The Café Provencal

This is a lovely neighbourhood restaurant. Simple, reliable food, massive portions (some starters can be as big as main courses elsewhere, so beware!) and reasonably priced, which is the exception rather tha the rule in London these days.

Service is laidback but attentive, and there's a cosy, relaxed ambience. Brought my elderly parents here for dinner when they were over visiting from Ireland and the owner could not have been more accomodating - making sure we had a nice table in a quiet spot etc. In fact we are bringing my boyfriend's parents there tomorrow night!

Have to agree about the wine glasses though
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JS
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 10
Friday, January 18, 2008

Despite living only 5 minutes from Cafe Provencal, it has taken me months to get myself there, mainly due to the advice of friends who said the place was something of a let down. However, every time I walked past I was strangely tempted....

So last Sunday, I went with the boyf for lunch (having got up at 6am to do a car boot sale in the wind and cold) - and we were very pleasantly surprised. A simple yet satisfying lunch menu of ciabattas, lamb burgers, and other hearty fayre, served with chunky chips, did out rumbling tummies very well. Service was polite, friendly and punctual, and the atmosphere and decor, including the background music, all added to the experience. We also noted the designated area for families with small children which seemed a nice touch. I would also say it was good value for money.

We both had soft drinks so I can't join in the debate about the wine tumblers, and while I couldn't vouch for this place for a full dinner out, we both felt it was super as a place to relax, warm up and have a simple yet satisfying lunch.

In sum: don't write Provencal off - you'd be missing out.
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Philippa East
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 9
Monday, January 14, 2008

Surely the "Cafe" part of the title is a give away.

Great place , if you don't like it go up the road to Dulwich.
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Vincent
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, November 14, 2007

We live locally and went to Cafe Provencal for the first time two weeks ago, for a Sunday lunch. It was terrible. The menu was not interesting, and we did not really fancy anything in there. Eventually we asked for soup, and when it arrived is was not hot, just warm. Nobody asked if things were fine or if we would like anything else. So we just paid and left.

I was really hoping it was going to be nice so that we would go there regularly, but after the first visit we shall not return...
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Stella
Overall rating
Food 3 | Service 3 | Atmosphere 2 | Value for money 3
Thursday, November 08, 2007

First, get rid of those silly wine tumblers. EVERYONE hates them - we have one friend who refuses to go here for this reason alone. Second, leave everything else well alone. The food here is usually wholly reliable - huge portions of hearty French cooking, with some quite inventive stuff (game is good). Tea & cakes in the afternoon is good too. Staff are friendly and pretty efficient, seem to know their way around the menu (none of that 'I'll have to ask the chef' nonsense) and prices are reasonable.

But buy some proper wine glasses, please.
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mike
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 9 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Wednesday, May 09, 2007

On a busy Friday night the service in here really suffered. No, "would you like to try the wine?" and no, "did you enjoy your meal?". After waiting half an hour to be asked if we wanted a dessert I complained to the owner. To be fair to him, he gave us a free pud and coffee, but it didn't make up for the below average food we were served for our mains.

Turkey "with all the trimmings" looked as through it had died of natural causes, somewhere in just south of the Sahara, and the trimmings, which consisted of a flaccid pale sausage and some microwaved roast potatoes were reminiscent of a 1980’s school dinner.

I want to love Café Prov and it has the potential to be the best eatery in Herne Hill, but until the food and service improve I’ll be sticking to the venue the road.
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jon - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 2 | Service 2 | Atmosphere 9 | Value for money 2
Saturday, December 09, 2006

LOVE this place, refreshing to visit such a friendly bar/restaurant, really relaxing, food fantastic (went for the moroccan Lamb burger and banoffee pie Mmmmmmm) really like the way the wine is served in the tumbler glasses and that there is local artwork decorating the walls (which is encouraged and for sale)Will def be heading there again soon.
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Nat - View all reviews by this user
Overall rating
Food 9 | Service 10 | Atmosphere 10 | Value for money 10
Friday, September 22, 2006

Fantastic little place, good music and friendly ambience, the staff are informal and really pleasant and the food is really really tasty..

The steak was huge, chargrilled but still pink inside.

Red mullet tempura with sweet potato and lime and coriander dressing was a definite hit!!

And the home made cheesecake made me want to rub myself on the chef.. Woof Woof!
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matt
Overall rating
Food 8 | Service 8 | Atmosphere 8 | Value for money 8
Monday, August 21, 2006

This is a local for me and its the only place to remember if you're in this part of town. Simple, tasty, friendly, cosy, provincial and wallet friendly. This is not fine dining, its the perfect alternative when you just can't face cooking.
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Justin
Wednesday, October 26, 2005