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By CHLOE., Oxford Circus, Marylebone

By CHLOE., NYC’s vegan fast food sensation, is making serious in roads into the London plant-based scene with their third location in London, just steps from Oxford Circus. By CHLOE. are now truly spreading the love in the UK with their plant-based burgers, pastries and delicious air fried fries (with beetroot ketchup!). As I am a huge fan of By CHLOE. NY,  I was keen to review the central London branch.

The setting

By CHLOE.  Oxford Circus is based next to busy Oxford Street, so certainly super central! A few streets away in Fitzrovia, you can find Glow Bar and Kin.

The space

Outside they have the signature monochrome look of the By CHLOE.s  in the US.

The inside has a canteen kind of vibe, the space is large, black and white striped, with stripped brick walls.

There are lots of chairs and tables of different sizes, plus striped couches and tiny tables where it’s easy to sit on your own.

It’s not the best space to work on your laptop, being much more of a space to get lunch or dinner to go or to quickly eat in – especially with the many office workers nearby. You order your food at the counter and they give you a buzzer, so, when your food is ready, it buzzes to let you know.

I’m going to be very honest here, since I have visited multiple locations in New York and now in London, maybe it’s the ultra busy location, but this branch has more of a fast food vibe (and less of a relaxed vibe) than others. In New York, By CHLOE.  is very much a relaxed brunch spot too.

The crowd

Being so central, expect a different crowd to their other branches.: shopping teenagers, and lots of business men and women from nearby offices.

What we ate

In the UK By CHLOE. has created some “British specials” like toffee pudding and fish and chips, but sadly, due to the busy location, they had run out of those and other options on the menu, so we couldn’t try them out.

I usually have the Caesar salad, which is super tasty! So decided to mix it up with the Thai salad. When the salad came it was sprinkled with crispy wontons, a few pieces of apricot-siracha glazed tempeh and a very few edamame beans. I suspect they were running out of ingredients here too. However,  peanut dressing was super tasty and gave a really lovely Asian twist to the dish.

Next, we had the breakfast platter of scrambled tofu, spinach, a maple sausage, market greens, walnuts and 7 grain toast. Sadly, the tofu was wet and the sausage was burned. However, the toast was well toasted and crunchy with slightly brown edges, just how I like it.

So, after the negativity, good news: the legendary By CHLOE. desserts!

Their sweets are all amazing and you literally will have no idea you’re eating a vegan pastry!

I’ve had their muffins before, and do really recommend them, but the banana bread is definitely my favourite of all. It’s a super thick slice fully loaded with pieces of chocolate and walnuts. The crust has a little crunch and is perfectly baked and not too moist. Also, I had my first pecan cookie and that was a real winner. The cookie was moist on the inside and crunchy on the outside and contained chocolate chips and pecan pieces.

I’m still a big fan of By CHLOE. and I really hope they will get their kitchen better organised at this busy branch, because Tower Bridge and Covent Garden are doing really well.  The guy at the counter was super sweet and really tried to compensate for the lack of menu items and make everyone happy who was eating in.

The bill

Sweet potato fries  £4
Spicy thai salad  £9,95
Early bird platter  £9
Banana bread  £3.60
Cookie, classic pecan  £2.40

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Paradise Plantbased

Paradise Plantbased began as a raw food stall in 2014, before setting down roots in Kensal Rise in 2018. Lithuanian-born Egle owns and runs the café. She avoids using refined flours, sugars, oils and salts as well as offering an extensive range of raw and gluten-free options. Her motto is “Freshness and soul are at the heart of all that we do.”

The setting

You can find it just a short walk from either Kensal Rise or Kensal Green station and close to one of our favourite flower shops, Scarlet and Violet which is well worth a visit on the way. The pretty pastel exterior of Paradise Plantbased stands out so you won’t miss it.

The space

Walking into Paradise Plantbased is like stepping into a tropical haven . Palm trees are splashed across the walls, green plants hang from the ceiling and vast plant pots dot the café. The furniture, wall hangings and cutlery trays are all upcycled and painted by hand.

You’re greeted with a gorgeous display of raw and baked cakes, a salad buddha bowl station and a snack shelf for the chocoholics.

You’ll also find a well-stocked fridge full of gut-healthy fermented foods, drinks and waters as well as a pantry wall, packed with gluten free flours, nut butters, chocolate spreads and cereals for sale.

 

The fresh juice test

The smoothie menu at Paradise Plantbased is extensive.  We had two. The Ziggy Smoothie was packed with mango, papaya, ginger, turmeric and coconut water – a vibrant and smooth drink. Then the Green ‘N’ Mean Smoothie which was surprisingly light and refreshing. It was made with kale, spinach, pear, avocado, celery, lime, mint and coconut water but didn’t taste very “green” despite the abundance of raw vegetables and fruit.

What we ate

From açai bowls to burgers, raw pizzas to posh mac ‘no’ cheese and with any combination of smoothies and hot drinks, you’re spoilt for choice.

We had the Apple Pancakes with chocolate sauce which were delightfully light and fluffy thanks to the Khorasan flour. We had to review their signature Paradise Breakfast plate, which features with home-made sunseed sausages, a baked bean filled avocado rose, mushrooms, sourdough toast and umami rich silky scrambled ackee. The ackee was definitely a highlight.

We also tried their Bagel and Beans – a wholemeal bagel loaded with home-made smoky beans, crunchy spicy coconut chip clusters, fresh tomatoes and slices of avocado.

The creamy cashew cheese sauce on top was a real winner here. We also sampled a small buddha bowl of sweet potato wedges, crunchy chickpeas and garlicky green beans which was great.

The dessert fridge was fully stocked with raw cheesecakes, baked cookies and protein balls and truffles. We tried the Chocoholic Raw Cheesecake which was a quadruple layered cheesecake of nutty hazelnut base and a creamy rich chocolate cashew-based cheesecake layer. We also tried their baked Chocolate Brownie Cake complete with edible flowers – delicious!

What we’d go back for

We would definitely go back for the original and homemade touch to each dish, the striking interior and the amazing array of handmade vegan bakes and raw cakes.

The bill

Apple pancakes  £8.50
Paradise breakfast  £11.00
Bagel and beans  £9.00
Small buddha bowl  £4.00
Ziggy smoothie  £6.00
Green ‘N’ Mean smoothie  £6.00
Chocolate brownie  £4.50
Chocoholic raw cheesecake  £4.60

 

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Wave, Hackney

WAVE stands for We Are Vegan Everything and is the brainchild of cupcake queens Cait and Soph. Their company ‘Cupcakes and Shhht’ is renowned for frosted cupcakes and cookie sandwiches. The duo created WAVE to offer good, honest and delicious food. The café is proudly fully vegan and on a mission to prove that vegan food is the future.

The setting

WAVE is a 5-minute walk from Hackney Central overground station. Set in a private courtyard with wide, bright glass doors and windows, the café has a large indoor and outdoor seating area.

The space

Outdoors the wooden tables are surrounded by small stools as well as a gorgeous ground seating area covered in patterned rugs, comfy cushions and cosy throws. Or you can relax in their numerous hanging egg chairs.  There are two outside and two hammock chairs inside too.

The light and airy nature of the café has a chilled-out Bali beach vibe.

There are cosy wooden sofas, plush pillows and lots of greenery – plants in vases, flowers on the tables and green foliage dotting the seating areas.

Inside you are welcomed with a well-stocked counter top of fresh sourdough cheese stuffed sandwiches, vegan cream and faux-salmon bagels as well as a selection of bakes, raw bakes and power snacks.

The fresh juice test

All the juices at WAVE are made in house. The Goodness Gracious Green is a vibrant  mix – a not too sweet blend of spinach, apple, spirulina, cucumber, lemon and ginger. It is a real refresher and feels packed with goodness.

We also had the Himalayan salted coffee which comes with oat milk as standard, as do all the hot drinks at WAVE. It tasted just like caramel. Served like a latte, rich and creamy, it tasted unique!

What we ate

The menu at WAVE is extensive with every dish sounding – and looking – delicious.

Decorated with edible flowers, fresh herbs and nuts and seeds, each dish is presented in beautiful stoneware crockery.

We chose the famous Brekky Bowl – a buddha bowl style breakfast feast. It’s filled with organic turmeric scrambled tofu with chives and black salt, basil toasted plum tomatoes, garlic and parsley fried mushrooms, smoky aubergine and avocado served with a fresh wedge of lemon, chilli flakes, mixed seeds, walnuts and rocket.  The dish is gluten-free and packed with flavour. The sticky glazed aubergine was the real highlight of the bowl.

We also had the Mac and Cheese – a creamy and light macaroni pasta in a vegan cheesy sauce topped with roasted tomatoes and broccoli, crispy kale, rich umami coconut bacon and fresh micro herbs.

We spotted slices of pink frosted strawberry and pistachio cake, thickly-stuffed cookie sandwiches, raw berry cheesecakes and peanut butter chocolate slices.

We chose the sticky and generously glazed cinnamon roll. It was subtly sweet and filled with so much cinnamon. Light and fluffy with a silky-smooth glaze, this bun is the perfect afternoon delight.

What we’d go back for

The staff are really friendly and informative, adding an inviting touch to the already incredible eatery.

The bill

Greens juice £5.00
Brekky bowl  £12.50
Mac and cheese £10.00
Salted coffee £3.50
Cinnamon roll £3.50

 

 

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It’s Pleat, White City

Mention H&M and you would be forgiven for thinking fast fashion and hot homeware. But now the Swedish trendsetter is taking on plant-based brunch and super lattes at their Westfield flagship store with It’s Pleat.

It’s Pleat, is an in-store café serving healthy breakfasts, lunches and treats throughout store opening hours. Plus everything is packaged in plant based, decomposable materials.

The setting

Set in the heart of the Westfield White City shopping centre, It’s Pleat adds a corner of  serenity the shopping mall. The café is H&M’s first in the UK, and their fourth globally. The first was launched in Stockholm in 2018.

