National Cafe

Myself and 3 friends had a wonderful time at the National Cafe. Service was really quick, staff was friendly and the manager Ian was very attentive and told us where to go in London (we are from Liverpool)

I was actually expecting typical cafe food but it was definitely restaurant quality. We went back the next day for breakfast (it was right by our hotel) and it was amazing.

Will definitley go back next time I am in London.
Comment on this reader review

Tasha Quigley - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 9
Monday, September 26, 2011

TRULY THE WORST MEAL I HAVE EATEN IN LONDON...

We had booked a table as we had been at a private function in the National Portrait Gallery next door. There were about 25 of us, we arrived at 9.10pm, the restaurant was empty but our only menu option was a £35 three course menu with just three choices for each course. We didn't get our starters until 10.15, the service was absolutely appalling, the ordering staff didn't speak good English and when our main courses arrived at around 11pm, 5 portions of the skate were off and had to be sent back and there were complaints about the meat course which was so tough, it was inedible, and some were also sent back...by this late stage, we had all pretty much lost the will to live... So bad was the food that the Manager decided that we should not be charged for any of the food at all... only our drinks...

It was such a disappointing end to what had been an excellent evening next door...where the canapes were delicious and the staff extremely attentive...
Comment on this reader review

1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 3 | Value for money 0
Friday, May 13, 2011

I came down to London for a girlie shopping weekend last month. We were doing the usual shopping/site seeing tours when we stopped at Trafalgar Square. Having wondered around the National Gallery for an hour or so we decided we needed to eat, so went downstairs to the National Cafe.

I have to say, it was quite a suprise. You don't really expect to find restaurants like this attached to art galleries. We sat down and decided to have afternoon tea.

The cakes were great and the scone warm, cooked to perfection. Not so interested in the sandwiches, but that's not why you order afternoon tea!

We had a couple of cheeky glasses of champagne with it and it didn't set us back that much. About £70 for three of us and we couldn't eat or drink anything else.

I'll definitely be going back there if/when I visit london again.
Comment on this reader review

Sarah Garner
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 7 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 30, 2009

I often use the National Cafe as a place to meet clients for lunch. Service is always efficient and the food simple, yet delicious. Recently discovered they have an excellent cocktail list so will definitely be going there for drinks after work too.

Perfect for business lunches and I would assume, the pre theatre crowd. Situated by Trafalgar square, you can't really go wrong.
Comment on this reader review

Kate Spencer
8 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Thursday, July 30, 2009

Our London trip was great until we stopped at the National Cafe for afternoon tea. It was a Friday afternoon and things were pretty slow in the cafe. There were eight people in the cafe including four waiters, who were busy chatting. We were totally ignored. After 10 minutes of waiting, finally, a waiter stopped chatting and brought us a menu after we repeatedly tried to catch his attention. We were totally ignored again that. We waited for another 10 minutes, no one came over to take the order. We thought okay, maybe this is how the Brits serve their customers. Then two men dressed in sharp suits came in. The waiter immediately greeted them and brought them a menu. At that moment, we decided to walk out and the waiters didnt even try to stop and ask us what happened. Clearly, this is not a place that welcomes tourists. We've been to many restaurants in many countries. In terms of service, this is the worst experience we've ever had. We would give it a zero star if we could. We would never go back again and don't recommend this place to anyone.
Comment on this reader review

Isabelle
0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Friday, April 24, 2009

One Saturday afternoon, some friends and I decided to pop along to the National Cafe without having booked for afternoon tea. We didn't want somewhere overly fancy or too costly and this place sounded right.

We arrived first at 5.20, which was perhaps cutting it fine as the afternoon tea was only available until 5.30. Despite this, the waiter immediately found us a table of three and assured us that we would be able to browse the menu for a couple of minutes and order the afternoon tea when he came back.

He did warn us, however, that they were out of scones (indeed, they had all gone by 4pm, one hour into the tea service), but would be happy to replace that part of the tea with another cake item. This was disappointing - scones are obviously a rather vital component to afternoon tea, and running out so early into service shows rather poor planning. Nevertheless, we wrote it off as a minor nuisance and had a brief glance at the teas on offer.

A few minutes later, a different waiter(ess) came back, but rather than take our order she seemed to be confused. We asked to have our afternoon teas, but were immediately told that it was no longer available. We then told her that the other waiter had assured as that we would be able to order it. Suddenly, the topic of tea disappeared and she asked us why we were sitting there, telling us that the table was booked. Upon being told that one of her colleagues had just sat us down here, she became even more annoyed, rather than apologetic, telling us that she had a dinner booking for the table. Head in hands, she started mildly raising her voice, directing her annoyance at us, exclaiming "I only went on a fifteen minute break and he's only gone and done this!". She walked off to see if any other tables were available.

Eventually, a booth in the corner was found and we moved from our central spot. Then, the original waiter returned and let us order our afternoon tea without any problem. Strange.

The tea arrived and it was rather pleasing. Each three-level platter contained one plate of four finger-sized sandwiches; one plate of apple cake with clotted cream (we presume the substitute for scones); one plate of small cuttings of various cakes. The sandwiches were almost very fresh and had good but not completely inspiring fillings. The apple cake was acceptable, but wasn't at all a substitute for scones - we were craving something jammy but alas. The final plate of cakes was rather good, but having already had cake on the second one, it was all a bit too much. And whilst some bits of cake were cut up into small enough pieces for individuals to pick up by hand (which seems the very essence of afternoon tea), the apple cake was a relatively large singular slice and the Victoria Sponge on the bottom plate was also presented in the same way. Not ideal for sharing.

Being placed in the corner, service was an issue. We would have liked more pots of tea, but despite sitting there with empty vessels and clean plates for twenty minutes, nobody came over. By the time we got someone's attention, we decided to call it a day and ask for the bill.

I wouldn't be completely against returning, but there are other eateries I'd rather visit for an afternoon tea. If I did return, I'd book a table for the start of service to ensure I get my scones and am not moved to the corner.
Comment on this reader review

Michael Jacobs
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 4
Sunday, March 08, 2009

Nice view over the Trafalgar Sq. Friendly service and nice atmosphere. Can still remember the special Yogurt/Smoothie we had there, yummy. Considering how central this place is, you have to prepared to pay as three times as much you do in other cafe places.
Comment on this reader review

King - View all reviews by this user
7 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 5
Thursday, February 26, 2009