carpo glasshouse

£8 - £20 / Vegetarian options

10 Glasshouse St, London

Opening hours

8AM-9:30PM

Sunday 10AM-9:30PM
Monday 8AM-9PM
Tuesday 8AM-9PM
Wednesday 8AM-9PM
Thursday 8AM-9PM
Friday 8AM-9:30PM
Saturday 10AM-9:30PM

Ah, the tantalizing embrace of inconsistency. A trip to this Piccadilly newcomer serves as a culinary chameleon experience; you're never quite sure which hue you'll encounter. For starters, there lies an admirable opulence behind this establishment's facade—it’s no slouch when it comes to extravagant blends of textures and tastes. The very air seems sweetened by their cascade of artisan chocolates that, let’s be frank, fashion themselves as mere guilty accomplices to a steaming cup of Greek freddo cappuccino famed amidst reviews and quickly referred to as legendary. The interior, having undergone a fairly galactic transition from chocolate shop to elevated café, presents itself with clean lines and airy brightness, much in the vein of existential minimalism. Their caffeinated beverages, albeit variable, come nestled beside chocolates slightly lackluster these days, somewhat evident from recurrent whispers among other customers.

And yet, the staff captains this expedition more firmly than errant review snippets might suggest: attempting admirably to yank the good ship Customer Service away from occasional run-ins with paltry kindness. Maria and Christina, the ever-watchful sailors amidst this sea of sweets, work tirelessly against the tides of counter-frustration experienced by some. And so it happens that a single visit, peppered with pleasure and the odd pull of dissatisfaction, leaves one ruminating on dining inside mysteries, where princely sums turn budget-friendly ice cream fantasies into fearsome, frozen realities. Despite such pecuniary affronts to practicality, there's something comforting in knowing one's arteries harken back for hazard's lusty double espresso at prices suggestive of three. There will always be those unperturbed by issues like the latest table-service controversy, ensuring their patrons indulge parallel park coffee cravings with sides of gourmet vengeance. Prepare yourselves, then, dear readers—the journey will have its highs (and a few pratfalls), but rest assured, substance remains underneath the sugar-coated.