Once inside, you’d have no idea that you were in a mega shopping centre. The café is kitted out with plants, marble and blush pink furniture and feels very calm.

The space

Even though this is a grab-and-go style set up, the café is well equipped for  eating in. They have super comfortable chairs and beautiful interiors and they also provide bronzed cutlery and stunning crockery for you to transfer your food onto, so you’re not eating out of a take-away box.

The little things that make a difference

They have seeded crackers by the counter for you to try whilst you’re paying. You can’t go wrong with a pre-lunch snack!

I also loved the fact they have a range of cookery and Lagom (move over Hygge) books dotted around for customers to flick through whilst enjoying their lunch.

The fresh juice test

I decided to review the green juice. It was really refreshing and contained 40% cucumber and so it wasn’t too sweet. As well as the cucumber,  it was loaded with apple, spinach, lemon and ginger. For me,  it could have done with a little bit more ginger for a real kick, but other than that it was very delicious.

What we ate

We had the rainbow salad which was beetroot tri-colour quinoa, with roasted turmeric cauliflower, three different types of hummus (sweet potato, beetroot and herby hummus), avocado and picked carrots and onions.

The salad was packed with a load of spices, textures, colours and flavours.

It was thoroughly enjoyable and well flavoured. I would definitely order it again. They also have a range of soups, sandwiches, salads and wraps meaning there really is something for everyone.

We also got the seaweed seeded cracker topped with beetroot hummus, which aside from being very aesthetically pleasing was absolutely delicious. The smooth hummus worked really well with the crunchy cracker.

Finally, we got a matcha latte. As a self-confessed matcha addict, I’ve tried my fair share of matchas around London and if I may go so far as to say this is one of the best I’ve had. It’s Pleat also offer a golden latte and a blush latte.

We passed on the sweet treats, although they had a large selection of energy balls, cakes, cookies and snacks to grab and go.

What we’d go back for…

If you’re an interior nerd, then you’ll be blown away by the bathrooms. They’re kitted out with blush pink floor tiles and pink walls. The plants are also a really soothing addition. The chilled music was a lovely edition to the calm vibes and quiet setting. I would really recommend visiting especially if you want a healthy option in Westfield and can’t wait to go back!

The bill

Rainbow salad  £7.90
Matcha latte  £3.90
Green juice  £3.70
Flatbread with beetroot hummus  £1.90

For more WestLondon inspiration click here. 

 

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The Fields Beneath, Camden Town

The Fields Beneath pride themselves making tasty plant-based food.  The original site opened in 2012 in Kentish Town and they’ve recently expanded to Camden Town. Despite the bright yellow “vegan” sign outside, you’ll discover that the food is bang up to date and offers much more than lentils.

The setting

The Fields Beneath is close to the bustle of Camden market.  It’s quite small inside with just a bench and a table. On a sunny day, the main window table is a sun trap and a few bright yellow trunks serve as benches out the front.

It is the perfect midday spot to enjoy lunch or an afternoon coffee and cake.

The fresh juice test

The Fields Beneath don’t do juices. They pride themselves on their coffee and they also have a great range of vibrant kombuchas in flavours like Triple Ginger and Strawberry Tulsi. Plus, they have a range of teas and homemade golden milk and chai lattes – so there’s something for everyone.

What we ate

The menu changes daily as The Fields Beneath pride themselves on using locally produced foods and eating with the seasons. They champion Hertfordshire grown lentils and British grown fava beans and use  a UK-based oat milk. On the day we went, there were two lunch wraps to choose from – we decided to review the kebab wrap which was served toasted and a side salad. It was filled with oyster mushrooms, tomatoes and a creamy tzatziki.

In addition, we also had the lentil-filled “sausage” roll with mustard. It had thin and flaky pastry outside and a tasty filling. However, the star of the savoury show had to be the large slice of roasted vegetable farinata served warm.

It was packed with flavour and the fava bean flour added a great texture to the soft vegetables.

You will be spoiled for choice when it comes to dessert. They all look delicious and they’re all freshly made in house. We chose the warm apple crumble slice, on the manager’s recommendation, and it was amazing. Spiced with cinnamon, with tender apple pieces and a sweet “buttery” crumble top, it came served with cream and was the perfect dessert.

We also had the chocolate brownie which was rich with cacao and had a really gooey consistency thanks to the prunes and banana chunks. It was also filled with coconut for added texture. It was the best brownie I’ve had in a long time.

What we’d go back for

The apple crumble slice and the promise of the brand new tahini brownies.

The bill

Farinata  £5.90
Lentil roll  £3.60
Kebab wrap  £7.20
Chocolate brownie  £3.00
Apple crumble slice  £2.80

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Plant Hub, Hackney

It’s been a long journey for Plant Hub’s creator, David Bez, to find a fixed London home for his innovative, plant-based cooking. But finally and thankfully his journey has a happy ending with the creation of Plant Hub, Hackney.

I’ve had the pleasure of visiting David’s previous ventures in Chatsworth Road (Pride Kitchen) and his pop up in Broadway Market’s Tiosk, but this new plant-based café is more ambitious. I was very excited to review it, as Bez has  joined forces with chef Lauren Lovatt and co-founder and head chef Antonio Alderuccio (AKA The Rainbow Chef) .  Their new venue not only boasts a widely vegan (and scrumptious) menu, but it also has a brand new plant based culinary academy right within its walls. Their aim is “to inspire a passion for plants, through building a community where we can all learn from the most inspiring chefs and foodies … to make and enjoy more plant based food.” And I think they’re absolutely on their way!

The setting

Plant Hub is on über trendy Mare St. It’s just round the corner from beautiful London Fields and a short walk from Hackney Central.

The space

Stepping off busy Mare Street, you are welcomed in by a display of fresh produce and homemade cakes and desserts.  It shouts ‘come in!’ Although narrow, the back of the café has about 8 tables and warm, stripped walls creating a really welcoming environment.  The lighting is industrial, there are metal chairs and wooden floors.

The seating area  overlooks the Plant Hub academy kitchen so you’re really in on the action.

The fresh juice test

The menu features an irresistible mix of elaborate mocktails, super lattes and smoothies. I had a fresh turmeric latte  which was the nicest I’ve ever had in London and a CBD & chamomile latte. I was so keen to try this and it was incredible.

What we ate

With very hungry tummies, we shared the Protein Bowl, which is a combo of a chickpea omelette, black peas, coriander butter beans, hummus, fermented oat cheez, kale, toasted seeds, dressed with a tahini and cheezy mustard sauce.

We also had the Melanzane Parmigiana (I genuinely wouldn’t have known it was vegan) and the filled Gluten Free Focaccia.

The Focaccia was stuffed with beetroot hummus, sun dried tomatoes and  rocket. We were tempted to try everything, so we followed this with the heavenly bread and butter pudding and a chocolate and pear tart with coconut cream and date syrup.

What else?

Plant Hub runs a wealth of workshops and cooking classes every week. You can learn skills from how to make decadent plant-based desserts, how to ferment foods and even how to batch cook. There are also plenty of guest chefs and cooks taking classes, so do keep your eyes peeled for something that takes your fancy.

And if the café and academy wasn’t enough, Plant Hub also sells local produce in in the Deli, so you can come and do your weekly shop.

Products include British quinoa, lentils and beans, flours, mylks and keep cups.

What we’d go back for…

The food was incredible and I will definitely be back in no time at all to enjoy more of the menu. But probably the thing that made me glow, most literally, were the lattes to end the meal.

They were the best lattes I’ve had in London and the CBD was an added treat.

There’s just something really special about this place. It feels as though now that there is finally a stable home for David and Lauren’s passions, ideas and genius minds, Plant Hub will continue to grow into something really wonderful; making plant-based food accessible, easy and even more delicious for us all!

The bill

Melanzane parmigiana  £8.00
Filled focaccia  £6.00
Protein bowl  £9.00
Super lattes  £4.00

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Tibits review

In 2000,  three Swiss brothers decided it was time to give vegetarians more choice. So, in 2000 they created Tibits in Zurich. The Swiss sensation has now moved to London and you can pile your plate with over 40 dishes from their buffet-style restaurant.

From Swiss Alpine macaroni to Middle-Eastern shakshuka, they’ve got it covered and you pay by weight. The ingredients are carefully sourced, primarily organic, seasonal and local.

The location

Tibits is tucked away on Heddon Street, a peaceful pedestrianised road just off Regent Street and only a few minutes from Piccadilly and Oxford Circus. There’s another branch in Bankside, just behind the Tate Modern.

The space

There’s a large outdoor seating area on the pavement which is a pretty unique tranquil setting in this fast-paced part of town. Or, if you sit indoors, you will be surrounded by floral wallpaper and crystal chandeliers, at a table decorated with candles and flowers. As you enter, a friendly host explains the concept of the restaurant. You grab a plate, fill it with as many options as you like from the buffet in the middle of the room (called the Food Boat), take it to the counter and pay by weight. There is no table service.

The chic vibe and relaxed background music creates an inviting atmosphere for long lunches with friends or working breakfast meetings.

There were several people comfortably dining alone while working on their laptops. The food is also available as takeaway and can be ordered on Deliveroo.

The fresh juice test

The juices are freshly squeezed on site every day and I ordered the Green Fitness. It was a refreshing blend of apple, fennel, lemon and kale. Hot drinks range from organic herbal teas to Indian Chai Latte, and soft drinks include Kombucha, Hibiscus Iced Tea and Ginger Lemonade.

What we ate

We stacked our plates with as much variety as we could squeeze on. I love that you’re able to taste a bit of everything, rather than having to choose one or two dishes.

Nothing compares to tucking into a mountain of rainbow colours, flavours and textures.

But do bear in mind it’s easy to go overboard and it can become quite pricey due to the weighing system, if you’re not careful! My plate included a range of hot and cold salads, falafel, hummus, tomato salsa, glass rice noodles, beans and chickpea stew. I also had a raw chocolate peanut butter square for dessert.

