Cafe Del Ray

Cozy Café with Top-notch Service

Walking into Cafe Del Ray is akin to receiving a warm embrace from an old friend who, unlike your grandmother, doesn’t feel the need to criticize your life choices. Nestled in the unusually temperate paradise of Putney, it’s a charming oasis that invites you to sidle up with your laptop or your favorite aunt and pretend you’re far more cosmopolitan than you really are. The atmosphere whispers 'stay awhile', becoming the Cheshire cat grin at the heart of London’s café culture—a place where frothy oat lattes kiss lips delicately while you sit by the sun-drenched terrace, soaking in the bohemian river breeze.

Though the coffee itself could start international negotiations, it’s the consistently convivial staff that tempt you to burn even more holes in your wallet with each return visit. Whether it’s a vegetarian full English breakfast you crave or the sweet salvation found in their heartwarming pastéis de nata, the culinary offerings promise satisfaction without a whiff of pretension. This café offers an enticing reminder that joyfully filling oneself with pasta doesn’t need to come with calorie-counting shame, nor does it require a travel bag—and definitely not at these sensible prices. After repeated visits, I find myself wondering why I ever bothered with any other café. Maybe I’ll move in and finally make peace with my caffeine addiction. — Penelope Savory