What a hidden gem! I stumbled on Russell Square Cafe during my trip to London and honestly, it made my morning. As an American, I was thrilled to easily be able to order an iced coffee ( cold brew) with milk and it did not disappoint. I paired it with the eggs Benedict with regular bacon, which came out perfectly cooked and delicious. I grabbed a table outside and spent a leisurely morning people-watching, and the whole experience was just right. The staff kept the outdoor tables cleared quickly, and the service overall was excellent, everyone was warm and genuinely friendly. This spot is a must if you're in the area. I'll absolutely be back next time I'm in London! read more

Russell Square Cafe - Eggs Benedict with regular bacon - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

The Cafe Tropea, is a great cafe right inside the park, has a wonderful selection of drinks from teas and coffee to beer and wine with a great menu of food. Nice place to sit back and relax. read more

Food was really nice, the service is a little backwards. Would not recommend the coffee as it is quite bitter.

Quick service, you order at the counter and take a tray to your table. Beautiful place to sit read more

Russell Square Cafe - Patio - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

This cafe in one corner of Russell Square park has unbelievable charm due to its lovely location. You can sit outdoors on a warm day, although it is always busy with tourists stopping for a bite to eat, students and people on a lunch break. They make a fantastic cappuccino, and the sandwiches are very good. You can also get some nice pizzas to share, on a thin crust, or soups and pasta. I think its a bit awkward having a large meal if you don't manage to get enough tables between all of you, which is what happened to me the last time I was there. It was a place to linger on in though, and we ended up staying out till late in the afternoon, soaking up the sun. You just might end up getting soaked full stop, in this weather! read more

Russell Square Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

The attention here is superb. The vibe is a cute cafe feel that is very open. I ordered two eggs and chips which some toast and a Coke. The view is great, you can take a little stroll around the park once you've eaten. I would definitely recommend it to anyone especially staying at the hotels nearby. The proximity is very convenient. read more

Russell Square Cafe - View from the window seat of the cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

A really nice place to enjoy your lunch - the square is surrounded by busy roads but is actually a little spot of rare calm right in the middle of London. There is a fountain in the middle with benches running round it and a little cafe on one of the sides. There are lots of other small and cosy cafes nearby too as well as the Brunswick for restaurants and shopping, and of course the British Museum is just a stone's throw away. There's your whole Sunday planned for you! read more

Russell Square Cafe - Russell Square - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

Recently visited this cafe, only great things to say about it! Such a cute and quaint little cafe in the park. Great for just chilling out and relaxing. We went twice for breakfast on our short trip to London. The chocolate croissants and lattes are to die for! We also had cooked sausage baps which were fantastic as well! The staff were very polite and lovely. Loved that we could order straight away and then grab a table. Definitely be back on our next trip. read more

Russell Square Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

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I had the most dissappointing baked potato straight outta a microwave! I was dying for a traditional baked potatoe with a thick, wrinkled, crispy skin not a streamed translucent one! i came straight out the gym hungry as could be. Our uni does sell the traditionally baked pots, but they also give you wooden cutlery that you cannot cut the skin with! so i went searching in vain! Will not be returning not even if a mega-super hot date asked me there! that's how mad I was at that pathetic excuse for a jack-pot! read more

This place would get 5 stars if it had better prices! The food they have there is great to pick up quickly between class, but really can't be frequented every day because it might set you back. The prices aren't terrible, but sometimes the portion doesn't fit the price. Also, their hot chocolate is deplorable. It really should have wifi...and it really doesn't. What coffee places don't have wifi these days? Psh. ONTO THE POSITIVES. They have absolutely amazing large chocolate covered donuts that will blow your pants off. These are fantastic! Their sandwiches are quality as well and they have many nice Italian baked items. They have this garlic bread-type thing which has the texture of a churro but is shaped like a slice of bread. It's fantastic (but a tad too expensive). Anyways, the place is located right in Russell Square which is super convenience when leaving any of Birkbeck's buildings, and it's a quick place to stop and pick something up! read more