The crowd

As well as vegans and vegetarians, the crowd includes Mayfair or Soho workers who are looking for a nourishing local lunch. It’s always busy, but the staff can usually seat you as it’s quite a large space.

The little things that make the difference

Tibits caters excellently for people with allergies and intolerances. All dishes are clearly labelled for allergens and there are plenty of options.

While 80% of the food is vegan (with the remaining 20% vegetarian), every Tuesday all dishes are exclusively vegan.

What we’d go back for…

I’d love to go back and try the breakfast selection, which features freshly baked pastries, artisan breads, homemade bircher muesli, fresh fruit, juices and jams.

The bill

Large plate 1   £12.50
Large plate 2  £16.30
Dessert  £1.10
Green Fitness Juice   £3.90 

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Kin Café review

Kin was created by father and son, Peter and Charlie Meadows. It’s tucked away behind Oxford Street. This vegetarian café takes pride in prime ingredients which are environmentally and socially sustainable. They also support other small start-ups and suppliers.

The space

The interior is simple and minimalist. It’s light grey and cream throughout. There are two wooden tables outside, so dog-owners or sun-seekers can indulge. Inside is a choice of several table sizes. Overall, this is a prime location to grab a juice and set up camp with your laptop. They also do take-away.

The fresh juice test

 

Kin offers organic and cold-pressed juices with a choice of Green Machine, Immune Booster and Unbeetable.

The Green Machine combo of spinach, lime, cucumber and pineapple was what I went for and it was a good choice. It didn’t taste too green, as the sweetness of the pineapple balanced out the spinach. They also offer freshly brewed Kombucha and booster ginger and turmeric shots to keep away the winter colds.

What we ate

The menu at Kin Café changes daily. The breakfast includes superfood porridge, layered chia puddings, Mexican style eggs or tofu and fresh sourdough toast. As an avocado addict, I had to go for their avocado on toast. Two thickly sliced pieces of sourdough piled high with creamy smashed avocado, chilli flakes and whole hemp seeds. It was simple but delicious. We also tried the pesto tofu toasted sandwich which was packed full of flavour.

Next we sampled the peanut butter chocolate chip blondie -vegan and gluten free studded with chocolate chips and with a light vanilla flavour.

The chocolate ganache raw brownie was decorated with pink rose petals and drizzled in dark chocolate.

It’s hard to believe this brownie was raw, as it was so fudgy and gooey. It wasn’t too sweet, either, offering a healthy indulgent chocolate treat. Finally, the protein millionaire slice – raw and gluten free again. The biscuit base was topped with crunchy peanut caramel and finished with a layer of chocolate.
They’re serious about their coffee at Kin, so to round the meal off, I had a delicious oat mylk flat white (they do charge extra for non-dairy milk). We also enjoyed their lemon and mint infused water and their retail Love Raw Cacao and Cardamom mylk.

What we’d go back for…

The fresh, vibrant and colourful ingredients! Plus, I was seriously impressed by the amount of avocado piled onto the toast!

The bill

Avocado Toast  £6.50
Tofu pesto toastie  £5.00
Green Machine juice  £4.00
Oat mylk flat white  £3.40
Protein Millionaire slice  £4.00
Chocolate Ganache raw brownie  £4.00
Love Raw Mylk  £3.00

 

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Scarlett Green Soho

As a massive fan of the London based Aussie chain Daisy Green, I was keen to head to their new Soho home, Scarlett Green.

The chain began life  in 2012 when two former bankers, Prue Freeman and her husband Tom Onions, started selling smoothies and coffee from a Ford transit van next to the Gherkin. They now have nine cafés in London, each delivering their signature ‘bottomless brunch’ and lunches in stylishly, quirky settings. As the new kid on the block, Scarlett Green doesn’t disappoint and re-creates Melbourne and Sydney café culture in bucketloads.

The setting

This café is huge, a mega 4000 square feet, boasting two floors, stacks of seating and a super swanky bar.

The vibe is really relaxed with stunning artwork and some of the most beautiful toilets in London!  Plush sofas, plants and artwork dominate. There’s also a large area of tables and chairs, plus the signature brightly coloured deckchairs.

Like their Victoria branch, Timmy Green, this is the kind of spot that works beautifully for a brunch date as well as an evening dinner option with a menu to suit all!

The green juice test

They have a few delicious juice and smoothie options on their menu, but the green juice looked the best… and it definitely tasted the best!

It was a lovely blend of cucumber, spinach, celery and apple and perfect on a hot sunny day.

What we ate

Their brunch menu is always the talk of the town on Instagram, but as we popped in for lunch, we decided to share a few of the more interesting dishes instead.

We chose some of the smaller plates- the Spicy Tuna Tostadas (delicious), the Vegemite Cheese & Truffle doughnuts (which were absolutely out of this world and I could have eaten 50!), the halloumi fries with pomegranate yoghurt and then we shared the mango, carrot and samphire salad with pickled watermelon and nuoc cham. All of which tasted amazing! We also shared a caffeine hit smoothie with banana, dates, coconut H20, almonds and espresso. 

The bill

Caffeine hit smoothie £5.80
Green juice £5.00
Halloumi fries  £7.80
Tuna Tostadas x 2 £5.60
Vegemite dough balls x 2 £5.60
Mango and carrot salad  £9.80

What else?

Daisy Green also do catering for events as well as private hire and their famous bottomless brunch.

What made us glow?

In true Aussie spirit, he Vegemite balls were definitely a firm favourite.  I would come back time and time again for them!

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Greenberry

 

Deep in the heart of North London’s idyllic Primrose Hill is Greenberry Café.

Their passion is great food made with the best ingredients.

 

The setting

The interior is warm and welcoming and reminded me of a chic little Parisian spot.

The design is stripped back brick, peppered with luscious plants and wall mirrors. The coloured Victorian floor tiles were a real favourite of mine.

The green juice test

Greenberry do fresh juices which change daily so you have to ask for their daily menu. Luckily, they had a tasty green juice for me to try -I’ve visited many Glowcations recently and this was one of my favourite juices to date.

It was a mix of fennel, apple, spinach & celery and tasted spot on!

What else?

They have quite an extensive drinks menu and serve my other beloved favourites… a beetroot latte as well as kombucha.

The little things

If you’ve ever walked through Primrose Hill village, you’ll know how picture perfect it is. So the location alone of this cute little café has real appeal.

What we ate

We popped in for brunch and I was surprised at how large the brunch menu was. There was a huge selection of dishes on sourdough (yum). We chose the avocado, sweet potato hummus, two poached eggs and dukkah on sourdough plus the Kedgeree with a poached egg (and I also had food envy of everyone else getting their dishes nearby).

Perhaps we made a bad choice, but our mains both lacked flavour and any real wow factor. On the plus side, the sourdough bread was delicious and if you’re keen for something simple then it would definitely be a great choice. After our eggs, we were still in need of something else, and sadly they don’t have any healthy treats to finish off with.

So, we shared the pancake with ricotta and berries which left me on a high as it was delicious.

All the food was accompanied by an oat milk matcha, the green juice and also a fresh grapefruit juice.

The bill

Matcha with oat milk  £4.10
Grapefruit Juice  £4
Green Juice   £4.95
Avocado, Hummus & Poached Eggs on Sourdough   £9.50
Kedgeree with Poached Egg   £9.50
Berry Pancakes  £9

What made you glow?

The atmosphere was warm and homely!

I felt very calm and serene and could have stayed and kept ordering matcha’s all day long.

If you’re in that neck of the woods and need a quiet spot to recharge in, I would definitely head to Greenberry Café.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Chiswick: brunch perfection at Angie’s Little Food Shop

There’s nothing little about Angie’s Little Food Shop – it is big on flavour and big on style.

Angie’s, or ALFS as it’s known locally, was founded by South African Angie Steele who spent 10 years heading up various Gordon Ramsay restaurants before opening her own cafe.

Her impressive cooking credentials shine through in the delicious all day brunch menu, tempting GF cakes and innovative salads.

 The setting

ALFS is at the Hammersmith end of Chiswick High Street and stands out thanks to the bright blue awning and painted doors. There are two tables outside and inside rows of wooden tables plus a large communal table at the back.

They fill up fast at the weekend so make sure you arrive early.

There are fresh flowers and mini cactus pots on the distressed wooden tables. The walls display original ceramics and modern art. The staff are very friendly and helpful in seating you when it gets busy.

The little things

As soon as you sit down you are given decanters of water infused with cucumber. ALFS is very welcoming to dogs and there’s usually quite a selection of four legged friends including the owner’s Australian labradoodle.

The green juice test

Angie’s does sell the Cold Press Clean Green (apple, cucumber, spinach. parsley & lime), but often runs out.

When we visited on a busy Sunday lunch time we were too late so had a freshly squeezed OJ and an apple and carrot juice both made on site.

They were both equally refreshing.

What we ate

We tried two types of egg – the creamy scrambled eggs with roasted tomatoes on sourdough and the Eggs Royale.

The latter was perfectly poached eggs with salmon on sourdough.

Plus, we tried the soft goat’s cheese bruschetta with smashed avo, raw beetroot and sprout salad and heirloom cherry tomatoes. The mix of textures and flavours was gorgeous. Finally, we had the sweet potato soup of the day with garlic bread. It was a warming and a filling meal in itself.

The bill

Soft Goats Cheese Bruschetta £7.95
Scrambled Eggs £8.00
Eggs Royale £10.50
Soup of the day £6.00
Fresh Orange / Carrot & Apple £3.10

What else?

The wide range of ceramics on sale are by three of Angie’s favourite South African artists and make fantastic gifts or treats.

What made us glow?

The vibe, the dogs and the beautiful plates all the food is served on.

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Farm Girl, Chelsea

Farm Girl in Notting Hill is a plant-based, Instagram sensation. The café regularly has queues our of their pretty courtyard.

They also have an outpost in Sweaty Betty on Carnaby Street. The inspirational founder, Rose Mann, has now opened a third branch off the Fulham Road. Last weekend I ventured to West London’s newest hot spot for Sunday Brunch.

