Cafe Gloss will considerably bump up your London connoisseur status. A very pretty tea room, this cafe is sure to impress.

The Venue
It’s easy to pass by this eatery without paying it too much attention as the distractions of the traffic and many shops of Kensington Church Street keep you engrossed. However, keep your eyes peeled as this small cafe is one the prettiest, most affordable tearooms in London.

Cafe Gloss is basically one L-shaped main room with a few outdoor tables. The walls and ceilings are entirely painted in pretty pastel colours with Renaissance themes. To let the wall decor shine, everything else is kept pretty simple: the furniture consists of plain wooden tables and chairs and a rattan couch.

The Atmosphere
Intimate, quiet and elegant, Cafe Gloss is a small treasure yet to be discovered. Those who do know of its presence are mostly boho-chic girls from Notting Hill or a few refined ladies and gentlemen in their forties or above. The calm, pleasant nature of the cafe makes it the perfect place for an afternoon date; just make sure you avoid getting trapped during peak times – this cafe is small and is best experienced when semi-deserted.

The Food
Cafe Gloss is serious about tea complements but it adds a French spin on the traditional British varieties. Scones, Devonshire clotted cream and jam or peach and cream cakes are available alongside sweet crepes (£3.80-£5.50) with all the typical fillings like Nutella and banana, banana with morello cherries, maple syrup and butter. Traditional breakfasts (£5-£7) are also on offer, including continental options like smoked salmon and scrambled eggs alongside British dishes such as mackerel, baked beans and toast.

As the day progresses, they start to serve sandwiches (£3.50-£4.50) with a vast choice of fillings from chorizo and tomato to coronation chicken, ham and cheese. They also offer a selection of mains (£4.50-£8), the most interesting options are chicken lemonato and rice; roast butternut filled with bacon and walnut; and chorizo, vegetable and herb stuffed baked potatoes. There is also a selection of savoury crepes (£6-£7) that are worth trying: the bacon, maple syrup and cinnamon and the Cornish goat cheese with walnut sun-dried tomato and chorizo are particularly mouthwatering.

The Drink
No alcohol is served on the premises but they have a good selection of traditional coffees and teas (£1.90-£3.50) including the more extravagant Redbush. Common soft drinks are also available with some rarities thrown in, like the interesting ginger beer presse.

The Last Word
Intimate, romantic and delightfully simple, Cafe Gloss is worth experiencing, particularly during a cool afternoon in Spring or Autumn: it will impress anybody you take along.

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