Nothing too special about this cafe, except for its convenience to school, the Tube, the British Museum and all things Central London. It's a fabulous place to people-watch; I used to go here every Friday mid-day after lectures and 'read,' but instead commiserate with classmates and comment on white-bearded bespectacled men in intellectual conversation. Food's not fabulous, but not horrible either - they have a wide variety, from fry-ups to paninis and pastries. Service ok. Location, though is ab fab. read more

I really like walking through Russell Square. I came here recently for a picnic (en route from Fitzrovia to Farringdon) and it's a lovely little spot for it. Because people forget that it's here. You're only five minutes from Tottenham Court Road. Just a lovely little bit of greenery, that isn't ruined by people playing football in the middle. It is a bit noisy at rush hour, but if you've got a bottle of cheap bubbly, you probably won't care. Come after work, sit about in the sunshine and enjoy. Fun, isn't it? read more

Inedible food. Wiling to bet it was either from frozen products reheated in a microwave. Only get drinks here. read more

Russell Square is a beautiful square with an interesting modern fountain at its centre. It's a great place to hang out and is usually busy on weekday lunchtimes with office workers eating their lunch there. Probably not worth a trip there specifically to see it, it is probably worth visining for half an hour or longer if you are in the area. There is a cafe on the side of the square, and a few shops near by, if you want to get something to eat or a paper to read. read more

The square was recently refurbished based on the original designs but with the addition of a modern fountain that changed height and is popular with birds. The square is very tranquil and there are lots of benches and it is a good size. In the summer it is very popular with tourists and school trips who picnic here after visiting the British Museum. Luckily there is space for everyone. There is a small cafe in the NW corner that serves all the usual cafe fare and is OK value for money. They have seating inside and out which gets popular in the summer. A nice square to visit if you are close by and fancy resting a while in a relatively tranquil park area. read more

I have been a customer at this cafe for almost a year, choosing to come here to work on my thesis. The ambience is nice, with large glass windows to look out over the park. However, recent experiences have convinced me that I'm never coming back again. During the second month or so of coming to the cafe, I asked if I could use one of the two plugs in the building to charge my laptop as I worked; they were very friendly and said I could use that, as well as the internet. I would happily come in and do work while buying food and coffee as I went, with the staff always being friendly to me. However, this changed today. While working with two friends, the female co-owner of the restaurant approached my table. She angrily stated that we couldn't be working there for hours without buying anything. She said this as her hand was directly next to the small mountain of coffee cups that my friends and I had been amassing, as well as wrappers from food that we had purchased. I tried to explain that we had been purchasing food and that we would obviously leave if the restaurant became busy and more tables were needed (as I always do), but she decided to talk over me instead. She then proceeded to rudely accuse me of using electricity and that I had no business to do so--even though her husband and sons had given me permission to do so over the course of the last few months, and I don't always use it when I come. She may have been having a bad day, but there is still a polite way to ask us to do things--she did NOT use it. Her demeanor was nasty, rude, and unacceptable, especially considering that I've been a paying customer for such a long time that her relatives know my drink and food preferences by heart. This awful interaction has spurred me to note several other things about this establishment that I've overlooked for months, since I had liked the workspace and wanted to be kind to the staff: 1) There is a member of the bussing staff that will consistently harass women. It doesn't matter if you have headphones in, he will attempt to chat you up. Even though my friend has rejected his advances multiple times, he will not leave her alone when we visit; therefore she has stopped coming, whereas I had to be very rude to him to get him to leave me alone. 2) One of the staff members tried to sell me a moldy muffin. I politely pointed out the mold on top of the gluten-free muffin and suggested he check the expiry dates on all of them, since I liked the place and didn't want to make a fuss. Instead of throwing it out and offering me a new one, he proceeded to argue with me that it wasn't mold and "that's how the blueberries look." My family owns a bakery; I can tell the difference between mold and baked blueberries, and I was taken aback that he was actually still trying to sell it to me. He finally dropped the issue when I pointed out that the chocolate chip ones "mysteriously" also looked like they had blueberries on the top... 3) Their cleaning of tables is spotty at best; I would recommend not touching the tabletops (especially outside) if you can avoid it, unless you are comfortable with eating things on the same surface as pigeons like to defecate on. I would say that this was once a pretty decent place to grab a quick bite or do some writing or work, but I now refuse to return to a place that can treat their customers with such complete disrespect. If you are okay with constantly checking your food, shooing away unwanted male attention, and accepting their principle that the customer is always WRONG, then enjoy. read more

