Reviews of The Poetry Café... (Coffee Shop) in London (London).

The Poetry Café..

251 Reviews

134 Comments

Coffee shop

Cafe

22 Betterton St, London WC2H 9BX, United Kingdom

Description

Information of The Poetry Café.., Coffee shop in London (London)

On this page you’ll find the address, open hours, more popular times, the contact, photos and real reviews of this business.

This business has received very good reviews from their customers, so probably it’s a place you should try if you are looking for this kind of services.

Map

Open hours of The Poetry Café..

Reviews of The Poetry Café..

L. D. T.

This place is such a lovely hidden gem, literally a stone throw away from the hustle of Covent Garden. As you walk in, it's very mature and peaceful, a mix of people together, and others on their reading, on computers and people catching up. Was a good vibe once arriving, we went in there around 4 pm and seemed like a good time to go, and on a Saturday it was perfect 💯 It's vegetarian, and vegan choices are delicious - The 'Stew of the day' was a mix of vegetable, beans, and in a tasty sauce and some toast on the side. Arty but also subtle, friendly staff and they also have gifts you can buy + write your poems in the books, provided in the table. Was a nice change and the city has plenty of these around. Especially this time of the year would recommend getting off at Holborn station rather than Covent Garden, as it gets jam-packed with the lifts there. We give it A***** LDT x

F. J.

I enjoyed my afternoon at the poetry Cafe. I had the soup of the day which was quite nice and a Chai latte. The atmosphere was nice and the staff were kind. They have free wifi which worked well and the space was nice. They had some nice looking desserts as well although I didn't try any.

A. A.

Sell a variety of savoury snacks like hummus £4.50, pitta, olives, quiche £4.50, cheese board £8, and sandwiches. As well as delicious cake, guten free available too! From £2.60-£3.80 Famed for vegan saysage roll £4.25 Very cute vintage crockery used to serve your food. Rustic table and chairs. Chilled music.

B. J.

An oasis of calm creativity in the heart of the bustling metropolis. I arranged to meet a friend here as it looked nice in the photos on TripAdvisor. It is tucked away on a small side street so quite easy to miss. Walking through the door felt like entering another world. Calm clean quiet querky and creative. Be sure to browse the poems left by other punters. ... Oh and almost forgot... The coffee and cake were great too.

S. T.

Delicious special sweet potato and chickpea stew with kale and cous cous. Super friendly staff, good coffee and a large glass of water. Vegetarian and gluten free options. Highly recommend.

M. R.

Great veggie and vegan food, I loved the spicy lentil stew and vegan lemon drizzle cupcake. And down stairs there's an art space an sometimes events, I saw a belly dance hafla raising money for refuge.

K. B.

When noisy randoms don't hang around too long, very nice stop for a chai and a write. Be better if they had meats -- all vegetarian :(

K. M.

Kind service, excellent food, great coffee, and a lovely atmosphere. Well-priced and feels a bit off-the-beaten-path. Would absolutely come again the next time I'm in London!

B. O.

Enjoyable and welcoming cafe with good soups and fantastic cakes. Always a nice crowd

A. A.

A cozy cute little space in the middle of London where to retreat to spend half an hour in the tranquility of a corner that feels cut out from the metropolis while retaining all of its comforts. The personeel is very accommodating, the clientele is surprisingly gentle and the coffee is actually good. Definitely a warm recommendation.

S. K.

Loved having a tea here. Small, quiet, cozy place to check your email, catch up with a friend, or write an amazing poem. They are a hub in the local poetry scene, making the cafe more fun than your usual chain!

A. G.

I love this place. With a little more love n laughter. It will surely become a Pivotal point on Tourist attractions list. For those of a lighter nature, it's a great daytime destination for the recharge and a lunch break. At night. Weekly activities most evenings, turn this place into a vibrant attraction. Very nice and warm welcoming place. The more I come here the better I feel. Rating- Stella*. AMG

R. W.

I was quite looking forward to visiting as I am a Poetry Society member and the cafe is often plugged by the Society. However, I found the service, considering that we just wanted two coffees and a slice of cake, rather slow. The cafe was well occupied, so you would naturally expect a fair bit of chatter. The loudish 'background' music meant we had to raise our voices to hear each other. I suspect that was universally the case. The coffee was nice though.

E. U.

Good prices very nice staff and the best coffee I ever drank in London. Think that an advantage will be changing the first picture that appears on google when you search the place with a picture that shows the interior or the gallery downstairs then the bar because it's not a bar. Quiet and relax atmosphere.

