Caffe Nero

I do not normally post reviews. However, this is by far the best Cafe Nero around in my view and the best of the coffee shop chains. I normally have coffee at smaller coffee shops in and around central London and this local coffee shop is so much nicer. The staff are friendly and there is a lot of space and the coffee is good!

You're never going to be surprised by a branch of a national coffee company. But this one fares well by the standards of the chain - it's light and spacious, with good views down the Queenstown Road, it's neither packed nor empty, and there are a good number of comfy seats as well as tables.

This must be partly because the rent at this quieter end of Lavender Hill is much lower than what Caffe Nero pay for their other branches, so they can afford the space - this one is certainly more pleasant than the (dark and crowded) branch by the way in to Clapham Junction station at the western end of the street.

All the coffees, cakes and sandwiches (some toasted) that you'd expect; and usually a scattering of newspapers. The same staff have been there pretty much since it opened a while back, and the service is efficient and friendly. Gets busy in the mornings with takeaway trade; but the rest of the time especially during the week there's not much of a queue and you'll usually find a table.