This cute coffee bar is the epitome of chic Soho cool, serving excellent coffees and delectable cakes for stylish West Enders.

The Venue
Within the little streets of Soho where cafes and bars are two-a-penny, Fernandez and Wells is a simple cafe that has nothing more than a large window displaying their trendy clientele sipping lattes and a tiny sign displaying their name. This first impression sums up their whole ethos of understated sophistication. There’s no need for flashy decor to draw people in, they’ve honed their on the good food and coffees, which is enough to bring Londoners in by the droves. The venue is small, with plain white walls, big wooden tables with grey plastic stools, and one long grey bar displaying all the treats they has to offer. The coffee bar also has a sister venue around the corner that serves light meals and wines.

The Atmosphere
There’s a constant buzz in this cafe with colleagues and friends catching up over a coffee. The chatter is interesting and lively and the look of the crowd is smartly dressed but with a just-threw-this-together twist, making everyone look effortlessly classy and elegant. There’s not a hint of pretentiousness though as everyone is simply here for a coffee, not to show off. The loud clang of the coffees being made before your eyes behind the bar adds to the energetic vibe of the place, and the friendly attentive staff whisk your orders to you before you’ve even sat down, perfect for a quick caffeine dose. Though there isn’t that much seating, the relaxed feel in the cafe means you don’t feel rushed to scald your throat and vacate your seat for the next customer, and there’s a constant flow of people to keep the atmosphere bubbling.

The Food
The food is all freshly prepared and sitting on wooden boards waiting to be sampled. The selection is small but well made and the quality and taste are exceptionally good. For a light breakfast there’s Greek yogurt sweetened with honey and crunchy walnuts, but the croissants and sandwiches are a real treat. There’s the legendary toasted cheese sandwich made with Poilane bread (from the famous French bakery) and Montgomery cheese or the ham, cheese and tomato croissant for only £3.40. The toasted croissant is light and flaky with a buttery flavour that complements the filling. The ham is a proper thick cut with a meaty flavour, and the oozing cheese and sweet tomatoes help create an amazing sandwich. There are also freshly baked cakes and biscuits, such as Victoria sponge, chocolate biscuits and a Portuguese custard tart that has a sweet, flaky pastry and deliciously sweet filling that makes it a popular favourite for £1.50.

The Drink
The coffee beans are sourced by the Monmouth Coffee Company and so promise a deep rich coffee flavour whatever choice you make. The prices vary from £1.50 - £3 for drinks, and though the cup sizes are slightly stingy, the flavours are exactly what you’d hope for – a creamy balance of bitter and sweet. The affogato is a brilliant find, as the strong espresso coupled with the delicately flavoured vanilla ice cream is a devilishly addictive flavour and an effective contrast of hot and cold. There are also freshly squeezed juices, herbal teas and a citron presse if you need an instant refresher.

The Last Word
A cafe that has a unique laidback character that nearby chains are aching for, serving reliably good coffees and simple, well made food that will make you a regular.

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