Foxcroft and Ginger

Foxcroft and Ginger is absolutely one of my favourite Soho cafes. Unlike some of the newer generation of good coffee places in London, it has a serenity to it and a feeling of space. The serenity might be due to the obvious comparisons with Flat White, which is about ten doors up on Berwick Street. The coffee at Flat White is great, but I find it a little bit too sceney and frenetic. 

In contrast, F&G is made for chilling in. The coffee is Monmouth, excellent and served in funky, unique vintage china. The food is exemplary for cafes of the genre and special mention much go to the sandwiches (all £4-6); they’re crammed full of inventive ingredients such as poached chicken, mozzarella, rocket and lime, or the monster Toulouse sausage and onion jam. However the scene stealer is definitely the ham and cheese French toast, which arrives nicely served on a wooden board, drizzled in a mustardy honey concoction. It’s absolutely delicious.

The décor here is industrial meets cosy – downstairs has comfy seats and cool reclaimed gymnastics equipment like a pommel horse. Upstairs is narrow and more stirpped back to tiles and pipes, but the seats at the back are also very comfy. 

Wi-Fi is strong, and the tempting desserts and well-edited booze mean you can happily wile away the hours here. Service is typical upmarket Antipodean; relaxed but food and coffee are serious business. And the staff are hot. For me, it wipes the floor with other contenders in the area.

Food – 8/10

Drink – 9/10

Service - 8/10

Value – 6/10 (some sandwiches although great, can be a bit punchy) 

Tap water tales – 8/10 (minted and non-minted water carafes to self-serve)

Staff Hotness – 9/10