As a huge lover of the iconic Notting Hill branch, I was keen to see if it lived up to the hype… and it did!

The setting

The Chelsea café has more of a restaurant feel than the original. You enter past a  sleek cocktail bar, lit with antique pendant lamps and go into  a leafy low-lit oasis with plush banquettes around the walls.

The decor is a mixture of bold stripes, bright green velvet and pale woods. It feels warm, upmarket and elegant. There are plenty of tables inside, plus a few outside.

Farm Girl
Farm Girl

The little things

The decor is beautiful! It has such a different feel to the Notting Hill branch with a real element of Luxury! And it feels bigger and it was easier to get a seat!

I felt like I’d been transported to a Parisian cafe with an endless choice of latte’s- there are so many to choose from!

Farm Girl

The green juice test

Farm Girl’s green juice was small but mighty! A really tasty juice, which I assume was made in house – a delightful blend of lime, apple, cucumber, parsley & spinach.

What we ate

Honestly it was a really hard choice- everything on the menu sounded so delicious. We started the meal with a Butterfly Matcha and a Lavender Latte (which for some reason I assumed would be pink, but is just gently infused with lavender).

We tucked into the Oven Baked Aubergine in a tomato and chickpea sauce with mint and tahini yoghurt dressing and a poached egg on top.

Then the Blue Jack Tacos which were the real show stopper for me- a combo of BBQ pulled jackfruit, pineapple guacamole, lettuce & egg free mayonnaise wedged in two soft blue corn tortillas. Finally, we had Berry Pancakes what’s brunch without a dessert, right? – made with buckwheat and topped with amber maple syrup, berries & coconut shavings.

What else?

I was surprised to find that there wasn’t a massive queue.

We went at 11:30am and the staff were wonderfully accommodating, but by the time we left, the hoards had started to arrive, so I would recommend getting there early to avoid a wait.

The bill

Butterfly Matcha with oat milk: £4.50
Lavender Latte with brown rice milk: £4.20
Blue jack tacos: £12.00
Oven Baked Aubergine with fried egg: £10.00
Berry Pancakes: £12.00
Green juice: £4.00

What made you glow?

The blue jack tacos were insane! Made with jack fruit, they were an incredible vegan option on the menu and I would definitely go back for more!

For our review of their Notting Hill branch click here. 

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Notting Hill: Farmacy, superstylish plant-power

The founder of Farmacy, Camilla Fayed, believes that people are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the ‘conscious eating’ movement, so she opened Farmacy two years ago to reflect this.

Serving vegan food (plus eggs) and including many gluten-free, refined sugar free and raw dishes on the extensive menu…it has to be on our Glowcation hit list!

The setting

Farmacy occupies a large corner space on Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove. As you approach, you see hanging plants and twining ivy surrounding the large windows and entrance.

Once inside, the plant theme continues and there is a useful, small waiting area (since it can be very busy).

The restaurant has been designed around a central green wood and brass bar. There are lots of wooden tables, plus plush booths and banquettes around the walls. The large windows flood the room with light and the many plants create a natural vibe which tones with the green upholstery and ties in with the food.

The little things

In every window there are coloured vases with plants. They have clearly thought really well about all the little details in the restaurant. There are plug sockets at the wall and window tables.

The fresh juice test

For my very first green juice test, I chose the greenest juice possible: the Alkaline booster – cucumber, kale, celery, spinach, romaine, lemon and parsley. Normally,

I like to include a sweet component like apple or pear, so this one was very green for me and not sweet at all.

I did like it though, as I got a huge vitamin boost, but the celery was too strong for me, so that’s why I’m not 100% sold on my choice.

What we ate

My friend and I shared two plates, one sweet, one savoury. Seeing they had waffles on the menu, I was sold in ten seconds and so we had the Chocolate Chip Warrior waffles and the Macro bowl. We started off with the waffles. As a serious waffle fan, I have to admit  I’ve never had such crisp waffles before – which I think is even more impressive for vegan waffles.

The delicious waffles came with house made “nutella”, coconut yoghurt, banana and cacao nibs.

The “nutella” had a very rich cacao flavour and no sign of crunchiness from hazelnuts. I t was a smooth paste, like real Nutella! That – together with the co-yo – was a great combination with the super crunchy waffles and cacao nibs.

Farmacy
Farmacy

The Macro Bowl was basic, minimal and clean – quinoa served with avocado, seaweed, sauerkraut, steamed seasonal greens & sweet potato with a miso ginger dressing.

I normally don’t really like salad dressing, but the miso ginger dressing had a very rich, nutty flavour and finished off the dish.

The bill

The green juice £7
Matcha latte £6
Waffles £10.50
Macro bowl £14.50

What else

You can get a chance to see the chefs at work on the way to the toilet as you pass by the kitchen. Plus there’s a private room with a huge square table, plants, posters and candles

What made us glow

Our dishes and the dishes around me. They were all so pretty that I couldn’t stop looking to see what someone else had ordered.

I really liked the interior.

Interiors are always important for me, as a well furnished restaurant makes me more excited about the food! And last, but not least, the waffles really made me glow! I was so impressed by the crunchiness of them!

To read our interview with the founder Camilla Fayed click here. 

Farmacy

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Soho: Mildreds, the vegetarian trailblazer

Behind its pretty blue facade on Greek St, Mildred’s has been a Soho institution for over a quarter of a century.

This vegetarian trailblazer first opened its doors in 1988 and has served international vegetarian cuisine ever since.

The menu remains modern, innovative and delicious. There’s no reservations, but it’s well worth queuing for!

The setting

Set in the heart of Soho, just a side street away from Regent Street, Mildred’s is a vegan and vegetarian delight. With the option of grabbing a takeaway or sitting down for a leisurely lunch, it makes the perfect healthy pitstop. Its bright blue, signature window frame is hard to miss and the warm, basic interior is normally packed full.

Design-wise, it might not be as “cool” as it’s rivals, but Mildred’s put all their effort and energy into making good value, plant-based food incredibly tasty and exciting.>

The little things

I love the fact that on busier days I can pop into Mildred’s and pick-up a selection from their array of salad options, soups and mains such as stuffed aubergine. A large salad will only cost you £6.50 which I think is great value for a house-made healthy meal in the heart of London.

The green juice test

Mildred’s has a choice of five fresh juices. The green juice (apple, kale, cucumber and lemon) didn’t really do it for me.

The juice was predominantly apple, so it was far too sweet for my taste.

Personally I prefer a much sharper green juice, but for those with a sweeter tooth, I’m sure it would hit the spot. I preferred the carrot, apple, beetroot and ginger juice, which had a delicious kick to it.

What else?

Mildred’s is dog friendly, which I think is a lovely feature in a West End Glowcation. There are also three other branches in Camden, Dalston and King’s Cross.

What we ate

More like what didn’t we eat! We ordered a selection of the small plates to try a range of the dishes.

We tried tenderstem broccoli with chilli and a soya sauce, miso aubergine with ginger and spring onions, hummus with rose harissa, chickpeas with persian limes and rose petal harissa and roasted squash with spinach, hazelnut and almond dukkah and tahini.

All the dishes were absolutely bursting with such a range of flavours.

The chickpeas were plump and meaty and the aubergine had just the right amount of miso; often you find they drown the aubergine, but this had clearly been brushed with a light coating ensuring it had just the right hit, but wasn’t too sweet.

This is a perfect example of how plant-based foods can be totally delicious and creative.

The bill

Green Juice: £4.50
Beet Juice: £4.50
Hummus: £6.00
Roasted Squash: £5.00
Chickpeas: £5.00
Broccoli: £5.00
Aubergine: £4.00

What made us glow

I really appreciated that all the dishes came out at the same time (fairly quickly too).

It meant we could enjoy a range of flavours together rather than eating one dish and waiting for the next ones.

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Shoreditch: Aussie Grind and avocados

Founded by an Australian musician, Shoreditch Grind features a healthy Antipodean-inspired menu and an upstairs recording studio.

It’s cool, quirky and hip and the brunch is pretty amazing too!

Shoreditch Grind is the original of four restaurants across London. It opened in 2011.

The setting

Located on Old Street Roundabout, right above the underground station, Shoreditch Grind is quick and easy to get to and perfect for people-watching. Our tip is to sit on the bar facing out through the full-length windows – which also  provides great lighting for that Instagram shot!

There’s a vintage cinema display outside and exposed brick walls.

The décor is minimalist – metal pipes run along the high ceiling and a neon sign spells out “cocktail baby” above the bar. Rumour has it, they make the best expresso martini in town! There are plenty of tables available both indoors and outdoors, plus you can take-away.

The staff are particularly accommodating for allergies and are happy to make adjustments, such as swapping almond milk into the porridge instead of dairy.

The little things

I loved the gorgeous ceramic crockery and the red coffee cups and saucers that perfectly match the red neon signs. The free wifi makes this an inviting place to sit with your laptop and catch up on emails.

Each dish is made from fresh, seasonal ingredients, ideally sourced locally, and the presentation has clearly been carefully considered.

Plus, you know you’re in good company given there’s a wall stacked with the autographs of the celebrities who have visited, from Kate Nash to Gabrielle Aplin.

The fresh juice jest

Their juices and smoothies come bottled from Press London but taste very fresh and are made from high quality ingredients.

I got the Green Smoothie, made from spinach, avocado, cucumber, apple and banana, as well as a cold-pressed Amber Juice – orange, carrot, apple and ginger. Both were divine!

They also offer a variety of multi-coloured lattes such as a fluorescent pink beetroot latte and a golden turmeric latte.

What we ate

We ordered three mains (and three drinks) between two very hungry girls. The smashed avocado was ripe and chunky, freshly mashed with lemon juice and chilli flakes. It came with two runny poached eggs with bright orange yolk, and crisp sourdough toast – although I was surprised that they do not offer gluten-free toast.

The açai bowl is a delicious blend of frozen açai berries and banana, decorated with coconut flakes, flaxseeds and blueberries.

