Maison Bertaux Café London (Soho)

I've been going to Maison Bertaux for years with my father, and it has become a part of my life. With regards to the grumpiness of the old man, me and my father find it quite amusing, and there are several really nice waitresses who we know well. I guess since I'm not the one paying I can't complain about prices, but I think they must be reasonable since the cakes are so delicious. I think you're also paying for the atmosphere, the conversations you overhear from local characters. I think it's a great place and would recommend it to people who want something more charming and quirky than Starbucks.

by miarose, 14 Jun 2009

We stumbled across Maison Bertaux, and what a good stumble it was. The waitress was very entertaining and reminded us of Basil Fawlty. What ever you do, don't ask for a cappucino - it's cafe noir or cafe au lait, nothing more nothing less. But it's definitely a wonderful experience.

by Ellleeeeeeen x, 15 May 2009

I have been to this place about a dozen times. I enjoyed the cake, but found them and the tea overpriced. Once the lady overheard me saying this on my way out and she ran out after saying what did I expect in Soho! Still, I went back, lured in by the loveliness of the place. Again, very rude service from the older man whose cafe it may well be. How can you have such a nice place and be so grumpy? On another occasion he was grumpy too, as if he didn't want the custom - such a shame! After that I thought no, never again, you should make your customers feel welcome and at ease... If you go, go for the nice cake but be prepared to feel unwelcome. Not a good combination really! This lovely on the surface place could be so different, almost a good metaphor for life!

by karola1, 15 May 2009

Look, it's simply the best. They don't do fifty different types of coffee, but that's the fun of it. Once this place goes, there'll be no others left - it's a unique and wonderous spot in what's left of traditional Soho. Quirky, eccentric and utterly genuine. Hugely recommended.

by mike simkins, 06 Apr 2009

Awesome French in Soho, oh la la la la! Enjoy the exquisite creations, top honours worthy of the 14th King of France at a fraction of the price! Think of the ‘istory and tradition of the makers craft before you gobble or complain!

by Vatel, 26 Feb 2009

When I am in London, I stay at Hazlitt's and walk over to Maison Bertaux every morning for breakfast and on many days I treat myself to tea and one of Madame's perfectly delicious pastries in the afternoon. The whipped cream is not held up with gelatin as you will find in those pretentious teas served in the expensive tourist hotels... I won't name names, but you know the famous ones I am talking about. There is an honesty in Maison Bertaux that always lifts my spirits and reminds me of what real quality is all about.

by skeneipp, 14 Feb 2009

I'm afraid this cafe did not meet my expectations and was incredibly over-priced. I'm French and I'm happy to pay for good food but the fare they serve here can be found in many fine restaurants and should not cost £7 for a tea and a piece of cheesecake. The inside was grotty, with Christmas decorations still up even though it is February. The waiter was incredibly rude and the space cramped. Sorry but this place was not for me.

by melialaldn, 09 Feb 2009

The best tart au citron outside France. Truly awesome. Bags of character and better than Starbucks any day.

by vanessamaburke, 13 Jan 2009

Anyone complaining about the prices can bore off and pay £4 for a dry, pre-sealed sandwich in Starbucks or Cafe Nero. People like you who don't appreciate character and home-made food are why small businesses are closing every day. I would far rather give my money to Bertaux and contribute to the culture of Soho than have it go into the pocket of some American multinational.

by Miss Kent, 12 Jan 2009

Maison Bertaux is unique. As someone else said, it has to pay astronomical business rates and rent - something that isn't as difficult for big chains like Starbucks. I think that people who prefer Starbucks shouldn't come here because they won't like it and it's best that they don't come! The prices are actually displayed on very original handwritten pieces of paper and people can ask for a receipt if they want one.