R. K.

I love this concept, and they've pulled it off nicely! Great atmosphere, very friendly and light. Good vegetarian and vegan options on the menu. It was really interesting reading the poems left behind by previous visitors too.

J. W.

This little place is one of those magic gems in London that phew people know of. By day the cafe offers loose-leaf teas, fair-trade coffees and unique beverages. They have the sweetest cakes I've tried. I love the wall art and its interesting interior. In the evening the atmosphere is magnetic. They encourage poets to read their work on public. Almost every night there are poetry readers and people are kind and warming so you can share your peace of art if you want to. The last time I went, a young girl was reading feminist poetry and I don't know if it was her or the ambiance but I felt something special. We need more places like this in London! Art has to be supported in all its forms.

D. H.

Found it! Great little place off beaten track of Covent Garden chaos. Great snacks. You can write a poem in books on tables. Downstairs loos clean. Tuesday nights poetry performance.

C. H.

The location of the cafe was really good. It was nice and quiet. However, The service was really slow as there was only person that does everything so it takes time to order and to be served. I was fine with the options of the food. However, The food was not tasty and was reheated. I could not finish the food in the end. I guest it is good place for tea or coffee, but not sure about the food.

R.

If you have a poetry someplace and you are visiting London go here. If you are looking for a great night of entertainment again another good reason to go here. They have all sorts of entertaining events on throughout the year. Sometimes they have events on in the morning too. The types of tea are nice, they have choice beers and coke in a bottle instead of a can. The coffee is freshly pressed too. Menu is always different, location is great and the staff there are always very competent, friendly and commandeering.

C. S.

a quaint cafe just on the outskirts of covent garden. i enjoyed a great pot of tea and read some of the poetry left by previous guests. the cafe has plenty of events throughout the month and a comfy atmosphere to get some work done, or even a small meeting. glad i found this place, as it seems like more of a place for the locals!

F. N.

Went in after a long time! I was very pleased with all the changes. The atmosphere is amazing and the service is great.

D. B.

Calming place. Got its own style like nowhere else. Highly recommend if you like poetry and pictures. For me is like a hidden gem in a busy area. Good food at good price, wines and other alcohols. Friendly stuff. Sometimes they do recitals where you can join for free.

S. J.

Went to the delightful launch of a friend's new book here. A charming, intimate and practical venue. The vegetarian food was good, though the bean wraps were challenging...

M. H.

Bright and airy, lovely art work on display, easy to get to BUT...for my liking no real atmosphere. How about some nice big pot plants, comfortable seating, not the hard chairs I spent several hours sitting on at a recent workshop. Just that bit too clinical for my liking. Needs an injection of colour and warmth.

L. M.

Very vibrant intellectual atmosphere and the poetry reading evenings are inspiring. I've popped in during day time as well for some coffee and although the atmosphere in less profound and has a more of a coffee shop vibe, it's still a pleasant experience. I'm a member and I'm always looking forward to their events they keep us posted about.

R. W.

Great space. Headquarters of The National Poetry Society. Nice cosy cafe with performance / workshop area downstairs. Alcohol prices are a tad steep though with a single vodka and coke at over seven pounds. The coke comes in a bottle and is an independent company's version of cola. To be honest it tastes slightly unpleasant and is best avoided. The cafe should look at their drinks charges since inevitably performers and regular visitors tend to prefer the prices at the Cross Keys down the road both before and after the shows - sometimes in the interval.

A. F.

Pleasant venue to meet up after work or before the theatre. Well- balanced and sensibly priced menu for the area. Close to transport yet out of the touristy hubbub of Covent Garden piazza.

G. S.

A great way of spending a quiet time in want of a coffee, read and thinking experience. You wouldn't necessarily need to be into poetry, but like a bit of peace ....not easy to find this neck of the woods in hectic and fast Covent Garden. Will come again. We need more of the same..

M. M.

I really love this little cafe. I went with my mum for one of their events 'poetry unplugged' and preformed, there was such a nice atmosphere. people were really friendly, and I was welcomed to preform. i'm 16, and was worried that I would get some raised eyebrows and people thinking I wouldn't be able to do it, but there was actually a lot of support. the people there were polite and kind, and I really enjoyed myself. the coffe was actually really good, and it's a nice quiet little cafe, I can't fault it at all. will defiantly be going again!

P. M.

Amazing place. Went to a workshop, was really worth it. Lovely cafe, really clean and tidy. Had vegan stew, it was beyond delicious, amazing. Staff friendly and helpful. Can't wait to go back

V. B.

This really is a lovely little place. A hidden gem rare to find in the modern word we live in now days. We went in to this place completely by accident on the morning of my birthday when my daughter was taking us to a show in London. It really is unique. I suggest some people pop in to this place intentionally!

