Caffe Vergnano 1882

Cold milk and poor service

While it is true that the coffee and especially the foamed milk is very nice at this café, there are a couple of things that make the whole experience rather unattractive:

First, the service staff doesn't even recognize someone who goes there every morning for 4 weeks, but instead keep asking the same questions (with chocolate?) and don't show any sign of friendliness or customization. I've seen that work very differently, even at Starbucks they recognize you after 4 weeks. Very poor.

One morning the milk was rather cold, so I went back to report that. No apologies, no offer to make a new coffee! Instead she took my coffee and held it under the milk foamer for a few seconds, then handed it back to me. Really??

Conclusion: A coffee should be some time to relax, cheer up and refresh. There are better places in London (and especially in Soho) to do that.
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4 Overall rating
Food 7 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 5
Monday, July 18, 2011

Terrible, terrible service. Ate there last night - one of our party's food was brought out, with no sign of anyone else's. After several minutes, asked the waiter to take it back and bring it out all together, a request he clearly found baffling. Requests for wine glasses and cutlery were also treated as though we were being deeply unreasonable.

Food ok, though not amazing.
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3 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 4 | Value for money 2
Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Had the pleasure to visit Cafe Vergnano last Friday with my girlfriend. We are regular customers at their New Street Square branch. The coffee as always is at their exceptional good standard and with the extended food menu we had a great meal to go with it. For an exceptionally busy night the service was adequate since the place was full and we waited 20 min in the que just to get a table. A very busy buzzing atmosphere might be a bit hectic for some. For a central London restaurant the value for money was fine since the food and coffee exceeded expectation. As far as Italian restaurants are concerned for that price bracket it can't be beaten.

Recommended to all.
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Josh Miller
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Thursday, February 03, 2011

Our meal was excellent and the staff were most helpful in ensuring we had a really fun evening and we certainly enjoyed the atmosphere. It was also lovely to watch how much others enjoyed the experience as well. The coffee without a doubt is of the highest order and really refreshing that its made at the correct temperature. Moreover the food is not only of exceptional quality but utterly authentic with only the best ingredients used. A fantastic coffee house, a real place for the conosenti, and probably the best Italian restaurant in London to boot.

We hope to go back again soon and in the meantime thank all the staff at Caffe Vergnano 1882. Keep up the good work!
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Armanda North
9 Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 8
Monday, January 24, 2011

This is one of my local cafes and have been to it a few times. Last night was the final straw. There was less than 5 tables of customers but it took them 15 minutes before they even served us after I looked at the waitress twice. 4 staff were standing around the coffee machine area doing nothing but chatting. Coffee was warm not hot. That type of temperature is what you'd expect in Starbucks. Then we had to ask twice for the bill. Even though we only had drinks, it doesn't give them the right to treat customers like this. I will not be going there again nor spend my money on their food.
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KL
4 Overall rating
Food 5 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 5 | Value for money 4
Tuesday, January 11, 2011

I had dinner with my family and friends at Caffe Vergnano South Bank on Saturday night. We were well looked after and the food was excellent.

Many thanks to all at Caffe Vergnano
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chris paterson
10 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, October 22, 2010

I've been before to a few Caffe' Vergnano coffee shops around the world but this one at Southbank is the best by far! It serves the most authentic italian food and coffee I've ever found outside Italy. Great atmosphere, staff helpful but not too pushy. Loved the courgette blossom starter and the pollo farcito in porto sauce, I'm not a fan of chicken but this is something different all together. And the hot chocolate - out of this world!!! Will go back as soon as back in London.
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Henrietta
9 Overall rating
Food 10 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Sunday, October 10, 2010

Went to Caffe Vergnano on Saturday. The restaurant was busy but I got my table very quickly. Food was good value for money, staff very friendly and professional.

Definitely going back.
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puccini69 - View all reviews by this user
9 Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 8
Tuesday, October 05, 2010

I had been to Caffe Vergnano few years ago and remembered it as good so I went back today as was in the area. Things have clearly gone down the hill since I last went. The food was over-priced and def not good value for money. £10 for a starter and £15 for main courses are far too expensive for such a place / quality. I won't go back and would not recommend it!!!
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1 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 1 | Atmosphere 1 | Value for money 0
Wednesday, September 29, 2010

This must be one of the most awful overpriced eatery's in one of the best locations in London. What a disappointment and a very bad advertisement to anyone who foolishly braves this very disinterested and badly managed establishement. The chef and catering team don't have a clue; bland overcooked food thrown together with little interest in delighting the ravenous receiver. Our first courses (simple over priced food) could have been tossed together by anyone with little catering experience exceedingly better. The main courses were sent back and at this point we refused the offer of substituted courses of our choice as well a complimentary desert and coffees. However, if you like rocket leaves with everything to camouflage incompetent catering then this is the place for you. If the owners take any interest in the future of this business then I should hope that they read this messsage. Get your act together, get rid of your catering team or invest in some pretty serious training for them. Your goal is to achieve excellence in what you do. Italian food is simple to provide. The secret lies in using that best fresh produce, simple ingredients, good seasoning and passion in those who set their hand to prepare something that exceeds expecations. At the moment, your attempt to lure in unsuspecting innocent victims by the grand location and relatively acceptable furnishings will not last for long unless you do what your visiting customers expect. I will not be visiting again and will put off anyone I hear likley to, unless you make the Time Out Good Food Guide within the next 6 months. Good liuck! Otherwise, refrain from serving any food and stick to coffee, that's what you say you are good at, but I don't know as I could bear the thought of wasting any more money or time t find out!
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0 Overall rating
Food 0 | Service 0 | Atmosphere 0 | Value for money 0
Sunday, May 30, 2010