i used to work as a dispatch rider in london and went to hundreds of cafes and i've seen some of my old faves on your website. i wonder if you can help me find a real gem.... it was a small cafe run by an ex-boxer in his late 50's and had old b&w photos of boxers/fights/promo posters all over the place and i mean from skirting boards to ceilings. the food was good but the character of the place and the people there was awesome. all i can remember is that it was in it's own small building in the greenwich area on a desolate industrial estate. it'd be great to re-visit or see a review cheers and thanks for all that dedicated eating
It may be too far out of the west end for you, but I have a haven of greasy spooned-ness at the end of my road. YORK CAFE on Woolwich Road is clean, friendly and with proper chips. It is even licensed I think. Give it a go!
TJ's Cafe in mortlake sw14 open seven days a weeks, big portions!! cheap. you should definatley visit this place won the "best greasy spoon" in london award 2003
Russell how come we have not seen you at our cafe you are missing a treat. We serve the best all day breakfast in the North West We cater for everyone also we are in the process of taking on the title of the Ace Cafe of the Midlands Regards Lynn & Pete.
May I heartily recommend Sues Cafe in Gillingham Road, Gillingham, Kent (almost opposite the Arriva Bus Depot). Great food, great tea............very good prices for such good quality breakfasts and dinners.
The mess in Hackney is much nicer (and admittedly middle classer) than it's local counterparts (nice sausage rather than pig's bum). Some say it's better than Mario's... Alt for a good proper greasy spoon Dilari's on the corner of Mare Street is pretty good. Packed out every lunchtime and they have a non-smoking side of the room. Finally, if you live near Ealing and you've never been to Starvin' Marvins you're missing out. I was cautiously eating my breakfast with the pancake and maple syrup on one side and the bacon and eggs and hash brown on the other. Then absentmindedly I stabbed a bit of bacon onto the end of my syrupy pancaked-up fork… It's manna from lardarse heaven.
I love yr book and website. I have never commented on one or a blog before as I dont know how to. My son got this space for me. I am trying to get info on my favourite old cafe, The Blue Sky, by corner of Westbourne Grove and Chepstow Rd,London W2, between PAddington and Portobello Rd, which was my home from home from 1974-80.I lived in various squats and flats nearby and hung out with various groovy people in those days.... It closed down a few years ago. I wld love to get photos and the name/address of the lovely Irish waitress and Italian boss.... I have tried the Archives at Westminster City Library but no luck. I am doing a Ceramics degree as a v mature student and want to do an installation recreating a table at it, the light coming thru steamy bright plateglass windows, the smells, food, china,plastic menus, etc etc. I have assembled a load of stuff (tables, chairs etc),but they are not perfect. I wonder if you have any ideas on where I cld borrow/hire perfect stuff in one fell swoop, for a few days in early Jan 07? Most of all I want to get hold of a tape/CD of cafe background noises. Any ideas? Many thanks, Emma
« Bon Appetit, Cleveland Street, W1 | Main | Wilkins, Marsham Street, SW1 »
I wandered into Victoria and found a load of great places. I think it must be due to the unchanging nature of the place. The same kind of people have lived and worked here for years, no real gentrification, not a lot of change. So the cafes can hang on. This is a great example. A huge place. Lovely. Airy. Tiles. Great old features.
And a lovely cup of tea. I'm going to have to come back here.
The comments to this entry are closed.
I was wondering when you'd find this place, possibly my favourite place in London (a friend used to live close by)they do a magnificent Egg, Chips, bread and butter, cup of tea... and I like the way that when they're busy, the lady behind the counter shouts out the orders when they're ready - Double Egg, Chips, Bubble, Beans... like a Monty Python sketch!
Posted by: Lucy | July 27, 2004 at 03:50 PM
absolutely great place. i've got to go back for the full fry-up.
Posted by: russell | August 02, 2004 at 07:57 AM
Just ask Nando if he's made a steak pie. The best I've ever had.
Posted by: Neil | October 05, 2004 at 01:52 PM
Dear Sirs/Madames,
I am the leader of a Korean trade company in Seoul. Our company exports Korean Red Ginseng Tea and tea cup sets to Europe.
The Korean Red Ginseng Tea has high quality and is very good for health. It is packed in instant form, so that consumer can drink it easy. The tea cup sets are delicate and handmade.
We can send you e-catalogues and price lists if you are interested.
I wait for your reply.
Best regards
Dr. Jong-Cheon Kim
Posted by: Jong-Cheon Kim | February 07, 2005 at 01:40 AM
Regency Cafe is excellent. It's also open in the evenings, unlike most of the other places in Victoria. Good place for a pre-pub meal.
Posted by: Mel | February 10, 2005 at 08:27 AM
The Regency is a good place. I was there last week with a mate of mine for pre-pub eating. He was impressed. The lady behind the counter that shouts the orders was in a less stressed state, and was quite chatty - which is nice.
It's open from 7am - 2pm, then from 4pm (or 4.30pm) to 7pm, Monday to Friday, and 7am-12.00 on Saturday.