J. B.

The coffee is usually solid, and the availability of beer, wine, and spirits improves good poetry and makes bad poetry tolerable. The upstairs space is pleasant if a tad clinical, and the downstairs space is a inviting, cozy venue for community events.

A. L.

Small, intimate place. It can get very loud. For what it is (wants to be?), it seems to attract a noisy crowd focused on gossiping rather than indulge in some quiet, calm, reading time.

S. A.

Such a nice atmosphere here with beautiful decors. I stopped by for a coffee and a light veggie soup which was yummy and affordable. The staff here are also friendly and keen to talk to you.

E. G.

Poetry Cafe has only been open for a few months but already has a steady following of very satisfied customers. During the day the staff offer a takeaway salad, sandwich (hot and cold) and soup service and between 5pm and 8pm you can also pick up portions of lasagna, spaghetti bolognaise, shepherds pie and other classic dishes, all home cooked and ready to go. I’ve never seen the shop with less than five people in it and have to say the prices, considering the amount of food you get are brilliant.Perfect for an easy tea and food throughout the day.

K. R.

a lovely little cafe with really cool decor. there's a large selections of teas. I went for a pot of mate and a slice of banana & walnut cake. good prices too.

G. M.

I read some truths here. Some people whooped. Some cried. One person called me a genius. Then I gave the crowd a lecture about how they had to learn to think for themselves. More whooping. More crying. I went home feeling deep and appreciated. I tried to tell similar truths to a crowd at a bus stop and got punched in the mouth. Seems The Poetry Cafe is a special place where the truth is respected. And I'm glad it's there. NB. It was me who called me a genius, but I'll still take that compliment. It's been overdue for a long time.

P. G.

That's a very fantastic place for poets but also for people with free minds!😉 You can enjoy and meet many interesting individuals from different backgrounds! Worth visiting more than once! 😉

S. H.

Quite place, food's not bad, based on a veggie menu, coffee no better or worse than most... a quite little hub of a place with multiethnic clientele but it's fast becoming a Japanese hangout.

D. A.

An absolute gem in what has become the corporate hell of Covent Garden. Delicious food, pleasant staff and a calm oasis in the bustle. Modestly-priced too.

A. S. (.

The tea was delicious and the environment was lovely. This Café is filled Poetry; you can even write your own or read others’ in the same book!

M. R.

I seriously love this place. The open poetry nights are amazing. The people that gather there really inspire me to write some stuff on my own and even if you aren't a writer yourself listening to their work is just as great. Definitely worth checking out.

A. G.

Magical place.... Good service and excellent pricing for drinks. Staff is helpful, atmosphere a dream. A gem of London for those walking on the edge with Wilde

T. H.

came here every time to write my dissertation - put you in a good writing mood :D drinks and food are great and vegetarian friendly, reasonable price too.

A. T.

Lovely little cafe with good coffee and a small selection of cakes and sandwiches. If you want somewhere quiet to relax with a coffee this is for you.

C. M.

Wonderful experience. Amazing poem readings. Happy that the owners let people Express their creative freedom. Would definitely recommend.

C. B.

Delicious soup and pot of tea made from loose leaf tea. What a treat. Lots of great poetry too, whether live performance or in books.

J. H.

A place to read, write and meet like-minded writers.It has its history and its eccentrics but it does do good coffee and wine. A pleasant café to pass the time.

S. T.

Cosy place and friendly atmosphere. First time I was listening to Poetry there last week and it was great!

M. D.

What a great atmosphere, the staff are great and professional, definitely a great place to visit and enjoy if you like poetry, found a great book, and purchased it on Amazon, "Poems in Total" by Dale Quentin, see photo 📸.. 👍

D. R.

Lovely friendly place for listening to poetry and having a glass of wine and a bite of food if you want. Keep an eye on what is coming up.

D. M.

Lurrrvely booze and a great atmosphere, you're in for a treat

A. M.

Great place, to have a quiet drink or lunch, work. Good value for money too. Staff are super friendly.

A. R. R.

A great hub for poets! Check out their events or just pop in.

L.

Amazing spot for coffee and tea! Especially after 6pm when everything is closed, it's a great cosy spot that's still open.

C. F.

Cute place. Not a wide selection of food and drinks. I heard the microwave at work heating up my food and it wasn't even served hot. Not sure if I would go back again.

