Poetry Society Poetry Cafe

The Poetry Café not only attracts a host of budding poets penning sonnets over coffee and cakes, or just enthusiasts of poetry who attend the regular events and poetry readings, but it's also proving a real hit with the celebrity crowd. Many a famous face has supposedly been spotted here from Bjork to Ben Elton. The appeal of the food is merely an added attraction rather than the main focus. Cakes are served throughout the day, so it's a good place to avoid the nearby Covent Garden crowds and grab a quiet coffee.

They serve freshly made vegetarian food at lunch and throughout the day up to about 7.30 pm when the events usually start at the cafe. Examples range from tomato and strawberry soup to roast fennel with puy lentils and apricot sauce, great marmite toast, Neales Yard cheeses, Portuguese cakes as well as tasty quiches and homemade soups, and a simple dish of the day. After that, unfortunately diners are discouraged in the cafe because the noise would disrupt the events in the basement.

Reviewed by Linda Buttle