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202 reviews
I went there with my boyfriend one week ago, on the recommendation of his colleague. Maybe it was just not a good day or the right chef, but it was a really disappointing experience.
Although the long queue didn't discourage us, while queuing we saw a table of two people putting aside their desserts. We should have taken this as a bad omen...
We both ordered scrambled eggs with mushrooms on toast, at around £9. The toast was burnt, the eggs were cold and tasteless, and the plates were greasy and you could see fingerprints on them. The mushrooms, I have to say though, were delicious. We also ordered some chips and sausages, which were reasonable too.
The ambience is quite nice, but the place was totally understaffed that day and we had to wait an extremely long time to get the bill.
The following day we had breakfast in the local Witherspoons for half the price. It was much better.
This first experience just puts me off going to 202 again. However, it's had such great reviews, maybe it was a one-off bad day.
I went there for breakfast on Saturday. The French toast was heavenly. It was one of the best breakfasts I've had. There is a good choice of different things and not just the usual sausage and eggs.
by T Lam, 12 Nov 2007Being a local, I and my wife go to 202 regularly and don't recognize the shrill hysteria of the review below. We unfailingly have a good time and find the staff very friendly (and intelligent!).
by B.Morris, 25 Jul 2007None of the staff smiles. They are all in a hurry and can't handle the work load. The manager is doing a poor poor job of training them and an ever worse job at taking care of his customers.
We went there for brunch. The table we were seated at was a tiny side table. It took TWO SERVERS to carry out our meal, neither one having the intelligence to note that these plates were not going to fit onto this tiny table. One of the servers, when she realized there was no more room on the table, slid my meal onto my lap.
Pretty alarming! Right?
Well, NOTHING was done other than the manager coming by (after we asked for him to do so) and giving his card (huffing and puffing because he is stressed and overworked, can't handle the work load either) to say send him the dry-cleaning bill). Big deal. I walk around the rest of the day with stains on my clothes. (This is the one afternoon when we can get out of the house for a bit and hired a sitter for our 11-month-old twins.)
When our bill did come, we were overcharged - for something we had not ordered. We had to point this out and then it was taken off and 'service' was added!!
We had to laugh and ask for that to be removed as well.
This was a horrible experience and one that forced me to come to this site and place this information. I will never go back and will tell my friends as well.
We loved 202 - it's in a great setting, has fantastic food and friendly staff.
by Anonymous, 23 Apr 2007One of the best places in London for brunch. Relaxed ambiance and lovely service. Also, great for kids. I highly recommend the lamb burger.
by Rahul, 01 Jan 2007I love 202, and brunch there regularly. It has a lovely ambiance, and the food preparation and presentation is tops. By the way, the French toast and bacon with real maple syrup (not corn syrup with 3% maple added) is highly recommended.
by Bayswater Yank, 01 Sep 2006Great place for lunch with the girls after a spot of light shopping(!). Even better, you can continue being acquisitive in the Farhi shop around the dining area and downstairs.
by capital girl "top london reviewer" (59 reviews), 14 Aug 2005As a local, there are other places I'd go to for better value, but for brunch 202 was real delight. 206 next door has now closed unfortunately, as it offered the same high standard food with friendlier staff.
by Anonymous, 04 Aug 2005Gorgeous iced coffee on a sunny day, good service from friendly staff, perfect spot for people watching.
by Lilvika, 25 May 2005An enjoyable experience every time we dine there. We would and have recommended it to friends and family visiting that part of London.
by Anonymous, 02 Mar 2005My friend and I stopped in one Saturday afternoon while shopping. Despite having to wait 15 mins before being seating due to the queue, we were amazed by the high standard of the food, and the friendly professionalism of the service. My friend had fish & chips which she said was some of the best she had ever eaten, while I had the Tuna burger followed by chocolate mousse - simply heaven. I will definitely be back!
by Anonymous, 06 Sep 2004Fantatic place for breakfast or brunch: join in the star spotting (with others wondering if you're one too) as this is a place to be seen. Chatty and informal atmosphere. Prices are not above what you would expect for quality and location.
by Anonymous, 22 May 2004Unlike the Nicole's restaurants in Bond Street and New York, this really is a cafe set in a clothes shop. I'm not sure there's anything wrong with that, but it still feels unusual as I'm not used to buying clothes in cafe or food in a boutique.
Anyway, it's a good place to stop for a snack and glass of wine after working your way up from the other end of Westbourne Grove. I enjoyed a good artichoke soup and an excellent risotto, then, with our blood sugar levels replenished, it was time to resume shopping.
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