Dillons Cafe at Waterstones Gower Street Review - london Cafés and bakeries | Christoff

Europe's Largest Bookshop Café: A Literary Haven with Vegan Treats

Where Franco-Gothic architecture meets student sanctuary vibes

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The Franco-Gothic architecture immediately sets this place apart from your typical high street café. Operating within a library-like atmosphere, the space successfully blends café culture with genuine literary vibes - you're literally surrounded by books, after all. The energy level sits comfortably at a calm 3.5 out of 10, creating that studious, chilled vibe that students gravitate towards. What's particularly clever is how the café extends beyond its designated area - when the main space fills up, patrons naturally spill into the bookshop's seating areas, creating an organic flow between coffee consumption and book browsing. The mix of old school chairs and bookshop seating gives it an authentic, slightly academic feel, though I must warn you that comfort isn't the strong suit here. The student-heavy crowd reinforces that study sanctuary atmosphere, though it can feel genuinely cramped during peak university term times.

Food & Drink

The menu focuses on café essentials rather than culinary ambition - coffee, tea, hot chocolate, and a selection of pastries including vegan brownies and maple pecan tarts. What genuinely impresses is their commitment to plant-based options, with oat and soya milk included at no extra charge - a refreshingly budget-conscious approach to vegan-friendly service that's rare in central London. However, the food offering skews heavily sweet, with limited savoury options beyond the basic pastries. The quality appears consistent with what you'd expect from a bookshop café rather than a destination dining experience. They also participate in Too Good To Go's magic bag deals, which adds an element of sustainability to their budget-friendly appeal.

Service & Experience

The friendly baristas operate a queue-based system designed for quick service, which suits the transient nature of the student clientele. The staff seem well-adapted to the unique challenges of running a café within a bookshop, managing the flow between different seating areas efficiently. However, the venue does face some operational challenges, particularly around cleanliness issues that have been noted by patrons. The service model is clearly designed for volume and efficiency rather than table service luxury, which aligns perfectly with the study spot positioning but might disappoint those expecting more attentive café service.

Value for Money

With a price level of 1 out of 4, this place delivers genuine value in an area where budget-friendly options are increasingly rare. The inclusion of plant-based milk alternatives at no extra charge is particularly noteworthy - a small detail that makes a real difference to the final bill. The Magic bag deals through Too Good To Go add another layer of affordability, making it accessible to the student demographic that clearly forms the core clientele. In the context of Bloomsbury's proximity to UCL and the British Museum, where café prices can be punishing, Dillons represents solid everyday affordability without compromising on the essentials like free WiFi and extended opening hours.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Queue at 8:30am opening for prime seating, especially during university term time when the student crowd can make the space feel genuinely cramped. Avoid peak afternoon hours if you're planning an extended study session. Weekend mornings tend to be less chaotic than weekday rushes.

What to Focus On

Go for the vegan brownies or maple pecan tarts to experience their plant-based commitment, paired with coffee using their complimentary oat or soya milk. The hot chocolate is also worth considering for longer study sessions.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The WiFi is excellent throughout the space, so you can camp with your laptop once you've secured any seatingWhen the main café fills up, head straight to the bookshop seating areas rather than queuing for a café tableDownload the Too Good To Go app for their magic bag deals - genuine savings on already budget-friendly pricing

The Final Verdict

Dillons Cafe succeeds brilliantly at what it sets out to be - a genuine study sanctuary with literary atmosphere and budget-conscious pricing. The vegan-friendly approach, free WiFi, and unique bookshop setting create something genuinely special in central London. However, comfort takes a backseat to character, and the cleanliness issues prevent it from achieving café perfection. The cramped conditions during peak times and limited savoury options also constrain its appeal. Still, for what it offers at this price point in Bloomsbury, it represents excellent value and a distinctive experience that you won't find replicated elsewhere.

Christoff's Rating:

7.2/10

Perfect For:

University students seeking affordable study spotsBook lovers wanting to combine browsing with caffeineBudget-conscious vegans in central London

Dillons Cafe at Waterstones Gower Street

Dillons Cafe at Waterstones Gower Street

Christoff's Take

Europe's Largest Bookshop Café: A Literary Haven with Vegan Treats

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Food & Drink

Service & Experience

Value for Money

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

What to Focus On

Christoff's Insider Tips

The Final Verdict

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Dillons Cafe at Waterstones Gower Street

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