Rating
Appeals To
Displaced Italians (especially those extra picky types with a particular taste for Italian coffee, or types of Italian cheeses that you can’t generally get in the UK)
Bohemian individuals who like to discuss powerful ideas and/or ferment rebellions in a coffee spot that is new and exciting.
Independent coffee shop connoisseurs looking for something new, the next hot thing, or somewhere that’s tweaked the formula a little.
People in the Tower Hill area looking for a spot to drop in for a light lunch, or coffee – in between touristing or riding Thames clippers…
In A Word
Friendly
Caffeine Cantina
Jack: Caffeina. Like a cantina for caffeine. I liked the name before I’d even reached the place.
But I was curious, what was it that would set Caffeina apart from all the other chain and independent coffee shops trying to take a bite out of the £? billion UK coffee market? Afterall, they’re located two stops away from a Starbucks, about 5 stops away from a Pret A Manger and adjacent to Abokado, which as far as I can tell, also sells coffee. It’s a caffeine free for all, and Caffeina is just the latest contender.
All that said, it seems they came well equipped to do battle for your wallet. I think their angle is that they’re Italian. Legit Italian. Not ‘we use Italian blends and have employed a few Italian students living in London’ kind of Italian. But the whole thing is almost extra Italian. Right down to the fact that pretty much everything they stock instore comes from Italy. Thus putting them into I suppose, the very rare category of ‘Italian coffee house’
Depending on how you want to look at it, we picked either a really good, or really bad time to drop in. At the time we showed up, they’d only been there for about 10 days, and were consequentially absent of signage, out front seats, some menu items, and the right to play music. I am OK with this, it’s was a bit like the chance to observe the prototype, or something. And it’s a prototype full of promises, delicious coffee and little chocolate Cantuccis
The Decor
Caffeina’s decor is quite distinctly ‘coffee shop’ with those warm, woody tones, but with hard edges and precise geometry that suggest more of an aura of permanence, or longevity. It felt a little more…assertive than the decor of most other coffee shops. For me, this makes a change, as I’ve grown a little sick of the ‘faux wooden’ or ‘faux brick’ thing, which feels like it’s been done to death already. Anyone with me on this? #inferiordesign
You can sit at the window, where the view is not particularly stellar, but you are also about 5 minutes walk from Tower Bridge and the Thames. This suggests that Caffiena picked a prime spot, and is makes them ideally positioned to attract some of that multitudinous tourist traffic that periodically blocks up Byward Street.
Greta: Brand new and so fresh you can smell the timber, infused with the velvety scents of ground coffee – a light and earthly atmosphere, cosily stood amidst the steel, glass and concrete of the city. Although Caffeina is one of numerous cafes on the same parade, it stands out with its style and youthful confidence. The interior rings with earthly undertones of surfaces of white sand and cool timber. Trendy and friendly, even the cutlery is wooden and cutely curved.
The Food & Drink
Jack: As a cafe, Caffeina serves Cafe food. SON I AM AMAZE. So, don’t expect something like a three course meal – it’s more of a lunch spot. That said, they are apparently adding pasta to the menu soon – and I wonder if it will be the seismic quantities of pasta that many diners have come to expect.
We had a combination of salads, sandwiches and desserts – in no particular order, and on the recommendation of Caffeina’s super nice staff. I am not very enthusiastic about bread, but I do my best…
Greta: In some form of alternate reality style of Jack & Greta’s food reviewing, we go for coffee and desert first, to the horror of the Sheldon Coopers out there.
My latte is artfully prepared by the charming Italian barista, coupled with an indulgent blueberry muffin. The coffee is smooth and strong, complimented by the sweet and fluffy cake. The flavours of milk and coffee seeping into the sponge of the muffin – DIY desert combo recommended.
Then we were offered a decent choice of baguettes and salads, all of authentic Italian recipes. My choice was the La Leggera of neutral flavours, laced with elegant ribbons of carrot, unusually dressed with orange zest creamy sauce. After enjoying the salads we were then served a new range of sandwiches all with tasty slice of fried and seasoned potato, its like the less crunchy version of crisp sandwiches, watch out, might be the next big thing!
We also sampled the baguettes, my choice was the Il Taleggio, with cheese, ‘Speck’ (not an indication of size, but a smoked ham!), salad and walnuts. Although the baguette was a little dry, the flavours were radiant and aromatic.
As well as hot drinks the cafe also serves freshly prepared juices and smoothies, the orange, banana and strawberry, super freshdom. Summer weather come sooner, so I can live off these.
The Verdict
Jack: I suppose this is the kind of place that, given time, might become a site of pilgrimage for the most dedicated of London’s caffeine loving community. Or it might be swallowed up in the competitive cafe landscape of the inner city. Having been won over by their Italian hospitality, I’d much prefer the first option.
And no, I’m not sure if they’re billing themselves as a specifically Italian coffee house, but that’s the angle I picked up on and it might be one that helps them stand out amongst the rest.
That and a mighty good cappuccino, which they do.
Molto bene!
Greta: Wonderful place in the heart of London, with the special quality of Italian authenticity and caring staff and owners, something that is amiss in the growing market of chain cafes. A tasteful cafe to socialise and chill with friends and colleagues.