Best kept secret in London. Those who keep complaining should go to places where everything is prepacked and covered in shiny plastic.

by berlbex, 05 Jan 2009

I met friends for a tea here and just, well, didn't appreciate the overcharging. They don't publish their prices, so I guess I'll have to: £6.30 for a small, well-done but hardly mind-blowing eclair and a pot of green tea. In my opinion, that's a bit much. The prices that ARE posted seem quite reasonable, which just helps along the feeling that there's a bit of a swizz in the air. I won't be going again. If I want to splash out there are plenty of places where I'd spend a little more (Yauatcha comes to mind - their tea and cakes are excellent) and still feel like it was money well spent. To all the people who posted negative reviews, thank you... I should have listened.

by ellenlindna, 20 Nov 2008

The BEST cafe in London. The most gorgeous cakes and funky decor, fabulous, helpful and understanding staff. I cannot praise this place highly enough.

by alexhanrahan, 12 Nov 2008

I love this quirky little cafe. But I think prices should be displayed. It's just nice to know the cost of things before you order them... it's quite standard isn't it? I don't think it's that much trouble.

by paupopo, 06 Aug 2008

After reading Alex Kapranos' (the lead singer of Franz Ferdinand) review of this cafe in his Soundbites book, we decided to see what the fuss was about yesterday.

The cakes in the window are set out beautifully and as you walk in you pick which one you want. I couldn't tell you what it was called, but my friend and I had a delightful cake filled with creme anglais and chocolate mousse, topped with fresh fruit and a toffee-covered choux bun filled with more mousse!! The English Tea was lovely and I managed to get 3 cups from the pot. The decor is interesting and, although his pictures are gone, Noel Fielding's inane writings are still on the wall.

Would happily return to Bertaux's. To those that are complaining about the price, you deserve the chains of Starbucks and Costa - leave the rest of us to the delightful hidden gems of old London!

by nuttyfranz, 04 Aug 2008

Expensive yes, but the character of the surroundings and the cakes are a delight! I would avoid the coffee at all costs and hope the tea isn't too weak. The fact that it isn't a chain may be what keeps me coming back.

by sunnydelight, 04 Jun 2008

First impressions last. Some people have unfortunately got a bad first impression of this establishment. However, I worked in Soho for 6 years and when it was somebody's birthday there was never a second thought about where to go... only the best in town would do. The company I kept were well travelled and all considered the patisserie fom Bertaux to be the real deal. If you had a bad experience here, then go back and explain it to them. These people stand behind their product. Sure, they are more expensive then average, but quality costs and what you get is far from average.

by holyhap, 18 May 2008

I have read a lot about Maison Bertaux and couldn't wait to find out what it was like for myself. I finally made it there today and wow, what a place! I went by myself and, horror of horrors,did not take a book; fear not, the place was so quirky and wonderful that I spent an hour just people watching, drinking tea and eating my truffle bombe. The staff are lovely and the old man who served me said that I had made his day purely because I had an extra 20p to even out the change. I can't wait to go back - I'm taking my friend for her birthday!

by LoveLea, 15 Mar 2008

This is one of the best cafes in the UK. It has an atmosphere that you couldn't hope to find in any Starbucks or Pret a Manager (but that was never going to be hard!) It oozes Continental artistic intelligence, whilst its small size means that you're part of the experience. Once sampled, never forgotten!

by ejane, 19 Feb 2008

I have been coming to this wonderful cafe for 20 years and would continue to do so if they charged treble the prices. It's genuine and it's quality - something that is hard to find in London today. Those that don't appreciate it should keep to Starbucks et al. Here's to the next 20 years!

by Steve Morris, 02 Feb 2008

Walking in to Maison Bertaux on a busy Sunday afternoon on a quest to find a nice place to enjoy a cuppa, my friends and I were put off by the unfriendliness of the man behind the counter who mumbled a few rude comments, especially about the fact that we 'did not even speak English'. (I have lived in London for over 5 years and am perfectly capable of speaking English, but was then communicating with my sister and our friend in our native language, which is... French.) Needless to say, although the cakes may be the yummiest on earth (we did not stick around to find out), nothing beats service with a smile.

by Alex J, 27 Jan 2008

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