We also got gluten-free porridge, which I requested with almond milk.

It had a creamy consistency and was topped with crunchy granola for a contrast in texture, as well as a handful of berries.

What else?

If you’re a coffee fan, they sell tins of their Grind House Blend Coffee, both in whole beans and ground, which is roasted daily, plus they mix a mean cocktail.>

The bill

Smashed avocado and eggs  £8.50
Acai bowl   £6
Porridge   £5
Amber juice   £4.25
Green Smoothie  £4.50

What made us glow

Beautiful and nourishing food in a landmark hipster setting with a laid back vibe.

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Covent Garden: By CHLOE. iconic vegan NYC sensation hits town

By CHLOE. is an award winning, plant-based, fast-casual, vegan sensation in the US.

It has nine branches and has served over 610,000  ‘Guac burgers’ since July 2015.

In February their first location opened in Covent Garden’s theatreland. “We have wanted to expand internationally.” says Founder and creative director Samantha Wasser.

“We started looking at where the requests were coming from. There were so many requests coming from London. We looked at our Instagram stats and it was NYC, LA, London. The reception has been incredible.”

The Setting

By CHLOE. lures you in with it’s iconic swinging chairs, pink neon signs, mosaic topped tables and signature banquettes.

It’s on Russell Street just opposite the stage door for 42nd Street.  The black and white striped floors and monochrome tiles are covered with a mixture of small and large tables, a selection of potted plants are dotted throughout and the staff are super-friendly.

Even the toilets have super-cool plant power wallpaper.

We could have stayed all afternoon just swinging around admiring the view.

The Green Juice Test

There are six cold pressed juices on offer with a choice of two green ones- The Giving Tree (kale, spinach, wheatgrass, apple and lemon) and the Junkie (kale, spinach, wheatgrass, cucumber, parsley and lemon).

Our tip is to also try the Seasonal Lemonades. We tried Clementine and went back for another.

The Little Things

By CHLOE. is exceptionally dog friendly. Dogs have their own section of the menu Woof By Chloe featuring Pupcakes (organic whole oat K 9 cupcakes) and BagO’ Dog Bones (house-made organic peanut butter dog bones).

There are also plug sockets for working diners.

 

What we ate

There’s a huge choice, including some UK specials like a vegan take on Fish and Chips made from tofu, but we couldn’t resist their best sellers.  We tried and adored The Guac Burger, a fabulous black-bean, quinoa and sweet potato pattie with corn salsa, guac, tortilla strips, chipotle aioli in a wholemeal bun.

The Mac N’ Cheese with sweet potato and cashew cheese sauce was a hit with us on a recent trip to New York and it didn’t disappoint in London.  In fact we can’t wait to go back and have it again with its almond “parm” and a super tasty shitake bacon topping.

The amazing avocado pesto pasta with grape tomatoes and almond parm was so good that we might go for this as a main next time. And finally we tried some more-ish air baked sweet potato fries. Make that a double next time!

The Bill

Green Juice £4.80
Seasonal Lemonade £2.75
The Guac Burger £9.00
Quinoa Taco £9.95
Mac N’ Cheese  side £4.80
Avocado Pesto Pasta side £4.80
Air baked Sweet Potato Fries £4.00

What Else?

By CHLOE. is spacious,  a cool place to chill and it’s good value for well made vegan cuisine using great ingredients. The packaging is pretty and recyclable.

They also have a wide selection of cookies and cakes although it is worth noting these contain vegan sugar.

What Made Us Glow?

The vibe, all the food… and we didn’t even try the range of cakes and cookies! We’ve already put a return date in the diary.

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Brewed + Pressed, Mill Hill

Brewed+Pressed began in Dallas, Texas with a juice bar launched by Sohail Dar and Mike Heffelfinger, two dentists and friends who share a career and a purpose.

They want to empower you to feel better from the inside out.

For the two friends, healthy was not about boring but about nutritious everyday food packed with flavour. Or as they say it is a about “the art of nourishment”.

The setting

The cafe is bright, modern and inviting. Think modern pine walls, floors and tables with marble accents and cactus plants. As you walk in, you’re greeted with an array of raw cakes on the bar, chocolate, mocha or berry – they all scream ‘eat me’.

And there are homemade gluten-free cakes.

The indulgent red velvet layer cake smothered in a smooth white creamy icing grabbed my attention the most although as it was breakfast I sadly gave it a miss.

Brewed + Pressed

The little things

I loved that Brewed +Press also sell freshly-made soaps packed with natural ingredients and look delicious enough to eat!

They offer free wifi and has a welcoming working environment so you can sit and work at your laptop whilst drinking your matcha latte.

I also found the staff were friendly and really helpful in helping me decide what to have!!

The green juice test

The green juice comes in a bottle, so if you don’t finish it, you can take it away! It was light in flavour making it easy to sip across the morning – not too sweet and the addition of the lemon gave it a slightly sharp edge which I’m a fan of.

What we ate

There are plenty of of raw breakfast options including raw granola, matcha chia pudding and the classics such as avo on toast and a great bowl of oats topped with banana, sliced, almonds, cranberries and cinnamon.

We tucked into a warming shakshuka and a trusty smashed avo on sourdough with poached eggs.

Brewed + Pressed

The shakshuka was the perfect order for a frosty morning. It was warming, loaded with spice and packed a punch with the extra peppers.

The smashed avo was served on a chunky slice of sourdough which provided the perfect crunch and I particularly loved the addition of the mixed seeds and chilli flakes to give it an extra kick.

The eggs were cooked to perfection in both dishes!

We also enjoyed a matcha tea and a lemon, ginger, cayenne and turmeric shot. It wasn’t too hot which meant it went down much easier than some of the ones I’ve had in the past!

Brewed + Pressed

The bill

Avocado on toast  £6.65
Additional eggs x 2  £1.90
Green juice  £4.95
Shakshuka   £7.65
Matcha tea  £2.80
Immunity shot  £3.50

What else?

The choice of snacks on the counter was so good that I was tempted to fuel up for the day. They offer homemade buckwheat granola that you can take home along with some of my favourite on-the-go snacks including a whole selection of the Ombar collection!

What made us glow

I loved the brightness and calmness, it has a very soothing vibe to it which left me uplifted and excited about the day ahead! I’ll be back!

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Marylebone: Meditation pods at Yeotown Kitchen

From the second I entered Yeotown Kitchen, I was in love.

The peaceful atmosphere, the welcoming faces, the inspirational quotes on the walls and tables…

Yeotown Kitchen is happy. It’s bright. It’s colourful and it’s oh so feel good!

Yeotown Kitchen’s mission statement is“Strong in body, clear in mind”. The cafe is the latest move from Mercedes and Simon Sieff, the couple behind Devon’s award winning Yeotown health retreat.

It provides an oasis in the city to replenish and rejuvenate with their trend setting kitchen, juice bar and meditation pods.

 The setting

Yeotown Kitchen’s double fronted space fits in neatly with its neighbours on upmarket Chiltern Street. Chiltern Firehouse is opposite, and Daylesford and Sweaty Betty round the corner. The vibe is inclusive and relaxing.

It’s spread over two floors and you can grab ‘n’ go or eat in.

Warm wood and yellow hues dominate creating a calm and cheerful atmosphere.

What else?

Quite a lot! There are five mind boosting meditation pods on hand:  The Basic Break (for a quick rejuvenation of mind and body); The Bravery Break (for a boost of courage and confidence).

The cutting edge pods give you a mental boost in just five minutes.

The Beauty Break (to encourage self-love and finding beauty within); The Brain Break (to soothe anxiety, gain better clarity and perspective); and The Balance Break (to restore focus, direction and equilibrium).

The fresh juice test

Yeotown Kitchen specialises in organic dairy free smoothies (with an impressive ten on offer), plus six juices pressed on site. The signature green is called Love – a combo of cucumber, kale, celery, lemon, romaine, pear, lime, green apple and parsley.

My lunch date had the Wisdom juice – a mix of beets, apples, lemon, spinach, ginger and baobab.

And I can confirm, it was pretty damn delicious!

I also had the Adaptogenic Latte, which uses medicinal mushrooms for their amazing de-stressing properties, with added cinnamon.

What we ate

Anything seasonal, plant-based, gut friendly and full of healthy fats will always be a winner for me – so Yeotown was a winner! Plus, as they don’t use refined sugar or gluten, you know you’re in safe hands.

For the main event, it had to be the Courage Bowl – a delicious mix of quinoa, chickpeas, sprouts, avocado, perfectly seasoned sweet potatoes, sea veg, cherry tomatoes and the most amazing pink kimchi.

It came with a cute pot of tahini dressing, which made for the perfect accompaniment for the salad.

The Benevolence Bowl was a delicious all day breakfast concoction of  organic local eggs, greens, bean and grain of the day, pickles, avo, super seed crumble, sprouts and microgreens served with Zaatar tahini.

The bill

 Benevolence Bowl £11.95
Courage Bowl £11.95
Adaptogenic Latte £4.50
Juice £4.95

The little things

Many little personal touches are dotted around the café truly making the experience very special. Potted plants, hanging yellow pineapples, colourful graphics on the table surfaces and, of course, the meditation pods. There was also wifi and plenty of sockets, enabling yo to create a remote office space if you’re a laptop lover.

 What made us glow?

Just how healthy the food was! As a super health conscious eater, I like to know exactly what is in my food, and Yeotown’s menu really put me at ease. There were options to swap out, add in and to takeaway ingredients entirely if you wished, and the selection of smoothies and juices were all delicious as well as each targeting a different health concern.

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Notting Hill: Be Kind to Yourself at Bodyism

Bodyism’s founder James Duigan has made it his mission over the past 10 years to spread his ‘clean and lean’ philosophy first through his personal training, books and supplement sachets so loved by supermodels and now through his gym and café.

The stylish café in Westbourne Grove is an oasis of calm and clever ways to make us all slow down and be grateful.

