The Gallery Cafe Review

My Review of The Gallery Cafe – A café in East London offering an all-vegan menu of breakfast and savoury staples, sweet treats, lattes and juices, as well as live events and art exhibitions.

Where: St. Margarets House Settlement, 21 Old Ford Road, London E2 9PL

Website: http://www.stmargaretshouse.org.uk/gallerycafe/

Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/the_gallerycafe/ 

Menu: http://www.stmargaretshouse.org.uk/thegallerycafe/menu/

CHECKED OFF MY LIST: 5^thDecember, 2016; 27^thAugust, 2018

OVERVIEW:

The Gallery Café is run by St. Margaret’s House, a local charity promoting positive social change and building up the community. It’s lovely that all proceeds from the café go back into the community. They also have an impressive fully-vegan menu, with generous portions for reasonable prices!

ATMOSPHERE:

There is such a lovely vibe inside the Gallery Café. As you enter the doorway, with colourful bunting draped across the entrance, you immediately sense the cheerful nature of the place. Fairy lights decorate the far wall, where a large window overlooks a spacious garden, which in the summer is perfect for picnicking on the tables outside. Inside there is a comfortable bustle, ideal for sitting and chatting with friends. But it’s also quiet enough that you could bring your laptop and get some work done.

WHEN TO GO:

The Gallery Café is perfect for a lovely brunch out, a substantial lunch or dinner, or just to pop in and do work over a sweet treat and a latte. My first visit here was actually a surprise for my birthday (in 2016), so it’s great for celebrations as well!

MY SHORTLIST:

• Full English Breakfast: I have been to eat at the Gallery Café twice, and both times I had to go for this dish. I mean, just look at it! It’s an epic plate of delicious food, for the reasonable price of £8.95. The tofu scramble is especially notable, and is packed with spices and flavour. The mix of all the different components of a full English works so well and makes for a substantial meal.
  • Menu description: A classic breakfast comprising sourdough toast, pan-fried mushrooms, herb-roasted tomatoes, sausages, scrambled tofu, fried potatoes, sautéed kale, and homemade baked beans in a rich and flavourful tomato sauce.
• American-style Pancakes: My friend got these and gave me a taste, and as an American I can vouch that they definitely tasted like the pancakes I grew up with! They were fluffy and sweet, and my friend said the whole plate was very filling and satisfying as well.
  • Menu description: A stack of delicious pancakes with choice of toppings.
• Turmeric Latte: If you’ve known me for a bit of time, then you’ve likely seen my turmeric obsession. I’ve popped into the Gallery Café when I’ve been in the area, to treat myself with one of these warming turmeric lattes. Boy do they hit the spot. It’s gorgeously prepared every time, with a lovely latte design. The taste itself is warming and sweet and perfect to brighten up any afternoon.
  • Menu description: Organic Turmeric sweetened with raw coconut nectar, prepared with steamed milk and black pepper.

Have you been to the Gallery Cafe? What were some of your favourite dishes to try?