Cafe Anglais

Hidden Gem with Generous Portions and Service

On a drizzly Tuesday morning, I meandered into Cafe Anglais, tucked away behind a cavalcade of vibrant scaffolding in NW London—a curious sheen of color against the tapestry of London's grays. There’s something particularly heartwarming about uncovering an eatery of such unassuming charm that doesn’t just serve food but dishes out treasure. The breakfast here transported me to that elusive realm of culinary contentment: the Full English was a hearty array of sausages primped and preened next to sun-ripened tomatoes all on a bed of homecooked beans. Not to be outdone, the Eggs Florentine gleaming atop whisps of homemade hollandaise merited vigorous head-nods and wide, pleased grins. Indeed, this is a gem whose precise luster can only be appreciated with firsthand experience.

Yet, Cafe Anglais isn’t just about those midday meals you speak of in hushed, reverential tones days after—that altitude of affection was struck by the amiable staff. Tucked amidst an eclectic crowd, I overheard glimmers of laughter from the regulars, each sound resonating with a sense of camaraderie. Indeed, it warrants me say that notable smiles punctuate the excellent service as vividly as a chef tossing garnish on a Sunday roast. Ambiance, admittedly offset by the strip of OSB paneling and timber sprinkles evocative of a DIY escapade gone slightly wrong, couldn’t dilute the effervescence of good food and warm reception. While some may crease their brow at prices which ripple above average, the big-hearted portions for breakfast hold a firm argument against any critique. Café Anglais is a paradox wrapped in the allure of comfort—both polished and deliciously rough around the edges—and certainly worthy of your early risings, should breakfast matter deeply to you. — Milo Tastemaker