“Be Kind to Yourself” and “Love always wins” are written over the entrance and “love is the only superpower we need” is splashed across the window. There is a smiley welcome and the menu is seasonal, ethical, nutrient rich…and delicious.

The setting

Bodyism is a compact, pretty café and grab ‘n go. The mosiac tiled bar lines one wall, and opposite is a large window overlooking Westbourne Grove with counter seating and a few small tables.

You can also sit outdoors on the street at blue wooden tables with plant pots.

They have cosy rugs in the winter. Bodyism also has an athleisure wear shop and the vibe is welcoming and relaxed.

The little things

We love the hand-made paper sign offering peace, wisdom, confidence or warmth depending on how you feel that day which is stuck to the wall as you enter. We took inspiration and friendly James stopped us and asked us what we took as we did it.

There are a few plug sockets on the walls if you want to work from a laptop.

The fresh juice test

Bodyism doesn’t do juices, but it does offer power smoothies and ayurvedic teas.

We had the Long and Lean protein excellence smoothie – a delicious mix of ginger, almond butter, banana, Himalayan salt and almond milk.  It was filling, tasty and not too sweet.

What else?

Bodyism is attached to a gym offering a team of top performance coaches and fat loss specialists. It is also dog friendly.

What we ate

We visited at breakfast and went for Duigan’s signature dish of protein pancakes.

These are possibly the best pancakes we’ve ever had – not too sweet, amazing texture and perfectly complemented by the berry compote and coconut yoghurt.

You can find his receipt here. We also had a ‘Nourish Me’ Acai bowl. It was very pretty, but also delicious with a generous sprinkling of nuts, berries and cacao nibs.

We finished with a showstopping matcha latte made with brown rice milk and a dash of cinnamon for an extra energy boost. Again, it tasted as good as it looked.

The bill

Nourish Me Açai Bowl £8.50
Protein Pancakes £8.00
Long and Lean smoothie £6.50
Matcha Latte £3.80

 

What made us glow

The attention to detail, the food looks sensational and it tasted delicious.

We also like the hands on and friendly approach by James stopping to ask us what we took from his inspiration sheet.

We were complete strangers but it is clear that this founder practises what he preaches.

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Chiswick: Crucial Cafe a hidden oasis of calm

“Nutrition for Life” is the mantra of Chiswick’s Crucial Cafe. Ruth Wood the founder, and a clinical nutritionist, is passionate about the life-changing power of nutritionally balanced foods.

Alongside her team, she creates super healthy meals, salads, cold-pressed juices, smoothies and snacks using the highest quality fresh ingredients, sourced from local suppliers.

There’s plenty of raw dishes and you can enjoy them all in the spacious and relaxed space as well as delivery free to your door if you live locally.

The good news is you don’t need be a member to use it.

The setting

Crucial Café is a well kept local secret. It’s tucked away in the Hogarth Health club – in a side road off Chiswick High Rd.

The café has a relaxed feel and you can sink into one of the red velvet sofas or lose yourself in their Eames black lounge chair for hours on end. It’s an open, large space with an in-built conservatory and plenty of outdoor tables in the garden that overlook a much-used tennis court. The conservatory is also home to laptop friendly counters and two communal tables.

Expect post workout lycra and a selection of individuals armed with laptops and lattes. The staff are super-friendly and Ruth herself is often on hand checking on the food and giving nutrition tips.

The little things

There’s free wifi and lots of plug sockets available. Crucial use biodegradable packaging and the space never feels crowded.

The green juice test

Crucial presses two green juices on site – Supergreens and 4 Greens. Supergreens (featuring celery, kale and pineapple) is slightly sweeter due to the pineapple. 4 Greens has kale, celery, cucumber, lime and coconut water. Both are large, refreshing and served in a Kilner jar.

What we ate

The fresh salads and specials change regularly and there’s plenty of choice.

Between two, we had: a perfectly poached egg with avo on toast; a wild rice and kale side salad with halloumi; sliced avocado and halloumi on a courgetti salad with kale and heritage tomatoes; and a deliciously, substantial protein bowl of beetroot, banana, nut milk, strawberry and brown rice protein topped with chia and pumpkin seeds, nuts, blueberries and coconut shavings.

Finally, we caved into the spiced apple and date crumble with creamy almond milk custard.

The portion came in its own tin and was enough for two. We managed one each (!) and it is quite possibly the best crumble we’ve ever tasted!

The bill

Poached egg and avo on toast  £7.00
added Halloumi  £3.00
added Avocado  £2.50
Protein Smoothie bowl  £6.00
Spiced apple and date crumble with almond milk custard  £4.00
Green Juice  £4.00

What else?

Crucial offer detox packages they can deliver to you door locally and for a small charge beyond their area.

What made us glow

The friendliness and attention to detail in the delicious food.

It’s a Glowcation HQ favourite we visit time and time again.

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Notting Hill: Juicebaby opens in Westbourne Grove

Juicebaby’s philosophy is simple, “little by little”.

They believe that it’s the little choices that make a big difference. They’re all about the small switch ups, from fizzy drinks to cold-pressed juices, processed to unprocessed and dairy to nut mylks.

Juicebaby supports local, organic farmers and offers sustainable, healthy food on the go.

The brand began life on the King’s Road in Chelsea and their second branch has just opened on Notting Hill’s Westbourne Grove.

The setting

Although it’s primarily a grab and go, Juice Baby does have a good amount of seating in their light, bright space. Cushioned banquettes line the walls and there are several small wooden tables.

The vibe is industrial in tone with a pretty, hexagonal mosiac floor.

The walls feature polished concrete engraved with mottoes and a colourful striped mural. The staff are friendly and the clientele as cool as you would expect for Notting Hill.

The little things

We liked the handy plug sockets, free wi-fi and taster samples of juice on the counter.

The fresh juice test

We were absolutely spoilt for choice…Juicebaby has a whopping total of five green juices on the menu: Green Glow, Skin Balm, Thai Greens, Green Easy and Green Mean.

We were naturally drawn to the Green Glow a refreshing combo of cucumber, apple, seasonal leafy greens, celery and lemon with a welcome kick of ginger.

What we ate

It’s not all about the juice here, the salads and snacks alone are worth the trip. We had a Holy Kale salad – a crisp mix of their signature massaged “kurly” kale, avocado and toasted pumpkin, sesame, sunflower and hemp seeds.The price includes a dressing and there’s a large and interesting choice in small, separate bottles. We had the turmeric mustard (turmeric, olive oil, mustard lemon juice, black pepper and pink salt) which really added a kick to the salad.

The Cheezy Kale crisps are our favourites. Top tip -they are great for travelling.

Finally, desert…and Juicebaby does desert brilliantly. Don’t miss The Snix – layered almond shortbread, with gooey date caramel, roasted peanuts and homemade raw chocolate. It was amazing in both texture and taste.

The bill

Holy Kale salad £7.25
Cheezy Kale Crisps £4.95
The Snix £4.95
Green Glow juice £6.95

What made us glow

The massive choice of delicious juices and The Snix!

 

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Flotsam and Jetsam, Wandsworth

Expect a seriously healthy all-day brunch at Flotsam and Jetsam – a laid back, Antipodean-style café in Wandsworth.

There’s nothing nautical or washed up about the intriguingly titled Flotsam and Jetsam.  Their ever-changing menu of ingredient-led dishes is based on seasonal and market fresh food. They have a separate Vegan menu and use local suppliers. They also have a lot local fans – we had to queue for 30 minutes to get a seat at 11am mid-week. But it was well worth the wait!

The setting

Finding Flotsam and Jetsam was confusing. It has a Bellevue Rd address, but the entrance down a side street, Wiseton Rd. Once inside, the café has a warm, cosy feel. There are wooden tables, scatter cushions, bare brick and whitewashed walls plus baskets of greenery hanging from the ceiling.

You will find two communal tables outside, one inside as well and a selection of smaller tables and two counter areas with plug sockets.

The bar is glazed with pretty blue and green tiles and the floor is distressed parquet.

The staff are friendly and thankfully, good at organising the queue. It’s in a fab location just across the road from Wandsworth Common.

The little things

We love the fact that juice and cold drinks come without a straw which can only add to landfills if they aren’t biodegradable.

The indoor communal table is great for customers working on laptops. There are quite a few plug sockets and free wifi.

The fresh  juice test

On the day we visited, there was a choice of three juices. The hot “Winter Fighter” -ginger, lemon honey and cayenne pepper, “Up Beet” -beetroot, ginger, apple and carrot and “Green” -celery, kale, spinach apple, cucumber and lemon. We tried the “Green”, which was refreshing and not too filling.

What we ate

We had the vegetarian version of Huevos Rancheros (there are also vegan and meat versions). It was a delicious combo of blue corn tortillas, two fried eggs, smashed avo, sweet corn salsa, sour cream and smokey braised beans. As it was so filling, we chose the small vegetarian portion of American pancakes with caramelised bananas, fresh berries, mascarpone and maple syrup. It was equally perfect! We finished off with a turmeric latte.

The bill

Huevos Rancheros  £10.50
Small Pancakes  £4.50
Green Juice  £4.50
Turmeric Latte  £3.00

What else

Flotsam and Jetsam is dog friendly and they hold barista courses.

What made us glow

The separate Vegan menu and the Huevos Rancheros!

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Fulham: Hally’s or Little H?

Two cafes, two menus, two vibes. Hally’s and Little H sit across the road from each other in Parson’s Green.

They share the same owner and the same Californian farm-to-table philosophy. But both offer different experiences and menus. Hally’s is the larger. It’s a café offering organic, ethical produce.

It has an extensive menu and it’s a place to linger with a relaxed vibe.

Little H equally offers fresh well-sourced ingredients, but has a more contemporary feel. It’s more of a deli with a few tables and an extensive juice and smoothie menu.

The space

Hally’s has reclaimed wood floors, a main area and back seating area  complete with pastel-dipped chairs and white clapper-boards.

Little H is more edgy with a neon sign and a feature wall. It has a few small tables and a counter area.

