Ravello Coffee Co

Great. Looks like a typical franchise café, but this place’s foods and desserts are just great. Whenever i visit London, i’ll choose here my brunch or lunch place!

Really more like 3.5 stars but I’ll be generous here because the coffee was tasty and they have a good variety of sugar-​free syrups. I am sometimes a typical American in that I like to enjoy the thing I am paying for (I know this is a foreign concept to British people). For example, when it comes to coffee I do generally prefer soy milk, and I will order it if I see it on a menu. But I always find it baffling when I order from a menu only to have the wait staff look at me like I’m speaking gibberish, as they did here today when I ordered a soy (on the menu) cappuccino (on the menu) with sugar-​free amaretto syrup (on the menu). Admittedly these may not be to everyone’s taste but they are ALL ON THE MENU and it wasn’t particularly complex, yet the guy taking my order reacted like I had asked for something totally beyond his ken. Then as he repeated it to the staff behind him I felt like I had caused some sort of international incident as there was a mounting sense of disbelief and tension making sure it was all relayed correctly. Anyway, the coffee came and, as I say, it was tasty and done like I asked so I suppose the end result is the important thing.

It’s hard to get excited about Westminster’s lunch eateries, but this Ravello is an exception. Quite simply they seem to have identified what their customers want and then endeavoured to make the best versions of the dishes they can. For once, their slogan ‘Making food good’ is right on the money.
I normally opt for a green curry or butternut squash curry for lunch. Both are crammed full of fresh, wholesome ingredients including brown rice. Both cost £5−6 for the larger size and just over £3 for the smaller size. The packaging is laudably environmentally friendly too, either recyclable or compostable — impressive.
Their sweeter stuff is excellent, including lower calorie muffins and red velvet cake, which has a truly delicious (is it cream cheese based?) icing.
Even their coffee is good, being easily amongst the best in the area (I usually go for a flat white), and I really appreciate the way that the decaff is freshly ground, which is unusual at places that don’t specialise in coffee.
Finally, service is quick, friendly and competent.
In all, Ravello has fast become my go-​to place for lunch and coffee whilst at work.