This cafe has ultimate charm because of it's lovely view out on to Russell Square gardens. A nice place to spend the afternoon, meet friends or warm up, there are a good number of lunch options here. Staff are friendly and helpful and food is served quickly, however it isn't anything outstanding. The freshness and quickness is one of the main selling factors for me I'd recommend this cafe more for a cup of freshly brewed italian coffee, which is truly delicious and strong, or the thick hot chocolate. Bread pudding is good as well. Prices are fairly standard, around what you'd pay for a sandwich or coffee anywhere else in london. It's a stop off point for tourists going to museums or shops, and rather busy at most times. Go for the convenience and get a window seat, to enjoy this cafe to the full read more

Excellent cafe with even better service, my favorite place to have a sit down coffee break with friends or even by myself !

The sandwiches are a bit too pricey for what you get, but the espresso is fantastic, and you have to give points to a place where you can sit in teh park and enjoy a coffee. read more

Absolutely horrible service here. They openly argue with customers. The food is bland as well. Never coming back here again.

if you think this is a Good café then you really don't know London. we attended on Saturday 7 April and ordered omelette, chips and salad and one all day breakfast. very disappointing for the price, we ordered, sat down and within 5 minutes the whole thing was deleviered to our table. the salad was black and slimey in places, the cucumber was so dry it looked as though it had been freeze dried. the omelette was micro thin and rubbery. The chips were anaemic and cold the all day breakfast, the oil it was cooked in tasted old and most defo not fresh, the egg tasted of the same thing, mushrooms dry as dry thing, the sausage looked nice but tasted cold and very cheap. we wont be back after spending £26 with one bear and one lemon drink. the pigeons enjoyed what was left by other customers... read more

Russell Square is not my favourite London square, nor is this the nicest cafe in the world but I used to meet a friend for breakfast here when we both worked nearby and in the early morning sunshine and quiet this is a lovely place that feels a world away from boring office jobs. I always stuck to a cup of tea and a doughnut, never quite feeling up to the perfectly decent looking fry up they do but these were perfectly satisfactory as the doughnuts were enormous. One thing I didn't like was that the manager was always really rude to his staff which does tend to put you off a place. Still, sit outside and it's great. read more

One of the best parts of a walk into central London from King's Cross, which I heartily recommend DURING DAYLIGHT HOURS. Tourists should avoid Bloomsbury after dark, it is full of cut throats and gangs of teens on bikes. Russell Square is a noisy haven from the traffic that echoes, that orbits it perpetually. Squirrels abound, seemingly unfazed by the constant rumble. They will take any bits of food from your hand, not because they are tame but because they are starving to death, and they would rather demean themselves by getting your human stink on them than be too weak to stay up a tree, safe. The colours of the leaves are glorious at this time of year and this is probably the last warm day to really experience it. Get down there! Warning: there is a fountain in the middle that comes seemingly from the very earth, try not to walk on it as it could jet right up you. Video link: http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=brDKiPe3QnQ read more

Quite a nice cafe in the square but quite expensive. Only had a snack here but no problems with it. read more

Russell Square Cafe - Coffee & Tea Near Me - London, XGL

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This cafe is excellent due to its location, in the centre of Russell Square where you can sit outside and watch the squirrels. It is overpriced, presumably because of high rents as well as tourists, but you can get really nice ice cream, egg and chips, baked potatoes, and the homemade soup at ok prices. There are teas and coffees too of course. It is family run and friendly. Beware the pigeons nicking your chips! read more

Great location to relax. No wi-fi, plenty of seating. Good food and atmosphere with friendly quiet staff.