Little H felt friendlier and more personal. Hally’s was packed with locals and families, whereas Little H had more single visitors and customers on laptops. Both are in a great position for shopping on the New King’s Road.

The little things

Both are dog friendly and the owners’ Irish Terrier Arthur is a regular feature by the bar in Hally’s. It also ticks the environmental box in not automatically putting plastic straws in drinks.

The fresh juice test

Both offer juice – with Little H having a much more extensive menu. We tried the Green Dream from the choice of three juices at Hally’s. It was a mix of cucumber, pear, spinach, apple and lime. The addition of pear and lime made it very refreshing.

Little H nails this test in terms of choice and features eight smoothies and seven juices, plus you can create your own juice.

We loved the choice of added extra superfoods (including maca, lucuma, goji, spirulina, wheatgrass, matcha, cashews, bee pollen and turmeric). The Fruit Loop smoothie was  a deliciously light mix of apple, banana, pineapple, strawberry and ginger with added goji berries.

The bill

Hally’s

Goodness Bowl £12.50
Green Juice £4.30

Little H

Chia Seed and Almond Milk Pot £3.75
Fruit Loop smoothie £3.80 (plus added goji berries £.60)
Polenta slice £2.80

What we ate

At Hally’s we ordered the ‘Goodness Bowl of The Day’- a delicious combo of sweet potato, pearl barley, sun dried tomato, baby spinach, sprouting broccoli and feta cheese.

At Little H we chose the GF chai seed and almond milk pot with blueberries, toasted almonds, cacao nibs and coconut yoghurt. A filling combination and not too sweet. Finally, we had the GF lemon polenta slice which was deliciously moist and zingy.

What else?

It’s hard to call, but overall we preferred Little H as it was less busy and therefore the service was quicker.

However, we would certainly return to both.

What made us glow

The huge smoothie and juice choice at Little H and the Fruit Loop smoothie with goji berries.

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Victoria: London’s top new food trend at Ahi Poke

Ahi Poké is at the forefront of the scene in the UK. That’s pronounced POH-key. No, they’re not related to Pokémon!

They’re the latest trend fresh from Hawaii taking LA and the US by storm. And we love them! Poké means “slice or cut” in Hawaiian. It was developed in the 20’s by Japanese immigrants to Hawaii. Think sushi without the seaweed wrap – larger portions and sweeter dressings.

The setting

 Ahi Poké is in the sleek, new Nova complex opposite Victoria Station.

The modern square is landscaped with seating, raised gardens and sculpture.

It’s handy for Victoria, around the corner from Buckingham Palace and perfectly placed for blockbuster musical lovers. Wicked is playing across the road and will be joined by US phenomenon Hamilton in December.

Ahi Poké has a crisp, modern feel. The floor to ceiling windows create light and the pretty bamboo wallpaper adds an exotic touch. The café only has outdoor seating, but in good weather that’s a bonus in this location.

During our lunchtime visit most customers had Poké bowls to go. The small queue of office workers and commuters moved quickly.

The little things

We loved the fact that all the packaging is 100% biodegradable.

They responsibly source and sustainably catch their fish.

They are open for lunch and dinner and their vibrant ingredients and filling bowls are a fab addition to Victoria’s eating options.

The fresh juice test

Ahi Poké sadly doesn’t do juices or smoothies. There’s a small selection of drinks including water, coconut waters and a homemade iced tea.

What we ate

We had three small bowls. There’s a choice of four signature bowls-Oahu,Heat Wave, Venice and Sweet Green. We chose the vegan Sweet Green.

You can also ‘Build A Bowl’ choosing a base (kale, brown rice, quinoa), a fish or veggie (salmon, Ahi tuna, shrimp or mushroom), a sauce and toppings (fried onion, confit ginger, carrot, radish, coriander, kimchee, pineapple, edamame, sweet potato, red onion and chili grapefruit).

We chose a shrimp and an Ahi tuna. All three are fresh, filling and delicious.

There’s a small selection of deserts and the green matcha cream topped with pomegranate is sweet and rich. We left feeling energised.

What else?

We like the way you can build your own supercharged Poke bowl.  There’s another branch of Ahi Poké with indoor seating in Percy St, Fitzrovia.

The bill

Sweet Green bowl with avocado £6.95
Build Your Own Bowl £7.95
Matcha Cream £3.00

What made us glow?

The fact that yummy and healthy food can be found so close to busy Victoria.

Now there’s no excuse for not picking up a healthy take-away as you commute!

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Spitalfields: Café from Crisis

Seasonal, local, ethical and delicious with a mission to end homelessness. Café from Crisis ticks all of our boxes!.

This award- winning cafe helps place 30 people in work each year.

It serves healthy breakfasts and lunches made from scratch on site in the café’s kitchens. It uses quality sourced ingredients and is open from 8am till 3pm near Spitalfields Market, East London.

The setting

Light, bright and spacious with large windows looking out onto Commercial St. A choice of individual and communal seating with pretty, mismatched wooden chairs.

Clean white tables and lots of plug sockets. The vibe is buzzy with stripped brick walls and industrial metal piping. The staff were very friendly and attentive.

Order at the bar from a daily menu featuring a hot vegan, veggie and meat special. Plus, breakfasts, salads, sandwiches and pastries.

At lunch time it was busy with locals and visitors to nearby Spitalfields and Petticoat Lane.

The little things

Or the big thing! The mission of the café. All funds raised through the café are invested into their training programme for homeless people and ex-offenders in hospitality and catering.

They have many success stories featured on a photo wall in the café – including one trainee who went from sleeping on night buses to become a successful barista with a home.

The green juice test

Café from Crisis is seasonal. In Spring/Summer grab the green smoothie – spirulina, cucumber, apple, pear and lemon. In Autumn/Winter its replaced by the warming beetroot, ginger and apple-both at £2.95.

All juices are pressed on site and are so good that they often run out by lunch – so go early!

What we ate

We went veggie and had the aubergine, fava bean, feta and roast pepper stew with feta and couscous.

Perfectly spiced for early Autumn.

The salad selection featured bulgar wheat, caramelised onion, kale, and pomegranate molasses, plus Portobello mushroom, tomato, rocket and whole grain mustard. Filling and fabulous. For desert, a protein packed flapjack and a pretty and warming cinnamon, star anise chai latte with almond milk.

The Bill

Smoothies £2.95
Hot veg special £6.40
Salad plate £5.70
Latte £2.50

What else?

The portions are large and good value.

The staff are happy to pack a take way box for you if you don’t finish.

What made us glow?

The ethos of the café. Café from Crisis really does make a difference and seeing the photo board of who’s moved on since working there was heart-warming.

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The Dayrooms Café, Notting Hill

In the heart of Notting Hill is the newly opened The Dayrooms Café. Owners Aytun Mehdiyeva and Zumrud Mammadova have created an Australian-style café with freshly made food.

It’s linked to their lifestyle fashion brand. We discovered Notting Hill mummies and tourists when we visited on a Friday morning.

The waitress told us they have queues at the weekend.

We think it makes the perfect Sunday morning health kick spot. It’s one of our top cafés to refuel before exploring Portobello market.

 

The Setting

The staff are super friendly. The windows open on to the street outside with two outdoor tables. The music is upbeat and cool.

There is free WiFi with the code “noworries” which sums up the atmosphere.

The Dayrooms Café

The Little Things

The Dayrooms Café is pretty with botanical prints on the wall. Fashion magazines hang off a bamboo ladder.

There are plants high above the service area. And the floor is full of pretty turquoise tiles.

The Green Juice Test

We tried their cold-pressed Lean Green made by Press Juicery. It s made of cucumber, celery, lemon, spinach, kale, romaine lettuce and ginger.

It’s bitter without the apple but really refreshing. £5.00

We also liked their killer smoothie aka the Green Smoothie – kale, spinach, lime, apple, cucumber and ginger blended.

The Dayrooms Café

What we ate

We started with the breakfast bowl – avocado smash, sweet potato, shredded carrots, watercress, courgette and ricotta fritters with herby creme fiche and salsa verde.

The açai bowl was a work of art and topped with chia seeds, coconut, goji berries, banana and edible flowers. The crunchy coconut bircher muesli went in a flash – muesli, lime curd, berries and mint.

We had a turmeric latte and a matcha latte to drink. Grab the turmeric if you like the sweeter option.

What else is going on?

The presentation of all the food was spot on. Edible flowers, nuts, seeds and berries and general attention to detail was brilliant.

 

The bill

£45.50 so not a cheap option but good, healthy food rarely is. We sat for over two hours and loved every minute. The most expensive item was the breakfast bowl for £12.00.

What made us glow?

The breakfast was genuinely delicious and didn’t just look pretty – it tasted awesome.

The service was also standout.

This is a classic healthy café – a cute weekend brunch or something for lunch using healthy ingredients in a community based gem – somewhere that makes everyone glow inside and out!

For more West London inspiration click here. 

The Dayrooms Café

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Fitzrovia: Roots Juicery

Founded by Santa Monica-trained raw food chef Chantal Ward in 2015, Roots Juicery brings a taste of LA to London.

The health hub on Charlotte Street is on a mission to fight against processed foods, and promote raw, plant based goodness.

Their speciality is exactly what it says on the tin – organic, unpasteurised, coldpressed juices, prepared on site daily from 100% organic local produce.

The setting

A stone’s throw from Goodge Street, Roots Juicery is in the heart of Fitzrovia. With a minimalist exterior of dark grey and white, the outdoor tables spill down a narrow but buzzing side street.

The interior is just as minimal with white-washed walls and wooden floor and tables, mostly communal, which give it an almost Scandinavian feel – or perhaps a Californian’s view of Scandinavia.

Most of the food is ready prepared, with just a few things on the menu to be made to order, and is stored with the juices in cabinets along one wall.

It’s light, airy, and spacious, although sadly missing the LA sun!

The little things

They offer a mind-boggling selection of fresh juices – enough to make any health food lover’s heart skip a beat! If you are a serious cold-pressed juice fan, then this is the place for you.