Also worth checking out is Wilton in Wilton Rd, Tevere in Marsham St/Great Peter St area, and Tony's in Chapter St.
Posted by: Patrick | February 10, 2005 at 07:17 PM
It is the best cafe in London. Original features, great food , cool staff and ambience for catering for different backgrounds. Marco you have done a great job. Well done to you and all your staff!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Jose | February 15, 2005 at 03:57 PM
It may well be a good place for tea and a think but if you've seen the film "Layer Cake", you'll see it's also a good place for a gangland beating involving pouring a big pot of tea over your victim's face! (only fictional beatings, of course).
Posted by: James | March 15, 2005 at 12:11 PM
The Regency got its 15 minutes of TV fame last Thursday, on BBC1's politics show "This Week", hosted by Andrew Neil.
Mark Mardell(?) was shown munching a fry-up, as a gimmicky way of making a point about school-dinners. At least I think it was about school-dinners, as I was quickly distracted by the great shots of the interior and exterior of the cafe, the menu-boards, and the young-ish blonde lady that shouts out the orders!
The Regency will probably attract an additional political anorak clientele as a result - that'll p*ss off the cabbies !
Posted by: Patrick | March 28, 2005 at 01:23 PM
hi ya all i think its amazing that layer footage was shot here, sorry he madea mess with the tea tho!!! lol!!
Posted by: kerry appleby | May 22, 2005 at 10:14 PM
Fantastic cafe but I have NEVER seen it that empty! despite being packed you always get a table, always get served quickly and it is always, without fail, top quality.
A few other good ones are Arthur's in Station Parade, Kensal Rise. Cafe Anglais on Edgeware Rd in Colindale and Goldborne Cafe on Goldborne Rd in Portobello are always class and both have great squeaky voiced owners. guaranteed to make you laugh. The Moulin in Wembley Park is also good but they are a bit obsessed with Queen!
If you are a bit of a renaissance man my top tip is the Porchester Spa on Porchester Rd in Bayswater. Go in, get your robe on and before heading for the steam rooms and ice plunge pool they do a cracking fry up! Also, the massage room is conveniently located next to the kitchen so instead of aromatherapy candles and incense you get the welcoming waft of bacon and sausages while you relax! Pure luxury.
Posted by: Geno | March 08, 2006 at 11:14 AM
many thanks for the suggestions Geno. I'll try those out.
cheers
Posted by: russell | March 08, 2006 at 02:33 PM
Regency is a good place, just round the corner from Channel4, but all those tiles make it feel like you're in someone's bathroom! Gimme flock wallpaper anyday..
Posted by: Carlito | March 10, 2006 at 02:41 PM
It's just magic. Steak pudding, chips beans and gravy. Yes, I'm a Northener and it's just like being at home apart from all the chirpies and cabbies. Very nice atmopshere, isn't up its own and the prices are very reasonable. Always leave full, which is nice when you are a gentleman of the larger genre.
Posted by: Dave | March 16, 2006 at 11:49 AM
The Regency has also starred in various print ads, some of which, framed, hang on the walls. This underlines that when you think of a cafe, the mental image you get isn't that far of this archetype. Food and atmosphere always great.
Posted by: Mac | April 04, 2006 at 12:18 PM
Was disappointed with the unfriendly service at the counter. Sat a.m. the guy was obviously in a foul mood. ECB was just average. Maybe because my appetite has been spoilt by the hostile service.
Posted by: Lee | July 15, 2006 at 07:25 PM
do you know what they were filming on Sunday 12th November in the Cafe?
Posted by: julia | November 13, 2006 at 07:19 AM
E Pellicci really should be here
Posted by: louis | December 27, 2006 at 05:45 PM
here it is:
http://russelldavies.typepad.com/eggbaconchipsandbeans/2004/03/e_pellicci_beth.html
Posted by: russell | December 30, 2006 at 08:03 PM
Lee is really missing the point with complaints of "unfriendly service" - that's part of the unique charm and Marco's alright really
Posted by: Rich | February 03, 2007 at 10:34 PM
I first frequented the Regency Cafe in 1967 and it was great. I had a breakfast there today (June 2007)and it was also great. Back in 1967 a 3 course meal & a cup of tea cost 4/6d (22.5p) today breakfast cost just under £5.00
Highly recommended!!!
Posted by: Michael Sidwell | June 13, 2007 at 05:04 PM
i love this place, the bacon is one of the best and saltiest ive ever tasted and it makes a stunning greasy spoon. have you ever been into clarkes cafe down in leatherhead. ive got some pics of the place and frub on my site here : www.greatbreakfast.zoomshare.com/5.html - sorry if my site is of a similar format but i absolutley love the blog and just had to do a tribute with a few places you havent got on here: cheers.
Posted by: tex | December 10, 2007 at 11:02 PM
A really fantastic place! Well worth a trip. Will be returning in May when back in London.
Posted by: Mick | April 10, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Best greasy spoon in London imho.
Posted by: Drew | June 03, 2008 at 10:38 PM
It's now in a Channel 4 promo for a new season of programming. Check it out!
Posted by: Will | July 24, 2008 at 09:23 PM