Russell square is a large square garden with diagonal paths and a fountain in the middle. The place is close to the russell square tube station and the british museum. The place is really popular and there are always people there and also sometimes hotdog and coffee stands. I really recommend passing or walking through it if you are in the area. It is really good. read more

As I was growing up, Russell Square was my local park and I loved going there. Still do. It's the perfect space for going on a quick stroll with the dog or a quick run. It's very popular amongst students and tourists, and provides a lovely scenic shortcut through to Russell Square Station. I would recommend it any time of year! read more

It's a really nice place!

Incredibly rude to people who had frequented the cafe and were paying customers on a mostly empty day. Will not be returning.

Lovely location but correspondingly overpriced. In a neighbourhood overflowing with similar lunch places, there's no excuse for the tragic, microwaved jacket potato I was served -- plunked on a bare plate, drowning in flavourless cheese. You'd be much better off picking up a takeaway sandwich somewhere else and relaxing in the park on a bench for free. read more

It is really good place and my favourite to sit near fountain to read a book.

The greatest little park in Bloomsbury area. The fountain in the middle helps for the fresh air in the hottest days. Stop there for a few minutes and enjoy the silence. read more

I've been here several times, so I'll give an overview of all the food I've had there. Burgers: Don't bother. Overpriced and bland. Pizza: Not bad, but undercooked, messy, and generally somewhat mediocre. Sandwiches: Actually quite good, and certainly reasonably-priced. It's conveniently-located, and it's a good place to people-watch. However, their hours are somewhat inconvenient, and one of the staff gave me attitude once for repeatedly asking for glasses of tap water, insisting that I should've just gotten bottled water for several pounds instead. I've been there several times and would probably go back, but I can't say I truly recommend it either. read more

My first experience was popping in there for morning latte and croissant when I worked in London. Since then, although no longer working I central London I have been back many times and now plan my day so I can lunch in the cafe. I have always found the service excellent, the food very good and reasonably priced and the setting, with the view of the park is stunning. Definitely would recommend to anyone visiting the area. read more

The branches are out and it is time to throw shade! They are combative and antagonistic with customers to the point of raising their voices. Their lattes taste like sugar water (we are humans not hummingbirds!) The setting of the cafe is lovely but not worth the negative impact on your brightly shining auras, fellow yelpers. read more

Bloomsbury and Russell Square are very interesting parts of London because it's famous for the surrounding English heritage monuments. The Russell Square is a Georgian garden, with a Modern styled fountain in the middle. The water shoots out from the ground, so the children will love it, just be careful as the water is cold so bring a towels for your little ones, in case they do want to get wet. During the hot days, the grass area is filled up with many students skipping their lectures or failing miserably to cram in revision before their exams. The reason for this is that Russell Square is seconds away from three top universities, UCL, the London School of Oriental and African Studies and Birkbeck, and the students love this park. Additionally, there is also the British Museum and Senate House library, which attracts many tourists and serious academics who come to relax on the park chairs, to re-locate themselves on the London map, or catch up on scholastic reading. Other specials, is the restaurant in the middle of the park, which is well very expensive, very posh and very ohh ahh. And there is an interesting pathway that has a fancy arch covered with entwined branches and leaves, that bloom in the summer, that I'd recommend for a romantic moment on a summer night. So, if you have the time, and have a few minutes spare, to sit and watch Bloomsbury life go by, then go to the middle, the Middle of Russell Square. Wow, that rhymes J read more

Great location. This park is quieter than most of the other outdoor areas in central London. Russell Square is a haven for dog walkers in the early morning. One of my favourite green areas in central London. Good for picnics or a quick wander. Doesn't feel like you're in the centre of the capital, very quiet. The fountains run all year round, always fun to see children running in them with their parents look of disapproval. read more