Christoff.ai

Café Deco

restaurants•
London
London

Café Deco

43 Store St, London WC1E 7DB, United Kingdom

Interactive map
Christoff

Christoff's Take

Insider review

Tucked away on quiet Store Street, just steps from the British Museum, Café Deco proves that Bloomsbury's dining scene extends well beyond tourist traps. This intimate bistro has earned its 4.8/5 OpenTable rating through a winning combination of seasonal British plates, natural wines, and that increasingly rare commodity in London dining: genuine neighbourhood warmth.

Café Deco: Bloomsbury's Candle-Lit Natural Wine Haven

A 30-seat neighbourhood gem where 1930s charm meets modern European finesse

My Honest Review

Atmosphere & Ambiance

Step into Café Deco and you're immediately transported to a more civilised era of dining. The curved salmon-pink bar and pastel tiling create a distinctly 1930s vintage charm, whilst yellow candlelight bathes the compact space in an intimate glow. With just 30 seats, the atmosphere buzzes with murmuring voices rather than clattering chaos - think dinner party energy rather than restaurant rush. The candle-lit tables foster conversation, making it equally welcoming for solo diners nursing a glass of natural wine as it is for couples seeking that perfect date night spot. The sophistication level sits comfortably at 6.5/10 - refined without being stuffy, intimate without being precious. Yes, you'll be elbow-to-elbow with fellow diners, but somehow the vintage charm and unhurried pace make this feel cosy rather than cramped.

Food & Drink

The weekly-changing menu showcases what modern European cuisine should be: seasonal British produce treated with respect and imagination. Dishes like salt-cod brandade toast and pigeon broth demonstrate the kitchen's commitment to both tradition and innovation, whilst hearty offerings like chicken & bacon pie and rabbit pie satisfy without overwhelming. The dessert selection, featuring banoffee pie and rhubarb jelly with ice cream, strikes that perfect balance between comfort and sophistication. What sets Café Deco apart is the perfect seasoning mentioned in reviews - clearly a kitchen that understands restraint and flavour balance. The menu accommodates dietary requirements with vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, though specifics aren't detailed. The weekly changes ensure regulars always have something new to discover, reinforcing its neighbourhood gem status.

Service & Experience

The service at Café Deco embodies the best of neighbourhood hospitality - staff personally serve dishes, creating that coveted dinner party atmosphere where you feel genuinely looked after rather than merely processed. The approach is relaxed and friendly, matching the unhurried dining philosophy that permeates the space. This isn't the kind of place where servers hover or rush you through courses; instead, they seem to understand that good food and natural wine deserve proper time and attention. The personal touch in service delivery clearly contributes to the venue's impressive rating and reinforces its reputation as a place where regulars feel at home.

Value for Money

With a price level of 3/4, Café Deco positions itself in that sweet spot of affordable luxury for Bloomsbury. The set lunch around £25 represents genuine value in an area where tourist prices often dominate, whilst natural wines starting at £6 per glass make quality drinking accessible rather than prohibitive. The £20 corkage fee for premium selections seems reasonable for those wanting to bring something special. Given the quality of ingredients, perfect seasoning, and intimate atmosphere, the pricing feels justified rather than opportunistic. For a neighbourhood restaurant steps from the British Museum, it manages to offer special occasion worthy dining without the premium location surcharge you'd expect.

Insider Tips

Best Time to Visit

Arrive at 5:30pm sharp for the best chance at bar counter seats - perfect for solo diners or wine enthusiasts wanting to chat with staff. The lunch service (12pm-2:30pm, Monday-Friday) offers better value with the set menu, whilst dinner (5:30pm-9:30pm) provides the full candle-lit experience. Early closing times mean this isn't for late-night dining.

What to Focus On

Focus on the weekly-changing seasonal specials and don't miss the natural wine selection from small producers. The salt-cod brandade toast and pigeon broth showcase the kitchen's technical skills, whilst the pies demonstrate their comfort food mastery. For dessert, the banoffee pie seems to be a house favourite.

Christoff's Insider Tips

Book ahead despite the neighbourhood feel - 30 seats fill quickly, especially for dinner serviceThe curved salmon-pink bar offers the best solo dining experience and wine tasting opportunitiesCheck their Instagram @cafe_deco for weekly menu updates before visiting

The Final Verdict

Café Deco succeeds where many neighbourhood restaurants fail - it's simultaneously special occasion worthy and genuinely welcoming for regular dining. The combination of 1930s vintage charm, expertly prepared seasonal British cuisine, and accessible natural wines creates something increasingly rare in London: a restaurant that feels both sophisticated and unpretentious. Yes, the 30-seat capacity means intimate can occasionally feel cramped, and early closing times limit flexibility, but these minor constraints pale against the genuine warmth and consistent quality on offer. The 4.8/5 rating isn't inflated enthusiasm - it's earned through attention to detail, from perfect seasoning to personal service.

Christoff's Rating:
8.2/10

Perfect For:

Natural wine enthusiasts seeking accessible qualitySolo diners wanting neighbourhood warmth without compromiseCouples seeking intimate date nights away from tourist crowds

Quick Details

1

Café Deco

📻 Vintage charm
⭐️ Intimate bistro
⭐️ Bloomsbury gem
⭐️ Candle lit
🍽️ Dinner party vibes

Tucked away on quiet Store Street in Bloomsbury, Café Deco captures the essence of 1930s Parisian wine culture with its curved salmon-pink bar and vintage charm. The intimate 30-seat space creates that perfect dinner party energy where candlelight flickers off pastel tiles and conversations flow as freely as the natural wines from small producers. Their weekly changing menu of simple, elegant dishes like salt-cod brandade and rabbit pie showcases seasonal British produce designed to complement rather than overshadow their carefully curated wine selection. Staff personally serve dishes, creating an intimacy that's rare in London dining.

What's Great

✓ Perfect 1930s vintage atmosphere

✓ Staff personally serve dishes creating intimate energy

Keep in Mind

× Only 30 seats means you'll be dining elbow-to-elbow with strangers

Christoff

Christoff's Tip:

Arrive at 5:30pm for bar counter seats - perfect for solo dining and wine tasting

Vibe check scores

Trendiness
Sophistication
Noise Level
Uniqueness

Venue details

🕐"Mon-Fri: 12pm-2:30pm, 5:30pm-9:30pm"
📍43 Store St, London WC1E 7DB, United Kingdom
💷££££
📞+44 20 7637 5006
🌐Website

Featured In My Guides

Café Deco has been featured in 1 of my curated guides. Here's where you can find more context and discover similar spots.

Natural Wine London: Underground Spots Where Sommeliers Drink 2025 reference image

Natural Wine London: Underground Spots Where Sommeliers Drink 2025

restaurants in london•
Aug 23, 2025
← More restaurants in London← Explore all of London