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The Cafe at Foyles

cafes and bakeries•
London
London

The Cafe at Foyles

107 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DT, United Kingdom

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Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Perched on the 5th floor of Foyles' flagship bookstore, this self-service café has carved out a reputation as one of London's most distinctive literary retreats. With its famous frittatas, temperamental Wi-Fi, and floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking Covent Garden, it's a space that promises much—but delivers with typical British complexity.

The Cafe at Foyles: London's Most Literary Lunch Break

Where bookworms meet barista coffee five floors above the Charing Cross Road chaos

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

The moment you step into this light-filled sanctuary, you're greeted by an unmistakably bookish energy that feels both bohemian and refreshingly nerdy. Battered wooden tables and leather seating create an authentically lived-in feel, while quirky typewriter-key décor adds just enough whimsy without tipping into twee territory. The wall-to-wall windows flood the space with natural light, making it prime real estate for people-watching the West End crowds below. Despite being a civilised refuge from the hustle outside, the venue operates with a busy-but-chill energy that can shift from contemplative to genuinely noisy depending on the time of day. The arty atmosphere strikes that sweet spot between Instagram-worthy aesthetic and genuine literary haven—though the 6.0 social group size score suggests you'll be sharing this discovery with plenty of others. It's the kind of space that feels both sophisticated and relaxed, earning its reputation as a proper bookish retreat in the heart of tourist central.

Food & Drink

The contemporary café fare here is solid if unremarkable, built around a self-service model that keeps things moving during busy periods. The menu centres on seasonal salads, generous frittatas (their genuine claim to fame), houmous focaccia, and vegan sandwich options, alongside daily soups that vary with the seasons. The homemade cakes deserve particular mention—especially the Jaffa cake, which has achieved something of a cult status and is often sold out by afternoon. Barista coffee and specialty teas round out the offering, hitting the expected standards for a venue of this calibre. The food feels thoughtfully curated rather than groundbreaking, with portions that some find modest for the price point. Everything tastes fresh and well-prepared, though you're not coming here for culinary innovation. The seasonal approach to salads shows some kitchen ambition, and the fact that certain items regularly sell out suggests they've found their groove with the regulars.

Service & Experience

Operating on a self-service model, the experience here is refreshingly straightforward—you queue, you order, you find your spot. The staff handle the constant flow with typical London efficiency, though the system can feel impersonal during peak periods. The venue clearly prioritises turnover during busy lunch periods, which works for quick coffee stops but can feel rushed if you're settling in for a longer session. The temperamental Wi-Fi situation is worth noting—while it's free, the constant drops make any serious remote work nearly impossible during busy periods, which rather undermines the laptop-friendly aspirations. Phone contact is available at +44 20 7440 3207, though this appears to be more for general enquiries than reservations, as the venue operates on a walk-in basis.

Value for Money

With a price level rated 1/4, this sits firmly in budget-friendly territory, though several reviews suggest the portions don't always justify even these modest prices. The mid-range pricing has drawn criticism from some quarters, with the 'overpriced for portion sizes' feedback being a recurring theme. However, you're paying for more than just the food here—the prime Covent Garden location, the unique literary atmosphere, and those spectacular windows all factor into the equation. For a quick coffee and cake, it feels reasonable; for a full meal, you might question the value proposition. The fact that it remains consistently popular despite pricing complaints suggests that many visitors find the overall experience worth the premium. Consider it less about pure food value and more about buying into a distinctly London literary experience.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Arrive at 10am for optimal lighting and the best chance at snagging their famous Jaffa cake before the lunch rush hits. The venue operates Monday-Saturday 9:30am-9:30pm and Sunday 12pm-6pm, with mid-morning offering the sweet spot between opening freshness and afternoon chaos. Avoid the 12-2pm lunch crush if you're planning to work or want a contemplative experience.

What to Focus On

The frittata is genuinely worth the reputation—generous portions and consistently well-executed. Pair it with their barista coffee and, if available, absolutely grab the Jaffa cake before it sells out. The seasonal salads offer good value if you're after something lighter, and the daily soup is worth asking about.

Christoff's Insider Tips

The Wi-Fi becomes increasingly unreliable as the space fills up—plan accordingly if you need reliable internet. The window seats offer the best people-watching but fill up fast. Since it's walk-in only with no reservations, have a backup plan during peak tourist seasons when queues can stretch considerably.

The Final Verdict

The Cafe at Foyles succeeds brilliantly at being exactly what it promises—a literary-themed refuge with genuine character and prime real estate views. The food is competent rather than exceptional, the pricing feels slightly steep for what you get, and the Wi-Fi situation is genuinely frustrating. But none of that seems to matter when you're settled into one of those window seats with a coffee and cake, watching London unfold below while surrounded by the gentle buzz of fellow book lovers. It's not perfect, but it's distinctly London in all the right ways.

Christoff's Rating:
7.2/10

Perfect For:

Book lovers seeking atmospheric study spotsTourists wanting authentic London café cultureAnyone needing a civilised break from West End shopping

Quick Details

1

The Cafe at Foyles

⭐️ Literary haven
🌺 Covent garden
⭐️ People watching
⭐️ Natural light

Light-filled literary haven perched on the 5th floor of London's iconic Foyles flagship bookstore serves contemporary café fare including seasonal salads, generous frittatas, vegan sandwiches, daily soups, and homemade cakes like their often-sold-out Jaffa cake. The self-service space features battered wooden tables, leather seating, and quirky typewriter-key décor creating an arty, bohemian atmosphere with nerdy buzz. Wall-to-wall windows provide prime Covent Garden people-watching opportunities while offering natural light therapy for studying. While Wi-Fi is free, it's notoriously temperamental during busy periods, making it perfect for casual meetings and people-watching rather than intensive remote work sessions.

What's Great

✓ Floor-to-ceiling windows offer prime Covent Garden people-watching

✓ Typewriter-key décor creates unique Instagram-worthy aesthetic

Keep in Mind

× Wi-Fi drops constantly making remote work nearly impossible during busy periods

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Arrive at 10am for optimal lighting and Jaffa cake availability before the lunch rush hits

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
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Venue details

🕐"Mon-Sat: 9:30am-9:30pm, Sun: 12pm-6pm"
📍107 Charing Cross Rd, London WC2H 0DT, United Kingdom
💷££
📞+44 20 7440 3207
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

The Cafe at Foyles has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

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