M. F. L.

Beautiful, quiet, calm space bursting with poetry-inspired art and decor. Decent coffee. Good place to work.

L. J.

Came here for the open mic poetry slam on Tuesday's. Lovely atmosphere and the food is really nice.

M. D.

Lovely venue with good food n drinks. Wonderful space for poetry.

k. a. (.

Friendly space, great artwork on exhibition and a nice selection of teas and foods.

E. G.

Good food and drink, a bit pricey though. The decor is modern, but leaves something to be desired.

J. J.

I visited an awesome art exhibition at The Poetry Cafe with animals, birds, scenery and Native Americans. Brilliant!!

P. L.

Lovely quirk, cafe and venue. Cheerful freindly service lots of choice, nice clean loos.

b. c.

If you're a poet or not this is a wonderful place to come for coffee. There are regular poetry events and workshops.

R. M.

Better with a refurb but cafe is still a little small and cluttered. Downstairs although is much better

J. W.

Nice quiet cafe, not touristy at all but not far from the shops

A. K.

Lovely but black forest gateau must be vegan. Safe space.....

P. P. f. A. N.

An organically good place for poets to write and hear poetry most days of the week. A great find for me.

D. R.

Nice cafe and a good space downstairs for listening to poetry.

V. H.

TONEWOOD, by Lawrence Impey and Sue Rose.

L. E.

A really valuable venue to have to encourage modern poetry and keep it current, rather than locked away in a university somewhere.

O. z.

I've never been disappointed when I've eaten there, all the food is really good, and there's a really nice atmosphere.

J. S.

Went for poetry open mic and they were very welcoming

g. f.

Nice spot, decent vegan food, chill and friendly staff.

J. B.

Nifty little place for a pit stop, lots of poetry events too

E. C.

Nice atmosphere for reading, but the flat white I had was not good

V. C.

Fancy vegan cake at 9pm on a weekday evening? Perfect!

S. K.

Perfect for couple/ friends pedicure. Polite and friendly staff.

J. D.

Really nice evening with friends and good beer selection

C. S.

Very pleasant place with a lift to basement meeting room and loo

J. S.

Great place, very nice interior and cool atmosphere. Highly recommend

J. Z.

An oasis of tranquility in hectic central London. Lovely staff!

J. D.

A lovely spot that is supporting the arts and does a great Latte

J. R.

Attentive staff, good food and drink, great meeting room

S. N.

Lovely place. Nice coffee.

D. T.

Super nice staff, great, quiet location in a busy area

S.

Great place for poetry events and a little bar

J. C. G.

Nice place fün events good catering

I. B.

Good price and lovely atmosphere.

B. M.

It was enjoyable. Quite a few readers! Maybe too many??!

J. S.

Nice tucked away cafe, a great find

A. P.

A good quiet place to eat, talk and think

P. V.

A nice cafe with lots of poetry events on.

S. H.

Great spot

D. S.

Great place for drink food and the word of man

D. T.

Cosy, lovely cafe. Will come again

M. B.

Its good but expensive and pores r pooot

R. H.

Great food and a friendly welcome

a. k.

Very charming place. Will come back.

J. B.

Nice place. Friendly and lots going on.

G. B.

Wonderful evening of words and wine.

C. R.

best place on a tuesday night

O. G. G. M.

Cosy and well air conditioned!

K.

Great hot chocolate!

V. A.

Calm environment for any creative

E. H.

Always like coming here and dropping into the poetry nights.

a. r.

Inspiring. Great atmosphere.

C. K.

Not bad but not great

R. K.

Strange place but with a good vibe

M. G.

Relaxed.

A. D.

Pleasant intellectual atmosphere.

N. Q.

Amazing!

O. R.

Love it

J. P. C.

Cool

J. J.

Lovely

M. S.

Nice ambience

S. B.

OK

G. B. D.

(Translated) Every day at 7:30 pm, poets assemble and read their songs. Charming, a must attend such an evening Funny and insanely fun (Original) בכל יום בשעה 19:30 מתאגדים משוררים מתחילים ומקריאים את שיריהם .. מקסים , חובה להשתתף בערב כזה מצחיק ומהנה בטירוף

E. S.

(Translated) A small nice cafe (Original) Ein kleines nettes Café

D. J.

M. D.

(Translated) Excellent arrival. (Original) Excellent venue.

S. T.

(Translated) Correct. Nothing more. (Original) Correct. Sans plus.

Q. S. N.

T. D.

M. E.

B. P.

E. M.

K. E.

N. D. L.

E. A. J.

R. A.

M. O.

M. D.

J. M.

Contact

Photos