All the juices are cold-pressed on site to maintain the raw state of their fresh produce supplied by the closest local farmers. This guarantees the maximum nutritional benefits. Their tag line is ‘Revitalise, Rejuvenate, Replenish’ so if you are in need of that then this is one of those finds you will have on repeat visit.

 

The green juice test

Roots actually has several green juices but we opted for what looked like the greenest of them all – juice #4, Lettuce Be Green. Containing celery, leafy greens, green pepper, batavia, lemon, and coriander, this one is for serious, die-hard green juice fans, as it’s earthy to the point of bitter, largely due to the absence of fruit.

There are three different green juices, so pick wisely if you don’t like the bitter taste.

What we ate

We also tried the açai bowl and the vegan wrap. Although the açai bowl was tasty, we missed the beautiful and lavish toppings we had seen online and which we have grown used to around London.

What else?

They deliver juices for a variety of different cleanse options, so you don’t necessarily have to visit the store in person to get your juice fix.

Packages include Detox & Cleanse, Heart Healthy, Skin Glow and Your Best Weight from £65.00

The bill

Green juice
Açai bowl
Vegan wrap
£16.30

What made us glow?

The commitment to organic and wholesome food really shines through – this is the definition of tasting the rainbow. It’s particularly ideal if you’re looking to grab juice on the go without waiting for it to be pressed, but still want it as fresh as possible.

But it is mainly about the juice – the food options are not as extensive as you might find elsewhere.

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Jusu Brothers, Notting Hill

Jusu Brothers

Owned by the London Village Kids, a consortium of friends and business partners, Jusu Brothers is a blend of pan-asian food and freshly pressed juices.

It’s tucked away in a serene setting on the busy Westbourne Grove running through the heart of Notting Hill.

The setting

Jusu Brothers is at the quieter end of Westbourne Grove, far enough away from the hustle of Queensway and quieter than the busy shopping end of the road.

White tables with pale wood benches help create a calm and cool atmosphere along with fresh plants everywhere (even suspended from the ceiling) with industrial lights dotting the ceiling and bicycles and scooters leaning against the wall – all adding to the chilled out vibes.

The little things

Brimming with nature, Jusu has little cactuses perched on every table and huge wire baskets filled with bright red apples.

The walls are bare and whitewashed and there’s gentle music beating away in the background.

Jusu Brothers
Jusu Brothers

The menu is a healthy, creative twist on Japanese – think vegan sushi and an impressive menu of protein shakes.

The green and white teas on offer are extensive, including Sencha of Fuji (rich in antioxidants), Douceur Neroli (orange blossom), and Mistal Gagnant (raspberry flowers and grapefruit). There are also little ginger, beetroot, and wheatgrass and lemon shots on offer.

The green juice test

We asked for a veg-filled green juice and the friendly waiter suggested the Kyuri Cleanse – perfect for a hot London day. Bursting with cucumber, kale and celery, it was blended and pressed in front of us – simple but delicious!

What we ate

We came for an early lunch and there were plenty of free tables which quickly filled up as we sat. We tried the vegan sushi which was packed with veggies – rocket leaves, carrot, apple, sun-dried tomatoes, portobellos and avocados surrounded by tahini-dressed quinoa, all wrapped in a nori sheet and cashew dressing. It was pretty delicious!

 

We also chose an acai bowl which arrived in a beautiful turquoise blue ceramic bowl (they’ve thought of everything).

It included acai, guarana, blueberries, avocado, almond butter and topped with homemade buckwheat and hazelnut granola, pumpkin and chia seeds, bee pollen, goji berries and a squeeze of agave. Although we thought it could have been a little colder, it looked and tasted incredible.

Jusu Brothers

The Bill

£23.95

red smoothie bowl
vegan sushi
kyruri cleanse
+ 12.5% discretionary charge

What else?

The customers were an even mix of local residents and business people.

The big windows were wide open, fusing the chilled inside vibes with the warmth of London outside.

What made us glow?

The Kyuri Cleanse was so fresh and perfect for a hot summer’s day and free from fruit which was very welcoming! The staff were friendly and knew the menu which meant they could make helpful suggestions.

The menu is extensive and intriguing – the sort of place you would want to revisit to try everything!

Jusu Brothers

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Chelsea: Raw Press

Breakfast review at Raw Press, London

Tucked away on Ellis Street, which is a five-minute walk from Sloane Square, we discovered healthy cafe and juice bar, Raw Press.

The founders say “over the past few years, cold-pressed juicing has exploded in popularity in the US, where juice bars look to be on track to become as popular as coffee chains.

This trend is here to stay and we boast two of the first stand-alone stores in London.

Swap your soft drinks for some cold-pressed kale, embrace your brassicas and discover that being healthy doesn’t have to be hard!”

Breakfast review at Raw Press, London

Breakfast review at Raw Press, London

Boxes of Monopoly and draughts are on the shelves crying out to be played in this healthy cafe and it is so tranquil that we were tempted to pull them out and get going.

The setting

First impressions are that Raw Press feels like a secret gem of a Glowcation hidden away from the rest of the world. We walked into a super calm and relaxed environment.

The little things

The decor is cool and fresh – tables lined in bright yellow, wheatgrass running along the walls and yellow toasters sitting on the tables waiting to be used, we are told, by customers at lunchtime who fancy some toast and nut butter.

The green juice test

Raw Press is all about the juice and we had not one but three green juices to choose from:

/ Super Green – cucumber, celery, coconut water, spinach, Swiss chard, lemon, ginger and mint

/ Green – cucumber, celery, apple, spinach, kale, ginger and lemon

/ Sweet Green – pineapple, apple, kale, Swiss chard, lemon, ginger and mint

We tried the Green and loved it – by far one of the best green juices in London.

What we ate

We loved the help-yourself-buffet breakfast bowls. We had fun filling beautiful bright china bowls with overnight Bircher muesli made with green juice, matcha, dates and oats.

Don’t let the green colour put you off. It is delicious!

We added chia seed pudding made with almond milk, coconut yoghurt, blueberries and strawberries. And we got creative with the jars of bee pollens, nuts and seeds that we could sprinkle over the top.

Breakfast review at Raw Press, London

We were told that lunch is a selection of superfood salads prepared on site by the resident chef. These include courgette, roots and slaws, grains, greens, beans and kale as well as hot bowls of cauliflower cheese and courgette lasagne.

Breakfast review at Raw Press, London
Breakfast review at Raw Press, London

What else?

The staff were super friendly and some of the best we have come across on our search for London Glowcations.

They are passionate about the business and they are knowledgeable about the juices.

There is activated charcoal in the water on the tables and free WiFi with the motivational password “healthynothard”! The music is chilled out and current.

This healthy cafe also runs a delivery service with Quiqup.

The Bill

We paid £7.80 for our delicious breakfast bowl and £6.50 for a small juice (375ml).

What made us glow?

The whole place made us smile and glow- the bright colours, the toasters, the creative ‘make your own’ breakfast bowls.

The atmosphere is friendly and the format original.

Oh, and did we mention we sneaked one of their home-made Bounty-style bars in as we left?!

Breakfast review at Raw Press, London

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Chelsea: Juicebaby

juice bar review of london based juicebaby

Juicebaby is an ‘on the go’ juice bar in an area called World’s End at the end of the Kings Road.

They say “we source the absolute best produce, cold-press our juices on a daily basis and maintain the highest standards possible.

We never pasteurise, water down or add sugar to our juices. We avoid the use of dairy, eggs, gluten, soy, chemical additives or preservatives of any kind. We avoid cartons and cans.” They sell juices, acai bowls, homemade soup and takeaway salads.

Juice bar review of london based juicebaby
Juice bar review of london based juicebaby

The setting

Juicebaby is at the end of the Kings Road in Chelsea. It’s a busy drop-in cafe with a small amount of seating so be prepared to wait for a seat at busy times. It’s a self-service Pret-a-Manger vibe which is perfect if you need to grab and go. There were also people sitting working on their laptops.

The little things

We like the take-out small bottled salad dressings – turmeric mustard, macadamia balsamic, miso sesame, sunflower cheese, aioli, Caesar and Thai peanut.

The walls are covered with power statements and the music is upbeat.

We found it difficult to find the WC so some signposts would be appreciated.

The green juice test

We tried the Mean Green which was £6.95 for 500ml. It was bright green, cold-pressed and contained cucumber, seasonal leafy green, celery, ginger, lime and parsley. We were not offered a glass or a straw. It was very watery.

What we ate

We came for a late lunch. We asked to try the soup and bean stew before buying as we couldn’t decide which to go for and we were offered tasters happily. We chose the pea and mint soup which was homemade and super delicious. It tasted fresh and well seasoned and came with plain gluten-free toast with no butter.

The bowl was a cardboard take-out kind of thing so don’t expect china.

We also tried the kale crisps – simply the best we have ever tasted and worth a trip to Juicebaby for these alone. They contain curly kale, cashews, red pepper, sesame seeds, nutritional yeast, salt and lemon juice and come in a cool zip-lock bag.

At £4.95 they are not a cheap snack but they are a super tasty treat and great to pack when you travel.

What else?

We noticed lots of people dashing in with sports gear on post-workout. Others were working away at their laptops although we struggled to get on the house WiFi. It’s a conflicting environment – relaxed but busy.

Juice bar review of london based juicebaby

We also chose an acai bowl (acai, banana, dates and almond butter) which came in a plastic bowl with a plastic spoon. It looked beautiful with vanilla granola and coconut chips but was too sweet and heavy.

The Bill

£26.10 for soup, kale chips, green juice and an acai bowl so Juicebaby isn’t a cheap option.

Juice bar review of london based juicebaby

What made us glow?

The cheezy kale chips were a huge hit and think they are the best we have found in London.

It’s a great Glowcation if you are on the run or you are working or playing in World’s End.

We like the take-out salad bowls – the power, taco, yam yam and the market Caesar salad and the mix and match salad dressings.