes:


London - City

Butts - Farringdon, EC1

The Island Cafe - Barkingside, SE1

Copper Grill - Broadgate, EC2


London - Central

New Piccadilly Cafe - Piccadilly, W1

Remos - Mayfair, W1

Dante - Mayfair, W1

Silva's - Strand, WC2


London - North

London Cafe - Islington, N1

Best Cafe - Kentish Town, NW5

Ashfield Cafe - Southgate, NW14


London - South

Boiled Egg And Soldiers - Clapham Junction, SW11


London - East

Norman's Nosh Bar - Isle Of Dogs, E14

E Pellicci's - Bethnal Green, E2

Café Bliss - Kingsland, E8


London - West

Crocs - Fulham, SW6

Cafe Rest - Shepherd's Bush, W11

The Ritz - Hammersmith, W6

River Cafe - Fulham, SW6


Final Comment: Most of the above cafes are open from early morning, but close early evening. Please call them to check - but whatever you do, don't try and make a reservation for a table!

Are we missing your favourite cafe? Why not submit it to us to add to our database?


More: The LondonEats.com Top 10 London Pie and Mash Shops

More: The LondonEats.com Top 10 London Fish 'n' Chip Shops

More: Information and History on London's Classic Cafes