Coopers

Unforgettable Dining: Exquisite and Affordable Experience

In a city teeming with culinary pandemonium, Coopers offers a rather delightful oasis reminiscent of some established Milanese kitchens—no need for an EasyJet flight. Superior gastronomy is matched with prices that don’t require any negotiation with your overdraft manager. The food trucks along the Thames should be taking notes. Upon entering, you're greeted not by the icy glare of a rushed maitre d' but by beaming smiles, the kind that almost make you suspicious if your shoes are untied or something’s hovering above your eyebrows. Fear not: they're simply thrilled you're here.

I'll gladly raise a glass—or three, as I did, thanks to an intriguing wine of the day—with the delightful mob making the bar feel more like a lively corner pub. While waiting for the second coffee, I engaged in the kind of good-natured joking that British restaurant criticism at its most cutting involves: repeated insistence that we're all friends here while firmly drawing attention to minor service delays. But these little hiccups aside, attentive service seemed their routine rather than happenstance. Fortunately, for those members of society with wheels beyond baby carriages, a thoughtful accommodation awaits in the form of a discreetly placed ramp. Coopers, where value mingles with excellence, offers a breath away from overpriced tourist menus and is invigoratingly wheelchair-ready—a public service lesson for their contemporaries. I left planning my next return, thankfully not in need of a Milanesque Vespa ride back home. — Penelope Savory